There’s nothing like the charm of a boutique hotel, where the rooms are thoughtfully designed, the service is warm, and the communal areas aren’t swarmed with busloads of tour groups. Each brand has its own identity and personality, and depending on your budget, the selection in Singapore can range from themed rooms and lofty spaces to cozy nooks and lavish suites.
Take a look below at the city’s best boutique hotel stays and the vibrant neighborhoods they’re nestled in. After you’ve got your accommodations sorted, here’s a primer on Singapore’s greatest traditional breakfast dishes (and where to get ’em), and a rundown of all the essential shopping districts in the Little Red Dot to get your itinerary ideas flowing.
Ann Siang House
For a trendy stay, this heritage shop house establishment features 20 rooms and suites, with studios that offer facilities catering to fitness buffs and culinary enthusiasts. Each accommodation is kitted out with its own unique furnishings, and lounge-like communal areas dot the hallways for those who’d like to hang out in groups.
Since it’s located in the buzzing area of Ann Siang Hill, you’ll have no trouble finding a bite to eat, with a plethora of hip restaurants and bars just a couple steps away.
28 Ann Siang Rd.
Hotel G
From the outside, it looks just like any other building lining the street. But once you’ve entered the doors, Hotel G is quirky as quirky can be, with illustrated wallpaper in the hallways and a vintage-looking gym. The 308 rooms, divided into “Good”, “Great”, and “Greater” categories, offer free Wi-Fi and handy smartphones for you to use when you’re out and about.
When you’re craving a bite to eat, you can grab a burger from 25 Degrees or sip on a glass of wine with a platter of cheese at Ginett on the ground floor of the building.
200 Middle Rd.
Hotel Mono
How ‘bout a taste of that monochrome life? This quiet row of shop houses stands out from the colorful chaos of its neighborhood, Chinatown, with 46 rooms of gorgeous minimalism in black, white, and shades of grey. If you’d rather not get too cozy, opt for the studio room for a bigger space; or splurge on the loft room, which comes with an extra bed tucked into a snug alcove.
18 Mosque St.
Hotel Yan
For those into that industrial chic vibe, Hotel Yan is like a rustic home away from home. The eclectic lobby is a mishmash of warm woods, concrete walls, and exposed pipes, while its minimally decorated utilitarian rooms generously offer free minibar snacks and drinks. Those who want a city view can book the deluxe double with a balcony, but a truly lush stay would be a night in the luxury suite, more than three times the size of the smallest single loft.
162 Tyrwhitt Rd.
Kesa House
Situated along a line of shop houses, nestled in between all the cool bistros and cafes of Keong Saik Road, Kesa House is a “flexible living” concept that accommodates all lengths of stays.
Awash in warm woods and lovely green hues, its Cozy rooms are comfy and homely, the Urban rooms let you look out on the bustling street below, and the Sky rooms come with a vaulted ceiling and a skylight right above the bed. Those who want to have friends over can pick the Entertain option, which comes with your own private terrace of greenery.
55 Keong Saik Rd.
Lloyd’s Inn
With outposts in Bali and KL, the brand is known for its elegant, minimalist aesthetic that’s proven to be popular with trendy travelers. Lloyd’s Inn Singapore is located just off the busy Orchard Road shopping belt, with 34 rooms offering amenities like alfresco decks, outdoor bathtubs, and private garden corners for those seeking alone time with nature.
A monochromatic color palette runs through the sleek structure, and even though it doesn’t house a restaurant of its own, it offers communal pantry and rooftop spaces, as well as sun bed lounges by the dipping pool.
2 Lloyd Rd.
Naumi Hotel
It’s been around for over a decade, but the 73-key hotel, with its central location and comfortably contemporary rooms, is an easy pick for anyone after a fuss-free stay.
A grey building dressed up with flecks of greenery, Naumi is a mix of neutral hues and earthy tones on the inside. Each room offers its own brand of relaxation, from Patio’s private outdoor lounge area to Gabrielle & Camellia’s Coco Chanel-inspired monochrome sophistication to the pops of color influenced by Andy Warhol in Eden & Nirwana. Oh, and it’s got an infinity rooftop pool on its premises, so you know where to go on a balmy day.
41 Seah St.
Six Senses Duxton & Maxwell
Billed as Six Senses’ first urban resort, the luxury brand’s presence in Singapore is split into two locations, each within walking distance to one another. The first to open, Duxton’s restored shop house quarters are draped in a color palette of black, gold, and yellow, with 49 rooms and suites across eight design varieties.
Following on its heels a couple months later, Maxwell’s 138-key space is a mix of baroque opulence, with classic elements that pay tribute to the building’s history. Guests at both properties will get access to all facilities, including Maxwell’s lap pool, rooftop bar, and newly-opened spa pods, as well as Duxton’s Yellow Pot Chinese restaurant and bar.
83 Duxton Rd & 2 Cook St.
The Great Madras
A tiny boutique hotel in Little India, The Great Madras makes up in personality what it lacks in size. It’s been hailed as the go-to spot for Wes Anderson fans, what with its kooky look and whimsical resemblance to the filmmaker’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Transformed not too long ago from a basic backpacker budget joint, its reception is covered in a wallpaper of local landmarks, and its facilities include an in-house barber, an outdoor pool, the coolest laundromat we’ve seen (they’re blanketed in tropical prints), and a row of retro seats from the old Capitol Cinema. The quirky look carries on to the 34 rooms, which are beautified with a variety of textures, patterns, and pastel shades.
28 Madras St.
The Vagabond Club
Taking an Art Deco swing at things, this swanky hotel looks to Parisian style for décor inspiration. Across its 41 rooms, no two are alike – from the floral-patterned Classic, to the Art Executive Club Suite adorned with dark woods and red velvets, to the Vagabond Executive Club Suite, an exercise in opulence with artworks hanging in their gold-gilded frames.
It’s also known as the home of The Whiskey Library, the ornate bar where you’ll find 1,000 rare varieties of the liquor, as well as entertainment programs like theater sessions, book readings, and music performances.
39 Syed Alwi Rd.
The Warehouse Hotel
Positioned on the banks of the Singapore River, the Robertson Quay hotel has come a long way from its establishment in 1895. Now restored as a 37-room property, its industrial interiors are polished and plush. From the high ceilings and exposed brick of the reception and lounge area to the classy minimalism of the rooms, each detail is well thought out, and it all adds up to a lovely stay.
320 Havelock Rd.
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