The 12 best cheap hotels in Singapore

Got an inhaler at the ready? Because The Great Madras is about to take your breath away – and not just for the budget-friendly prices either. This gem in Little India is floor-to-ceiling stunning, from the art deco curved balconies to kitsch wallpaper and 1950s-styled pastel tiles that adorn the bathrooms to quirky features like the porthole windows in cupboard doors. As for the facilities, you can look forward to a relaxing dip in the outdoor pool or eating at the highly Instagrammable deli cafe in the lobby.

Good for: living in a Wes Anderson-esque world

What’s nearby? Close by you have the likes of Bugis Street for the exotic food scene and Singapore Art Museum. 

Budget range: Pretty affordable rates per night (as low as S$400) for a typical four-day trip. 

Looking for an affordable stay in the intriguing, historic Chinatown? Heritage Collection on Chinatown, nestled in the beating heart of the neighbourhood, might just be what you’re looking for. Its address on 227 South Bridge Road ensures that guests are within walking distance from the district’s iconic attractions such as Masjid Chulia, Sri Mariamman Temple and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, while still nearby dining options in the area: like Amoy Street and Maxwell Food Centres, as well as the restaurants and cocktail bars of Club Street and Ann Siang Road. 

There are several room categories here, from the spacious Premium Lofts (from $122 a night), and convenient Studio Premium rooms (from $100 a night) to the cosier Studio Single rooms (from $70 a night) for solo staycationers. If you’re a Singaporean planning a staycation with your SingaporeRediscovers Voucher, Heritage Collection should be on the top of your list. A bonus? You will also receive a limited-edition Heritage Collection EZ-Link card featuring mural artist Yip Yew Chong’s street art. For bookings, visit www.hericoll.com.

Time Out Singapore in partnership with Heritage Collection 

Good for: an affordable staycay in a heritage-rich neighbourhood

What’s nearby? Popular attractions include Singapore City Gallery and Marina Bay Sands. 

Budget range: Moderately-priced rooms (for as low as S$430 for three nights depending on when you book). 

Exactly the kind of hotel you’d expect to pop up in an arts and culture district, Hotel Gin Bugis Singapore is crammed full of eclectic little features and wonders. Mixing industrial, vintage and bohemian chic with top-end contemporary appliances and features, the Gin’s rooms are neatly assembled and topped with quirky details and amenities. It’s all pretty damn cool – and made even cooler by the fact that guests get dining credits to spend at either the trendy, affordable winery Ginett or American burger bar 25 Degrees. Sounds swish, eh?

Good for: whacky chic

What’s nearby? Explore the local street food vendors and market stalls.

Budget range: A little pricier but still decent for a three-night stay (around S$700).

This Orchard Road address puts Lloyd's Inn just a little beyond the perimeters of the famous shopping district, and less than 100 metres from the infamous Oxley house (once home to the former PM Lee Kuan Yew). The concrete-clad structure looks avant-garde next to the surrounding older, conventional architecture, but step inside and you’ll find it lush and welcoming. The rooms have eight style varieties, bathed in soft natural light and with a Nordic minimalism, which make you feel like you're being whisked away to a cosy Airbnb in Europe. The facilities aren’t grand, but the roof terrace and foliage-lined dipping pool are idyllic enough to lull you into serenity – if you can stop Instagramming, that is.

Good for: minimalist vibes

What’s nearby? A four-minute stroll away from Killiney kopitiam, Singapore's oldest Hainanese coffee shop. 

Budget range: In the mid-range (typically around S$800).

Set within six historical shophouses, this minimalist joint is not only a well-kept secret but effortlessly chic. The contemporary design is clean and almost futuristic, giving the rooms a spacious feel that cramped budget hotels sometimes lack. Besides this, there's an air of tranquillity thanks to the lack of clutter – allowing for total rest and recuperation after you've schlepped around the Singapore sights. Our only gripe is that several of the rooms' windows merely open into an air well, but at least you get some natural light (or switch on the sleek lightning bars to artificially amp up the brightness). If you're booking online keep an eye out for Hotel Mono's special promotions that run at various times throughout the year.

Good for: minimalist vibes

What’s nearby? Close to Marina Bay Sands and Orchard Road Shopping District. 

Budget range: Fairly affordable and stylish too (from around S$534).

The best thing about this hotel is that it's only a 12-minute walk from the beach. So if you're looking for lazy beach days, this is the place for you. It features modern unique designs and features rooms that, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, are filled with natural light. It also boasts a rooftop infinity pool and an indulgent hot tub, all perfect for taking in views of the city’s eastern cultural belt.

Good for: minimalist vibes

What’s nearby? In this more laid-back area, you'll find Haig walk and lots of kids' playgrounds like Happys Playground. 

Budget range: Decently priced for couples (from around S$630) and families (from around S$1,150). 

The achingly cool M Social is all futuristic neon colours, steel and mirrored furnishings in the distinctive, flamboyant design style of Philippe Starck. The ceilings are all double-height, which means that even the smaller lead-in rooms (industry jargon for a hotel’s most affordable category) feel plush and not oppressive. The space is tight but well thought-out, and the bed’s too comfy to leave. There’s a small pool and gym you can hit up, but the appeal of a stay around Robertson Quay is to bask in the breezy laidback charm of its riverside restaurants and Aussie-styled cafes.

Good for: minimalist vibes

What’s nearby? Close to the laid-back, trendy Robertson Quay, for your pick of the best restaurants and UE Square shopping centre. 

Budget range: An affordable couple's stay (around S$697).

Each Indigo hotel around the globe reflects the neighbourhood in which it’s situated, and in storied Joo Chiat, lined with heritage buildings, the boutique space offers a culturally rich experience. A rooftop infinity pool and a 24-hour fitness centre are the basics everyone expects, but what sets this particular hotel apart is the Indigo Pavilion. Perhaps in a bid to invoke the ‘kampong' (village) spirit that once flowed through the district, the pavilion is a communal space designed to mimic a living room. It’s set with water jars, a lantern-inspired chandelier and a ‘mama shop’ hawking literature from local brand BooksActually, traditional baju (clothes) and other bits.

Good for: a collision of heritage and colour.

What’s nearby? Close to Marine Parade and of course the East Coast Beach - a popular location for cycling and kayaking. 

Budget range: Not bad for all the cool amenities thrown in (from around S$1000).

Situated amid the hustle and bustle of Funan Mall, lyf (not a typo) is the latest venture from the Ascott brand, offering four-star co-living in a super convenient location. So what exactly does that entail? Lovely apartments that sleep anywhere from one to six people, with all the mod cons, plus shared work 'n' play spaces, including a pastel ball pit. It's also close to City Hall MRT station.

Good for: a dynamic leisurely environment

What’s nearby? Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore Art Museum and St Andrews Cathedral. 

Budget range: A reasonably priced three nights for these cool, urban hangout vibes (around S$1000). 

As far as budget stays go, Mercure Singapore Bugis ticks all the right boxes. It’s centrally located and close to three MRT stations: Bugis, Bencoolen and Bras Basah. The rooms are fairly spacious and even loft rooms are available here. As for facilities, there’s a small business centre and a good-sized infinity lap pool, jacuzzi and gym. What we particularly like is that there are numerous pockets of space – a breezy courtyard, a roof terrace and a lobby lounge. 

Good for: a fully-fledged business hotel

What’s nearby? You'll find the Albert Court Market & Food Centre right behind for some superb and wallet-friendly hawker fare.

Budget range: From around S$250 per night. 

The Ramada’s Balestier suburb is rarely top of the list for travellers, much less for staycationers, but it makes perfect sense. It’s a bit of a heartland Singapore – flanked as it is by public housing and kopitiams (traditional coffee shops) – but still only a short drive to Orchard Road (take the complimentary hotel shuttle) and Little India. Balestier is also one of Singapore’s most cherished supper streets, teeming with big-name bak kut teh (pork rib soup) and chicken rice shops. The rooms are generously sized and the swimming pool terrace is spacious, inviting and really quite beautiful in the evenings. 

Good for: a taste of local flavour

What’s nearby? Near Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall museum, where you can learn about the upheaval of the Qing dynasty. 

Budget range: Not too shabby (from S$851 for three nights) with handy add-ons like luggage storage and child care. 

A relative newbie to the Singapore hotel scene, NuVe opened in 2018 in the bustling Lavender area and, unlike the chain's other branches, it boasts a roof terrace pool. Each of the 62 rooms here are beautifully finished and full of modern amenities, like a mini fridge with complimentary drinks.

Good for: quiet charm

What’s nearby? Near Bugis Village and Arab Street known for its textiles and perfumes. 

Budget range: A moderately priced couple's stay (from S$656).