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Singapore<\/a> is one of the world\u2019s smallest countries. But this tiny nation packs a punch. <\/p>\n Home to some 5.7 million people, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that separated from the British in 1963 and gained independence from Malaysia<\/a> in 1965. In the decades that followed, it evolved from a low-income country to one of the centers of world finance. <\/p>\n It\u2019s a foodie\u2019s dream, bursting with tasty hawker-stall offerings, delicious Indian cuisine, and fresh seafood. In fact, some of the cheapest Michelin-starred eateries in the world can be found here.<\/p>\n For more active visitors, there are hiking trails on which you can stretch your legs, numerous cycling paths, and plenty of kayaking adventures to be had. And when you run out of energy, there are beaches for chilling out and soaking up the sun. <\/p>\n Though a small city-state, each neighborhood in Singapore has its own unique vibe. Here\u2019s my breakdown of them all so you can figure out where to stay in Singapore when you visit.<\/p>\n But, before I get into specifics, here are some common questions I get asked about Singapore neighborhoods:<\/p>\n What\u2019s the best neighborhood in Singapore for budget travelers?<\/strong> What\u2019s the best neighborhood in Singapore for families?<\/strong> What\u2019s the best neighborhood in Singapore for first-time visitors?<\/strong> What\u2019s the best neighborhood in Singapore for partying?<\/strong> What is the best neighborhood in Singapore overall?<\/strong> So, with those questions answered, here\u2019s a breakdown of each neighborhood, with suggested accommodations for each, so you know exactly where to stay in Singapore:<\/p>\n Singapore Neighborhood Overview<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you can, eat at Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle (aka Hawker Chan), the world\u2019s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice is another Michelin-starred hawker stall worth a visit. Like Hawker Chan\u2019s, it\u2019s located in the Maxwell Hawker Center.<\/p>\n Best Places to Stay in Chinatown:<\/strong><\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: The Bohemian<\/a> \u2013 This is a super fun hostel that doesn\u2019t take itself too seriously. Right in the middle of Chinatown, and aimed solely at backpackers, it offers dorms and capsules, free Wi-Fi, and a shared lounge for hanging out and meeting other travelers.<\/p>\n MID-RANGE<\/strong>: The Scarlet<\/a> \u2013 This hotel in a preserved prewar shophouse (a building type serving both as a residence and a commercial business) is in a superb location for exploring Chinatown. It has a rooftop restaurant, an outdoor hot tub, a gym, and laundry and dry-cleaning services.<\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: The Park Royal at Pickering<\/a> \u2013 At the high end of your budget, this property has been featured in a load of international publications thanks to its luxury eco-paradise approach, including living walls on its exterior. It has a fitness floor with an outdoor pool and a gym, as well as a scenic garden skywalk. Best Places to Stay in The Quays:<\/strong><\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: hipstercity hostel<\/a> \u2013 There aren\u2019t many hostels in and around the Quays, but this one is clean, comfortable, and friendly. It has a shared lounge and kitchen but also offers breakfast and free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n MID-RANGE<\/strong>: KINN Capsule Hotel<\/a> \u2013 One of a handful of capsule hotels in the Quays area, KINN has air-conditioned cabins, a shared lounge, free Wi-Fi, a laundry facility, shared bathrooms, and a sun terrace.<\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay<\/a> \u2013 With a huge outdoor pool, gym, sauna, and garden, Paradox is a luxe option for those who want to splurge and stay near the action. It also has a restaurant and a terrace with scenic views overlooking the city. Kampong Glam, also known as the Arab Quarter, has the most street art on the island. Wander around Haji Lane, which is brightly decorated from top to bottom, and walk through Gelam Gallery, a backstreet dedicated to this kind of art. Singapore\u2019s most famous street artist, Yip Yew Chong, has some murals here too. <\/p>\n Little India and Chinatown, both street art hot spots, are just walking distance away as well.<\/p>\n Best Places to Stay in Kampong Glam:<\/strong><\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: Beary Best!<\/a> \u2013 In the heart of Kampong Glam in a restored heritage building, Beary Best! is a capsule hotel with a laid-back vibe. It\u2019s a self-check-in, self-service concept, with shared bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. The AC only comes on between 3pm and 9pm, but the payback is the roof terrace, which has great views of Sultan Mosque and the surrounding neighborhood.<\/p>\n MID-RANGE<\/strong>: Cube \u2013 Boutique Capsule Hotel<\/a> \u2013 Another capsule hotel, this one is a short walk from the center of Kampong Glam. As well as en suite rooms, it offers free Wi-Fi, complimentary self-service laundry, free breakfast, and work spaces with business services should you need them. <\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Village Hotel Bugis by Far East Hospitality<\/a> \u2013 Village Hotel Bugis is at the intersection of Kampong Glam, Chinatown, and Little India, providing easy access to some of the best sights in town. It has a gym, an outdoor pool, and a couple of restaurants where you can feast on tasty local cuisine. It was also a strategic military point during World War II and Siloso Fort is an interesting place to explore if you want a break from the resorts and expensive activities. <\/p>\n Sentosa is not the cheapest area of Singapore, as there are only resorts to stay at, but if you\u2019re in the mood to break the budget, this is the best place to do it!<\/p>\n Best Places to Stay in Sentosa:<\/strong><\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: Siloso Beach Resort<\/a> \u2013 There\u2019s no such thing as a cheap place to stay on Sentosa (budget travelers are better off visiting for the day), but if you really want to find lodging on the island, Siloso Beach Resort is probably your cheapest option. It\u2019s an award-winning eco-resort with a spring-water pool (the longest landscaped pool in the country), a gym, and spa.<\/p>\n MID-RANGE<\/strong>: Oasia Resort Sentosa<\/a> \u2013 A decent-sized resort, the Oasia has an in-house spa and recreational activities for guests, as well as a pool if you need to beat the heat. There are also yoga and wellness classes, as well as delicious eats at the bar and grill. It\u2019s also in a great location, not far from Siloso Beach.<\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa<\/a> \u2013 The Shangri-La is one of the only resorts in Singapore to have its own private beach. Add to that the outdoor pool (including water slides), kids\u2019 club, spa, and several restaurants, and you\u2019ve got pretty much all you need. It\u2019s more secluded than the rest of the resorts, but all the fun things to do are still within walking distance. Don\u2019t confuse this hotel with its sister near Orchard Road (see below). Best places to stay on Orchard Road:<\/strong><\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: YMCA @ One Orchard<\/a> \u2013 This won\u2019t be the cheapest hostel you\u2019ll ever stay in, and it only has private rooms, but you can\u2019t argue with its location near the National Museum and the Istana (the impressive office building for Singapore\u2019s president that\u2019s used to receive and entertain state guests and only opens on select days of the year). (For more budget-friendly options, the Quays, Little India, and Kampong Glam are all close by.)<\/p>\n MID-RANGE<\/strong>: York Hotel<\/a> \u2013 Located just off Orchard Road, this hotel has a pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant that serves breakfast every day, as well as free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Shangri-La Orange Grove<\/a> \u2013 Considerably cheaper than the Shangri-La on Sentosa, this hotel has a huge pool, a splash area with slides, a kids\u2019 club, and big gardens to explore. There are several restaurants, including one offering all sorts of Western and Asian food, as well as an Italian restaurant and a bar with snacks right by the pool. Best Places to Stay on East Coast:<\/strong><\/p>\n BUDGET<\/strong>: Hotel Classic by Venue<\/a> \u2013 This budget-friendly hotel is located right on Joo Chiat, conveniently located very close to several markets with great hawker stalls. The clean and modern rooms all have AC and free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n MID-RANGE<\/strong>: Champion Hotel<\/a> \u2013 Also on Joo Chiat, this hotel is in a Peranakan (Malay-Chinese) shophouse, making it a super cute place to spend the night. The rooms all come with complimentary beverages and toiletries, a TV, and free Wi-Fi, while the hotel has 24-hour security, internet kiosks, and laundry.<\/p>\n LUXURY<\/strong>: Santa Grand Hotel<\/a> \u2013 The Santa Grand is another hotel that\u2019s in a historic shophouse. It\u2019s not far from Joo Chiat, on East Coast Road, and it has its own restaurant and bar (although there are plenty of places nearby to check out too) and a laundry service. There\u2019s also a beautiful pool and rooftop terrace for taking in the views.<\/p>\n Singapore<\/a> is small, but there really is a lot to do here<\/a>. The good news is that most of the attractions are between the center and the south of the island so you\u2019re unlikely to have to travel too far to get anywhere, meaning you can find somewhere to suit your budget and plan accordingly.<\/p>\n Get all my best Southeast Asia travel tips & free planning guides sent straight to your inbox <\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
\nKampong Glam<\/a> is one of Singapore\u2019s oldest neighborhoods. It has loads of shops selling textiles, rugs, and Turkish homewares; some delicious Arabic restaurants; the enormous golden-domed Sultan Mosque; and a ton of eye-catching street art.<\/p>\n
\nWhile many families gravitate to Sentosa<\/a> for the beaches and laid-back vibe, Orchard Road<\/a> is a much more central place to stay. Known more for being the shopping center of Singapore, it is well connected to the rest of the island, is filled with restaurants in the malls and along the street, and has some great family-friendly hotels.<\/p>\n
\nNot far from the modern Central Business District, Chinatown<\/a> is the best place to get a real sense of Chinese culture in Singapore. The streets are lined with temples, craft shops, stalls, and restaurants, so you can pick up a bargain here and then get some tasty food. <\/p>\n
\nIf it\u2019s a buzzing nightlife scene that you\u2019re after, any of the Quays<\/a> (Clarke, Robertson, or Boat) are the place to go. They have loads of bars and restaurants and most of the clubs are in or around this area too. <\/p>\n
\nChinatown<\/a> is centrally located and has (or is super close to) many of the island\u2019s main attractions, including its delicious hawker food, beautiful temples, bright street art, and abundant history.<\/p>\n\n\n
Where to Stay for Sightseeing: Chinatown<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nChinatown is my favorite area: it\u2019s perfect for browsing shops and tasting local dishes. It\u2019s also super central, so it\u2019s easy to get to and from other popular parts of the island, including Gardens by the Bay, Little India, Kampong Glam, and the Botanic Gardens. <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Nightlife: The Quays<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nThe three main Quays (pronounced \u201ckeys\u201d) are Clarke, Robertson, and Boat. Packed with vibrant bars, tasty restaurants, cute caf\u00e9s, and lively clubs, this is the best place to go for a night out (or just some fun people-watching). While the venues on the main drag (by the riverfront) are the most popular for their location, the side streets are where you can find some less touristy venues.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Street Art: Kampong Glam<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nGraffiti in Singapore is illegal, but that doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s not an abundance of street art all over town: the artists just need a license to paint there. <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Relaxation: Sentosa<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nIf you\u2019re in need of some R&R, look no further than Sentosa. One of Singapore\u2019s 64 islands, it\u2019s linked to the main one by a causeway. It is full of nice beaches, luxe resorts, and a load of attractions, including Universal Studios, an aquarium, bungee jumping, and much more. <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay for Families: Orchard Road<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nFamous for its many stores and shopping malls that line the street almost from beginning to end, Orchard Road is one of the most central places to stay in Singapore, making it a great choice for families. Lots of the hotels here are family-friendly (although they can also carry a bit of a price tag), and there are many dining options around here too. <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\nWhere to Stay Off the Beaten Track: East Coast<\/a><\/h3>\n
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\nIf you\u2019re looking to get away from the main tourist trail, head to the East Coast. Around the Joo Chiat area is where some of Singapore\u2019s most famous shophouses can be found; there are all manner of independent stores, restaurants, bars, and caf\u00e9s to browse and hang out in. There are a few walking trails, some cool street art, several temples, and a decent beach with a long bike track that leads all the way into Gardens by the Bay and beyond.<\/p>\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPlanning a Trip to Southeast asia<\/h5>\r\n
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