Hotels in SIngapore are on the up - from colonial gems to 72-storey giants. The number of visitors to Singapore reached a record 9.7 million in 2006, with tourists staying an average of 4.2 days and spending a total of S$12.4 billion. The country’s strategic location, right in the heart of South-east Asia, and the rise of low-cost airlines (making regional travel not just convenient but affordable) were partly responsible, along with a number of prominent global business events – IOC, ASEAN, IMF – held in the country that year. As a result, the average hotel occupancy rate roared to 86 per cent, with room rates increasing by up to 20 per cent across the board. 

Singapore currently has 36,000 hotel rooms – pretty healthy for the ‘little red dot’, one of the smallest countries in the world – but the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has stated the number of rooms needs to double by 2015. New upmarket properties will certainly arrive to cope with the influx of high-rollers hoped to be drawn to Singapore’s two new ‘integrated resorts’ (IRs) in Marina Bay and on Sentosa island – but they’re some years away. Hotels in the pipeline include three new resorts on Sentosa and the Boutique Hotel@Tiong Bahru, together adding another 700 rooms. The Tiong Bahru establishment proves that the boutique hotel trend – as in the rest of the world – is here to stay. Boutique hotels, however, are just one portion of the overall market. Singapore’s accommodation choices are plentiful – from five-star, big-name luxury hotels to mid-priced options, budget joints and backpacker hostels. Prices are not as cheap as elsewhere in South-east Asia, of course, but travellers from Europe and North America will be pleasantly surprised by what their money will buy. At least for the moment: it’s likely that prices will rise further, particularly if the current tourist taxes go up. One thing is for sure: hotels will have to go the extra mile to win over customers. Already impressive service standards will have to be improved; facilities will need to be constantly upgraded; and personalised in-room extras and bonuses will have to be extended to ensure long-lasting loyalty. In short, it will be the visitor who reaps the benefits in the long run.

WHERE TO STAY
The vast majority of Singapore’s hotels are in the city centre. The biggest and swankiest hotels are found on and around Orchard Road, next to the city’s shopping heart; and in the Marina area, on the edge of the Colonial District and near the CBD (Central Business District). Chinatown seems to have cornered the boutique hotel market, while Little India and the Arab Quarter are the best choice for visitors counting their pennies. There’s also a cluster of good-value hotels at the eastern end of Orchard Road. For a beachside retreat, try the resorts on Sentosa.

Iconic Hotels
Raffles of course is the leading iconic Hotel, followed closely by The Fullerton and Swissotel The Stamford.

Luxury Hotels
All major luxury hotel names are present in Singapore including The Conrad, Four Seasons, Intercontinental, Marina Mandarin, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, M Hotel, Meritus Mandarin, Amara Sanctuary Resort, Pan Pacific, The Regent, Shangri-La, Rasa Sentosa Resort, Sentosa Resort and Spa, Fairmont, The Grand Hyatt, Naumi, Ritz-Carlton Millenia and the new kid on the block the St Regis.

Four star and mid-range Hotels
More than we can list here but including Furama Riverfront, The Gallery Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, Grand Copthorne Waterfront, Grand Mercure, Albert Court Hotel, Broadway Hotel, Changi Village Hotel, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Park Royal on Kitchener Road, Perak Hotel, Fragrance Hotel, Golden Landmark, Orchard hotel, Sloane Court Hotel, Siloso Beach Resort, Rendezvous, Robertston Quay Hotel, Royal Plaza on Scotts, Strand Hotel and Novotel.

Boutique Hotels
Cool boutique hotels include Scarlet Hotel, Royal Peacock Hotel, Hotel 1929, Naumi Hotel, Berjaya Hotel and The New Majestic.

Backpacker and Hostels include Hangout @ Mount Emily, Sleepy Sam's, SHA Villa, The Inn Crowd Hostel, Lloyd's Inn, New 7th Story, YMCA and Prince of Wales.

Click here for a list of Singapore Hotels.

Click to book through:

- Zuji.com

- WeGo.com