This article on the best luxury hotels in Singapore was last updated in June 2020.
Looking for a 5 star hotel in Singapore? You have come to the right place. I am not only a luxury travel blogger and writer but also a resident of Singapore so always on the look out for the best luxury hotels in Singapore.
For a country with over 1 million hotel room nights, it is impressive that Singapore runs at a 85% hotel occupancy rate all year round. For this reason, choosing between the many luxury hotels in Singapore is an arduous task. There are dozens of fabulous options and new 5 star hotels in Singapore are opening up every year. Because I have been living here for over seven years, I know all of Singapore’s luxury accommodations options well.
I have stayed at the famed Raffles Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the world, and at the very unique Six Senses Duxton, the brand’s first city hotel. I have also enjoyed the artsy JW Marriott and the Marina Bay Sands. I have even stayed at some of the hotels twice, every time updating my reviews and thoughts.
As soon as a new hotel opens up, I check it out to expand this list of the best luxury hotels with refined recommendations. Only the best hotels in Singapore make the cut so don’t expect all the luxury hotels to be here, this is a selection of the best.
So stay tuned as this luxury hotel list is only ever going to expand and I promise to always keep it updated. And as always, if you are unsure which hotel to choose or whether the one you are thinking about has what you need, leave a comment at the bottom (I read and respond to them all) or send me an email via the contact form.
We always recommend staying somewhere with a pool, so we have gathered a list of the best rooftop hotel pools in Singapore with both extravagant and budget options.
There are great Singapore staycation deals that include some of the hotels on this list. Read our article on the best Singapore staycations under S$200 to find out more.
Summary of the best luxury hotels in Singapore
Singapore has more luxury and 5 star hotels than mid-tier or budget, and they are also the ones with the highest occupancy, despite the average $450 per-night rates. The top hotels in Singapore are usually considered to be in either a prime location or a historical building, of which Singapore has many.
There are also some smaller boutique luxury hotels in Singapore that deserve mention because the city has a rich historical past and heritage that can provide visitors with a much needed insightful stay beyond the cookie-cutter international chain options. Those are particularly interesting because they can’t be replicated anywhere else.
The following list aims to summarise the best luxury hotels in Singapore so you have a quick table to refer to. But be sure to read the rest of the article with considerations, pros and cons for each hotel as well as insider thoughts. Remember, I have stayed at all the 5 star hotels in Singapore on this list so I can help you answer any questions or even pop by if I am not sure about something. And don’t forget to save my extensive list of over 100 things to do in Singapore for your trip.
Hotel | Area | Price | Book now |
---|---|---|---|
Raffles Hotel | Marina Bay | S$620 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Marina Bay Sands | Marina Bay | S$609 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Fullerton Bay | Marina Bay | S$709 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Six Senses Singapore | Chinatown | S$360 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Intercontinental Hotel | Bugis | S$290 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Andaz | Bugis | S$260 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Fort Canning | Bugis | S$315 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Shangri-la Hotel | Orchard | S$325 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Mandarin Oriental | Marina Bay | S$360 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Fullerton Hotel | Marina Bay | S$300 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Parkroyal on Pickering | Marina Bay | S$290 | Booking.com | Agoda |
JW Marriott | Marina Bay | S$300 | Booking.com | Agoda |
W Singapore - Sentosa Cove | Sentosa | S$360 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Capella | Sentosa | S$628 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Beach Villas | Sentosa | S$2,100 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Michael Hotel | Sentosa | S$370 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Hard Rock Hotel | Sentosa | S$455 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Equarius Hotel | Sentosa | S$430 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Festive Hotel | Sentosa | S$420 | Booking.com | Agoda |
The Crockfords Tower | Sentosa | S$960 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Best luxury hotel for an island getaway: The Capella
Nestled in a hill on Sentosa Island, The Capella is a mixture of old and new. Designed around old British army buildings and complimented with modern architecture, The Capella is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city and often the most expensive 5 star hotel in Singapore.
From the suites and villas you have views over the South China Sea and fully grasp Singapore’s status as the second largest container port in the world. The infinity multi-level swimming pools and the brave and inquisitive peacocks roaming around the breakfast tables provide the illusion of being very far away from one of the world’s most urbanized countries. The Capella is a wonderful hotel to disconnect and feel nature.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Capella Singapore
- Location: Sentosa
- Uniqueness: The Capella is a gem and the blend of heritage with modernity is exceptional. The villas with their own pools are unique in Singapore
- Facilities: A multi-tiered pool with infinity views over the South China Sea and a walking pool for exercise. There is a state of the art spa with whirlpools and a good gym
- Dining: The Cuban rum bar is a great place to see the sunset with cocktails and tapas. There is often live music. Sunday brunch is my favorite in the city, the outdoor sitting area is often frequented by the resort’s colorful peacocks
- To consider: Sentosa is only 20min away from the city but it feels like a world away and is not a practical location to base yourself for exploration
- My review: Read my review of the Capella Sentosa to find out my idea of paradise.
Best luxury hotel in Singapore for glitzy envy: Marina Bay Sands
The largest hotel in Singapore, at over 2,500 rooms, is also home to a luxury shopping mall, a marina promenade, a casino, several celebrity chef restaurants, a Museum and the world’s tallest infinity rooftop pool, 150m long, that has come to be such a recognizable feature of Singapore. Marina Bay Sands can feel a tad impersonal, reminding the traveler of Las Vegas or Macau, with waitresses at breakfast looking for an empty table with walkie-talkies. But it is also this busyness and image of a hotel that never sleeps that is so appealing to many.
At Marina Bay Sands you may never rest but you will go home with plenty of unique experiences. Singapore it ain’t much, but it is certainly unique and fun. Don’t forget to check out the boat shaped pool for those heart racing sunset views. On Wednesday night, make sure to check out Ce La Vie, the rooftop bar and club that is popular with the ladies for its free flow drinks. City facing rooms are stunning but the rooms facing the Gardens by the Bay have breathtaking views at night, especially of the Gardens by the Bay Light Show.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The marina Bay Sands Hotel
- Location: Marina Bay
- Uniqueness: There isn’t a single thing that summarise all the extravagance and uniqueness of Singapore’s most famous luxury hotel but of course the most popular part and number one reason for everyone to stay there is the rooftop pool, the highest and largest in the world. Read my article on more interesting facts about Marina Bay Sands for some really crazy and interesting tidbits about the hotel.
- Facilities: I already mentioned the pool but that is not it. Marina Bay Sands has a plethora os facilities as the hotel has 2,500 rooms so there is plenty. Theatres regularly shows performances, the casino is in full steam, and there are more fine dining restaurants than you could stomach including the most expensive I have ever eaten at. There is also the mall that is attached to the hotel/ The higher level suites and rooms have their own lounge and Banyan Tree manages the spa which is a treat.
- Dining: The hotel has a few dining venues, most notorious the rooftop restaurant bars Lavo, popular with models on Wednesday night, Miami vibe Spago by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck (who also manages the expensive CUT restaurant at the Shoppes) or Ce La Vi are the most recommended. The myriad of dining options in the complex that comprises the Shoppes Mall is never ending. Celebrity chef restaurants about starting with rare seafood restaurant Waku Ghin by celebrity chef Tetsuya Wakuda, Gordon Ramsey’s casual Bread Street Kitchen, Jim Thomson’s Thai street food restaurant Long Chim or David Meyers fusion Adrift which is a favorite of corporate events. For less refined but equally crowd pleasing alternatives Din Tai Fung dim sum is always packed. The hotel’s signature restaurant where breakfast is served, RISE, is a medley of cuisines and is so large waiters use mikes to communicate.
- To consider: While everyone fancies a photo at the world’s most famous pool, the picture is like one of those “Instagram vs reality” exposes. The pool is full, it already was when the hotel opened in 2010 and I first stayed there. It is not a pleasant experience and once the photo is taken you will most likely leave. Entrance to the pool is also tightly controlled so don’t expect you’ll be able to get past the security. The best time to snap a picture in the peace and quiet is between noon and 3pm when check out time ends and check in has not yet begun. Go at that time to have the pool for yourself as almost everyone books just for the night. You may not be able to check in yet, but you can use the facilities. If you are going for the ‘Gram, you might want to consider these other Instagrammable spots in Singapore.
Best business luxury hotel in Singapore: Mandarin Oriental
There are plenty of luxury business hotels in Singapore and most of them are located around the Marina Bay area, adjacent to the CBD. Here you will find the Pan Pacific, The Ritz Carlton, the Conrad, the Marina Mandarin, the Fullerton Bay Hotel, the Fullerton Hotel, the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, The Swisshotel, The Fairmont… the choice is endless and, whereas they are all great options, the Mandarin Oriental may be the best.
Why do I think the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is the best 5 star business hotel in Singapore? Because the brand’s attention to detail and Asian hospitality is well known and the hotel delivers reliable and confident luxury. The Mandarin Oriental Singapore can only be rivalled by The Ritz Carlton in that regard.
The hotel is also home to a fabulous pool with beautiful views over the bay, pool side cabanas and a great Italian brunch. There are several bars and restaurants that are good enough not to leave the confines of the hotel for a business chat or a formal dinner.
The steak house has private dining rooms for meetings which require discretion and the spa is the perfect place to unwind and relax after a long day of meetings. You can’t go wrong at the Mandarin Oriental Singapore.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Mandarin Oriental Singapore
- Location: Marina Bay
- Uniqueness: While this is your typical luxury business hotel, you can expect the service to shine here. For an international brand with presence in so many of Asia’s big cities you can still feel personalised service
- Facilities: The pool area is has great views over the Marina and relaxing lounges and cabanas to forget about the world
- Dining: The steakhouse is one of the best established and most reliable places for an amazing meat cut in Singapore. It is also a favorite of business visitors to the city for meetings and gatherings. This is obvious from the moment you step in. Breakfast is also fantastic and the Sunday champagne brunch by the pool is one of my favorite hotel brunches
- To consider: While the Mandarin Oriental is a very short ride to the CBD and you could almost walk, if you are wearing a suit I would strongly discourage you from doing so, especially if you are not used to Singapore’s heat, you will arrive covered in sweat
Singapore’s best luxury hotel for yachters and party-goers: W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
The W brand is predictably cool everywhere and Singapore is no exception so this is indeed the coolest luxury hotel in Singapore. Located in the exclusive and very expensive residential area of Sentosa Cove where apartments can fetch over $20 million, W Resort Sentosa faces the One 15 Marina and has views over the superyachts owned by rich residents.
The large pool area is popular on Sundays for its pool DJ parties, so typical of the brand. Some of the ground floor rooms have their own private pools and gardens as well, a getaway in a getaway.
Expect the interiors and design of the property to follow the brand’s aesthetics with funky and modern chandeliers and marina-living decor. Open spaces, expansive views over the large pool, cabanas and floaties, all to make the most of your island getaway.
The young and beautiful come to Sentosa to feel like they are in good company. The stretch of bars at Quayside Aisle, along the resort’s waterfront, is perfect for a stroll or a relaxed brunch. Here you will find mostly the residents of Sentosa Cove strolling in their luxury handbags and designer clothes. For a 5 star hotel in Singapore that feels like it belongs in the Mediterranean look no further than the W Sentosa. Read my complete review of W Singapore Sentosa Cove.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
- Location: Sentosa
- Uniqueness: Its location by the yatch club and Sentosa Cove is marina living at its best. DJs and pool parties are a must. make sure to take an evening walk along the Sentosa Cove residential area, Singapore’s true millionaire row
- Facilities: The pool area is divine and always happening. There is of course a gym and all the usual trimmings
- Dining: The steakhouse is expensive but offers the best meat cuts
- To consider: Getting a taxi from the hotel into town is a mission and at peak hour you could be waiting for a long time. And taxis are the only way to get in and out of Sentosa as there is no public transportation around.A shuttle can take you to Siloso Beach, on the other side of Sentosa and one of the best beaches in Singapore, from where you can take the tram or buses but it is a long and cumbersome journey
Best luxury hotel in Singapore for shophouse atmosphere: The Intercontinental Hotel
I stayed there a few times before I moved to Singapore and found the hotel to be homey, luxurious in an old-fashioned way, and charming. The lobby and several common areas, including the Business Lounge, are an interpretation of shophouse and Chinese Straits heritage. The checkered floor tiles and the ornate columns provide a sense of place.
The renovated shophouse rooms face indoors, towards Bugis Junction mall. They are carpeted and warm and have been lavishly furnished. The Intercontinental feels a bit like The Raffles Hotels’ little brother. Splurge and upgrade to a room with Lounge access for free drinks, canapes, cocktails and afternoon tea in a great place to relax or read the newspaper. The room is decorated with dark wooden furniture and Peranakan influence and oozes Singapore’s British colonial past.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Intercontinental Hotel Singapore
- Location: Bugis
- Uniqueness: The hotel is a combination of a tall building and a shorter heritage shophouse area where the facilities are. The shophouse rooms are very charming and nice and are my favorite. Try to get one of the suites which come with extra charm
- Facilities: The rooftop pool at the top of the lower shophouse building is quite nice. There is also a gym and a classic colonial-inspired lounge for the Club rooms and loyalty members that serves lovely canapes and drinks and has relaxed seating
- Dining: The hotel has a few dining options including one of Singapore’s best Chinese restaurants.
- To consider: While I love the heritage shophouse rooms, they can be a bit dark as they face the interior part of the Bugis mall below so they are cozy but lack sunlight
Best luxury hotel in Singapore for sexy waterfront living: The Fullerton Bay
The Fullerton Bay Hotel has a sexy rooftop pool and Lantern Bar and sweeping views of the marina. Facing the Marina Bay Sands, the rooms are living example of Singapore’s merchant past. Before the city became a modern port terminal, boats used to come to the Singapore River to dock and deliver their merchandize.
The Clifford Pier building, over which the modern Fullerton Bay is built, is a heritage building. Don’t miss the free walking tours of the Fullerton Heritage area offered by the hotel for a unique insight into a Singapore that was lost long ago. The lower level rooms have balconies and the corner ones even sport jacuzzis, one of the few hotels in Singapore to have that. The views from the hut tub are to die for.
Inside, the decor is classic with thick carpets and large chandeliers. The hotel is the choice for some of the most exclusive weddings in the city as this is also one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Singapore.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Fullerton Bay Hotel
- Location: Marina Bay
- Uniqueness: Its location, right on the water’s edge and in front of Marina Bay sands affords some of the best views of the hotel, the marina, the sunrise and the fireworks and other activities taking place in the Marina Bay area
- Facilities: The rooftop pool and outdoor jacuzzi are fabulous and have excellent views. The rooftop bar, adjacent to the pool, is a popular after work drinks venue for the CBD blue collar workers
- Dining: The hotel is expansive at it includes Clifford Pier and a few dining venues. Clifford Pier is a great lunch option and a favorite for afternoon tea with either the international or the Asian choice
- To consider: While the hotel is modern and sleek in the outside, the rooms are more classic and similarly designed to the Fullerton Hotel inside. Corner suites have outdoor jacuzzi wit the best views in the city
Bonus Singapore guide! Whether you’re traveling to Singapore for business or pleasure, you’ll definitely want to take in some of the amazing things that the Little Red Dot has to offer. For that you’ll need my guide with 100+ things to do in Singapore. Don’t forget to Pin it!
5 star hotel in Singapore free flow champagne: The Shangri-la Hotel
The Shangri-la is a large hotel with two wings. The Valley Wing, favorite with business travelers or famous dignitaries like Obama or Trump because of the safety it affords, has packages with free-flow champagne, canapes, afternoon tea and snacks. The rooms are full of great details that show a lot of care and thoughtfulness has gone into their design and were renovated in 2017. I found them exceptionally comfortable if quite old fashioned.
The Shangri-la has some of the best rooms of any luxury hotel in Singapore and some of the most comfortable and practical I have ever stayed. Take this from me, I spend more than 150 nights at hotels every year for the last 15, that is more than 2,250 room night!
The design of the Shangri-la Singapore and its decor is a mix of Chinese watercolor paintings and ornate Renaissance architecture. The Valley Wing is refined and exclusive and has a served breakfast to die for in the circular banquet hall with high ceiling and wrap-around velvety curtains facing the gardens.
Located far from the CBD area but 10min walking distance from Orchard the Shangri-la has spacious gardens and a free-form pool that is perfect for families. The hotel is really popular for those coming with shopping and family time in mind. Business travelers will find it very convenient.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Shangri-la Hotel Singapore
- Location: Orchard
- Uniqueness: The rooms are split into various wings providing different degrees of exclusivity and service. I found the rooms to be very comfortable. The Valley Wing’s free flow canapes and champagne is worth the splurge
- Facilities: Large free form pool where all the family can relax and lots of green areas to stay away from the loud children
- Dining: Breakfast at the Valley win is served in a refined room with draped curtains and has a great selection. As you are steps from orchard, there is a myriad of dining options there. Head out to Wild Honey for brunch, they have the best selection of brunch dishes I have ever seen. Book ahead
- To consider: The Shangri-la has recently renovated its rooms and is now even better
- My review: Free flow champagne staycation at the Shangri-la Singapore
Best luxury hotel in Singapore for Neoclassic river views: The Fullerton Hotel
Housed in the old Post Office building with towering columns and a rooftop jacuzzi, The Fullerton Hotel is The Fullerton Bay’s older brother. A landmark in the city, for its exclusive location at the mouth of the river and the heart of the business center, and its standout architecture, the Fullerton Hotel could well be located in Paris.
Inside, the rooms are beige and completed in marble. They have wooden white washed windows that open onto small balconies and into the busy business district or the river. The pretty mezzanine level pool faces the river and picturesque Boat Quay. Service is old fashioned and formal. The Fullerton Hotel also offers free guided tours of the area including the sister property The Fullerton Bay, the Clifford Room, the port area and the various rooms of the hotel. The hotel’s tower used to house a lighthouse with a beacon to guide ships to port in the 18th Century. It is today a restaurant. Don’t miss the chance to upgrade to a room with access to The Straits Club for champagne breakfast.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Fullerton Hotel
- Location: CBD/ Marina Bay
- Uniqueness: The hotel is over 90 yers old and located in a heritage precinct that includes the Fullerton Bay Hotel, the One Fullerton office and dining space, the Boathouse and the areas interlinking all these buildings. The hotel offers free walking heritage tours of the complex to its guests and these are well worth it (even for someone who lives here!)
- Facilities: The infinity pool is rather small and cramped and it can feel a bit suffocating to have the rest of the guests right next to you so you won’t spend too much time there. However, do check it out because the river views are fabulous
- Dining: There are a few dining options at the hotel and the Post Bar deserved mention for a good after works drink venue. However, the star of the show is the fine dining and hyper romantic Italian rooftop restaurant in the Lighthouse and the rooftop bar with fantastic views of the river and the MBS area.
- To consider: The hotel is in the process of renovating all the rooms in phases which will extend over a couple of years. Make sure to book one of the new rooms which are quite pleasant. The older ones are a bit worn out. Also beware the entry level rooms may face the inside atrium of the hotel and not the outdoor. The rooms with views are fabulous
5 star hotel in Singapore with green avant-garde design: Parkroyal on Pickering
Being such a tropical and lush country, Singapore does not lack green spaces. There are parks, reservoirs, hills, jungles and all sorts of nature reserves. But if you want to feel like one with nature Parkroyal on Pickering’s hotel-in-a-garden concept merges urban views and location with 15,000 square meters of greenery and the best features of a 5 star hotel in Singapore. From the moment you walk in the reflective pools, open spaces and glass windows make a statement.
The rooms are sleek, in light wood colors, functional and bright. The corridors are open looking like verandahs more than hotel aisles. The swimming pool is a real treat with bird cage cabanas that have become one of the hotel’s most iconic elements. The hotel features vertical gardens, a 300m garden walk by the pool and a vegetable and herb garden from where the chefs get their fresh produce. Parkroyal on Pickering is one of a kind hotel.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about Park Royal on Pickering
- Location: CBD/Chinatown
- Uniqueness: The green location and design of the hotel will make you forget you are in fact at the heart of one of the world’s most densely populated cities
- Facilities: The infinity pool is really nice, with cage style cabanas and lots of greenery although the sun only comes half a day
- Dining: The all-day dining restaurant on the ground floor offers a great breakfast and buffet for lunch and dinner and has a pleasant atmosphere with high ceilings and lots of light
- To consider: I found the entry level room to be slightly on the smaller size yet did not feel terribly small because of the floor to ceiling windows and the green spaces
Best luxury hotel in Singapore for families: Resorts World Sentosa
With unlimited entertainment options within walking distance, Resorts World Sentosa is like a Disney World without the cartoons. Only 20min from the city, this side of Sentosa includes an Aquarium where one can swim with sharks, a Hard Rock Cafe, a Michael Jackson hotel, Madame Tussauds and Trick Eye Museum, Universal Studios amusement park, a Dolphin Island, a waterpark, large retail spaces, ice cream parlors, a replica of the famous Merlion, plenty of restaurants, concerts, shows and street performances. The list just never ends.
Want more?
Truth is that you could be anywhere and you will not feel like you are in Singapore. Resorts World Sentosa is sure to keep your kids entertained, no matter their age. And when you crave a bit of the real world you just need to jump in a cab.
The complex houses 6 luxury hotels offering 1,500 rooms: The Hard Rock Hotel, Michael Hotel, The Festive Hotel, The Equarius Hotel, the exclusive, by-invitation only Crockfords Tower, the Beach Villas which offer Ocean Suites by the Aquarium and Treetop Lofts by the canopy trees. All six hotels are themed and offer different experiences but they are all at the top of Singapore best luxury hotels, if only quite an unusual type. The resort also has a casino and an ESPA spa. Pure indulgence. Get a map here.
Book your stay at any of the RW Sentosa hotels…
Beach Villas Booking.com | Agoda
Michael Hotel Booking.com | Agoda
Hard Rock Hotel Booking.com | Agoda
The Equarius Hotel Booking.com | Agoda
The Festive Hotel Booking.com | Agoda
The Crockfords Tower Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about Resorts World Sentosa hotels
- Location: Sentosa
- Uniqueness: Every hotel here is unique in its own way. You can either have a treehouse, a beach villa (in Singapore!) or a Michael Jackson inspired room. Did I mention there is also an underwater room? Need I say more? If you are after a true luxury hotel in Singapore that escapes the norm, these are it
- Facilities: There are lots of facilities, pools and common areas here and because you are in Resorts World, the options for entertainment are limitless
- Dining: You could spend weeks here and never run out of options. Within the Resorts World complex there are fine dining restaurants and simple hawker center style stalls and the hotels also have their fair share of options
- To consider: Sentosa is far from downtown for Singapore standards and you should stay here if you are looking for a staycation in Singapore or if you plan to make the most of the Resorts World options, else I would stay in town
For an exclusive artsy stay: JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
The JW Marriott South Beach is one of the most unique luxury hotels in Singapore thanks to its art and designed focus. The interiors were designed by Philip Stark and so were the rooms and the entire complex is filled with unique art pieces, from the entrance panels showcasing a motion of lights and colors to the many pieces in the hotel’s art collection that are exhibited across.
The hotel originally opened as The Shout Beach Hotel and then was acquired and rebranded to the JW Marriott within less than a year. While the interior design has not changed, the service standards have. The hotel is exquisite in many ways, from the female-only rooms with details such as special hair dryers, manicure and pedicure sets and a customised bathroom line to the lovely all-day lounge serving snacks and drinks all day long. Its location is also fantastic. near enough to the CBD that you could almost walk on a short stroll and in the heart of the colonial Bugis area, near The Raffles, Andaz Singapore and the Intercontinental Hotel.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
- Location: Bugis
- Uniqueness: Female rooms with specific amenities
- Facilities: a covered infinity pool with views of MBS and the sea, a well equipped gym and a full fledged spa
- Dining: the buffet restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served is one of the best I have ever seen and the value for money is staggering (lobster and unlimited seafood included, freshly cooked pizza, ice creams, hug selection of gummy bears, etc.
- To consider: The pool here has fabulous views but no sun.
- My review: Review of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
For a hip and modern luxury hotel: Andaz Singapore
Andaz Singapore is one of the latest additions to the range of luxury hotels in Singapore and the first one of Hyatt’s younger and more sleek brand in Southeast Asia. Andaz is located in the upper floors of the newly opened “beehive” DUO Towers in Bugis, behind the famous gin bar Atlas. The lower floors of the same building are devoted to offices while the hotel’s starts on the 25th floor.
The rooms at Andaz Singapore are spacious and stylish, with bright colors and light wood materials that reminisce of Japan. The lines are clean and the building’s height and location give almost all the rooms fantastic views either over the colonial shophouses below or the CBD, Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer and the sea.
True to its branding philosophy of feeling at home, Andaz Singapore gives its guests complimentary in room minibar and a lounge area where snacks and drinks are available to all guests all day. For dining, there are a several options. At the reception level, Alley on 25 proposes six different cuisines in contiguous but distinct environments where you can have grilled, steamed or stir fried food of Japanese, Chinese or Mediterranean inspiration. There is also a salad bar which offers cold cuts and seafood and a lounge and bar area with a large selection of craft spirits like gin. The lounge is also a good place to hold casual meetings or to enjoy the long and generous Happy Hour.
The star of the hotel is its rooftop bar, opened to the public, Mr. Stork, already featured in several articles about the best rooftop bars in the world thanks to its fabulous 360 degree views and its fun teepees. Sunsets don’t get any better than here.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about Andaz Singapore
- Location: Bugis
- Uniqueness: Great views from all the rooms and complimentary snacks and drinks in room and at the lounge
- Facilities: A covered infinity pool with views of MBS and the sea, a well equipped gym and a full fledged spa
- Dining: The range of choices for dining is vast so you would never have to leave the hotel. The steak house is halal and Mr Stork is a must. Weekend’s lazy brunches are great value and offer free flow prosecco at S$65++. At the ground level of the hotel is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, Peruvian/LatinAmerican Tono Cevicheria, and Atlas, Singapore’s most fabulous bar, is across the street, but make sure to book or expect a long wait
- To consider: For meetings in the CBD you will have to take a short taxi ride as walking is not possible.
The best boutique luxury hotel in Singapore: Six Senses Singapore
If you are looking for a characterful luxury hotel in Singapore, the Six Senses is your answer. There are other boutique hotels but none of them is as much a 5 star hotel as the Six Senses.
Six Senses Singapore is made of two separate locations, Duxton and Maxwell, five minute walk from each other and it is the first city hotel of the resort brand. The design is stunning, with remarkable opium-inspired touches and an all yellow, gold and black palette that give it a sophisticated and sexy look. The hotel has only 49 rooms all of which are in a row of shophouses along Duxton Road in what used to be the residences of Chinese merchants.
There are nine different types of room categories ranging from the black and white entry level Nutmeg room all the way to the burgundy Montgomery Suite. The Duplex Suites have two floors and the Skylight Suites a lovely interior patio that opens onto the sky. Perhaps the most shocking are the Pearl Suites designed completely in white, which contrasts with the otherwise dark feel of the hotel.
The Six Senses Singapore at Duxton Hill is the first of the two to open and also its smallest. The facilities of both hotels will be located at the Six Senses Maxwell, namely the Spa, which the brand is famous for, and the rooftop swimming pool and gym. There is however one restaurant on site, Yellow Pot, which is a feat in Chinese cuisine managing to present flavourful yet healthy and light versions of all the Chinese favorites. A must try.
Six Senses Singapore offers a decidedly local experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine consultations, Tea Demonstrations, tie up with local suppliers and experts and a very strong focus on sustainability and conservation, a real challenge in a city-state like Singapore.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about Six Senses Singapore
- Location: Chinatown
- Uniqueness: The hotels cannot be any more unique. The design is breathtaking and the many touches denote an obsession with detail from the famous designer (former Bond Girl Anouska Hempel) and the brand itself. Try a Traditional Chinese Medicine consultation or go on a self-guided walking architecture tour of the surroundings to understand more about Singapore’s past. The four poster Opium Suites are taken from a set of a Chinese period movie. The hotel is the last heritage hotel to open in Singapore as it has received the last license from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
- Facilities: The Six Senses Singapore in Duxton has no facilities but guests have access to local gyms, cycle studios and yoga classes. Once the Six Senses Singapore at Maxwell opens, the joint hotels will have a full fledge spa, a long rooftop pool and a gym as well as many other dining venues
- Dining: Although Six Senses Duxton only has one restaurant, it is well wroth a try. Breakfast is a la carte and fantastic with lots of local dishes, don’t miss the chance to try the most traditional of all, the kaya toast
- To consider: Being a shophouse means that the rooms at the Duxton branch can be a bit on the smaller side. Not a bit issue but if you are staying for long and like to unpack, consider the suites
- My review: Review of Six Senses Singapore at Duxton
Best luxury hotel in Singapore for a period stay: Raffles Hotel
An institution in Singapore, Raffles Hotel recently celebrated its 130th anniversary with a refurbishment. No luxury hotel in Singapore can compare to the city’s most famous and after its full renovation, the Grand Damme of the East has become a reference in classic luxury.
The hotel is also a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors who want to experience an era gone by, drink the famous Singapore Sling, created at the hotel’s Long Bar, or a Tiffin brunch with the traditional Colonial Indian recipes. Raffles Hotel manages to charge one of the highest rates in Singapore, regularly well above $600, and justifies it with the grandeur of a historical building and a genuine approach to hospitality that is hard to find in international hotels. Indulge knowing that famous people slept between the same walls.
The renovations have not taken away from its charm and you will still be welcomed with the same same classic white exterior and stained-glass trimmings. There are a few touches of extravagance like the 8,142 crystal chandelier from Prague. All 115 suites are controlled from a centralised iPad
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about The Raffles Hotel Singapore
- Location: Bugis
- Uniqueness: The newly refurbished hotel is the most elegant one in the city and the oldest hotel in Asia. No other 5 star hotel in Singapore can bring back the yesteryear like the magnanimous Raffles. So many historical facts corroborate the hotel’s past glory that uniqueness is an understatement.
- Facilities: The Raffles Hotel has a rooftop pool on the third floor overlooking the Lion City, a well equipped gym and several courtyards and dining options. The the newly expanded Writer’s Bar in the lobby is a wonderful addition. There were also numerous stores in its shopping area.
- Dining: Apart from the famous Long Bar, the Raffles Hotel has the famous Tiffin Room for afternoon tea and a few other dining venues. Newly opened La Dame de Pic with Michelin-star chef Anne-Sophie Pic is elegant and sophisticated, Raffles Courtyard is vibrant and Ah Teng’s Cafe is good for a snack. More to come include BBR by Alain Ducasse, Yì by Jereme Leung and Butcher’s Block.
- To consider: The renovation has brought new life to the previously outdated hotel with a modern touch while retaining its colonial grandeur.
- My (old) review: Review of the old Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
Best boutique hotel with sweeping views of nature: Hotel Fort Canning
Situated in the historic Fort Canning Park and housed in a 1926 building which hosted the Administration of the British Far East Command HQ, Hotel Fort Canning in Singapore is perfect staycation destination. As it is a protected heritage status, the interiors and facade are preserved to its former glory, allowing the large open windows to bring in all the sunlight with you chill in your bathtub or on the balcony.
It is also centrally located, in the heart of Singapore’s Bugis heritage neighbourhood, so you can easily get to shopping and sightseeing. The rooms, split into six category levels, ranging from Deluxe Rooms to the ultimate in luxe the Majapahit and Governor’s Suite, are large, airy and lavish. The restaurant, The Salon and lounge bar, Tisettanta, serve delicious treats and the two mineral pools with very special water from a system designed by NASA (used for the astronauts’ drinking water) are very welcome in Singapore’s epic heat.
Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Key facts about Hotel Fort Canning
- Location: Bugis
- Uniqueness: The historic building and the location are unlike anything you’ve seen in Singapore. Staying at Hotel Fort Canning seems as though you are one with nature as it is in the historic park of the same name. The rooms are beautifully bright and modern, and the staff are extra friendly, but the uniqueness definitely lies in the peaceful location.
- Facilities: There are two pools (adults and kids), a restaurant and pool lounge bar, a remarkably well equipped gym with professional TechnoGym Black Series equipment and advanced machines, yoga classes and a spa. There are also walking tours to the Battlebox and Dhoby Ghaut MRT is just 10min away.
- Dining: As mentioned there is a restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and spread between inside seating and an outdoor garden with a small kids play area. There is also a lounge bar, Tisettanta, with a roster of changing offers for afternoon tea, drinks and bar snacks. Hotel Fort Canning has free canapes and wine every evening for an hour from 6-7pm for all its guests!
- To consider: The hotel is up on a hill, so it can be quite a tough walk up and down, but this is nothing a taxi or Uber ride can’t fix.
- My (old) review: Review of Hotel Fort Canning
Don’t forget to Pin this to your Singapore Travel board!
- Check if you need a visa, get help processing it at iVisa.
- Never ever leave without travel insurance. Get affordable coverage from World Nomads or long term insurance from Safety Wing.
- I find all of my flights on KAYAK. Check their Deals section too.
- Search for all your transportation between destinations on the trusted travel booking platform Bookaway.
- I book all my day trips and tours via GetYourGuide, they are the best and their tours are refundable up to 24h in advance.
- Get USD35 off your first booking with Airbnb.
- Compare hotels EVERYWHERE at HotelsCombined and book with Booking.com.
- Compare car rental prices at Rentalcars.com