Accommodation will always be one of your biggest travel expenses…but what if it wasn’t? What if you could reduce the cost of your accommodation to zero while still enjoying the comforts of home? That’s what house swaps promise. House swaps have been around for decades. It was the entire premise of the movie The Holiday (starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet). They became all the rage but then were soon eclipsed by sites like Airbnb. But as travel prices skyrocketed post-COVID, more and more people have turned back to house swaps as a means of saving money while they travel while still getting a local experience (but without the hassle of an Airbnb). House swaps are exactly what they sound like. You sign up, list your home, and then swap with someone else in another city. They stay in your place and you stay in their place. The biggest and most popular platform for swaps is HomeExchange . And, in this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to get started with a house swa...
Posted: 3/15/2024 | March 15th, 2024
Singapore is one of my favorite cities in the world. It has an iconic skyline of futuristic skyscrapers, lush green spaces, and is one of the best foodie hubs in the region. The markets here are brimming with cheap hawker stalls, including stalls offering some of the most affordable Michelin-starred meals in the world.
But Singapore is expensive. It’s easy to blow your budget here. While you can get cheap meals, accommodation will eat away at your budget.
Over the years, I’ve stayed at countless hotels in Singapore, so today I want to share my list of the best hotels in Singapore:
1. The Scarlet
This award-winning four-star hotel is in Chinatown, my favorite area of the city. It’s spread across restored 19th-century shophouses and an Art Deco building from the 1920s (you can’t miss its distinctive red façade). The inside is bright and bold, with rich colors and plush furnishings. The hotel also boasts a rooftop restaurant and bar, an outdoor hot tub, a gym, and a French patisserie where you can get fresh pastries in the mornings.
The stylish rooms are uniquely designed with avant-garde décor like colorful velvet chaise longues and unique headboards. The bathrooms are spacious, the beds are comfy, and you can even choose your pillow from a custom pillow menu. All rooms offer flatscreen TVs, work desks, complimentary minibars, luxurious bathrobes, and tea/coffee-making appliances. If you want a more mid-range option in Chinatown, stay here.
2. KINN Capsule Hotel
Capsule hotels are something you’ve got to experience at least once in Asia. Think of them a bit like an elevated hostel. KINN is one of a handful of capsule hotels in the Quays area. This hotel is minimally designed, everything is super clean, and you’ll get a small free breakfast (a sandwich and fruit) in the mornings. There’s also a pantry with free snacks, coffee and tea, a shared lounge, a laundry facility, and a rooftop terrace with a beautiful view. I especially like that guests get free access to fitness classes at a nearby gym, as well as discounts on a co-working space a couple of blocks away.
The capsules have AC and feature comfortable bedding, a foldable shelf and mirror, integrated lighting, blackout privacy blinds, and power outlets. You’ll also get a personal locker to secure your stuff. The shared bathrooms have large showers with good pressure. There are free toiletries too. If you want a bit more privacy than a capsule, you can choose to stay in a private room with its own bathroom. This place is a great option if you’re looking to save money but you don’t want to stay in a hostel.
3. Park Royal Collection Pickering
This luxury five-star hotel has been featured in a ton of international publications thanks to its focus on sustainability. They harvest rainwater, have solar panels for energy generation, and use green roofs to minimize heat absorption and grow produce. There are also beautiful gardens and lush living walls everywhere. On the scenic garden skywalk, you can take free classes (yoga, meditation, Zumba). There’s also an outdoor pool and a gym, as well as several restaurants. While the breakfast buffet isn’t included, it is fantastic, with a huge and varied spread. The hotel is right next to an MRT station too.
Rooms here are spacious and feature a contemporary design with light wood paneling, a neutral color palette, and large windows. All rooms come with a spacious work desk with an ergonomic chair, a flatscreen TV, a minibar, plush bathrobes, and nightstands with universal electrical outlets. The bathrooms are also large and feature a standing shower with excellent pressure as well as a deep soaking tub. There’s even a separate faucet for filtered drinking water, which I think is a nice touch. Stay here for a unique and luxurious stay in the heart of Chinatown.
4. Santa Grand Hotel
This three-star hotel is on East Coast Road and not far from Joo Chiat, an area of town with lots of street art, independent stores, and cafés. The rooms are compact and simple but include a complimentary minibar, a flatscreen TV, and a desk. Bathrooms are good sized and feature a bidet and either a walk-in shower or shower/tub combo. There are a variety of room types to choose from, and some even have balconies or a skylight.
The hotel has a beautiful infinity pool and rooftop terrace for taking in the view, as well as its own restaurant and bar. There’s no breakfast offered on-site, but there are plenty of places nearby. This is a great choice for a no-frills stay in a more off-the-beaten-path area of the city.
5. York Hotel
This four-star hotel is located just off Orchard Road, famous for its many stores and shopping malls that line the street from beginning to end. York Hotel has a large outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a restaurant that serves an expansive breakfast buffet every day (there’s even an omelet station).
The rooms and bathrooms are both a bit dated but are quite spacious, which is rare in a city as compact as Singapore. Rooms feature a minibar, coffee/tea maker, armchairs, a desk, and plush bathrobes and slippers. While this hotel isn’t anything groundbreaking, most of the hotels in the area are quite pricey. I think you get an excellent value here. It’s a great option for those that want to be in a central location for a decent price.
Singapore is a captivating city. I always love coming here. While the city can be expensive, by staying in one of the hotels above you’ll be getting a great value, whether you’re looking to keep to a budget or splash out on a luxury stay.
Book Your Trip to Singapore: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. These are my favorite hostels in Singapore.
If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
If you’re wondering where to stay, check out my neighborhood guide.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Singapore?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Singapore for even more planning tips!
Photo credits: 2 – The Scarlet, 3 – KINN Capsule, 4 – PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, 5 – Santa Grand Hotel, 6 – York Hotel, 7 – Shangri-La Orange Grove
The post The 5 Best Hotels in Singapore appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
https://ift.tt/FSdj16t March 15, 2024 at 05:51PM
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