Singapore Hotels

Singapore Hotel Reviews

Over the years Singapore has been transformed from a popular vacation destination to a conventioneers' mecca teeming with tour groups and delegates. Singapore's lodging has visibly changed to accommodate this clientele: extensive refurbishment and growth with more varied services has been the trend. Luxury still abounds, and there are still places where exceptional personal service hasn't fallen by the wayside. Indeed, in 2004 Singapore was one of only three cities (along with Chicago and Bangkok) to have three of its hotels ranked in Travel & Leisure's annual "100 World's Best Hotels" poll. The hotels making the cut were the Four Seasons, Raffles, and the Ritz-Carlton Millenia.

Prices rival those in New York or London—a superior double room in a deluxe hotel can run more than S$400 a night; one with a private bath in a modest hotel, about S$150 a night. During conventions and the peak months of June through September and December, rooms are scarce, and prices rise. Still, there are enough discounts and deals that no thrifty visitor should ever have to pay the published price (if you use a travel agent, make sure that he or she asks for a discount). There are also budget hotels with rates less than S$95 a night. The Geylang area east of City Hall has many low-cost hotels with rooms between S$49 and S$100 a night. And if all you're looking for is a bunk, walk along Bencoolen Street, where there are dormitory-style guest houses that charge no more than S$25 a night, although they seem to be on the way out. (For more information on affordable lodgings, contact the Singapore Tourism Board, or STB for its annually updated brochure "Budget Hotels.")

Booking ahead—particularly for stays in June through September and December—will probably save you money and will definitely save you headaches. If, however, you gamble and arrive without reservations, the Singapore Hotel Association has two counters at Changi Airport that are staffed by people who can set you up with a room—often at a discount—with no booking fee.

The more expensive establishments offer such amenities as international direct dial (IDD) phones with bathroom extensions, TVs with international cable, room service, minibars, data ports for modems, no-smoking rooms or floors, in-room safes, and business and fitness centers loaded with the latest equipment. Several hotels have wireless Internet in common areas or in some executive rooms and suites. These hotels have facilities for travelers with mobility problems; however, some smaller budget hotels do not, so ask before you book. Some properties, particularly those in converted shophouses, have a few rooms that lack windows, so be sure to ask for one that has windows. All rooms have air-conditioning and private baths unless otherwise stated.