Singapore is definitely not undeserving of its rank as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Backpackers often avoid the city-state due to this reputation, but Singapore is a unique and interesting place that is certainly worth a visit. Luckily, once you are actually in Singapore there are many free concerts, festivals and art exhibits. Of course, you’ll need somewhere to stay, so we’ve compiled a list of Singapore’s trendiest hostels and hotels for the budget-conscious traveler.
Conveniently located within Chinatown just a few steps from the MRT, the Beary Best! Hostel offers a prime location to easily get around Singapore. Chinatown Food Street (Smith Street) offers an outdoor eating space that spans an array of Singaporean street foods. A few streets away are Club Street and Ann Siang Hill, party central for expats, locals and travelers; these streets are home to many trendy establishments and a nice bonus is that the streets are closed to traffic over the weekend.
An eco-friendly hostel located halfway between Outram Park and Tiong Bahru station, Tree in Lodge is a hostel for backpackers run by backpackers. Although not as good of a location for walking everywhere, a five-minute bus ride will get you to either Chinatown or VivoCity (the access point for Sentosa). Being in Singapore’s heartlands gets you a little away from the common tourist track, which will allow you to have a local (and cheaper) experience, something especially valuable when you are visiting hawker centres!
You can find Five Stones Hostel near Arab Street and the Kampong Glam district in Bugis. The hostel itself is colorful and modern. Named one of Singapore’s best hostels the last few years running, Five Stones is an excellent choice if you’re looking to be in the Bugis area with easy access to Marina Bay Sands and the Colonial District. This area of Singapore has become hipster heaven of late, with café-filled Haji Lane and art house theatre the Projector just a few minutes down the road.
Located conveniently between the business and shopping districts in Bugis, the Ibis on Bencoolen is just an eight-minute walk to Bugis MRT. Ideal for business travelers, the hotel offers free wifi in every room, a hairdryer, a safety deposit box, online check-in and check-out and a restaurant on site.
Just one of numerous locations throughout Singapore, the Fragrance Hotel is located in the heart of the action, just a five-minute walk from Clarke Quay MRT and a stone’s throw from the touristy Boat Quay and Riverside Quay. The hotel amenities include a fitness centre, rooftop pool, laundry and luggage storage. Conveniently, the front desk also keeps around-the-clock service. Keep an eye out (or ask the hotel’s concierge) for 28 Hong Kong Street – a hip speakeasy that was voted Asia’s Best Bar in 2016, just a few buildings down the street from the Fragrance Riverside.
Japanese-inspired, The Pod is Singapore’s first boutique capsule hotel. Sleek and modern looking, this novel concept combines the idea of a hostel dorm room but with considerably more privacy and security (each pod contains its own safe that is only accessible via keycard). The Pod is located between Bugis and Nichol Highway, giving you convenient access to three subway lines, as well as being less than a kilometer from Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.
