The Trendiest Budget Hotels and Hostels in Singapore

Dream Lodge is in Kallang, once home to Singapore’s indigenous people and now a peaceful area with easy access to sports facilities and the Kallang River. There are lots of bed options at this cheap hostel in Singapore, including women-only rooms, twin bed capsules and even a two-bed couple pod in a mixed room. There’s also a communal kitchen, an outdoor pool and rental bicycles.

This Singapore affordable hostel is here to give the lie to the stereotype of a crowded, dirty hovel filled with unwashed backpackers. With its charming white facade and thoughtfully decorated interior, Adler bills itself as the first luxury hostel in Singapore. It manages to keep prices low while adding touches such as bunks that feel private, fresh flowers and fluffy comforters. Step outside and you’re in the heart of Chinatown, just steps away from hotspots including the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Maxwell Food Centre.

Another of Singapore’s best hostels in a prime riverside location, MET A Space Pod lives up to its name. Don’t be fooled by its exterior, a four-storey historical conservation shophouse at Boat Quay – this hostel will make you feel as if you’re in a spaceship, complete with gleaming white, entirely enclosed pods lined with cerulean neon lights. Even the built-in mirrors are circular and futuristic. Beware that there’s no central communal space and the sleeping area can get a bit noisy.

Located on Arab Street in the Kampong Glam neighbourhood, this budget accommodation in Singapore has extra-large lockers for you to store your things while walking the historically significant area. If you’re a bit nervous to set out on your own, or just want to make sure you don’t miss anything, the hostel offers free walking tours. Relax after your adventures with a drink on the two-level rooftop terrace – you’ll have a great view of Singapore’s mishmash of architectural styles.

This budget hotel in Singapore stands out from the crowd with an eclectic blend of interior decor that can’t quite settle on any one style – but it works. If you’re keen to get in a workout during your travels, the fully equipped gym has treadmills, ellipticals, climbers, wellness balls, weights and more. On a street aptly named Middle Road for its relatively central location, this hostel provides easy walking access to Arab Street and Little India.

This set of self-catering serviced apartments packs a lot into its tidy studios. With a washing machine and dryer, private bathroom and small dining area, these apartments are the perfect base for slightly longer trips, or for couples. The location means you will be bombarded with culture and great food, with attractions like the Chinatown Heritage Centre and Sri Mariamman Temple just a two-minute walk away.

This affordable hotel in Singpore feels as if it could belong in a Wes Anderson movie or a mid-century magazine. The 34 rooms feature creative design touches such as bespoke wallpaper and colourful tiling. If you’re keen to put the bunk bed life behind you, the deluxe hostel option features co-living spaces with king-size beds and sliding doors that can be closed to create almost-private rooms. Then there’s the location – right in the middle of Little India – which is perfect for learning about this key component of Singaporean culture through sites such as the Indian Heritage Centre.

This hostel brands itself as Singapore’s first new-generation societal, or social hotel – their take on a blend of accommodation and meeting place. To fit the theme, there’s a ground-floor bar and bistro glowing in neon lights, as well as a digital interest matching tool geared towards millennials. Located in the hipster Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, it’s a few miles to the Marina Bay area. Groups can book with the ensuite option, snagging their own room with an attached bathroom.

Over 100 capsules and suites are offered at this fuss-free, modern and minimalist Singapore budget hostel located on the third floor of a building on Beach Road. The immediate area is relatively quiet, but steps away you’ll find the busy central area of Singapore. A self-help laundromat and business pods mean this place will appeal to many different kinds of travellers.