Where to Stay in Singapore: Best Neighborhoods & Hotel Tips

The best neighborhoods to stay in Singapore on a map

We’re covering seven different neighborhoods here that we can recommend for your stay.

If it’s your first time in Singapore, you’ll probably be best off in Marina Bay or the Civic District.

If price is a major factor, Chinatown, Kampong Glam and Bugis, and Little India are all great options. The other two areas — Orchard Road and Clarke Quay — each have their own pros and cons worth knowing about.

These are our top picks for where to stay in Singapore:

• Marina Bay
• Orchard Road
• Clarke Quay
• Chinatown
• Little India
• Bugis & Kampong Glam
• Civic District

To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked all the neighborhoods we recommend on this map.

Our hotel in Singapore

If it’s your first time in Singapore, we recommend staying at the YOTEL Singapore, right on Orchard Road. We stayed in the Premium Queen Room with a view for around 120 euros per night. Prices vary by season, but the value for money was seriously outstanding — the room was spotlessly clean, really well thought-out, and the view was incredible!

Our room was 140 square feet, but extremely well designed. On each side of the bed, you can slide your suitcase (up to about 70 liters) into a dedicated slot made just for that purpose. You can also raise the upper part of the bed to free up more space during the day.

The Orchard MRT station is right around the corner, there are tons of dining and shopping options just outside the door, and you can reach anywhere in the city quickly.

Staying in Marina Bay

Marina Bay is probably the most famous neighborhood in Singapore, and it really is where all the action is. Thanks to its waterfront location, many of Singapore’s top attractions, and of course its world-famous landmark, the Marina Bay Sands, this is the city’s most popular area with tourists.

Its central location also makes it super convenient if you want to reach other parts of the city quickly: to the north it borders the hip Clarke Quay with its lively nightlife, to the west the Central Business District with its gleaming skyscrapers, and to the east the Civic District, Singapore’s historic quarter.

All those conveniences and entertainment options come at a price, of course: Marina Bay is one of the most expensive places to stay in Singapore.

Advantages of a hotel in Marina Bay

• Many of the city’s top highlights are right on your doorstep.
• You can easily and quickly reach other attractive neighborhoods.
• There are plenty of stylish bars and restaurants.
• Some of the best viewpoints in Singapore for skyline panoramas.

Disadvantages of a hotel in Marina Bay

• Prices are generally quite high.
• There’s not really a typical local Singapore atmosphere here.
• The choices are limited mostly to the usual big hotel brands like the Ritz-Carlton or Westin.

Our hotel recommendations for Marina Bay

Booking.com lists 12 hotels in Marina Bay in total — all at upscale prices and at least five stars. They’re primarily, as you’d expect, luxury hotel chains.

Staying on Orchard Road

Orchard Road is Singapore’s go-to neighborhood for shopping enthusiasts. You’ll find malls, more malls, and even more malls, with lively shopping strips in between.

But don’t picture it as a characterless outlet village: the streets are bursting with colorful lights, there are countless hip cafés and bars, and large, well-maintained green spaces give you room to breathe. In short, this is where you really get to experience the authentic Singapore vibe.

Advantages of a hotel on Orchard Road

• Endless shopping options
• Some of the best restaurants in Singapore

Disadvantages of a hotel on Orchard Road

• Not much going on in the evenings and at night
• During the day, especially on weekends, it can get very crowded

Our hotel recommendations for Orchard Road

Orchard has a large number of hotels to choose from, with a good mix of boutique hotels, hostels, and larger chains. Prices are also a bit lower than in Marina Bay. We highly recommend the YOTEL Singapore.

Staying in Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is fairly centrally located and is especially known for its nightlife. This is where you’ll find Singapore’s hippest clubs — like Attica, Canvas, and Zouk — plus countless bars, waterfront restaurants, and everything your heart desires after dark.

“After dark” is really the key phrase here, because during the day the neighborhood can feel pretty quiet. That all changes once happy hour kicks in and the music starts up!

Advantages of a hotel in Clarke Quay

• A huge variety of nightlife options.
• You’ll meet people from all over the world.
• It’s centrally located, well connected, and Marina Bay is within walking distance.

Disadvantages of a hotel in Clarke Quay

• The noise level can be quite high well into the night.
• There’s not much to see culturally.
• Due to its proximity to Marina Bay, overnight prices here are also pretty high.

Our hotel recommendations for Clarke Quay

Unfortunately, booking.com doesn’t offer much choice for hotels in Clarke Quay — just three located directly in the neighborhood.

Budget stays in Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and has been home to Singapore’s Chinese community from the very beginning.

The old charm of its temples, night markets, and traditional shops has been preserved to this day — even though the area is slowly being encroached on by the neighboring Central Business District. For now, though, you can still soak up the exotic atmosphere here to the fullest!

Chinatown is also a great base if you’re on a short stopover in Singapore. It’s a popular spot for backpackers too, since there are several very affordable — though not always great — hostels here.

Advantages of a hotel in Chinatown

• You can choose from a good mix of luxury hotels and affordable budget options.
• Plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and shopping for Chinese crafts and antiques.
• Clarke Quay is easily walkable.

Disadvantages of a hotel in Chinatown

• The selection of modern brands and designers is pretty limited

Our hotel recommendations for Chinatown

Staying in Little India

We stayed in Little India during our time in Singapore and have no regrets! It’s a great alternative to the city’s pricier districts, with plenty of attractive and affordable places to stay.

India fans will feel right at home here! Serangoon Road is the neighborhood’s main street, where most of the action takes place. You’ll find loads of delicious Indian restaurants, colorful bazaars, affordable fashion, and electronics malls.

There’s also a lot going on in the evenings, when people gather for a cold beer on the corner and the restaurants fill right up.

Advantages of a hotel in Little India

• A good selection of affordable hotels.
• Indian cuisine as far as the eye can see.
• Other ethnic neighborhoods in Singapore are within walking distance.
• Lots of shopping options and entertainment.

Disadvantages of a hotel in Little India

• The sidewalks can get very crowded, especially in the evenings.
• There are very few luxury hotels.
• Limited nightlife options.

Our hotel recommendations in Little India

Staying in Bugis and Kampong Glam

Bugis and Kampong Glam are technically two separate neighborhoods, but they blend seamlessly into each other. Bugis is the part with the shopping malls, restaurants, and modern apartment buildings, while Kampong Glam has more to offer culturally.

Kampong Glam is also known as the “Arab Quarter” — a great spot to shop for beautiful silk, spend the afternoon in hip cafés and independent designer boutiques. There’s also a small but solid nightlife scene in the area.

Advantages of a hotel in Bugis and Kampong Glam

• Good selection of luxury hotels and affordable boutique hotels.
• The famous Bugis Street Market.
• A nice mix of shopping malls and independent boutiques.
• Active nightlife.

Disadvantages of a hotel in Bugis and Kampong Glam

• The neighborhood is a bit further from some well-known attractions, but still well connected.

Our hotel recommendations for Bugis and Kampong Glam

In Kampong Glam you’ll find various hotels with a good mix of price ranges.

Staying in the Civic District

The Civic District is especially worthwhile for its large number of museums and monuments, as well as its immediate proximity to Marina Bay, Clarke Quay, and the Arab Quarter.

The restaurant and nightlife scene is excellent too, though prices for a drink or lunch aren’t as low as in, say, Little India or Kampong Glam.

This neighborhood is home to one of our insider tips for Singapore, as well as one of the world’s most iconic hotels, the Raffles Singapore.

Advantages of a hotel in the Civic District

• Many museums and attractions are within walking distance.
• Excellent connectivity with two MRT lines.
• Many gourmet restaurants and an active nightlife scene.

Disadvantages of a hotel in the Civic District

• Prices are generally high.
• The bars and clubs aren’t quite as exciting as in, say, Clarke Quay.

Our hotel recommendations in the Civic District

In the Civic District, overnight prices are generally quite high and there are no hostels in the area. The majority of options are luxury hotels.