The best hotel stays in Singapore that transport you overseas

If you just need an escape…

If you’re looking for an ultra-luxe experience to escape reality, make a reservation at Capella. The trip there should already signal the start of a vacation – it’s located in Sentosa, just outside mainland Singapore. Nestled within manicured gardens and lush foliage, the expansive 30-acre resort is the perfect escape from reality. There are rooms, suites, villas, and even manors to choose from, and the bathrooms are stocked with Aesop toiletries. After a relaxing swim in one (or all) of the property’s three pools, head to the beach – there is a path connecting the hotel to the nearby Palawan Beach. If you need further stress relief, pamper yourself with a treatment at the Auriga Spa.

If you’re missing Bali…

You’d be forgiven for momentarily forgetting that you’re still in Singapore and not in a villa in Bali. At the very instagrammable 34-room boutique hotel, choose from 8 room types, ranging from a cosy standard room to a loft-style suite. The hotel’s minimalist design and monochrome colour scheme provides for a tranquil ambience that will help you block out the outside world. After breakfast at a nearby cafe, unwind by taking a refreshing dip in the pool, which is surrounded by tropical greenery. If you need something else to do, Lloyd’s Inn is also conveniently located within walking distance from Orchard Road, where you can indulge in some retail therapy.

If you’re missing the countryside… 

Immerse yourself in nature at Villa Samadhi, a hotel housed in a colonial-era bungalow located within Labrador Nature Reserve. Don’t expect any facilities – there is no pool, gym, or spa here. Instead, take full advantage of the nature reserve at your doorstep and head outdoors to disconnect from the world. Interiors are colonial and Thai-inspired, and there are 5 room types to choose from. If you’re feeling peckish, there is an on-site restaurant, Tamarind Hill, which serves Thai food.

If you're missing Melbourne or New York... 

A stay at The Warehouse Hotel transports you to lively and vibrant cities like Melbourne and New York. The stylish boutique hotel, designed by homegrown agency Asylum, is located in a former spice warehouse that sits along the old Straits of Malacca trade route and the former epicentre of Singapore's red-light district. 

The Warehouse Hotel whispers secrets of its illicit past: a spice trading hub at one point, an illegal distillery at another, even a reigning discotheque in the ’80s. Head up to the rooftop infinity pool and kick back on one of the deck beds while soaking in views of the Singapore River. 

For a loft-style stay with raised ceilings and soft natural light (ala yuppie artist in Brooklyn), book out the River View Suite – located on the uppermost floor of the triple-peaked heritage hotel.

If you're missing Thailand... 

Holiday right by the sea a la Koh Samui at Sentosa's lesser-known secret. Nestled on the western tip of Resorts World Sentosa are the idyllic Beach Villas. Transporting you away from the hustle and bustle of Singapore, the resort is an exquisite series of secluded tropical sanctuaries boasting spectacular sea views, personal butlers and luxurious comforts.

There's an option of one-, two- or three-bedroom villas. Each villa boasts bright and breeze spaces, with tasteful design and gorgeous furnishings with a timber deck looking out to the glittering harbour. The villas are framed by lush tropical rainforest and even boasts a private view of the underwater Open Ocean Habitat from the comfort of your own villa. 

If you're missing New York.. 

The Clan Hotel Singapore is a beautiful property with sophisticated rooms, a Chinese restaurant and bar, and unique in-house workshops. Its crowning glory is the hotel's Sky Pool and jacuzzi, complete with views reminiscent of Manhattan's skyline. 

If you're missing South Korea... 

Reminiscent of South Korea's uber-cool and trendy boutique hotels, Hotel Mono is a design-led gem on Mosque Street. The chic hideaway is set across six historical shophouses that retain their original charm with unique stairwells and Rococo-era windows. Spend a weekend in the cosy single room or book a minimalistic loft room to get away from it all. 

If you're missing China... 

Experience old-world China with a stay at Amoy Hotel. In fact, it's named after and inspired by the Zhengzhou people who came from China to settle in Singapore – a tribute to the area's history as a trading post. The boutique hotel is managed by Far East Hospitality and tucked behind a historical Chinese temple, Fuk Tak Chi. The rooms combine modern sophistication with Chinese heritage accents, which includes custom-made opium beds in each room. 

You'll be within walking proximity to the city's coolest restaurants and hangout spots along Chinatown or Telok Ayer.

If you're missing Europe... 

If you love admiring the architecture of historical buildings in Europe, then a stay at The Capitol Kempinski Singapore might just be what you need. Standing at the heart of the Civic District, the hotel is located in two restored historic landmarks known as the Stamford House and the Capitol Building. The art deco jewel boasts 157 guest rooms and suites, including a restaurant helmed by a Michelin-starred chef.

Of course, what's a trip to Europe without getting cultured and museum-hopping. The Capitol Kempinski Singapore is a stone's throw away from some of our best museums – whether it's the National Gallery Singapore, Asians Civilisations Museum or the National Museum of Singapore. 

If you want to travel back in time...

Enclosed with the space of five restored heritage shophouses is Duxton Reserve, a boutique hotel dripping with old-world glamour. Clad in black and gold, designer Anouska Hempel (also an ex-Bond girl) imbued within the four walls of the property an eclectic East-meets-West aesthetic – with ornate French windows, Chinoiserie fixtures, and calligraphy wallpaper. For an opulent stay, consider the Skylight Executive Club Suite. The mood-lit interior features a spacious living area, low-slung furniture, and decorative frames. Anchoring the room is a grand four-poster bed fitted with an organic mattress, pillows, and buttery cotton linen.