The best hotels for a staycation in Singapore

Recently crowned the 17th best hotel in the world, Raffles Hotel Singapore is that bucket list hotel you need to stay in at least once in your lifetime. Housed in an iconic building from 1887, it provides a relaxing getaway in the heart of the city. Expect beautiful interiors with antique furnishing, fine carpets, and teak wood flooring. There’s a choice of six suite categories, a whopping 14 dining options – including BBR by Alain Ducasse, and La Dame de Pic – as well as a shopping arcade. And if you're looking for the famous Singapore Sling? Head up to the hotel's Long Bar.

Sometimes, the best way to escape the city grind is to trade the hustle and bustle for a slice of island paradise – and you don’t even need a passport. Resorts World Sentosa has it all with Equarius Hotel & Villas and Hotel Ora, each offering its own take on serenity and style. 

Drawing on the elements of land, sea and air, Equarius Hotel & Villas is a lush rainforest haven that will have you walking up to golden sunrises framed by vibrant greenery. Get the full royal treatment with world-class amenities, and spacious rooms that accommodate families too.

On the flip side, Hotel Ora is perfect for busy go-getters in need of a reboot. Think sleek, contemporary, and creative rooms designed to rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to conquer the world – or at least your inbox.

At Momentus Hotel Alexandra, it's sure to be a memorable staycation. This contemporary gem ticks all the boxes, boasting a rooftop pool, stunning city views, and an indulgent buffet. Whether it's a much-needed retreat with the Executive Suite (from $495 per night) or a romantic getaway with the inviting Premier Room (from $270 per night), you can expect all 442 suites and rooms to offer unparalleled comfort.

Take some time to bask in the sun on the seventh floor – there's a 25-metre infinity pool and a swim-up bar within a glass pavilion. You'll also want to try the weekend dinner buffet (from $98 per diner) at the Verandah Rooftop Rotisserie, since it's a sprawling spread filled with premium cuts and fresh seafood. As a nod to its namesake, it's also a prime choice for slow-roasted meats with everything from Argentinian Angus ribeye to citrus-brined chicken that's been marinated with 12 spices.

The Clan Hotel Singapore puts you within walking distance from Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar, cultural sites around Chinatown, and chic hangouts like Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay. The hotel has an inventory of 324 rooms across three distinct room categories. Make sure to check out Qin Restaurant and Bar, an all-day dining concept by Tunglok Group, where you’ll find an array of reimagined Chinese classics with a modern touch. The hotel's sky pool and hot tub are probably its crowning glories, complete with a bird's eye view of the surrounding heritage district. 

While a stay at The Westin Singapore’s executive suite already goes beyond your ordinary hotel experience with seaside views and a deep bathtub, they’re now offering a special family-friendly package: the Westin Family Zoo-much Fun (from $380). With complimentary tickets to the Singapore Zoo (2 x adults, 2 x child tickets), you’ll want to bring the kids along for the experience. With an adorable elephant plushie, an Art Pop! Paper Clay DIY Kit, and even a play tent that’s pitched right in the suite, children are bound to enjoy this memorable staycation with the whole family. The package also includes a Westin Family Travel Journal as a memento, and daily breakfast for two adults and two kids at in-house restaurant Seasonal Tastes.

If needed, you can purchase additional zoo tickets from the hotel’s front office at a special rate. You’re contributing to a good cause too since every ticket and purchase made at the Singapore Zoo helps protect wildlife – part of the proceeds go to supporting conservation projects across Southeast Asia.

You don’t need to jet off to Bali when you’ve got a spot like this right here in Singapore. With its monochromatic colour palette and unassuming decor, Lloyd’s Inn is at the top of its minimalism game. Spend your days lounging around the pool, reading books on the roof terrace, and having drinks on the modern garden deck. Go all out and nab a Big Skyroom where you can bask in your private outdoor bathtub to your heart’s content.

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering is an eco-friendly garden oasis in downtown Singapore that's within walking distsance of Chinatown, Raffles Place, and Clarke Quay. Book the Urban Room, complete with views of the vibrant Chinatown district, or the Lifestyle Room, which boasts large windows and impressive views of Hong Lim Park. Need to freshen up a little? Have a few laps in the outdoor infinity pool, surrounded by lush landscaped gardens, before heading for a buffet at Lime Restaurant.

voco Orchard Singapore is a relatively new hotel along Orchard Road, housing 423 guestrooms alongside four popular restaurants and bars. These include Opus Bar and Grill, D9 Cakery, il Cielo and Iggy’s, a rooftop swimming pool, and a 24-hour gym. You’ll be a five-minute walk from Ion Orchard, alongside a ton of other popular malls along our shopping belt. Meanwhile, the rooms themselves boast city views, modern interiors, and a relaxed, if a slightly corporate, feel.

Watch your monochrome Instagram feed goals come to life at Hotel Mono. Set in six restored, traditional heritage shophouses, the boutique hotel boasts 46 rooms in the heart of Chinatown. Its original buildings retain their charm with characteristic air wells and Rococo-era windows. If it's nightlife you're looking for, the ever-bustling Clarke Quay is just a short distance away.

W Singapore is probably the sexiest hotel in Singapore. Beats thump throughout 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 oversised sunnies. If you want to ball hard, book out the Extreme Wow Suite which comes with a jacuzzi tub, a private lap pool, and even a turntable with stacks of records to DJ your own bash. While there, make a reservation for Skirt, the hotel's grill-focused restaurant with hearty steaks as well as fresh and aged seafood dishes.

Set against a lush rainforest, Sentosa's six-star luxury hotel Capella is where old meets new seamlessly, as modern fixtures hug restored colonial buildings. Spend an afternoon taking a dip in the resort's cascading pools, admiring the architecture, having a Mediterranean breakfast at The Knolls, or simply luxuriating in the in-room bathtub. Accommodation here comes in the form of 112 rooms, suites, and villas. Retreat into the Premier Seaview Room, which boasts views of the surrounding seascape right from the plush king-sized bed while playing tunes from the Bose sound system or watching your favourite flicks on the 46-inch flat-screen LCD TV.

Spread across lush greenery, Sofitel Singapore Resort & Spa offers luxurious resort-style stays with sweeping views of the sunset at Sentosa Island's iconic Tanjong Beach. Providing a variety of accommodation types that range from rooms to suites and even villas, each elegantly-designed guestroom is inspired by Paris’ Jardin du Luxembourg. Additionally, there are four in-house restaurants, so any cravings are sure to be satisfied throughout your stay. Treat yourself to rejuvenating massages at So SPA, where ancient massage traditions meet the latest French cosmetology. It’s perfect for a little self-pampering.

The Warehouse Hotel, as its name suggests, sits in a 120-year-old former warehouse, located along the old Straits of Malacca trade route and former epicentre of Singapore’s red-light district. Its plush lounge faces the lobby bar, but if you’d rather relax away from the soft beats and chatter, the rooftop infinity pool offers the reprieve you desire. Each room has a stylish feel with wooden panels, sleek beams, and a custom pillow-top king mattress. Meanwhile, the cheeky, open-concept shower makes it seductively easy to stay in your room all day. For a loft-style upgrade, book the River View Suite, which overlooks the Singapore River. 

Andaz Singapore is a modern addition to the Bugis enclave. The rooms here feature locally-inspired designs in warm russet and mustard tones, and floor-to-ceiling windows which open up to views of the city. They also come fitted with a daybed and plush carpeting for extra cosiness. Head to the Sunroom and Andaz Lounge Hour for complimentary all-day refreshments, or take in panoramic city views of downtown Singapore from rooftop bar Mr Stork, which has adorable teepee tent seating.

The oh-so-luxurious Hotel Fort Canning has not one but two outdoor pools and an exclusive pillow menu. In fact, there are even free evening drinks from 6pm to 7pm at the private lounge and free self-parking for all in-house guests, which are nice extra touches for a staycation. It’s a two-minute walk to Fort Canning Park and an eight-minute walk to Orchard Road, while Clarke Quay is a five-minute drive away. Rooms come decked out with wooden floors, HD TVs with satellite and cable channels, and beautiful park or city views. You can also enjoy a revitalising workout at the fitness centre or take a dip in one of the swimming pools.

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 is a glass-ensconced duplex that feels much bigger than it actually is. If you’re feeling peckish, grab a bite at the adjoining Beast and Butterflies, also where the daily international buffet breakfast is served.

Soak up incredible views from The Ritz-Carlton rooms or even by the windows at the lift lobby. You’ll look over unobstructed scenery, from the Singapore River to the big blue sea, available all throughout your stay. As you’d expect, they get better the higher up you go. So, venture up to the peak of the 32-storey building, where you’ll find the Club Room. For more of what you can expect, read our review of The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

Singapore’s answer to Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel – minus the purple uniform–clad concierge and lobby boy. This pastel-hued, tropical-wallpapered dream pad is complete with Instagrammable opportunities at every nook and cranny – even in each spacious cocoon. There are five beautifully decorated room types adorned with retro furniture and bold wallpaper. Go big or go home with a night’s stay at The Great Suite, complete with a study and circular bathtub for a relaxing bubble bath.

Checking into the Naumi Hotel isn’t just another cookie-cutter hospitality experience. The 40-room business luxury hotel is equipped with some of the niftiest extras any traveller, business or otherwise, could wish for. Molton Brown toiletries, a Nespresso machine, designer furniture like Poltrona Frau’s Don’do Rocking Chair and the all-important iPod docking station come standard in every room. Head up to the rooftop infinity pool offering sweeping views of the city skyline. 

This upscale property in Sentosa exclusively caters to adults, so you can rest and rejuvenate without being distracted by little ones running around. Stay in one of the stylish guest rooms inspired by Singapore's distinctive colonial black and white bungalows, with crisp, clean lines and a sharply contrasting palette. For a sundowner, head up to the lush rooftop boasting sweeping sea views. Take a dip in the pool exclusively for guests while ordering your favourite cocktails from the bar. 

Immerse yourself in a luxury-drenched world with a stay at The Vagabond Club. The opulent boutique hotel's rooms and suites have been done up in a gorgeous Parisian-chic style, with jewel tones, plush velvety furniture, and floral motifs all around. This is an especially fitting pick for a whiskey lover, as the hotel is home to The Whiskey Library & Jazz Club, a grand lounge with cocktails and live performances.