Singapore Accommodation
Introduction
I suspect that a lot of visitors to Singapore are just there for a few days, stopping over between Australasia and Europe. Many of the airlines and travel companies used to offer very reasonable stopover packages if a flight had already been purchased. It's certainly worth enquiring about and this is what I suggest potential visitors do.
This is what I chose to do on my first visit to Australia. Australia is a long way from London and I wanted to break up the journey so I stopped over in Singapore. I can't remember the details but it was a very comfortable hotel near Orchard Road and it cost very little as part of a package.
All of the major international chains of hotels are represented in Singapore. Singaporeans expect high standards and five star hotels are actually easier to find than budget hotels. There are even some six star hotel, such as the St. Regis Singapore Hotel. Room rates aren't cheap though if the deal isn't part of a package.
Unless you stay at a really expensive hotel, don't expect a large room. On my second visit to Singapore I stayed at a place called The Inn at Temple Street Hotel. It sounded fantastic. The location was right in the heart of Chinatown, "occupying five beautifully restored shophouses".
The location wasn't bad, but my room was tiny. There was barely enough room to open my suitcase, let alone swing the proverbial cat.
Budget Accommodation
Budget accommodation can be found around Chinatown and Geylang. Geylang is an interesting area and the location of a large (legal) red-light area. It gets very busy at the weekend.
Some budget hotels offer a short-term or hourly rate which doesn't need much explaining. This is Singapore, however, so safety isn't a problem but what goes on in this area may not be to everyone's taste. There are lots of brothels, with mainly Thai working girls, and quite a few independent girls and 'gatoeys' (ladyboys) plying the streets for business.
Backpacker accommodation is not big in Singapore, as it is in places such as Thailand. Singapore is the most expensive country in the world in which to live, and it also wants to attract wealthy visitors who have plenty of money to spend. Backpackers sometimes fly in from Europe or Australia to start making their way overland into Malaysia, Thailand and beyond but don't tend to stay in Singapore very long. It's not really a 'backpacker' type of place - too developed, too First World and too expensive.
However, there are a few hostel type places around Chinatown and also in Bencoolen Street. A place called Pillow Talk Backpacker's Hostel seems to be quite popular with budget travellers in Singapore.
Going slightly upmarket from backpacker hostels, there are some budget hotel chains in Singapore that have been very successful since their inception. Some hotel locations are new buildings whereas others are traditional Chinese shop house buildings that have been converted.
The rooms tend to be quite small and basic but they are clean and adequate. There are several around Joo Chiat which is an interesting and very colourful area of Singapore with Geylang Serai market nearby and lots of Muslim food and culture. Some examples are the Hotel 81 and Fragrance Hotel chains.
Get The Best Deal On Your Singapore Hotel Room
Listed opposite are some suggestions for hotels in Singapore based on budget. Each link will take you to the relevant page on the Agoda website where you can see photos, read reviews, and book on-line. I use Agoda to book all of my own hotels in Thailand and the Southeast Asia region. Agoda hotel rates are usually always the lowest and I have received good customer service, therefore I am happy to recommend the company to other people.
Images of Thailand
Top End
Mid Range
Chinatown
Budget Hotels
Backpacker Accommodation