The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Singapore

Relax with a drink in hand at the Cloud 9 pool and bar at Naumi Singapore
Relax with a drink in hand at the Cloud 9 pool and bar at Naumi Singapore | Courtesy of Naumi Singapore / Expedia
Prianka Ghosh

There’s much to explore in the glitzy, tropical city-state of Singapore, which acts as a gateway to Southeast Asia for many travellers. This business-hub powerhouse works hard and plays harder. Whether you’re exploring the world-class museums, wandering past futuristic ‘trees’ in the Gardens by the Bay, shopping in the high-end malls along Orchard Road, or enjoying the hottest new dining venue, you need a place to rest your head. For the most characterful accommodation, opt for one of the best boutique hotels in Singapore – bookable on Culture Trip.

1. The Vagabond Club, Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio, for striking interior design in Bugis

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

An events room at the Vagabond Club, with set tables and velvet chairs surrounded by shelves packed with whisky bottles
Courtesy of The Vagabond Club, Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio / Expedia

One of the coolest boutique hotels in Singapore, the Vagabond Club is in a stately art deco-style building, and stepping inside feels like arriving on the set of a David Lynch film. The building has had a tumultuous past as both an illegal brothel and a dormitory for workers. Today, the lobby is an assault on the senses, all red and gold trimmings and dramatic art installations, and the location is ideal for exploring nearby Arab Street and Little India.

2. The Scarlet Singapore, for a historical stay near Chinatown

Hotel

The dramatic reception at the Scarlet Singapore, with a high-back blue sofa and a crystal chandelier
Courtesy of The Scarlet Singapore / Expedia

We love the Scarlet for its vintage heritage. It comprises 13 two-storey shophouses – once the homes of prominent Chinese immigrants – built nearly 150 years ago and a stunning art deco structure from 1924. While many original features have been retained, you can expect mod cons in all the rooms. Here, you’re steps from the hip dining options along Amoy Street and perfectly placed to wander around Chinatown.

3. Hotel G Singapore, for its proximity to museums in Bugis

Hotel

Part of the fitness room at Hotel G Singapore, with striking blue-and-gold wallpaper and vintage photos
Courtesy of Hotel G Singapore / Expedia

The restaurant at Hotel G, Ginett, has been making waves for its impeccable European fare, and the hotel itself is no slouch. Its location in skyscraper-studded Bugis places you in the heart of the action, with the top museums in the city, Fort Canning Park and Marina Bay all within walking distance. This Singapore hotel was seemingly designed with millennials in mind, as evidenced by its Instagrammable decor, whimsical touches in the rooms and a focus on hip communal spaces.

4. Lloyd’s Inn Singapore, for shopping on Orchard Road

Hotel

A minimalistic white guest room at Lloyd’s Inn Singapore, with one bed, a hanging rod for clothes, and leafy views
Courtesy of Lloyd’s Inn Singapore / Expedia

Lloyd’s Inn Singapore is immaculately minimalist, focussing on the relationship between cityscapes and nature. The clean lines of both the interiors and exterior aim to encourage guests to reflect on the beauty of the surrounding foliage. With its location just off Orchard Road, you’ll have tranquillity in the heart of the city yet still be close to the densest concentration of high-end shopping malls in Singapore.

5. Villa Samadhi, for a tranquil stay near Sentosa Island

Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

A vintage-inspired guest room at Villa Samadhi, with old trunks at the foot of the bed and stairs leading to the ensuite
Courtesy of Villa Samadhi / Expedia

On the edge of Labrador Park – a nature reserve overlooking Sentosa Island and the Singapore Strait – this lovingly restored 1920s British-colonial garrison building now houses 20 individually styled rooms. Original features and whimsical touches – ye olde luggage trunks, wooden bathtubs – are combined with contemporary comforts, such as private pools on terraces attached to the self-contained Luxe Sarang rooms. Dine on Thai and Shan cuisine beneath the soaring rafters at Tamarind Hill, or head to central Singapore via the nearby MRT station.

6. Hotel Mono, for being in the middle of the Chinatown action

Independent Hotel, Boutique Hotel

A black-and-white guest room at Hotel Mono, with two beds opposite each other and a grey sofa
Courtesy of Hotel Mono / Expedia

The pared-back aesthetic makes this elegant hotel stand out amid the bold colours and hubbub of Chinatown. An all-white facade hides six sensitively restored historical shophouses that combine original features – such as rococo windows – with black-and-white decor, charcoal-grey sofas in the larger rooms and thoroughly contemporary mod cons. There’s a handy metro station and many restaurants right on your doorstep, and you’re perfectly placed for grazing at the Maxwell and Chinatown complex hawker centres.

7. Naumi Singapore, for a rooftop pool and poolside dining in Bugis

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

The Warhol-inspired suite at Naumi Singapore, with a white-and-orange-striped arty lounger, a bed, framed art and a bold rug
Courtesy of Naumi Singapore / Expedia

From the rooftop infinity pool, surrounded by skyscrapers in central Singapore, you can see the historic Raffles Hotel next door, where you can sip an original Singapore Sling. Farther out is the marina, while Fort Canning Park, the National Gallery Singapore and the National Museum of Singapore are all an easy walk away. Poolside, Florian serves delicious Italian dishes. Downstairs, rooms range from the relatively simple Habitat, Oasis and Patio to the Warhol- and Coco Chanel-inspired Eden & Nirwana and Gabrielle & Camellia suites.

8. Hotel Soloha, for funky room decor near Chinatown

Hotel

A playful suite at Hotel Soloha, with vibrant artwork and accent pillows, an orange headboard and a frosted-glass shower
Courtesy of Hotel Soloha / Expedia

Step into the Insta-worthy mural-adorned reception at this self-styled “urban chic jungle” hotel that doubles as a bar, and you’ll understand why this is one of the hippest boutique hotels in Singapore. Inside a revamped 1950s shophouse along the foodie enclave of Keong Saik Road, Hotel Soloha (“so” + “aloha” = Yolo, carpe-diem attitude) has Pop art-inspired rooms, ranging from snug standards to split-level lofts, all with frosted-glass showers. Got cash to splash? Splurge on an outdoor suite with a private open-air terrace.

Looking for somewhere to stay downtown? Book into one of the best hotels in central Singapore or one of the best guesthouses. For more options, discover our guide to the best historic hotels in the country and book now on Culture Trip.

Georgia Platman contributed additional reporting to this article.

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