Singapore Accommodation For a Singapore Stopover
Chinatown, Geylang, Riverside, Orchard Rd and Little India Hotels
Feb 19, 2009
Accommodation in Singapore is varied and mostly of reasonable to high standard. Google searches usually bring up international ‘accommodation deals’ websites or major chains on the first page, so it is easy to believe that Singapore accommodation starts at $220 and just gets dearer.
The truism ‘You get what you pay for’ applies to Singapore accommodation. If you pay $200 plus, you are unlikely to be disappointed. Rooms are usually large and well-equipped and most hotels in that price bracket will have a restaurant, gym and pool.
Cheaper hotels are, naturally, less polished and rooms may be much smaller. Some cheaper hotels may also be in red light districts and see a bit of ‘evening activity’.
Accommodation by Area
Singapore has quite distinct ethnic areas – all of them safe, well-served by public transport and great fun to visit. For two or more in a group, taxis are cheap, reliable and safe.
Make sure of the currency being quoted.
Singapore dollars are worth approximately 65 cents US, so a $293 SNG hotel, such as the Hotel Royal in Newton Rd is exceptional value when it is converted it to $US202 or 134 GB Pounds.
Regrettably, in recent times, the Aussie dollar has fallen to almost parity with the Singapore dollar, so no significant savings for Australian travellers. As well, most quoted rates do not include various taxes and surcharges which can add up to 15%.
Central Business District and Orchard Road, Singapore
The tourist who likes to be in the thick of things will select hotels in Orchard Rd, where most of the 5 star chains are located between the elegant shops. The 4 Seasons at $US430 is right up there, followed by the Grand Hyatt at $242, and Hilton at $US219.
There are still a few cheaper Orchard Rd hotels; for example, the Elizabeth and the Somerset at $US135 and the Grand Central at $103. The YMCA is also in Orchard Rd at $119.
Little India Hotels
Bustling colourful Little India with 24 hour shopping in some areas, including the Mustafa Centre, is a great place to stay. The Albert Court on the edge of Little India ($US152) has a colonial feel as the guest rooms are old shop houses renovated. The superb Park Royal on Kitchener (author’s tested choice) from $US 225 is well-positioned.
Further down-market is the 3 star Summer View at $US 107 and 2 star Broadway at $US 73. If the tourist is just in transit and wants a bed, or wants to spend time in a vibrant area at little cost, these venues are fine.
Chinatown Hotels
Chinatown is a fun area with plenty of great food outlets and shopping. Like most of Singapore, it is well-served by public transport. Once a renowned red light district, Chinatown is now quite respectable, with only a few brothels tucked in among elegant hotels and shops.
Elegant hotels like the New Majestic ($US231 - 291) are the best bets. Better to go top-end in Chinatown, as some of the cheaper hotels that look good on the web sites don’t reflect the photos in reality.
Keong Saik Rd was once notorious, but is now home to the new boutique Hotel of restored shop houses, the Royal Peacock ($US111). Many travellers have been disappointed with the quality here and feel the term ‘boutique’ is a misnomer.
Similarly, the Tropical Hotel in Chinatown gets universally poor reviews. Blogger Burung Pipit explains that the remaining brothels have a huge light box above the door with a large street number and usually a large red lantern, so that unsuspecting tourists won’t stumble in by accident.
Geylang Hotels
The Geyland area has the reputation of being the new sleaze area of Singapore, yet many tourists who stay in the area claim that, as people mind their own business, it’s safe on the streets at night and most travellers would have no issues with the district.
It also has lots of great Malay food and shopping and like its cousin Bugis Street, which has been cleaned up since its days as a trans-woman paradise for sailors, is certainly worth a daytime visit, at least.
Hotels include several in the relatively new Fragrance chain which have small but clean rooms for $80 – 119.
Riverside Hotels – Singapore
The river is the lifeblood of Singapore, and is quite beautiful at night. Great eateries and walkways line each side – try the Singapore Chilli Crab! This is a safe up-market area and the hotels reflect this, although good last-minute deals are usually obtainable.
Investigate the Furama Riverfront (author’s choice), the Grand Copthorne, the Hotel Miramar and the Copthorne King – all around the $200 -300 SNG mark.
The prices quoted above are an indication only. Prices change with season, location and day – early weekdays being considerably more expensive than Fri and Sat. Prospective visitors are advised to check rates before booking. As another Suite101 page explains, Singapore is a must-see stopover.
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