The best hotels for a staycation in Singapore

Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building from 1887, the iconic Raffles Hotel provides a relaxing getaway in the heart of the city. Since the hotel has just undergone a meticulous two-year refurbishment by acclaimed interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud, there's no better time to book a stay than now. The hotel boasts beautiful interiors with antique furnishings, fine oriental carpets, and teak wood flooring. In addition to the six existing suite categories, the revitalised hotel offers three new ones: Residence, Promenade, and Studio Suites. 

The luxurious hotel boasts a choice of 14 dining options – including BBR by Alain Ducasse and the Raffles Courtyard –and a shopping arcade, outfitted with a charming Raffles Boutique and various retail brands such as Leica, Rimowa, and The Hour Glass. And if you're looking for the famous Singapore Sling, head up to the hotel's Long Bar.

Treat yourself and your loved ones to a staycation with picture-perfect views of the Marina Bay at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Inside the architectural masterpiece by John Portman, you’ll find interiors that evoke modern sophistication. Soak up views from the private balcony of the Premier Room, spend quality time with a small group of friends in the one-bedroom City Suite. Each guest room is outfitted with plush patterned carpets and wood-panelled walls, featuring oriental influences and motifs combined with sprawling views of the city, bay or ocean.

Cool down and take a dip in the stunning 25-metre outdoor pool while gazing out at spectacular views of the Marina Bay; or pamper yourself to an indulgent treatment at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Singapore.

Time Out Singapore in partnership with Mandarin Oriental, Singapore 

Strike the right balance between staying within walking distance of the Orchard shopping belt while luxuriating in complete bliss at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore. Set amidst 15 acres of lush gardens, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is a sanctuary just seven minutes from the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road. You can choose to stay in one of the three distinctive wings, whether it’s the newly rejuvenated Tower Wing, the tropical Garden Wing, or ultra-lavish Valley Wing. 

A staycation at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is great for foodies. With the hotel’s extensive range of culinary options, you'd be spoilt for choice. Choose from eight restaurants and bars and a total of 11 dining concepts: from a sumptuous array of local heritage hawker dishes at The Lobby Lounge, to an all-day international buffet at The Line, featuring 16 live kitchens and dishes that are freshly prepared a la minute. There's also farm-to-table meals made with premium produce sourced from around the world at Origin Grill – not to mention stellar tipples at the bar for a nightcap before you head back up to your room for a good night's sleep. 

And if you're looking to pamper yourself or your loved ones, the hotel is also home to Chi, The Spa. The spa offers holistic treatments based on time-honoured methods shared by many Asian cultures, using natural ingredients for the its signature revitalising and therapeutic treatments.

For more info, visit www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila

Time Out Singapore in partnership with Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore

Immerse yourself in a luxury-drenched world with a stay at The Vagabond Club. The opulent boutique hotel offers three unique themed packages, each with a night’s stay in one of its 41 impressively decorated rooms. Know a whiskey lover? Surprise them with ‘All I Want For Christmas is Whiskey’, which comes with a lavish seven-course Yellow Pot dinner paired with seven fine dram varieties from The Whiskey Library. Foodies will enjoy the ‘Experience Yellow Pot Staycation’, where stays come accompanied with a three-course dinner at the famed Chinese restaurant. Alternatively, explore the charms of the neighbourhood with a guided bespoke tour as part of the ‘Discover Little India Vagabond Style’ package. You’ll see the colourful district in a new light with the two-hour walking tour. 

Time Out Singapore in partnership with The Vagabond Club

The Clan Hotel Singapore is wedged at the crossroads of culture and commerce within the Far East Square heritage precinct and Telok Ayer district and located within walking distance from Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar; cultural sites around Chinatown; and iconic hangouts like Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay. 

Perfect for modern-day travellers and sophisticated staycationers, The Clan Hotel Singapore has an inventory of 324 rooms across three distinct room categories – Grand Premier, Premier and Deluxe rooms. Hungry? Head on to QIN Restaurant and Bar, an all-day dining concept by Tunglok Group serving up an array of re-imagined classics with a modern touch, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the busy Telok Ayer neighbourhood. Iconic dishes include Siphon Mushroom Tea, Chilled Crab Salad and ‘San Mein’. 

The hotel's Sky Pool and jacuzzi are probably its crowning glory, complete with a bird's eye view of the surrounding heritage district. 

Book a staycation in this eco-friendly hotel nestled in Chinatown. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering is a garden oasis in downtown Singapore. Book the Urban Room, complete with views of the vibrant Chinatown district or the Lifestyle Room, flanked by large windows offering views of Hong Lim Park. Swim a few laps in the outdoor infinity pool, surrounded by lush landscaped gardens before heading for breakfast at Lime Restaurant. 

Another hotel is set to debut in the heart of Orchard Road this coming March 2022 – and it'll take over the current Mandarin Orchard Singapore. Set to be one of the largest hotels in Singapore, the new hotel will boast 1,080 refurbished rooms and suites across two towers. 

Once opened, it will also be a dining destination in its own right, with five curated dining concepts including the award-winning Chatterbox, two Michelin-starred Shisen Hanten and three new food and beverage offerings featuring an all-day dining, a specialty restaurant and a lobby lounge and bar. 

Hilton Orchard Singapore is opening for reservations from April 2022.

There's a new hotel on Orchard Road, and it's managed by IHG Hotels & Resorts, which has rebranded voco Orchard Singapore from the former Hilton Singapore. Taking over a 51-year-old iconic property, it will continue to offer 423 guestrooms with four well-loved restaurants and bars – Opus Bar & Grill, D9 Cakery, il Cielo and Iggy’s, a rooftop swimming pool, a 24-hour gym and over 1,850sqm of meeting and social event spaces.

voco Orchard Singapore celebrates the rich history of the land on which it stands – all whilst calling together and invitingn guests to a playful, thoughtful and dependably charming space that offers meaningful, authentic connections. 

To commemorate the launch, there's a 'voco Experience' package which combines familiar touches and warm hospitality with playful twists. Checking in, you'll be greeted with a unique welcome treat, a homemade spiced cookie. After which, relax, be yourselves and enjoy a slice of 'voco life' with D9 Cakery’s famed classic American cheesecake, and end your day with a voco-inspired cocktail at Opus Bar & Grill. 

Room rates starts fom $230 per night per room and includes complimentary breakfast for two adults and 10 percent discount at Opus Bar & Grill. This is valid for bookings via vocohotels.com/singapore for stays from 7 January 2022 to 28 February 2022.

Set against a lush rainforest, old meets new seamlessly at Sentosa’s six-star luxury hotel, where modern fixtures hug restored colonial buildings. The stunning resort is spread across 30 acres of verdant greenery on Sentosa overlooking the South China Sea, transporting you to the lush jungles of Ubud or unspoilt beaches of Koh Samui. Spend a leisurely afternoon taking a refreshing dip in the resort's cascading pools, admire the intriguing colonial 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 immersed in an island escape. 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. Alternatively, kick back on the sunbed in the spacious balcony or soak in the luxurious in-room bathtub. 

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 original charm with characteristic air wells and Rococo-era windows, seamlessly interweaving with the culture of traditional Singapore and a cosmopolitan. And if it's nightlife you're looking for, the bustling nightlife of Clarke Quay is just a short distance away.

In an erstwhile warehouse that sits along the old Straits of Malacca trade route and former epicentre of Singapore’s red-light district, The Lo & Behold Group – the folks behind the 37-room boutique space – has taken the building’s 120-year history in its hands and spun it on the head. The hotel’s plush lounge faces the lobby bar, so if you’d rather relax away from the soft thumping beats and gentle chatter, the rooftop infinity pool – fitted with salmon pink tiles, no less – offers the reprieve you desire. Each room simply screams gorgeous with the wooden panels, sleek beams, a custom pillow top king mattress with finishing touches by MatterPrints, and a cheeky, open concept standing shower make it seductively easy to linger in your room all day.  For a loft-style upgrade, book out the River View Suite (from $495), that overlooks the Singapore River from the uppermost floor of the triple-peaked heritage hotel. 

The coolest new kid on Keong Saik, the intimate 45-room Hotel Soloha evokes tropical modernism that juxtaposes against the earthy tones of the surrounding neighbourhood. Hotel Soloha is situated right in the heart of Singapore; within proximity to popular spots such as Chinatown, Ann Siang Hill, and Maxwell Food Centre. Swing through the wooden panel doors of the white and blue facade, and you'll be greeted by witty and bold interiors and artisanal furnishings. For our full review, read our staycation spotlight.

The hottest new hotel in town, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore takes over the iconic architecture of the former Marina Mandarin. After a long day, snuggle up in its elegant rooms featuring dramatic views of the Singapore skyline, indulge in a range of dining options such as Peach Blossoms, Peppermint and Ruth's Chris Steak House, or taking a refreshing dip in the mineral water pool.

Soak it all in (and we mean this quite literally) from one of its 608 rooms or even by the windows at the lift lobby. Unobstructed scenery, from the Singapore River to the big blue sea, is available throughout the day – and your stay.

The views get better the higher up you climb, particularly so at the peak of the 32-storey building, where the Club Room is located. Indulge in the best of what The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore has to offer with its Club Escape Staycation (from $595) – which grants you access to the Club Room and a stay at one of its prime rooms located on the top-most floors of the hotel. For more of what you can expect, read our full review here. 

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.

Black walls and gold accents dominate the hotel’s 49 guest rooms and suites. Lead-in rooms, however, are a minimalist haven dressed in monochromatic hues. 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 organic mattress, pillows, and buttery cotton linen.

The glamourous property also plays home to Anouska’s Bar, named after the property's designer, and fine-dining Chinese restaurant Yellow Pot. 

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. 

With its eclectic mix of brightly-coloured traditional rattan chairs and corridor art accents, along with a rooftop pool that sees through into the communal breakfast area on the first floor, XY Boutique Hotel is a unique property that you have to see for yourself. Centrally located in the Bugis precinct, the hotel has a total of 15 rooms available with three various types to choose from: Superior, Deluxe, and Junior Suite. Each room is uniquely designed with the same minimal setting, pops of colours, and unique pieces of art by both local and international artists. Technology is the star here at XY Hotel with the HANDY smartphone. Given to guests at check-in with the QR code to unlock your room door, it also allows you to control the room features directly from your phone – whether it's to switch off the lights, draw the curtains, or switch on the air conditioner.  

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.

The hotel is temporarily closed and the information may no longer be accurate

Rich in colonial style, the luxurious five-star Hotel Fort Canning offers complimentary WiFi, 2 outdoor pools and an exclusive pillow menu. The heritage hotel offers free evening drinks from 6-7pm at the private lounge and free self parking for all in-house guests. Surrounded by the lush greenery of a historical park, Hotel Fort Canning is a two-minute walk to Fort Canning Park and eight-minute walk to Orchard Road. Clarke Quay, the entertainment hub is a five-minute drive away. Fitted with wooden floors, the elegant air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Fort Canning come with HD TV screen with satellite and cable channels, and beautiful park or city views. Guests may enjoy a revitalising workout at the fitness centre or simply take a dip in the swimming pools.

There's a new resort on Sentosa, and it's a 191-key wellness resort surrounded by the island's lush vegetation and scenic views. Taking over the facade of the former Le Méridien Singapore is Oasia Resort Sentosa.

But it's not just a resort, it joins forces with its Asian-inspired spa offerings to offer guests a wellness experience in the heart of Sentosa – complete with a spectrum of thoughtful amenities and holistic programmes including HIIT and yoga classes, qi gong sessions, and well-being workshops hosted by partnering brands and the resort’s trained professionals.

Oasia Resort Sentosa is also home to its signature restaurant, Bedrock Origin, a new sister restaurant to Singapore's award-winning Bedrock Bar & Grill.

Housed in a 1920’s building in Little India, the Wanderlust Hotel in Little India has undergone a complete transformation. The newly reimagined hotel merges old-world charm with essential modern-day comforts. Swing the doors of the adorned facade of the original Peranakan tiles and you'll step into a peaceful and inviting lobby, contrasting beautifully against the vibrant neighbourhood the hotel is in. Whether you're having a staycation with your special one or a group of friends, there is a range of accommodation for you to choose from – be it the Loft category, Studio category or the intimate Wanderlust Room. 

Conveniently located above Farrer Park MRT station, One Farrer Hotel and Spa offers an Olympic size outdoor pool, a spa, suites and villas to cater to all business- and leisure-seekers. There are five dining options in the hotel – feast on international delights at the all-day restaurant Escape, pick up a quick meal at Local, Fresh and Seasonal Deli, chill out at the poolside cafe Flip Flop and drink up at Sunset Bar. But it's not just that. A stone's throw away is the 24-hour iconic Singapore institution Mustafa Centre and popular supper spot Swee Choon, perfect for you browse the shopping aisles for just about anything before heading down the road to grab some grub.

Nestled between the vibrant districts of Kampong Gelam and Bugis, Andaz Singapore is a modern addition to the heritage enclave. 

The rooms feature locally-inspired designs in warm russet and mustard tones and wood-style tiling by architect Andre Fu, air-conditioned rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to views of the city. Rooms are fitted with a daybed and plush carpeting. 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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

Spread across lush greenery, Sofitel Singapore Resort & Spa offers luxurious resort-styled accommodation 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 and fitted wooden parquet finishings with carpets in cerulean and orchid hues. All accommodation types are also equipped with high-definition televisions and high-speed WiFi.

The luxury rooms and suites offer Lanvin toiletries, while the villas boast exclusive Hermès products and access to So SPA’s outdoor garden facilities. The exquisite villas even feature an outdoor pool.

Encompassing 4 in-house restaurants, Kwee Zen, LeBar, The Garden and ilLido at The Cliff, Sofitel Singapore Resort & Spa offers exquisite Western and Asian delights, Magnifique patisseries and an unparalled wine list. Alternatively, guests may treat themselves to rejuvenating massages at So SPA, where ancient massage traditions meet latest French cosmetology. The Villa des Enfants offers a multitude of features that will appeal to all younger guests. Activities available include sports, dancing, storytelling and a variety of classes on weekends.

Business travelers may utilise the state-of-the-art business venue, set against a backdrop of the South China Sea, and equipped with the latest technologies and facilities.

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 fives 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 (from $195), complete with a study and circular bathtub for a relaxing bubble bath.

Need a short island getaway? Check into this exclusive all-suite hotel at Sentosa, which has just been approved to accept staycation reservations. The hotel is within walking distance to attractions around Sentosa, such as Universal Studios Singapore, SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark. 

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. 

Housed in a restored 1920 black-and-white colonial garrison in Labrador Nature Reserve is Villa Samadhi Singapore. Travel back in time at its luxurious rooms, each featuring preserved vintage centrepieces, lofty ceilings and teak furnishings. Some units even have a wooden bathtub and private plunge pools. 

The hotel is temporarily closed and the information may no longer be accurate

This new upscale property in Sentosa exclusively caters to adults, so you can to rest and rejuvenate without being distracted by little ones running around. Stay in one of the 193 stylish guest rooms with sophisticated design 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.