The very best Singapore hotels


When it comes to choosing a Singapore hotel, you’re spoiled for choice. From heritage haunts with a storied past to luxurious Singapore spa hotels, we’ve selected a few of the best hotels in Singapore to help you narrow it down.

There's a wealth of top-notch hotels on offer in Singapore. Image credit: orpheus/iStock
There’s a wealth of top-notch hotels on offer in Singapore. Image credit: orpheus/iStock

Considering its small size, Singapore is a city that packs a serious punch. The variety of Singapore hotels from which to choose from is as diverse as Singaporean culture itself, offering an eclectic mash-up of culture, tradition, and style.

Those looking for central Singapore business hotels have an abundance of options. Some of the best Singapore boutique hotels are located in the CBD, as are many five-star and luxury options. For those on a more relaxed schedule, a few days at the world-famous Marina Bay Sands, historical Raffles Hotel, or soul-healing Capella Singapore may be in order.

Take your pick from our curated list below, and rest assured that no matter which Singapore hotel you choose, you’re in for a memorable stay.

Oasia Hotel Downtown – a cool and convenient spot for business travelers

A mosaic of red aluminum mesh cladding and lush greenery, Oasia Hotel Downtown makes a strong architectural impression in the city’s central core. Nestled amongst sleek grey skyscrapers, it’s a cool and convenient spot for business travelers, located at Tanjong Pagar MRT and close to many of the city’s big office complexes.

Oasia Hotel Downtown offers a more social experience than other hotels in the area, with 40 percent of its space dedicated to open air communal spaces, including an impressive sky deck, a club lounge, and two rooftop pools.

Oasia also has a second hotel located north of the CBD in Novena, and a third residence-style accommodation located on the West Coast, which is a great option for those staying longer in Singapore.

The Skyline Pavilion at Oasia Hotel Downtown. Image credit: Oasia Hotel Downtown
The Skyline Pavilion at Oasia Hotel Downtown. Image credit: Oasia Hotel Downtown

PARKROYAL on Pickering – more of a garden than a hotel

PARKROYAL on Pickering is so lush and green, it’s often described as more of a garden than a hotel. A great option for eco-conscious travelers, the hotel’s countless green spaces and balconies are self-sustaining through the use of rainwater harvesting, water reclamation, and solar cells.

Design aficionados will appreciate PARKROYAL on Pickering’s unique interior which is curvaceous and undulating, inspired by rock formations and the topography of natural landscapes. Amenities include an infinity pool, spa, gym, and a business center with private workstations. It’s central location, halfway between downtown and Orchard Road, is ideal for both business and leisure travelers.

PARKROYAL on Pickering has an abundance of green space surrounding its exterior. Image credit: PARKROYAL on Pickering
PARKROYAL on Pickering has an abundance of green space surrounding its exterior. Image credit: PARKROYAL on Pickering

Marina Bay Sands – skyline views and the world’s largest infinity pool

Perhaps Singapore’s most well-known landmark, Marina Bay Sands needs little introduction. Its world-famous infinity pool was the backdrop for the surreal synchronized swimming scene in “Crazy Rich Asians”, and its sci-fi silhouette is center to Singapore’s impressive skyline.

This Singapore luxury hotel has a staggering 2561 rooms and suites, with an equally impressive range of amenities including their renowned Banyan Tree Spa and Fitness Club.  The topmost floors and rooftop terrace offer stunning views of Singapore, with a birds-eye view of Supertree Grove.

As one of the city’s largest and most kitted out accommodations, Marina Bay Sands is best suited to leisure travelers who have the time to enjoy all it has to offer.

Deluxe King bedroom at Marina Bay Sands. Image credit: Marina Bay Sands
Deluxe King bedroom at Marina Bay Sands. Image credit: Marina Bay Sands

Raffles Hotel – a Singapore heritage hotel with an intriguing past

In 1902, a tiger escaped from a performing circus, seeking respite within the bar and billiards room of one of colonial Singapore’s principal lodgings,Raffles Hotel. A sharpshooter was called in to relieve the hotel of its unwanted guest, and in doing so gifted the Raffles Hotel with one of many fables that make it so famous today.

History buffs will love Raffles Hotel’s storied past, and as one of the many five-star hotels in Singapore, there is no need to sacrifice creature comforts. Sampling a Singapore Sling in the lobby bar is an absolute must, and those seeking retail therapy are well situated with Orchard Road, Singapore’s premier shopping street, just meters away.

Please note: Raffles Hotel is currently closed for restoration, reopening mid-2019.

The Fullerton Hotel – a neo-classical landmark with a top-notch location

Singapore is blessed with numerous heritage hotels, and The Fullerton Hotel is certainly one of the most impressive. This grand neo-classical landmark was once home to Singapore’s General Post Office and contains the room in which the British Governor was told to surrender to the Japanese during WWII.

The Fullerton Hotel boasts a picturesque location, perched on the banks of the Singapore River, a stone’s throw from some of Singapore’s main attractions including the National Gallery, Gardens by the Bay, and Merlion Park. The hotel offers a number of unique experiences including a vintage Vespa sidecar tour, and a heritage cuisine cooking demonstration and tasting.

M Social Singapore – an offbeat choice for the artistically inclined

Expect eclectic energy, bright color, and quirky detailing at M Social Singapore, located at Robertson Quay. Creatives and the artistically inclined will thrive in this offbeat boutique hotel, where you can choose from a range of Philippe Starck-designed rooms and suites.

Their on-site restaurant, Beast and Butterfly, offers an excellent Asian-fusion dining experience with “visual drama”, including lava lamps, video projections, and even a wall lined with tablet computers.

M Social Singapore is located west of the Downtown Core, ten minutes by car from both Marina One Offices and Suntec Center.

The Warehouse Hotel – the trendiest new boutique hotel in Singapore

This elegantly restored, 1800’s riverside warehouse is one of the coolest new Singapore boutique hotels, making the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List every year since opening in 2016. A chic and sophisticated choice for business and leisure and travelers alike, The Warehouse Hotel has a more intimate feel than Singapore’s many chain hotels, with just 37 rooms and suites.

Although the hotel lacks amenities such as a pool or spa, it has an excellent on-site restaurant by celebrated local chef Willin Low. Here you can enjoy hawker market staples with a playful twist, and craft cocktails inspired by Singapore’s historic spice trade. Located just across the river from the aforementioned M Social Singapore, its central enough while still maintaining a sense of calm.

Sofitel So Singapore – modern convenience with local charm

Part of the popular French-owned Sofitel chain, Sofitel So Singapore is excellently located in the city’s CBD, just a few minutes walk from the Marina One Offices. Housed within an iconic former telecommunications building, it stands out from the other out-of-the-box Sofitel locations in the city, with a unique interior that blends Singaporean and French style.

Sofitel So Singapore is a convenient choice for business travelers, with modern features such as online check-in and a media center in every room.

Naumi Hotel – a calm and comfortable oasis in central Singapore

Naumi Hotel offers a warm and comfortable sanctuary next to the Suntec Convention Center. Choose from a range of rooms and suites with names such as “Habitat”, “Oasis”, and “Eden and Nirvana”. Luxurious touches include deluxe Egyptian cotton bedding, premium bath amenities, and a rain shower in every room.

Naumi Hotel’s 8M meeting room is a cool feature for business travelers, decked out with a projector, flipchart, whiteboard, and conference phone. Gamers can make use of one of the hotels more unusual amenities – a range of gaming consoles including Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii are available for loan on a complimentary basis.

Although this Singapore boutique hotel lacks a spa, it has a well-equipped fitness center and a super cool rooftop infinity pool and bar with excellent skyline views.

Naumi Hotel's Andy Warhol-inspired room. Image credit: Naumi Hotel
Naumi Hotel’s Andy Warhol-inspired room. Image credit: Naumi Hotel

Yotel Singapore – Singapore’s most teched-out “smart” hotel

Check into one of the world’s most intriguing “smart” hotels, at Yotel Singapore on Orchard Road. Marvel as extra amenities are delivered to your door by a friendly robot, or avoid idle chit-chat with staff by utilizing their check-in and check-out kiosks.

Rooms are similarly teched-out, each of which feature an adjustable SmartBed, numerous charging points, super-fast WiFi, and a smart TV which can be connected with ease to guests devices. Choose from the range of “cabins” on offer, from shoebox-size to deluxe suite.

Their lobby has a handy co-working area for guests, and their outdoor pool and terrace is the perfect spot to relax at the end of a busy day, with a glass of their house-brewed craft beer in hand.

The Ritz Carlton – pure opulence on Singapore’s waterfront

If you’re looking for Singapore’s most luxurious lodgings, then look no further than The Ritz Carlton. One of the most opulent Singapore spa hotels, you can choose from an endless range of treatments, including a massage which is synchronized with the sound of a live cellist.

The Ritz Carlton is a feast for the eyes with panoramic views of Marina Bay and the Kallang River Precinct, an ostentatious interior, and a 4200-piece art collection with works from Andy Warhol, Dale Chihuly, and David Hockney. Their rooms are equally lavish, each of which is kitted out with silk sheets, walk-in closet, and a marble bathtub.

Also deserving special mention is their Michelin-starred Summer Pavilion restaurant, which serves up modern Cantonese fare within sumptuous interiors.

W Singapore Sentosa Cove – tropicana beach party vibes

Sexy, cool, and stylish, W Singapore Sentosa Cove is one of the best resort-style Singapore hotels, hosting regular poolside parties with local and international DJ’s.

Surrounded by lush greenery, W Singapore Sentosa Cove has one of Singapore’s largest and most Instagram-worthy outdoor pool areas, with a swim-up bar serving an extensive range of cocktails. They also have a decent spa, which includes a sauna, steam room, and vitality pool alongside numerous treatments and massages.

Rooms and communal spaces are vibrant in design, so not ideal for those seeking a zen experience. However, if Miami beach party / tropicana vibes are your buzz, then W Singapore Sentosa Cove may be your idea of paradise.

W Singapore Sentosa Cove's Marvelous Suite. Image credit: W Singapore
W Singapore Sentosa Cove’s Marvelous Suite. Image credit: W Singapore

Capella Singapore – a calm and healing sanctuary on Sentosa Island

Located in a tropical oasis on off-shore Sentosa Island, Capella Singapore is a great choice for couples or weary business travelers who need a few days of tranquility after a busy week in the city.

The hotel’s 112 rooms, suites, and villas are surrounded by 30 acres of lush forest greenery and landscaped gardens, with ocean views. At the heart of Capella Singapore is two beautifully restored colonial shophouses, which inform the overall design and architecture of the hotel. Bespoke contemporary comforts, natural materials, and touches of traditional Asian style give Capella Singapore a calm and healing aura.

Capella Singapore is all about wellness. Their spa offers holistic treatments, some of which correspond with the different phases of the moon. Or, if your idea of self-care is sipping champagne from a private Jacuzzi with views of the ocean, then you’re covered here too.

Aerial shot of Capella Singapore hotel. Image credit: Capella Singapore
Aerial shot of Capella Singapore. Image credit: Capella Singapore

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport – best airport hotel in Singapore

As far as Singapore airport hotels go, Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport is the best and most reliable option, with the added convenience of being directly connected to Terminal 3.

Although the hotel interior is a little dated, rooms are comfy and spacious, with everything you need for an enjoyable stay. The outdoor pool area is excellent, and their spa offers an extensive range of treatments for weary travelers. They have two restaurants on-site, one of which offers buffet-style dining, and the other, a la carte Cantonese fare.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is perfect for those on a layover, or those in Singapore on business for a single night. Rooms are bookable at both a nightly rate or for eight-hour blocks.

Ambassador Transit Hotels – Terminals 2 and 3 – a savior for flight delays and layovers

Looking for a place to rest without exiting immigration? Then Changi Airport’s Ambassador Transit Hotels have you covered. A savior for those with flight delays or lengthy layovers, rooms are booked in six-hour slots so you can take a shower and nap before jumping on your next flight.

Their two Changi Airport hotels, located at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, offer simple amenities. Comfy but basic rooms with wifi, private bathroom, a desk, and chair, as well as access to a small but functional gym. Each hotel offers spa services, however, these are on a first-come-first-served basis and cannot be booked in advance.

Travel stylishly in Singapore, with a Blacklane limousine service. Blacklane is available for airport transfers from Singapore Changi Airport, one-way trips, as well as hourly bookings.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grace Catherine

Grace is a freelance writer and digital project manager from New Zealand currently based in Mexico City. She is an avid traveler who loves destinations with an eclectic history, a bike-sharing scheme, and plenty of cool animals.