Best hotels for a staycation in Singapore

M Social is aimed at the young, tech-savvy crowd: there are self-check-in counters and automated room service robots that’ll bring you anything from linen to cutlery. The rooms have cool features, too – the Alcove Cosy Room has a four-metre-high pitched roof for a ‘hut’ vibe, while the Loft Gallery Room has a glass-ensconced duplex that makes the room feel much bigger than it really is. If you’re feeling peckish, grab a bite at the adjoining Beast and Butterflies, where the daily international buffet breakfast is served.

Take a trip down memory lane when you book a room at Hotel 1929. The hotel is housed in a row of conserved five-foot-way shophouses, and its corridors are filled with black-and-white archival photos of olden-day Singapore back in the early 20th century. All 32 rooms, split into five room categories, are decked in a mix of contemporary and retro furniture to ensure that no two rooms are carbon copies of each other. To chill, lounge on The Patio, the hotel’s garden on the second floor. Brunch fare isn’t too far away, too: gourmet deli The Provision Shop on the ground floor serves up your usual eggs Benny and wagyu beef burgers. 

Why jet off to Bali when there’s a resort getaway (well, almost) right at our doorsteps?  With its monochromatic colour palette and unassuming décor, Lloyd’s Inn is at the top of its minimalism game. Go all out and book a Big Skyroom where you can bask in your private outdoor bathtub to your heart’s content. Alternatively, there’s a dipping pool surrounded by lush foliage to lounge in and a roof terrace to star gaze from. 

Forget minimalism – this hotel is the poster boy for ‘maximalist’ design. Housed in a ’50s heritage art deco building, this hotel has the privilege of being the first hotel in Asia to be designed by world-renowned French designer Jacques Garcia. And the classic Parisian influences show: there are opulent red-and-gold interiors, hand-hammered gold leaves and even an unmissable life-sized gold elephant sculpture in the lobby. Likewise, each of its 41 rooms is lavishly furnished with hardwood floor, Italian marble finishes and glass mosaic bathrooms. 

The W Singapore is a sexy hotel. Beats thump through the lobby, beautiful people parade around the pool and red Prada leather adorns the lift walls. A staycation here is like peeping into the lifestyles of Sentosa Cove’s rich and famous – so don’t forget your polo tee and bug-eyed sunnies. If you want to ball hard, book out the Extreme WOW Suite. There’s a jacuzzi tub, a private lap pool and even a turntable with stacks of records to DJ your own bash. At more than ten grand a night, though, reserve this for a super special occasion. The pool is, however, where you’re likely to spend most of your time: open 24/7, it pulses with life in the day and transforms into a private, sensuous and oh-so-inviting space at night.

Heritage and colours collide at the 131-room Hotel Indigo, where Peranakan influences abound in each of its 30-square-metre rooms. 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. Fuel up on Peranakan standards and fusion fare at Baba Chews Bar and Eatery within the hotel premises. And as a bonus for caffeine lovers, the beans used here are roasted by Common Man Coffee Roasters. After a long day out exploring, you’d want to soak your feet in a traditional foot bath – just utilise the basin tucked in the corner of your Peranakan-tiled bathroom that also comes with a salt foot soak, loofah and ‘good morning’ towel.

Ever wanted to live in a plush apartment right in the heart of the city? At Oasia Hotel Downtown, you can – even if only for a few days. The rooms here aren’t huge, but the clever use of tinted sliding doors to integrate the bathtub and living room means you can indulge in a soak while watching YouTube clips on the Smart TV. Chill out at the Skyline Pavilion – it’s only accessible to Club room guests – in the infinity lap pool that offers views of the CBD and Chinatown. On the rooftop, two mirrored pools crown the hotel with swing chairs and pale blue chaises. Refuel at The Marmalade Pantry. The restaurant doles out international cuisine the likes of steaks, pastas, sandwiches and a weekend brunch menu that has all your basics covered. 

You’ll never go hungry here. Start off with lunch at J65, the hotel’s main restaurant that serves international and local cuisine. Then move on to dinner at Ah Hoi’s Kitchen, which whips up local delicacies like chilli crab and char kway teow. And if you check into the Club room, you can snack on complimentary drinks and snacks at the 24/7 Club Lounge. But hit up happy hour from 5 to 7.30pm when there’s free flow red and white wine, housepours and beers, as well as a selection of canapés. Otherwise, head to Rumpoles Bar. Every day from 5pm, there are free fried chicken wings that you can use to pad your tummy while enjoying the one-for-one housepour promo during the same time. Still feeling peckish? Head to the 24-hour Jen’s Kitchen On-the-Go for light bites and good coffee. If you’re up for exploring, just borrow one of the Tokyobikes from the reception – they’re free to guests from 7am to 10pm – and cycle to Botanic Gardens, less than 10 minutes away.