Explore Singapore

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.

Read about our Introduction to Singapore, What to do in Singapore and our Singapore Highlights.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore is a 4*+ hotel near to Marina Bay attractions and includes an outdoor pool and fitness centre among its facilities.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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