Deciding where to stay in a new city is not easy. There are many things to consider: things to do there, closeness to the airport, safety of the neighbourhood, connections to public transport, etc… Keep reading to find out about the best areas to stay in Singapore in 2024 for every type of traveller!
Here is a map which will give you a broad overview of all the best areas to stay in Singapore in 2024 :
Please note that Singapore has consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world in the past couple of years. This is obviously also reflected in the accommodation prices. While there are some areas that offer more budget friendly options (usually hostels), your choice on where you want to base yourself will likely also be influenced by your willingness and ability to spend.
The quays
Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, as their name may suggest, are both located along the Singapore River. Both Quays held an important function in the 19th century, where commerce was still reliant on these waterways. Once their use for shipping purposes diminished, the city of Singapore realised that these places hold historical value and made sure that the architecture in these places keeps its historical character. Today, both offer a wide range of accommodation, entertainment, restaurants and bars.
For young (solo) travellers, I would highly recommend staying in this area! They are extremely centrally located, very walkable without too much traffic, and as I’ve already mentioned there are plenty of restaurants and bars close by.
The area is also very well connected, with several metro stations and different metro lines passing through the area. You are approximately 10 min by foot from Chinatown, and perhaps 30 minutes from the Marina Bay Sands and Arab Street.
quick facts
Target Group: Solo travellers & couples
MRT Connections: Direct connections to Sentosa (purple line), Marina Bay and the airport (blue line)
Price Range: 40-360 USD
where to stay in the quays
Budget: KINN Capsule Hotel. We walked past this hostel many times and it looks super modern and just unique.
Mid-range: Hotel NuVe Elements. We stayed in this hotel. The rooms are very small but everything else is perfect. If you’re out all day anyway then this is a good option.
Luxury: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore. The architecture and attention to detail in this hotel is just STUNNING!
chinatown
Under the Raffles Plan of Singapore, Chinatown originally was a division of colonial Singapore where Chinese immigrants tended to reside. The architecture of the shophouses in the area is a mix of baroque architecture and Victorian architecture. Compared to more modern areas of Singapore, you’ll find houses in all kinds of bright and pastel colours here, giving the place a unique character.
Chinatown is one of the best areas to stay in Singapore in 2024 for solo travellers and couples, as the area is very lively and offers many options in the evening as well. You are in walking distance of Clarke Quay and the Marina, and there are several metro stations and different metro lines passing by, making it very easy to get around from here.
quick facts
Target Group: Solo travellers
MRT Connections: Direct connections to Sentosa (purple line), Marina Bay and the airport (blue line)
Price Range: 50-380 USD
where to stay in chinatown
Budget: Galaxy Pods @ Chinatown. If you’re up to experience something new, check this place out!
Mid-range: The Scarlet Singapore. Traditional on the outside, modern on the inside.
Luxury: Capri by Fraser China Square, Singapore. Modern high-rise with a rooftop pool.
marina bay
The Marina Bay area is probably what the majority of people think about when they hear Singapore. You are surrounded by water and in the distance you can see the modern, sleek and elegant high rises of the Central Business District. By night, the city lights up. The area is also home to some of the most luxurious hotels, shopping centers and exclusive restaurants. I’m talking Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and seafood restaurants and rooftop bars. The whole area is definitely more upscale, and budget travellers certainly will have difficulties finding anything affordable here (if you do find anything, PLEASE let me know!).
Once again, you are centrally located and within walking distance of many of the major attractions, such as the Marina Bay Sands, the Gardens By The Bay and the Merlion. There are metro stations nearby and you’ll also find Ubers at any time of the day.
If you have the budget for it, Marina Bay is definitely one of the best areas to stay in Singapore in 2024 for some iconic and exciting nights!
quick facts
Target Group: Anyone who can afford it 🙂
MRT Connections: Direct connections to almost anywhere
Price Range: 350-600 USD
where to stay in marina bay
Budget: Not available
Mid-range: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. A landmark hotel in Singapore with views on the Marina Bay Sands.
Luxury: Marina Bay Sands. Need I say more?
colonial district
The Colonial District is on the other side of the Singapore River across from Boat/Clarke Quay and the Marina. When you walk the streets here the historical significance is evidence at every corner you turn. You’ll find the Supreme Court building, several museums and the famous Raffles Hotel in this area. The buildings are all in pristine shape and will make you wonder about times long passed.
There are many hotels located in this area, and everything is once again very well connected by MRT (metro) and very walkable. You’ll find some more traffic here than around the Quays or the Marina, but nevertheless you should be totally fine by foot. I’d recommend the area to couples and families, as it’s less busy at night, still close to all the main sights, and there are some parks in this area where you could just hang out and relax with your loved ones.
quick facts
Target Group: Everyone
MRT Connections: Direct connections to Marina Bay (red line) and the airport (green line)
Price Range: 60-490 USD
where to stay in the colonial district
Budget: Bluewaters Pods @ Bugis. Affordable and cute.
Mid-range: Naumi Hotel. Has a rooftop pool with views on the business district!
Luxury: The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Nice blend of modern and classic elements.
arab street
Arab Street is located east of the Colonial District, and is closest to the airport from the neighbourhoods I’m mentioning in this blog post. If that’s one of your accommodation criteria, then this is a great area to stay in for sure!
Besides that, there are many other factors that make this one of the best areas to stay in Singapore in 2024. There are many cool and hip shops, where you can definitely spend many hours finding unique bits and pieces. There are some pedestrian only streets, which is awesome, and a wide range of restaurants ranging from oriental cuisine to Greek (yes, a bit random, but you’ll find it all here 🙂 ).
quick facts
Target Group: Solo travellers & couples
MRT Connections: Direct connections to Marina Bay (blue line) and the airport (green line)
Price Range: 60-250 USD
where to stay in arab street
Budget: CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotel at Kampong Glam. Cozy looking capsule hotel.
Mid-range: PARKROYAL on Beach Road, Singapore. Modern hotel with an outdoor pool.
Luxury: Not available
orchard
Ah, Orchard Road, the Shopper’s Paradise. It truly is. The road is full of department stores, shopping malls and boutiques left and right. If you’re here for the shopping, be this luxury or not, you’re sure to find it here. In my experience, there’s not too much else going on in this area. There are some restaurants around, but if you’re a foodie you’ll be better off in the Quays, Marina Bay, Chinatown or Arab Street. Oh except, there are plenty of high tea options available. You’ll see some offers on menus outside of restaurants, or just a quick google search will reveal to you all available offers nearby 🙂
In general, the whole area seems quite nice, with some streets up or down from Orchard Road showcasing some really nice residential areas. If you like looking at houses like me, you’ll see some really impressive villas here! There are also several large luxury hotels (Shangri-La, St. Regis, Four Seasons, etc.) located in this area with an overall more relaxed vibe than the options downtown. However, this does come at the cost that you’re not as central anymore, and you will need to take the MRT to explore the other areas from the city.
quick facts
Target Group: Couples
MRT Connections: Direct connection to Marina Bay (red line)
Price Range: 130-500 USD
where to stay in orchard
Budget: Not available
Mid-range: JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La. Nice modern hotel with a stunning rooftop bar and POOL!
Luxury: The St Regis Singapore. A beautiful classical hotel. The interiors make a nice contrast to the modern side of Singapore you see outside.
sentosa
Last but not least, Sentosa island. If you’re not interested in spending much time in the busy downtown amidst high rises and crowds of people, and you just want to have a relaxing holiday by the beach– this is the place to stay for you! The accommodation options on Sentosa are primarily resort style, meaning large complexes with pools, entertainment and direct beach access. Besides the beach, there are also other fun action packed activities, such as zip lining, sky diving and going on the Skyline Luge. There are also plenty of food options and even a mall close by.
While it is a nice area with beautiful beaches, I do want to point out that I would not recommend Singapore as a beach holiday destination. If you’re looking at Sentosa as your main beach holiday, there are nicer places out there. The Singapore port, one of the largest and busiest in the world, is located right around the corner and you see cranes and container ships all around the area from the beach. While the water is clean and 100% safe to swim in (at least according to my personal google search), you won’t get the “remote, tropical island feeling” as you might crave and expect.
quick facts
Target Group: Families with (young) kids
MRT Connections: Sentosa Express, direct connections to Marina Bay (orange line) and Clarke Quay/Chinatown (purple line)
Price Range: 250-800 USD
where to stay in sentosa
Budget: Not available
Mid-range: Village Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality. Centrally located on Sentosa Island and kids friendly.
Luxury: Resorts World Sentosa – Equarius Villas. Beautiful kid friendly resort right at the beach.
That’s it, now we’ve covered all major areas that I consider stay-worthy! If you’re looking for what there is to see and do area, check out my Singapore itinerary!
I’d like to mention once again that I’ve personally only stayed at the Hotel NuVe Elements in Clarke Quay and the GalaxyPods @ Chinatown. All others are recommendations based on what I would choose in that area if I had the respective budget.
Let me know in the comments what hotels and areas you would recommend, I’d love to chat! 🙂