Singapore Explored
There is so much to see and do it can be overwhelming to find the right places to visit and where to stay. Here we look into some of the main areas of Singapore and what they offer as well as some accommodation suggestions.
Orchard Road – home to an incredible array of shopping and some excellent restaurants
Marina Bay – probably the most famous area of Singapore with incredible attractions including Gardens in the Bay
Little India – a slice of India in the middle of Singapore, with excellent markets, temples and authentic Indian food
Bugis & Kampong Glam – excellent budget choice close to other areas and attractions
Chinatown – markets, temples, shopping and wonderful food
Sentosa – a family friendly location with beaches, theme parks and many more tourist attractions
Clark Quay – the centre of nightlife in Singapore, if you love a party you will love Clark Quay
Civic Centre – numerous monuments and memorials and excellent food and shopping choices
Read about our Introduction to Singapore, What to do in Singapore and our Singapore Highlights.
Orchard Road
Explore Orchard Road
If you want to stay in the centre of the shopping district then the area around Orchard Road may be for you. The area is packed with shopping malls but is also an attractive area to visit and stay. The many side streets have a number of quirky shops alongside restaurants and bars.
Orchard Road is stop NS22 on the North-South Line of the MRT.
Pros
- Shopping, shopping and shopping
- Good access to a number of attractions in the city
- Lovely restaurants and bars
Cons
- Few, if any, options for budget accommodation
- Gets very busy, especially at weekends
- Little to do at night apart from the cinema
Hotels in Orchard Road
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is a 5* hotel is near to Orchard Road and has a full service spa and outdoor pool together with a 24-hour health club and outdoor tennis courts.
Regent Singapore is a 5* hotel is close to Orchard Road and has a spa, fitness centre and outdoor pool.
Mercure Singapore On Stevens is a 4* hotel a short walk from Orchard Road and has 2 outdoor pools and a 24-hour health club.
YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road is a 4* hotel in the heart of the shopping district with an outdoor pool and fitness centre.
Chinatown
Explore Chinatown
The Chinese community in Singapore are still here but there are also many options for travellers to experience the unique atmosphere, architecture, traditional life and excellent food.
Highlights in Chinatown include the Night Market, Smith Street, Chinatown Heritage Centre, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, Thian Hock Keng Taoist Temple, Thian Hock Keng street art, Singapore City Gallery and Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple.
Chinatown is stop NE4 on the North-East Line and DT19 on the Downtown Line of the MRT. Other stations nearby include Telok Ayer, Outram Park, Tanjong Pagar and Raffles Place.
Pros
- An excellent range of accommodation from budget to top class
- Plenty of attractions in the area and nearby
- Great food
Cons
- Evenings and weekends can be very busy and crowded
Hotels in Chinatown
M Hotel Singapore is a 4*+ hotel in walking distance to Chinatown attractions with 3 restaurants, full-service spa, fitness centre and outdoor pool.
Oasia Hotel Downtown Singapore is a 4*+ hotel in the heart of Chinatown with 2 outdoor pools, fitness centre and restaurants.
Hotel Mono is a 3* hotel in Chinatown
Eighteen By Three Cabins is a 2*+ budget friendly hotel in Chinatown
CUBE Boutique Capsule Hotel @ Chinatown is a 2* capsule hotel close to all Chinatown attractions.
Century Service World is a small 1*+ hotel in walking distance to Chinatown attractions
Royal Lodge @ Pagoda Street – Hostel is an excellent budget 1* choice close to many attractions, all rooms are shared.
Marina Bay
Explore Marina Bay
One of the most iconic sights in Singapore is the Marina Bay Sands Hotel but the central location makes the area attractive for many visitors who can access most of the attractions and nighlife very easily.
Places to visit in Marina Bay include Garden by the Bay, Sands Skypark, ArtScience Museum, MerLion Park and Marina Bay Art Trail.
Marina Bay is stop NS27 on the North-South Line and CE2 on the Circle Line (Extension) of the MRT.
Pros
- Excellent links to all of the major attractions
- Many excellent restaurants and bars
Cons
- Expensive
- Little in the way of traditional Singapore life
Hotels in Marina Bay
Marina Bay Sands is one of the most famous and recognisable landmarks in Singapore and is a 5* hotel in the heart of Marina Bay and just a few minutes walk from most attractions including Gardens by the Bay. Facilities include an incredible outdoor pool, casino, playground, fitness centre and numerous restaurants.
Pan Pacific Singapore is a 5* hotel in the heart of Marina Bay with 5 restaurants, 2 outdoor pools and health club.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is a 5* hotel has a full-service spa, fitness centre and outdoor pool and is within easy reach of all Marina Bay attractions.
Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore is a 4*+ hotel near to Marina Bay attractions and includes an outdoor pool and fitness centre among its facilities.
Sentosa
Explore Sentosa
This small island is the perfect location for families with man-made beaches, theme parks, family attractions.
Beaches, S.E.A. Aquarium, Tiger Sky Tower, Universal Studios Singapore, Adventure Cove Aquapark, Cable Car, Singapore Butterfly & Insect Kingdom
Sentosa Island can be reached by going to the HarbourFront stop NE1 on the North-East Line or CC29 on the Central Line of the MRT and using the Sentosa Express, Cable Car or footbridge.
Pros
- Beautiful beaches
- Wide choice of family attractions
Cons
- Lack of nightlife
- Away from many of the attractions of Singapore
- Artificial feel, it’s one big tourist attraction
- Expensive hotels
Hotels in Sentosa Island
Resorts World Sentosa – Hard Rock Hotel is a 5* hotel has an outdoor pool, children’s pool and fitness centre and is next to the Adventure Cove Waterpark and just a few minutes walk from Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium and the beach.
The Outpost Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality is a 5* hotel close to most attractions on Sentosa and has 4 outdoor pools and a fitness centre.
Little India
Explore Little India
An alternative to the more well known tourist areas especially for those looking for reasonably priced accommodation. A slice of India in Singapore with wonderful food, markets and shopping.
Highlights include the bustling market at the Tekka Centre, shopping in the Mustafa Centre and Serangoon Road and Sri Veeramakakiamman Hindu Temple.
Little India is stop NE7 on the North-East Line and DT12 on the Downtown Line of the MRT. Rochor is another option on the MRT.
Pros
- Excellent budget hotels
- Stunning Indian food
- Good transport links to other areas
Cons
- Very little nightlife
- Can get busy especially in the evening, and very busy on Sundays
Hotels in Little India
Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon is a 4* hotel in the heart of Little India and has an outdoor pool and fitness centre.
Citadines Rochor Singapore is a 3*+ hotel close to all Little India attractions with an outdoor pool and fitness centre.
Hotel 81 Rochor is a 2* hotel in Little India.
Clark Quay
Explore Clark Quay
The hub of nightlife in Singapore with a range of incredible bars, restaurants, clubs and other attractions. Much quieter during the day but that all changes once darkness falls.
Asian Civilizations Museum, Attica, Hong San See Temple, 1-Altitude Viewing Gallery are all places to visit in Clark Quay.
Clark Quay is stop NE5 on the North-East Line of the MRT.
Pros
- Nightlife
- Cosmopolitan
- Central location
Cons
- Noisy at night
- Expensive accommodation
- Little else to do outside of the night-time scene
Hotels in Clark Quay
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore is a 5* hotel has a spa, outdoor pool and fitness centre and is within a short walk to all local attractions. A highlight for many is the world-famous Sunday Champagne Brunch.
Swissotel Merchant Court is a 4*+ hotel is jyst 4 minutes walk from Clark Quay MRT, has a spa and outdoor pool.
Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is a 3*+ hotel close to all the attractions of Clark Quay and has an outdoor pool and fitness centre
Bugis and Kampong Glam
Explore Bugis and Kampong Glam
Sometimes known as the Arab Quarter this area has a good range of shopping, restaurants and accommodation options alongside a number of cultural attractions.
Bugis Street Market is one of the biggest and cheapest places to shop in Singapore.
Bugis is stop EW12 on the East-West Line and DT14 on the Downtown Line of the MRT.
Pros
- Excellent range of hotels including budget options
- Good range of shopping
- Lively nightlife
Cons
- Limited transport options especially at night
- Further away from many attractions than other areas
Hotels in Bugis and Kampong Glam
InterContinental Singapore is a 5* hotel with an outdoor pool and fitness centre close to Bugis Street and Raffles
Mercure Singapore Bugis is a 4* hotel close to Bugis Street with an outdoor pool and fitness centre.
ST Signature Lite is a 2*+ hotel within an easy walking distance of the local attractions
Singapore Civic Centre
Explore Singapore Civic Centre
With a central location the Civic Centre is an excellent option for people who want to have easy access to most areas and attractions.
The area includes the iconic Raffles Hotel and the Peranakan Museum.
City Hall is stop EW13 on the East-West Line and NS25 on the North-South Line of the MRT.
Pros
- Marina Bay, Orchard Street and Clark Quay are all easily walkable distance
- Excellent food choices
- Nightlife
- Museums and monuments
Cons
- More expensive than some areas
Hotels in Civic Centre
Raffles Singapore is one of the most famous hotels in the world. This 5* hotel is a tourist attraction in itself with many people visiting to sample the famous Singapore Sling that was created at the hotel by Mr Ngiam Tong Boon in the early 20th century. Raffles has 7 restaurants, a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, fitness centre, art gallery as well as the famous bar.
JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is a 5* hotel just a few minutes walk from Raffles, City Hall and Bugis Street.
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore is a 5* hotel in the heart of the cultural centre of Singapore with 5 restaurants, 2 bars, shopping and fitness centres.
Naumi Hotel is a 4*+ hotel in walking distance to the City Centre as well as Marina Bay. The hotel has an outdoor pool and fitness centre.
Advertising and affiliate links help to support this site. We never tailor content to encourage sales with a particular company. We only partner with organisations who we believe provide a good service or product. Thank you.
- Proposals Submitted For Vietnam Vaccine PassportVietnam countryside credit Kiril Dobrev on Unsplash Quang Nam province, which includes the famous town of Hoi An, has submittedContinue reading “Proposals Submitted For Vietnam Vaccine Passport”
- James Bond Island Under ThreatJames Bond Island credit Engin Akyurt on Unsplash Khao Ta Pu (Ko Ta Pu ) is more commonly known nowContinue reading “James Bond Island Under Threat”
- End To Phuket Quarantine May Be DelayedPhuket beach credit Akash Rai on Unsplash The ambitious plan for a quarantine-free Phuket for travellers with a Covid-19 vaccinationContinue reading “End To Phuket Quarantine May Be Delayed”
- Hopes For Indonesia Tourism From JulyKuta, Bali, Indonesia credit Saepul Jr on Unsplash Indonesia is planning to open the borders to foreign tourists from JulyContinue reading “Hopes For Indonesia Tourism From July”
- More Restrictions Announced In ThailandHua Hin, Thailand credit Peeraphong Wiriya on Unsplash A range of new measures have been implemented in Thailand as theContinue reading “More Restrictions Announced In Thailand”
- Philippines extends Travel BanEl Nido, Philippines credit nennn on flickr Today the Philippines announced a further 10,726 new Covid-19 cases and extended theContinue reading “Philippines extends Travel Ban”