Hotels by type

Choosing hotels by type in Singapore

Looking at hotels by type helps you pick the right kind of stay before you compare prices. A city hotel, a beach resort and a serviced apartment can cost about the same. Yet they suit very different trips. This guide explains each type, who it suits and where to find it.

Hotel types explained

Boutique hotels

Boutique hotels are smaller hotels with a strong design style. In Singapore, many sit in restored shophouses. These are narrow, older buildings with a shop at street level and rooms above. Expect fewer rooms, more character and a quieter feel. Try The Warehouse Hotel, Mondrian Singapore Duxton in Tanjong Pagar or Amoy Hotel in the CBD. See more on our Boutique & Heritage list.

Heritage hotels

Heritage hotels are in historic buildings that have been kept and restored. You sleep somewhere with a real past, often with period details and gardens. Goodwood Park Hotel, near Orchard Road, is on our Heritage list.

Resorts

Resorts have large pools, gardens and space to relax, so you may not want to leave. Many of Singapore's resorts are on Sentosa, an island just off the south coast. It is linked to the city by road, cable car, monorail and a boardwalk you can walk across. Look at Capella Singapore, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa or Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa. The full Resort list has more.

Serviced apartments

Serviced apartments give you more space, usually a kitchen or kitchenette, and regular cleaning. They suit families, work trips and stays of a week or more. Many also have laundry facilities, which helps on long trips. Options include Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Orchard and Citadines Raffles Place in the CBD. See all Serviced Apartments.

Co-living stays

Co-living stays mix private rooms with shared spaces, such as a lounge, kitchen or laundry room. They suit solo travellers and remote workers who like to meet people. Lyf Funan Singapore, near City Hall, is on our Co-living list.

Airport hotels

Airport hotels are for early flights, late arrivals and long layovers. Some are inside the airport itself. Jewel Changi Airport YOTELAIR is at Jewel, the garden and shopping complex at Changi. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is another option. Browse Changi Airport Hotels for more.

Which hotel type suits your trip?

• First visit, short stay: a boutique or city hotel near an MRT (train) station saves travel time.
• Families with young children: a resort with a big pool, or a serviced apartment with a kitchen and more room.
• Long stays and work trips: a serviced apartment or co-living stay, where you can cook and do laundry.
• Couples and special trips: a heritage hotel or a Sentosa resort.
• Early flights or layovers: an airport hotel, so you sleep close to your flight.
• Tight budgets: one of our Value Hotels, or a capsule hotel. Read Capsule Hotels in Singapore: How They Work first.

Where to find each hotel type

Hotel types are not spread evenly across Singapore. Boutique hotels are common in older areas such as Chinatown, Tanjong Pagar and Kampong Glam, where shophouse streets survive. Resorts are mostly on Sentosa, close to the sea. Serviced apartments are common around Orchard Road, River Valley and the CBD, near offices and shops. Airport hotels are at Changi, in the east of the island.

Think about your daily plans too. Sentosa is calm and good for beaches and Universal Studios Singapore. But trips into the city take longer from there. A central hotel puts more sights within a short MRT ride. Compare the island options on our Sentosa & Resorts page.

Prices depend on location, dates and facilities as much as on type. Many hotels show rates before service charge and GST (Goods and Services Tax). Check the final total before you pay.

FAQs about hotels by type

What is the difference between a boutique hotel and a regular hotel?

A boutique hotel is smaller and has its own design style. It usually has far fewer rooms than a large chain hotel, and a more personal feel. Pools and gyms may be smaller or missing.

Are serviced apartments good for short stays?

They can be. Many accept stays of a few nights, but some have a minimum stay. Check the rules before you book. For one or two nights, a hotel is often simpler.

Is it better to stay on Sentosa or in the city?

Stay on Sentosa for a beach break with big pools and a theme park nearby. Stay in the city if you plan to see many sights, as most are a short MRT ride away. Some visitors split their trip between both.

Can I stay inside Changi Airport?

Yes. There are hotels inside the airport, including at Jewel, and more a short ride away. If you are only in transit, check whether a hotel is before or after immigration. Some are in the public area, so you must clear immigration to reach them.