Singapore has taken the age-old adage that “good things come in small packages” to the extreme. This tiny island nation is one of the smallest countries in the world, but it’s also one of the most exciting, futuristic, and fun places to visit in Asia.
Located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is both an urban metropolis and a tropical paradise. Explore the high-rise delights of Orchard Road and the boozy bars of Clarke Quay, gorge on street food in Chinatown and Little India, and escape the city with a stroll through the incredible Gardens by the Bay.
If you’re planning a trip to this buzzing Southeast Asian destination, then keep reading as we explain exactly where to stay in Singapore!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
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The 10 Best Hotels in Singapore
1. Marina Bay Sands
One of the best hotels in Singapore (and one of the most iconic luxury hotels in the world) is the Marina Bay Sands. A landmark, an architectural vision, and a work of contemporary beauty created by Moshe Safdie, the triple towers of Marina Bay Sands are connected by a sky-high rooftop deck that sails like a cruise ship high above the waterfront.
Marina Bay Sands is both monstrous in size and unbeatable in luxury. There are some 2,561 rooms and suites spread across the three distinctive towers, while the complex is home to a casino, museum, art galleries, multiple restaurants, and even a Venice-like canal that you’ll find within the glass domes of the shopping mall.
But equally, Marina Bay Sands offers an unparalleled personal service for each of its guests. Upgrade to the Signature Series or the Paiza Collection, for example, and you’ll have access to the 24-hour butler team, while cocktails are handcrafted in the bar and restaurants frequented by celebrity chef-owners mingling with their diners.
Rooms feature marble bathrooms as standard, tall floor-to-ceiling windows offer glorious views of Singapore, and the decor is always elegant. Make your way to the hotel’s fabled infinity pool on the 57th floor for a swim with a view, or take in the vistas from the SkyPark Observation Deck high above Marina Bay.
2. Raffles Singapore
Few names in the luxury hotel industry conjure such a timeless allure as Raffles. Named for Sir Stamford Raffles, the British officer who laid the foundations for modern Singapore with the founding of a trading post here in 1819, the Raffles is one of the best luxury hotels in Singapore.
Opened by the Sarkies Brothers in 1887, Raffles is where the Singapore Sling was invented in 1915 and the list of celebrity guests – from Charlie Chaplin to Somerset Maugham – is as extensive as the hotel’s famed Long Bar.
The Raffles is a hotel that bursts with history and heritage, but step inside the colonial-esque lobby, and you’ll be surprised by the depth of recent upgrades that have brought the property into the 21st century.
Totally revamped and reopened in 2019, the 115 luxury suites feature four-poster beds, teakwood floors, and handmade furnishings, while the state-of-the-art spa offers herbal saunas, hydrotherapy experiences, and a fully-equipped gym.
3. Shangri-La Singapore
For a revitalizing stay like no other, the Shangri-La Singapore is one of the best Singapore hotels to book. Dating back to 1971, this is the original Shangri-La hotel experience and the first of the now world-famous brand to ever open its healing doors to guests.
Shangri-La Singapore was always intended as an escape from the outside world, and whether you find that solitude among the luxury hotel’s 15 acres of botanical gardens or in the treatment rooms of Chi, The Spa, that much is down to you. Rooms are light and easygoing, yet decidedly luxurious, while the Shang Palace offers Michelin-starred cooking inspired by Singapore’s Chinese-fusion cuisine.
4. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
The Fullerton Hotel is one of the best five-star hotels in Singapore. Set in a neoclassical palace dating back to 1928, The Fullerton is now surrounded by high-rise office blocks in the Central Business District. This unique boutique hotel offers a small slice of the past and a big bite of luxury.
You’ll be staying in a timeless national monument – complete with spa and fine-dining options – where rooms draw on Singapore’s old-world charm. Each of the heritage rooms is individually designed and decorated, but lush pillow menus, Atkinson’s toiletries, and a fully stocked premium minibar come as standard.
5. Hotel Telegraph
Hotel Telegraph is quite unlike any other luxury hotel in Singapore. This unique boutique property dates back to 1927, when it was designed by Swan and Maclaren (the oldest architects in Singapore) as the then-British colony’s hi-tech telegraph and communications station.
The beautiful building has now been converted into a 134-room hotel, and we’d go as far as to say it’s one of the coolest boutique hotels in Singapore. Luxury rooms feature high-vaulted ceilings and an eclectic mix of contemporary pop art, old-world decor, and modern amenities (including a Nespresso machine).
Head to the 1927 Rooftop Bar for a Singapore Sling, enjoy stunning views of Singapore from the rooftop infinity pool, and gorge on grills and roasts in The Dining Room.
6. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Even the best five-star hotels in Singapore struggle to match the Four Seasons for luxury. Located on Orchard Road, this is a classic luxury hotel offering modern rooms inspired by Singapore’s heritage alongside unbeatable spa and dining experiences.
In fact, the Four Seasons is made for foodies. Dining choices here are superb, and you can start the day with an Asian breakfast at One-Ninety before enjoying an afternoon cocktail at One-Ninety Bar.
Michelin-starred Chef Jiang-Nan Chun cooks up a Cantonese storm at the hotel’s signature restaurant, while Nobu Matsuhisa combines Japanese and Peruvian cuisines in a creative fashion.
7. The Mondrian Singapore Duxton
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and (best of all!) the tastes of Chinatown when you stay at The Mondrian. This boutique property was designed by Studio Carter and brings the luxury of modern Singapore to heritage-laden Chinatown.
You’ll love the contemporary facade, the heritage-inspired shutters, and luxury in-room features like the Malin+Goetz toiletries, rainfall showers, and “out-of-the-ordinary minbar.” The rooftop pool and terrace offer uninterrupted views of the Singapore skyline, while the Bottega di Carna serves sublime Italian cuisine, and the Jungle Ballroom crafts late-night cocktails.
8. Park Royal Collection Pickering
Park Royal Collection Pickering is another one of the coolest boutique hotels in Singapore. This five-star Chinatown property not only provides all the luxury you’d expect from a five-star Singapore hotel but has an unusually pleasant focus on well-being that’s a rare find in the big city.
Well-being is woven into the architecture, and you’ll love how the hotel has a 300-meter-long “Garden Walk” located on its upper levels. Balconies and terraces are home to tropical plants and gardens, as the Park Royal Collection Pickering infuses the cityscape with a touch of much-needed greenery and a breath of fresh air. You can work out in the gym, swim in the outdoor pool, and enjoy delightful Asian-fusion cuisine at Lime.
9. W Singapore, Sentosa Cove
Hop on the cable car to Sentosa Island and you’ll find yourself in a holiday park that’s a world away from bustling Singapore.
Known for its beaches, waterparks, and holiday attractions, Sentosa Island is also home to some of the best 5-star hotels in Singapore. One of the best is W Singapore, a five-star luxury retreat renowned for its outrageous decor and love of pop art (look closely, and you might spot the Andy Warhol painting!).
This is a bright, fun place to stay, and you’ll enjoy everything from the swim-up bar in the free-form outdoor pool to the detox-loving WOO Bar. Relax on a private balcony overlooking Sentosa Cove, sink back into a plush king-size bed, and dine on flame-grilled steaks at SKIRT.
10. The Barracks Hotel
Sentosa Island might be Singapore’s veritable vacation getaway, but it wasn’t always so. Originally, the island was home to forts and gun emplacements built by the British to protect Singapore from attack, and conditions were far from luxurious.
Much of this history has been lost to recent developments, but The Barracks Hotel has taken a different stance, merging boutique luxury with Sentosa Island’s military heritage. This is one of the most unique hotels in Singapore, and you’ll love how you’re staying in a repurposed artillery outpost that now comes complete with its own 30-meter swimming pool.
The Barracks Hotel has just 40 individually appointed rooms, each of which evokes a sense of colonial Singapore (although it’s nothing like the conditions soldiers would have endured here!).
That completes our list of the 10 best Singapore hotels! Did we miss any cool luxury hotels in Singapore? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
Where to Stay in Singapore
Singapore is densely populated, and given the nation/city/island is so small in terms of its land mass, it’s conveniently easy to get around using the MRT, no matter where you base yourself.
For a first-time visitor, it will often seem as if Singapore’s different districts simply merge into one, but you’ll soon begin to grasp the nuance that gives each part of the city such a fascinating character.
Luxury lovers can find many of Singapore’s most extravagant hotels overlooking Marina Bay, including the landmark five-star Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Heritage hotels, like the Raffles, can be found nearby, while Clarke Quay and Orchard Road host modern boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants.
Chinatown and Little India are both known for their fantastic street food and colorful architecture, and you can find many excellent five-star hotels in these multicultural districts. To escape the city, you can take the cable car over to Sentosa Island, where you’ll find luxury resorts and historic boutique hotels in Singapore’s vacation hotspot.
Planning a trip to Singapore? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!
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