Singapore guest houses - guesthouse recommendations
Chinatown is awash with budget hotels
Compact Singapore has a wealth of interesting accommodation options for every pocket and despite its reputation as Southeast Asia’s priciest destination you will still find lots of choice at the budget end. Whatever your financial threshold, you can be guaranteed standards of cleanliness, comfort and service that is hard to beat elsewhere.
Even in the very cheapest places, air conditioning and hot water comes as standard. You may even be lucky enough to find a room in a converted colonial shop house. Rooms in the Orchard Road area and central business district tend to attract premium rates but staying in the ethnic Chinatown and Little India districts offer the most character of all and are in fact among the cheapest areas in Singapore to stay.
Other enclaves worth exploring include Geylang which boasts dozens of cheap identikit hotels or head to the Changi area for peace and quiet and the only affordable rooms with a sea view. The biggest growth area in the last few years has been the explosion in new travellers’ hostels. There are now dozens to choose from and most are in strategic central locations.
Again Chinatown and Little India has the lion’s share although you will also find cheap dorms in traditionally expensive areas like Clarkes Quay. Many are located in historic former shop houses but you can expect ultra modern stylish interiors, free WiFi and hearty breakfasts as standard for no more than SGD$20.00 a night. Get the inside track on the perfect place to stay with our comprehensive guide to guesthouses in Singapore.
Recommended Singapore guesthouses
Haising Hotel
Handily situated for the Malay district and Little India this is just one of a rash of new budget hotels on Jalan Besar, however it provides arguably the best value for money. For just SGD$40.00 you get a comfy air con single room with TV and breakfast included. Doubles with shared bathroom cost just SGD$50.00. It doesn’t have a lot a character but has a relaxed friendly atmosphere with attentive staff. (27 Jalan Besar, Tel +65 6298 1223)
The Fullerton Hotel is a high end Singapore stalwart
Hotel Bencoolen
This long time Singapore institution is looking a little tired nowadays but still offers a good standard of comfort and a friendly atmosphere worthy of the money. There are small singles or doubles with TV, mini bar and personal safe for SGD$60.00 a night. You can make use of the swimming pool, bar and restaurant and is one of the few places in the vicinity with secure car parking. (47 Bencoolen Street, Tel: +65 6336 0822)...More details and booking
Rucksack Inn
This is the pick of Singapore’s modern hostel accommodation and is continually rated a top pick for international travellers. There are spacious eight bed dorms in stylish colour schemes with sizeable and secure lockers, round the clock air con and plenty of hot showers.
There is free WiFi, use of PCs and video gaming plus free unlimited breakfast. Hostel staff are a mine of local information and ultimate professionals. Midweek rates start at SGD$26.00 a night. (Hong Kong Street, Clarke Quay, Tel: +65 6443 3848)...More details and booking
South East Asia Hotel
Right in the thick of the action at the Bugis Street markets, this small guest house is the best bet for families on a budget. It has spacious three bedded rooms with TV and en suite bath tubs for SGD$75.00 or doubles at SGD$60.00. There is a small restaurant, laundry service and the friendly staff can arrange a host of day trips and tours. (190 Waterloo Street, Tel: +65 6338 2394)
The Inn Crowd
This is a smart hostel cum guest house with a laid back traveller’s scene and a great place to pick up travel tips or recommendations and also get the free guided city tours on kick scooters. You have a choice of cheap dorm beds or private rooms with shared or en suite bathrooms and there is a lively bean bag lounge where serve the cheap local beer. Rates for dorm beds start at SGD$20.00 per person per night while a double or triple room costs SGD$59 and SGD$79 per night respectively. (73 Dunlop Street, Little India, Tel: +65 6296 9169)
Crown Prince Hotel
The Crown Prince is a large 300 room hotel offering probably the most affordable rooms on swanky Orchard Road. It has all the hallmarks of a top international hotel with a gymnasium, swimming pool and business centre. The cheapest single rooms are small and share bathrooms but are well appointed with TV, mini bar and safe and go for SGD$ 90.00 or choose an en suite double are SGD$ 130.00. (270 Orchard Road, Tel: +65 6732 1111)
City Backpackers
Located 10 minutes from the city in quiet suburban Kallang, this modern traveller’s hostel has stylish mixed dorm rooms with round the clock air con, hot showers, free kitchen use and self service laundry. It has a laid back atmosphere with plenty of tourist info and tips and weekend pub crawls. Prices are just SGD$19.00 per night during the week. (2A Jalan Ayer, Kallang, Tel: +65 6492 5204)
Apollo Hotel
This well appointed tourist hotel is a good bet if you need lots of comfort and amenities without having to pay through the nose. It is well located for the Colonial district which rubs off on the interior, filled with quaint period features.
There are several standards of room with small twin or doubles starting at SGD$66.00 with buffet breakfast included. Excellent guest facilities include a pool, gym, restaurant bar and that rarity in Singapore – a lawn tennis court. (405 Havelock Road, Tel: +65 6733 2081)
The Frankel Hostel
A popular east coast hostel and guest house perfect for a quick stopover or if you have an early morning flight. Very convenient for the airport and even closer to tranquil Changi Beach for water sports and tasty seafood. There are several standards of single sex and mixed dorm rooms and en suite private rooms for up to four people. Dorms cost SGD$22.00 and SGD$45.00 for comfortable doubles. There is self service breakfast, free internet access and a spacious TV lounge. (520A Changi Road, Tel: +65 9781 8626)
