The Ultimate Guide on Where to Stay in Singapore
The colourful traditional shophouses of Chinatown, the iconic Marina Bay, the bustling and vibrant Little India, the white sand beaches of Sentosa Island, the cultural melting pot of trendy Kampong Glam and the historical landmarks of the Civic District. Read this guide to discover where to stay in Singapore.
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Although Singapore is a major South-East Asian hub, you’ll feel worlds away from its surrounding neighbours. Known for being extremely modern and squeaky clean, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a European or an American city rather than an Asian one.
But dig a little deeper, explore past the towering glass skyscrapers and glitzy shopping malls and the Asian charm of the city with its traditions, cuisine and history will reveal itself.
The Lion City is a land of contrasts with incredible ethnic diversity. It’s a beautiful combination of Asian and European, historical and modern. You’ll quickly see why it’s been dubbed the country where the East meets West.
Singapore is quite compact, and you can explore the main highlights in a few days. However, there are several unique neighbourhoods. each with a distinct charm and atmosphere, so deciding where to stay in Singapore can be daunting. So, continue reading to discover the best part of Singapore to stay for your visit.
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Contents
Where to Stay in Singapore
Chinatown; where to stay in Singapore for diversity
We’ll kick off this guide on where to stay in Singapore with our favourite area of the city and where we stayed on our honeymoon, Chinatown.
Chinatown is a burst of colour and a beautiful fusion of old meets new. Traditional shophouses, ancient temples, medicine halls and hawker centres brush shoulders with chic bars, modern skyscrapers, fashionable boutiques and trendy art galleries.
It’s incredibly multicultural with a Buddhist temple, mosque and Hindu temple within a few metres of each other. This cultural diversity has led to Chinatown having some of Singapore’s best cuisine, where fragrant smells waft through the streets tempting you at every step.
Explore the narrow maze of streets adorned with brightly-coloured murals depicting Singapore’s history and stories from the artists’ lives. You’ll also find pieces by Ernest Zacharevic, most known for his street art in Penang.
Chinatown is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Singapore to explore the city. It’s within walking distance of many of the top things to do and well connected by metro for places further away.
On our honeymoon, we stayed in Oasia Hotel Downtown. The hotel is uniquely designed and makes you feel like you’re in a tranquil oasis full of lush greenery rather than the heart of bustling Singapore. If your budget allows, we’d recommend upgrading to a Club Room with a gorgeous lounge area by the infinity pool, complimentary evening drinks and canapes, free wellness activities and more.
Marina Bay
Marina Bay; the crown jewel of Singapore!
The focal point of Marina Bay and renowned for transforming Singapore’s ever-expanding skyline is the instantly recognisable Marina Bay Sands.
This integrated resort boasts luxury accommodation across three imposing towers that have what looks like a boat balancing across the top. Here, you’ll find the world’s largest infinity pool offering sweeping views across the city!
Marina Bay Sands is where to stay in Singapore for incredible luxury and an icon of the city.
If you’re not staying at Marina Bay Sands, you can visit the observation deck for 360-degree views over Singapore. Also, check out The Shoppes; Southeast Asia’s largest selection of luxury fashion, watch and jewellery brands.
Explore past Marina Bay Sands and take a stroll through Gardens by the Bay, a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Meander your way around lush green conservatories full of flowers from across the globe or lose yourself in a cloud forest.
This horticultural masterpiece has won multiple awards, educating visitors on plants rarely seen in this part of the world.
Visiting Gardens by the Bay is one of the best things to do in Singapore at night when the Supertrees are lit up and put on a light and music show.
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You’re not short on places to eat and drink as the waterfront is lined with restaurants, cafes and bars with a fantastic view of Marina Bay Sands.
Marina Bay is without a doubt one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Singapore.
Orchard Road
A wide 2.2km tree-lined boulevard provides a great base to explore the city. With over 5000 entertainment establishments, Orchard Road is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Singapore.
Orchard Road dates back to the 1830s when fruit orchards and plantations stretched across the area. These have now made way for huge futuristic shopping malls, some of the world’s finest cuisine, nightlife hotspots from sophisticated cocktail bars to Japanese inspired drinking dens and endless entertainment options.
In contrast to the modern glitzy malls of Orchard Road, take a walk down Emerald Hill Road, a street frozen in time.
Most of the buildings here were built between 1900 and 1920, and it was once an upmarket residential neighbourhood for Chinese and Malaysian immigrants. The architecture is a pretty blend of Art Deco and Chinese Baroque styles.
Our Top Tip: don’t miss the Singapore Botanic Gardens. These beautiful gardens are the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and are perfect for exercising, enjoying a picnic or escaping the city’s hustle and bustle.
Little India; best neighbourhoods to stay in Singapore
Little India is one of Singapore’s most vibrant and colourful areas. A stark contrast to other areas of the city, which are gleaming and orderly, Little India is a bustling myriad of narrow alleys full of market stalls, temples and restaurants.
In the 1840s, Little India was mainly inhabited by Europeans who lived here for the racecourse and social events. Then the cattle trade took off, and the traders hired Indian migrant workers.
From here, mosques and Hindu temples were built, and it has become one of Singapore’s most dynamic regions.
Little India very much retains its unique heritage. It’s a tantalising blend of old and new with contemporary street art and eateries nestled amongst age-old temples and market vendors.
It’s also one of the smallest districts and can be easily explored on foot or by bike.
Little India is the best part of Singapore to stay for budget shopping.
At the 24-hour Mustafa Centre, you’ll find tons of designer products at low prices. And, at the Tekka Centre, you can browse everything from Bollywood music to silk for saris and a huge range of food options.
Our Top Tip: arrive hungry! Little India is one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Singapore for foodies. From the varied regional cuisine from South Asia to Northern Indian dishes, follow your nose and you’ll find some new favourites.
Sentosa Island; where to stay in Singapore with family
Singapore’s state of fun! Sentosa is a man-made island accessible by a road bridge and cable car, and absolutely chock-full of entertainment!
Prior to World War II, this island was a British military fortress. Once Singapore returned to British rule, the island was renamed ‘Sentosa’, meaning peace and tranquillity.
Over the years, Sentosa has transformed into a sunny island and the best part of Singapore to stay if you want to relax on its gorgeous white-sand beaches. However, it’s also full of adrenaline-fuelled activities, Universal Studios, tropical rainforest and relaxing nature walks.
Sentosa Island is where to stay in Singapore with family, particularly if you’re looking for more of a resort-style base.
Civic District
The Civic District is the birthplace of modern Singapore and lies at the heart of the city. Here, you’ll find some of Singapore’s most historically important landmarks such as key government buildings, memorials, parks and fascinating museums.
Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, assigned the area north of the river to the British. Here he had built banks, churches, clubs, hotels and offices to meet the needs of a thriving trade post.
Many of the historical buildings have been completely restored over the years, with many also being reborn to fulfil another purpose.
Where the City Hall and Supreme Court once stood, you’ll now see the National Gallery of Singapore after a massive four-year restoration. Here, you’ll find the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art.
It’d be a crime to visit the Civic District and not pop into Raffles. This magnificent world-renowned hotel was built in 1887 and now proudly stands as a Singapore icon.
Admire its colonial-era architecture, relax in the shaded courtyard with a book, shop in high-end boutiques in the Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade or visit the exhibits in the Raffles Museum. Make sure you visit Long Bar to taste the original Singapore Sling!
With fantastic metro links and within walking distance to Marina Bay, Clarke Quay and Orchard Road, the Civic District is a great part of Singapore to stay in to easily explore other areas.
Kampong Glam; best things to do in Singapore
One of our favourite things to do in Singapore was to explore this vibrant and trendy neighbourhood that’s unlike anywhere else in the city.
In the 1800s, Kampong Glam was an ethnic enclave for the Muslim community. Today, it’s a multicultural melting pot with a blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultures.
This area was once a booming port town. In Malay, ‘Kampong’ means ‘compound’ and glam comes from the gelem tree, which was found here and used for boat-making, medicine and seasoning in cooking.
Traditionally, the streets were filled with mosques, carpet shops and Middle Eastern cuisine, and after-dinner entertainment consisted of shisha and apple tea.
Today, while you’ll still find these traditional businesses, the area is also home to stylish boutiques, cosy cafes, cocktail bars and charming restaurants.
Stroll the picturesque streets with beautifully restored and brightly coloured shophouses and discover fascinating street art telling stories of the past.
Thanks to how multicultural Kampong Glam is, you’ll find some incredible food from the four corners of the world.
Kampong Glam is also where to stay in Singapore for nightlife. When the sun goes down, check out some of the live music venues.
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To Know Before You Visit Singapore
The best time to visit Singapore
Although Singapore has fairly consistent weather year-round, the best time to visit Singapore is February to April, which falls in the dry season.
Getting around Singapore
Getting around Singapore is easy and efficient with the city’s public transport system.
The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is the country’s main mode of railway transportation, which, along with the bus, is how the majority of locals and tourists get around Singapore.
The easiest and most cost-effective way to pay for transport in Singapore is either with an EZ-Link Card or your contactless card.
Taxis are convenient, although don’t flag one down. Use the ride-hailing app Grab, which is fairly cost-effective.
We’d always recommend walking whenever possible. Many of the best things to do in Singapore are within walking distance of each other. You’ll no doubt stumble upon hidden gems you wouldn’t have otherwise found. Walking is always our favourite way to get around new cities.
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How long to spend in Singapore
Singapore is somewhere that, although small, you could spend weeks still uncovering new gems and places to explore.
You can see many of the top things to do in Singapore in a couple of days to break up longer journeys to places like Bali or Australia. Singapore is a major transport hub, so it’s perfect for a stopover.
As Malaysia is so close, Singapore is a great city to incorporate with a longer trip here, which is what we did on our honeymoon. You can either fly directly to Kuala Lumpur or take the bus through the south of Malaysia.
You can also spend a couple of weeks here if you base yourself on Sentosa Island, one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Singapore. You can enjoy a great mix of city time and beach time.
Currency for Singapore
Singapore uses the Singapore Dollar. At the time of writing, 1 USD is 1.31 SGD.
What plug socket do I need?
You will need plug type G.
Entry requirements to Singapore
As a UK passport holder, your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after the date you arrive. You don’t need a visa to stay up to 30 days. For any other nationality, check the Singapore entry requirements here.
All travellers are required to submit the SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arriving in Singapore. This is free and can be done using the link above.
We hope you found this blog on where to stay in Singapore helpful. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave us a comment or get in contact and make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time.
If Singapore is part of a larger trip around Southeast Asia, check out our posts below on Vietnam, Malaysia and Bali.
