The good news is that Singapore has an excellent MRT system, so you can get around the city relatively easily from most central neighbourhoods. But that doesn't mean every area feels the same. The atmosphere, food scene, nightlife, shopping and hotel prices vary significantly in each neighbourhood.
After exploring Singapore and staying in various different areas, I've put together this guide to the best areas to stay in Singapore, including exactly who each area is best for, what you can expect and the hotels I'd pick in each neighbourhood.
Whether you're visiting Singapore for the first time, travelling on a budget, looking for luxury, travelling as a couple or family, or simply want somewhere with great food and atmosphere, you'll find the best place to stay in Singapore for your trip here.
Quick answer: Where is the best area to stay in Singapore?
If you don't have time to read the entire guide, these are my top picks:
This is without a doubt the most famous hotel in Singapore. Staying here gives you something you simply can't get anywhere else: access to the famous rooftop infinity pool. You’ll also get direct access to the shops and restaurants, while Gardens by the Bay is right next door.
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This hotel has a stylish design, excellent city views and a rooftop pool and bar. Its location puts you close to Kampong Glam, Arab Street and Haji Lane while still giving you easy access to the rest of Singapore.
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This is one of the more stylish options in the Chinatown/Tanjong Pagar area. The hotel is surrounded by heritage shophouses, restaurants and bars, while the hotel itself has a much more contemporary feel. There is an outdoor pool, a garden and stylish public spaces.
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For most first-time visitors, I'd narrow it down to Marina Bay, Chinatown, Bugis/Kampong Glam or Clarke Quay. These areas give you an excellent combination of sightseeing, restaurants, public transport and things to do.
If you're travelling on a tighter budget, Little India is one of the best places to look. If shopping is the main reason you're visiting Singapore, choose Orchard Road. And if you want your Singapore trip to feel more like a resort holiday, Sentosa is the obvious choice.
Map of the Best Hotels in Singapore
Marina Bay
If this is your first trip to Singapore and you want the city's most famous sights on your doorstep, Marina Bay is hard to beat.
This is the Singapore you see on postcards, with the futuristic skyline, the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the waterfront promenade and Gardens by the Bay. The area is modern, polished and impressive, with luxury hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and some of the city's most spectacular views.
Marina Bay is particularly good if you only have a short time in Singapore. You can walk around the bay, visit Gardens by the Merlion and explore the rooftop bars after dark without spending hours travelling across the city.
The only downside is that Marina Bay is quite expensive. This is one of the best areas to stay in Singapore if your priority is location and luxury, but it isn't where I'd look for cheap accommodation.
It can also feel more like a modern business and entertainment district than a traditional neighbourhood. So if you're looking for colourful streets, hawker centres and a more local atmosphere, Chinatown, Little India or Kampong Glam may suit you better.
Marina Bay is also not just one compact hotel cluster. The Bayfront side around Marina Bay Sands feels very different from Marina Centre and the historic Fullerton side, so check the exact location of your hotel before booking.
Best hotels in Marina Bay
This is without a doubt the most famous hotel in Singapore. Staying here gives you something you simply can't get anywhere else: access to the famous rooftop infinity pool. You’ll also get direct access to the shops and restaurants, while Gardens by the Bay is right next door.
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This is a quieter alternative to Marina Bay Sands. It has a fantastic location near Marina Bay. Many rooms also have impressive views across Marina Bay, while the hotel's art collection and architecture give it considerably more personality than a standard luxury business hotel.
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This is a great option if you want a luxury hotel but don't want everything to feel like glass, concrete and shopping malls. It has a huge indoor atrium filled with greenery, and the rooms are spacious. It’s a good option if you want Marina Bay views on a slightly lower budget.
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Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar
If you want somewhere with more personality than Marina Bay, Chinatown is one of the best places to stay in Singapore. This is where I'd look if food is high on your Singapore itinerary. You'll have hawker centres, traditional Chinese restaurants, cafés, temples and colourful heritage shophouses all around you.
Chinatown is also incredibly convenient. Chinatown MRT connects the neighbourhood with other parts of Singapore, while the nearby Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar areas give you even more restaurants, bars and cafés to explore.
One of my favourite things about staying around Chinatown is that you can walk from a traditional temple to a modern cocktail bar or trendy restaurant within minutes. The Ann Siang Hill, Club Street, Duxton and Keong Saik areas are particularly good for restaurants and nightlife.
Best hotels in Chinatown
This is one of my favourite choices for staying around Chinatown if you want something modern, stylish and extremely well located. The hotel has a contemporary design inspired by Singapore's Chinese heritage, but it doesn't feel old-fashioned.
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This is one of the more stylish options in the Chinatown/Tanjong Pagar area. The hotel is surrounded by heritage shophouses, restaurants and bars, while the hotel itself has a much more contemporary feel. There is an outdoor pool, a garden and stylish public spaces.
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KēSa House is housed in a restored heritage building on Keong Saik Road, one of the most atmospheric streets in the Chinatown area. This is a very different experience from staying in a large chain hotel. The building itself is part of the attraction, with heritage architecture outside and a modern boutique interior.
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Clarke Quay & the Singapore River
If you want to walk out of your hotel in the evening and immediately have restaurants, bars and nightlife around you, Clarke Quay is one of the best areas to stay in Singapore.
The Singapore River runs through the heart of the city, and the riverside neighbourhoods of Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and Robertson Quay have a completely different atmosphere from Marina Bay.
Clarke Quay is the liveliest of the three. The restored warehouses around the river are filled with restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, and the area becomes particularly lively after dark.
Robertson Quay is generally more relaxed and restaurant-focused, while Boat Quay is known for its riverside dining and bars. If you want to stay in this area, my personal recommendation is to pick Clark Quay.
The only downside with this area is that it can get quite noisy in the evening, so it’s is less suitable if you're a very light sleeper or want a quiet neighbourhood.
Best hotels around Clarke Quay
This is one of the most convenient choices in this area because you're right beside Clarke Quay and close to the MRT. The hotel combines a large full-service property with a lively location, and its swimming pool is one of the biggest attractions.
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This is an excellent option for anyone who wants to be close to Clarke Quay without paying for one of the area's most luxurious hotels. The hotel is only a short walk from the MRT making it easy to explore Singapore by public transport. Rooms are contemporary and the hotel has a swimming pool.
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If you want a reliable hotel without spending your entire accommodation budget on your room, this is worth considering. The hotel is centrally located, has a rooftop swimming pool and includes breakfast, which can make it particularly attractive for travellers who want to keep daily costs under control.
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Bugis & Kampong Glam
If you asked me to choose one area that offers the best combination of location, food, culture and atmosphere, Bugis and Kampong Glam would be very high on my list.
Bugis is extremely well connected by MRT, while Kampong Glam gives you colourful streets, Sultan Mosque, Arab Street, Haji Lane, cafés, independent boutiques and restaurants.
This is an excellent part of Singapore for those who don't want to stay in a business district but still want to be central.
You can spend the morning visiting museums around Bras Basah, walk through Bugis, have lunch on Arab Street, explore Haji Lane in the afternoon and stay out for drinks or dinner in the evening.
Best hotels in Bugis & Kampong Glam
This hotel has a stylish design, excellent city views and a rooftop pool and bar. Its location puts you close to Kampong Glam, Arab Street and Haji Lane while still giving you easy access to the rest of Singapore.
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This is one of the more atmospheric options in Kampong Glam. The hotel is located in a conserved shophouse building with traditional architecture, giving you a much stronger sense of place than a modern hotel.
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This is a newer luxury option in the Bugis area, set within a reimagined heritage landmark. Its location is great because you're at the crossroads of Bugis, Kampong Gelam and the Bras Basah arts district, with Bugis MRT providing easy connections around Singapore.
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Orchard Road
If shopping is one of the main reasons you're visiting Singapore, Orchard Road is the obvious choice. This is Singapore's famous shopping belt, with huge malls, department stores, designer boutiques, restaurants and cafés stretching along the road.
One thing to know is that Orchard Road is much longer than you might expect, and the atmosphere changes depending on where you stay. The central Orchard area is best for shopping convenience, while the western Tanglin end is quieter and greener, with some of Singapore's best luxury hotels. The Somerset end is particularly good for restaurants and nightlife.
Best hotels around Orchard Road
This is one of the most visually distinctive hotels in Singapore. The hotel is built around large landscaped terraces, bringing greenery into the architecture. It's close enough to Orchard Road for shopping but feels more like a resort than many of the hotels directly on the main shopping strip.
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This is one of the best choices if you want to combine Orchard's convenience with a quieter resort atmosphere. The hotel has huge, beautiful grounds away from the busiest part of Orchard Road. This makes it feel surprisingly peaceful considering how close you are to the city centre.
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This hotel sits towards the quieter Tanglin end of Orchard Road, giving you a more peaceful environment while remaining close to the shopping district. It's a better choice for someone who wants to use Orchard Road when they want to but doesn't want their entire holiday to feel like a shopping trip.
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Tiong Bahru
If you have already visited Singapore's major attractions or simply don't want to stay in the middle of the tourist action, consider Tiong Bahru.
Tiong Bahru is one of Singapore's best-known older neighbourhoods and has become popular for its Art Deco architecture, cafés, independent shops and relaxed atmosphere. The area feels more residential than Marina Bay, Orchard or Chinatown, which is exactly why many travellers like it.
You won't have the huge concentration of tourist attractions right outside your hotel, but you'll get a more everyday side of Singapore, with local cafés, hawker food and neighbourhood streets.
There are also good transport connections through Tiong Bahru and nearby Outram Park, making it easy to reach Chinatown and the rest of central Singapore.
Best hotels in Tiong Bahru
This is a stylish boutique-style hotel with a convenient location close to Tiong Bahru and Outram Park. It's a good middle ground between staying in a local neighbourhood and having easy access to central Singapore.
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This is one of the most characterful places to stay in Tiong Bahru. The hotel has a traditional boutique feel and sits right in the historic neighbourhood, so you can easily explore the surrounding cafés, restaurants and streets on foot.
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This hotel occupies a restored Art Deco building and is located right in the heart of Tiong Bahru. The surrounding neighbourhood is the main attraction filled with independent cafés, local restaurants, shops and the famous Tiong Bahru Market.
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Sentosa Island
Sentosa is technically part of Singapore, but it feels like a completely different destination.
If your idea of a Singapore holiday involves beaches, swimming pools, resorts, Universal Studios, attractions and relaxing rather than exploring the city from morning until night, Sentosa could be exactly what you're looking for.
The island has several beaches and a concentration of major attractions, including Resorts World Sentosa. It is particularly popular with families and kids.
However, the downside is obvious. Sentosa is not the best place to stay if your main goal is sightseeing around central Singapore. You'll need to travel back and forth to the city, so I wouldn't choose it for a two-night first visit where you want to see as much of Singapore as possible.
It is much better for a longer trip, a family holiday or a couple of nights at the end of a city trip.
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Best hotels on Sentosa
This is arguably the standout luxury resort on Sentosa. The property is surrounded by tropical greenery and combines contemporary architecture with restored colonial buildings. It feels much more like a destination resort than a normal city hotel.
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This is a more intimate luxury option set within a restored military compound. The hotel has a much quieter and more historic atmosphere than some of the large resorts, while still giving you access to Sentosa's beaches and attractions.
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If you're travelling with children, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa is one of the best choices. It is one of the island's beachfront resorts, with large rooms, family-friendly facilities and direct access to the beach.
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Which Area of Singapore Should You Choose?
Still not sure where to stay? Here's how I'd make the decision.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Singapore?
I'd choose Marina Bay, Chinatown or Bugis/Kampong Glam.
Marina Bay is the best choice if you want the famous Singapore skyline and major attractions. Chinatown is better if you care more about food, culture and atmosphere, while Bugis and Kampong Glam give you an excellent mix of everything.
What is the best area to stay in Singapore for families?
I'd choose Orchard Road, Marina Bay or Sentosa.
Orchard is convenient and has plenty of restaurants and shopping. Marina Bay puts you close to major attractions. Sentosa is best if you want more of a resort holiday with beaches and swimming pools.
Where should you stay in Singapore on a budget?
Look at Little India, Chinatown and parts of Bugis/Kampong Glam.
Little India is usually my first choice for budget travellers because you can stay centrally while being surrounded by inexpensive local food.
Chinatown also has a huge range of accommodation, from capsule hotels and simple boutique properties to luxury hotels.
What is the best area to stay in Singapore for nightlife?
Choose Clarke Quay if nightlife is your priority.
You can also stay in Chinatown around Ann Siang Hill and Club Street or in Kampong Glam around Haji Lane if you want a more alternative bar and restaurant scene.
Where should you stay in Singapore for a short stopover?
For one or two nights, I'd choose Marina Bay or Bugis.
Marina Bay is perfect if you want to see the iconic Singapore sights without wasting time travelling around. Bugis is a better choice if you want a slightly more local atmosphere and excellent MRT connections.
Is Singapore Easy to Get Around?
Yes, and this is one reason I wouldn't stress too much about choosing the "perfect" neighbourhood.
Singapore's MRT is fast, clean and incredibly useful for tourists. Staying near an MRT station is usually more important than staying in a particular neighbourhood.
This is particularly useful when comparing areas such as Chinatown, Bugis, Little India and Orchard. You can stay in one and easily visit the others during the same day. Some of them are also easy to walk between.
That said, I would still choose your neighbourhood based on the atmosphere you want. There is a big difference between waking up beside Marina Bay and waking up above a hawker centre in Chinatown, even if the two locations are only a few MRT stops apart.
How Many Nights Should You Stay in Singapore?
For a first trip, I would recommend at least three nights in Singapore.
Three nights gives you enough time to see Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam and some of the city's famous food spots without trying to cram everything into a weekend.
With four to five nights, you can slow down considerably and explore some of the less touristy neighbourhoods such as Tiong Bahru, spend more time eating and shopping, and potentially add Sentosa.
If you're using Singapore as a stopover on a longer Southeast Asia trip, two nights can still work well. In that case, I'd stay somewhere extremely central such as Marina Bay, Chinatown or Bugis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Singapore
What is the best area to stay in Singapore for first-time visitors?
Marina Bay is the best area for first-time visitors who want to be close to Singapore's iconic attractions and skyline. Chinatown and Bugis/Kampong Glam are excellent alternatives if you prefer more local atmosphere and better value.
Is Marina Bay the best place to stay in Singapore?
Marina Bay is one of the best areas to stay in Singapore, particularly for first-time visitors, luxury travellers and short trips. However, it is also one of the most expensive areas and has less of the traditional neighbourhood atmosphere found in Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam.
Is Chinatown a good place to stay in Singapore?
Yes. Chinatown is one of the best areas to stay in Singapore for food, culture, nightlife and convenient public transport. It also has accommodation for a much wider range of budgets than Marina Bay.
Is Bugis a good area to stay in Singapore?
Yes. Bugis is one of the best all-round areas to stay in Singapore. It is close to Kampong Glam, Haji Lane, Arab Street and many cultural attractions, while Bugis MRT makes it easy to travel around the city.
Is Little India a safe place to stay in Singapore?
Little India is a popular central neighbourhood with hotels, restaurants, shops and excellent public transport. It is particularly good for budget travellers and food lovers, although the area can be quite busy.
Is Orchard Road a good place to stay in Singapore?
Orchard Road is an excellent choice if shopping, modern hotels and convenience are important to you. It is less atmospheric than Chinatown or Kampong Glam but has excellent restaurants, shopping malls and MRT connections.
Is Sentosa a good place to stay in Singapore?
Sentosa is best for travellers looking for a resort-style holiday, beaches, swimming pools and family attractions. It is less convenient than central Singapore for sightseeing, so I would usually recommend it for a longer stay or as the relaxing final part of a Singapore trip.
What is the best area to stay in Singapore for 3 nights?
For three nights, I'd choose Marina Bay, Chinatown or Bugis/Kampong Glam. All three are central enough that you can see a lot of Singapore without spending too much time travelling.
What is the best area to stay in Singapore for 5 nights?
With five nights, you have more flexibility. Chinatown, Bugis/Kampong Glam and Tiong Bahru are excellent choices if you want to explore beyond the main tourist attractions. You could also split your stay and spend a couple of nights on Sentosa for a resort experience.
Final Thoughts: Where to Stay in Singapore
Singapore is one of those cities where there isn't one single "best" area for everyone. The best place to stay depends much more on what you want your trip to feel like.
If you're visiting for the first time, I'd personally narrow your search to Marina Bay, Chinatown or Bugis/Kampong Glam. They give you the best balance of location, sightseeing, restaurants, public transport and atmosphere.
And if you're staying for several nights, don't feel that you need to spend the entire trip in the most expensive part of the city. Singapore is compact enough that you can stay in a neighbourhood with more character and easily travel to Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Sentosa and the other major attractions during the day.
That is part of what makes Singapore such an easy city to explore. No matter where you decide to base yourself, you can easily get around and you’ll no doubt have an amazing time.
Plan Your Trip to Singapore
Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to plan where to stay in Singapore. To make planning the rest of your trip even easier, I've included all the resources I personally use when I travel.
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