The best new hotels in 2026 to book for your year-end holiday

This is luxury island living at its peak – The Laurus at Sentosa only offers suites, with every room having a separate sitting area, ‘his’ and ‘hers’ vanity sinks, and freestanding bathtubs. Some of these overlook the swimming pool, where you can suntan by a bar beneath palm trees and other native foliage. The tropical flair continues within the colonial hotel, with beautiful stained glass featuring Singapore’s endangered Buffy Fish Owl, and botanical art from local historical archives. In-suite dining is an option, though you’d want to at least slip into the resort’s elegantly moody Collector’s Bar for some heritage-inspired cocktails.

Time Out tip: For additional food options, take a five-minute walk to Weave @ Sentosa – there’s a Coach Coffee Shop and even a Din Tai Fung with its own cocktail bar, the first of its kind in Asia.

Perched atop Fort Canning Hill, Mett Singapore remains tucked away in the forest while offering easy proximity to hotspots like Orchard Road, City Hall, and Clarke Quay – the perfect balance of a tranquil reset peppered with city excitement. All rooms come with a king bed and a view, with much of the building's charming architecture from its British military past retained. Bring a swimsuit, because there are not one but two outdoor pools, plus a greenery-facing gym and padel courts at the in-house members club, Madison House. Dining is a similarly upscale affair, with coastal Italian restaurant L’Amo Bistrò del Mare, and fine dining at the soon-to-reopen Art di Daniele Sperindio.

Time Out tip: Book directly on Mett Singapore’s website instead of third-party platforms for special perks like welcome drinks and free dining credits.

Selegie may not be the first area one would gun for when it comes to a hotel stay in Singapore, but Varel isn’t to be overlooked. It checks all the boxes for an unfussy stay: chic rooms in soothing tones, an infinity pool, and easy access to multiple MRT stations. The in-house dining options have you well-covered from day to night too, with Vernacular Coffee for bakes and brews, Hathaway Autograph for all-day fusion bites, and Saga Bar for creative nightcaps. But do leave some space for free ice cream, available to guests 24/7 in flavours like matcha and yuzu mango. 

Read our full review to find out more about what we loved here.

If a culture crawl is a priority on your holidays, Hotel Waterloo makes the perfect ‘home base’. Smack in the middle of the Bras Basah-Bugis arts district, this brand-new build puts you within walking distance of Bencoolen’s cluster of indie art spaces and old-school eateries; the National Museum; and Bugis Street, which boasts a mural-laden Art Lane, pop-up vintage markets, and weekly fleas with thrifting and workshops. While the immediate area around the boutique hotel feels a wee bit gritty, the tropical-themed interiors are refreshingly calm and modern in contrast. 

Time Out tip: Nearby, the unassuming Fortune Centre hides some of the best food gems. Our faves include Onigiri Gon and Paraphrase.

Looney Tunes character masks would probably be the last thing you’d expect to find on your hotel’s lampshades, but that’s all just part of Mama Shelter’s unapologetically quirky personality. The Paris-hailing design hotel’s first Asian outpost has landed in Singapore at Killiney, just right outside Orchard Road’s buzzy main strip. Every corner here is a messy yet artful burst of colours and patterns, with a retro arcade machine, disco-esque neon lights, and leopard-print chairs decorating the common areas. Groove to live music at the French brasserie-inspired Mama Restaurant, or head up to the rooftop pool deck for Mediterranean beach club vibes, complete with cocktails and light bites.

Read our full review to find out more about what we loved here.

Despite being a co-living space, lyf Chinatown – the fifth and newest lyf branch in Singapore – also accommodates short stays spanning a minimum of six days. Cleverly compact with lively murals, it’s perfect for those seeking a wallet-friendly home-away-from-home experience, with every room either having its own kitchenette or access to a shared one. As this particular outlet is partially set in a row of refurbished shophouses, some of the rooms are connected to living areas via a spiral staircase, with original wooden ceiling beams and glass windows intact.

Time Out tip: Flying solo but craving company? Join the rotating workshops and staff-led heritage walks, and meet new people at social spaces like the rooftop pool and open courtyard.

What was once known as Intercontinental Singapore has since entered its new era as Frasers House – but this transformation goes beyond a mere name change and new management. The locale’s Peranakan history is more evident in the refreshed room designs and dining experiences. OG restaurants Luce and Man Fu Yuan remain and continue serving up Italian and Cantonese fare, respectively, but the hotel’s grand chandelier-filled Lobby Lounge offers Asian delights, heritage afternoon tea, and cocktails with a uniquely Singaporean twist.

Time Out tip: Keep your Friday and Saturday evenings free from 8pm for jazz night at the lounge.