Singapore, Singapore: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit Singapore, Singapore

Singapore lies just north of the equator, which ensures near-perfect subtropical weather year-round. Abundant sunshine and plentiful rainfall maintain the lush, tropical foliage that is the hallmark of the city-state. The hottest temperatures arrive in April and May, topping out at 95 degrees. Take into account that rainfall is heavy if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors during the monsoon season, which falls from November through January.

There's no bad time to visit the city, as there's always something exciting going on. Singapore sets the tone and trends for the Asian fashion market, starting with Fashion Steps Out at Orchard – a high-energy event that brings the runway to the streets. May brings Singapore Fashion Week with all its fashion shows, exhibitions, and stylish events.

Summer, winter, spring, and fall are all great times to visit Singapore. The popular Singapore Grand Prix, summer food festivals, and the pulsing music of ZoukOut are just a few of the thrilling events that are hosted here throughout the year. If you hope to experience authentic local culture, come for the Dragon Boat Festival in July, or watch the lantern processions after dark during the September Mid-Autumn Festival, or visit in October to witness the dazzling lights of Deepavali.

Best Singapore, Singapore Hotel Discounts

Since Singapore is outside the domestic United States, discounts for AAA, AARP, or U.S. military are not customary. However, booking well in advance can easily lock in a lower, early bird rate at any one of the properties in the city.

Additionally, if you're traveling in a group or plan to block out numerous rooms for a conference or destination wedding, you can expect significant savings – up to 25 percent when reserving group hotel rates. If that group vacation or reunion of college best friends has been on the to-do list, go ahead and opt for adventure and book a group trip to exotic Singapore.

You'll find many conference-friendly sites in Singapore. Whether you simply want to book a few rooms at a discounted rate and attend a conference at the Convention Center or you want to host an exhibition of your own in one of the swanky ballrooms around town, there are plentiful options from which to choose. Among the 150 or more hotels in the city, you're bound to find one that is just the right size in just the right location, fully equipped to meet your every need.

Venues like the Marina Bay Sands will create a group discount package with average savings of about 10 percent, keeping room rates low, with no sacrifice of amenities or style. An airport shuttle will get busy business travelers to the site efficiently, welcoming them to a distinctive facility that is tailor-made to host corporate meetings. The Sands boasts Southeast Asia's largest ballroom, as well as 250 meetings rooms, plus on-site recreation options that include retail and dining.

Best Value Options in Singapore, Singapore

Travelers flock to BIG Hotel in the Colonial District for a reason. It's a smart, centrally located choice that is close to popular sites including Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. This four-star boutique hotel serves up style with its modern design and furnishings, spacious quarters, and comfy beds. Plus, you'll find all the comforts of home, like free internet access and air conditioning. There's a restaurant on-site as well, if you feel like staying in the neighborhood. For a four-star hotel, you cannot beat the rates. It's a solid value option year-round.

Check out a different side of the city at the Sultan in the Arab Street District. The four-star hotel represents a great value with its uniquely designed guest rooms, equipped with flat screen televisions and complimentary Wi-Fi. Just outside, sights of interest include the Malay Heritage Centre and Sultan Mosque, and the hotel is also close to the Golden Mile Complex. Take it all in from the rooftop terrace, and then head down to grab a bite at the hotel restaurant or a cocktail at one of two bars on the property. You can also order room service if you prefer. Every detail is attended to at the Sultan. From the free newspapers and coffee in the lobby to car service on demand via the concierge, your stay will be worry-free.

The Garden City of Singapore, Singapore

Singapore is a green oasis, but not by accident. Early in Singapore's history as an autonomous state, national policies were put into place to reclaim the beautiful island from complete urbanization. Today, thanks to decades-long efforts by the government and its people, major strides have been made to nurture and preserve natural vegetation and indigenous plant species throughout the city. As a result, Singapore is a green city unrivaled anywhere on Earth, and its gardens have become treasured symbols of national pride.

Parks, greenways, and nature reserves lace throughout Singapore and total 10 percent of the public land. The remarkable resulting garden city draws visitors from around the globe. Singapore Botanic Garden is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site, the only garden in the world to gain this title. This verdant destination is not only beautiful, it's also lively in terms of entertainment. Be sure to check the events calendar to take part in the picnics, concerts, and educational offerings offered at the Botanical Gardens.

In the mid 2000s, Singapore unveiled plans for the Gardens by the Bay, designed by U.K. designers Grant Associates for Bay South and Gustafson Porter for Bay East. The otherworldly garden space seems like a utopian sci-fi dream, but these lush garden spaces are quite real. You can stroll among the striking architectural structures such as Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, and wander through a variety of themed gardens all in the midst of Singapore, "a city in a garden." It is an experience that is both enthralling and utterly unforgettable.

Singapore, Singapore in a nutshell

Made up of fascinating pockets of culture, Singapore is often referred to as the New Asia, having the modern face of a continent immersed in tradition. It's a common sight for a bustling food hawker center receiving a long queue of lunchtime patrons alongside the glitzy Marina Bay Sands welcoming VIPs onto its breathtaking poolside. The diverse melting pot of ethnicities manifests itself through Singapore's notable districts. Shophouses in Chinatown have interesting architectural details and not to mention, the best affordable cuisine in the land. Most of the traditional structures have been converted into eateries frequented by people from all walks of life. In Little India, commerce thrives as robust as the scent of spices wafting through the air. Shop for aromatherapy oils, silks, silver and gold. Singapore also has temples, churches and mosques brought about by the cultural diversity. Before you leave the city, visit the historic Raffles Hotel and grab a seat at Long Bar where the Singapore Sling cocktail was first concocted. Sip into a piece of history while admiring the grand interiors of the hotel founded in 1887.

'To put it bluntly, there isn't one economic theory that can single-handedly explain Singapore's success; its economy combines extreme features of capitalism and socialism. All theories are partial; reality is complex.
Ha-Joon Chang, a noted economist and intellectual, thus stated while trying to explain what has made Singapore what it is today. 

And let's make no mistake in stating or let's waste no time in asserting that Singapore, by most standards, is among the finest places in the world to spend your life in. It is a disciplined city-state that runs on sheer intent, conviction and solidarity of its people. Quite curiously, Singapore also happens to be among the most diverse communities in the world, featuring almost every race on this planet, telling the rest of the world how to live in communal harmony and peace. 

On the economic front, it has prospered like no other during last five decades. This, despite having a dire dearth of natural resources of any kind whatsoever (even water), is one of the reasons why it has managed to cultivate a thriving and vibrant tourism industry that turns over billions of dollars each year. 

Those of our readers who are thinking of or planning on visiting Singapore anytime soon would find this quick guide to various classes and types of hotels in Singapore a handy reference.

Budget Stays in Singapore 

For most of us, the availability of funds dictates tour schedule and duration. That's why, it becomes important to save wherever you can, in order to make your trip a stress-less affair. From air fares to shopping, there are a number of ways to save on tour expenses. 

The best among them, however, happens to be saving on hotel expenses. Hotel expenses can account for as much as 25% of the whole trip budget and so, you would be forgiven by most to grab every single opportunity to save on this front. The bad news, though, is that Singapore isn't really big on cheap hotels. 

This may come as a stark contrast to the hotel scene in adjoining Indonesia or Malaysia. However, this stems from the fact that Singapore is routinely counted among developed countries and has a very healthy currency. 

Santa Grand Hotel Bugis and Hotel 81 Dickson are fairly famous among all the cheap hotels in Singapore. Wink Hostel is another choice perfectly suited for solo travelers and backpackers. 

Have a Things for Extravagance?

Who wouldn't like to get spoiled by the riches of comfort that a luxury hotel has to offer? 

As far as luxury hotel establishments are concerned, every major brand or chain that operates within global hotel industry is represented quite lavishly by luxury Singapore hotels. 

Raffles Hotel is the most notable one in this esteemed list. It shares deep connections with the history of Singapore, as Captain Raffles was the first English settler who traveled the length and breadth of Singapore “ a malarial swamp back then “ to set up trading posts and local missions. 

AMOY Hotel and Four Seasons also make an appearance here, in style and grace. As is the case with many major tourist destinations, Singapore also features the Ritz-Carlton, in its standard glory and opulence. 

Alternative Ways to Stay in Singapore 

Lodging options that can be considered to be alternative to other Singapore hotels are not too prevalent. 

It's difficult to find homestays or beach house rentals in Singapore, only because of the fact that the city faces acute crisis of land space, and hence, it is very inconvenient (and expensive) to build houses just for rentals during the tourism season. 

There are, however, a few beach shacks and temporary tent houses that can be rented on a daily basis. But these wouldn't really appeal to the senses of most tourists who want a comfortable bed at night to melt all their weariness away. 

What to See in Singapore?

Singapore is also known as the Lion City. 

Merlion Park, featuring a giant statue of a merlion that is often an image of Singapore tourism adverts, a popular destination for families to hang out and have a quality time in the company of some great food stalls. 

National Orchid Garden in Singapore offers a stupefying collection of orchids of all kinds, climes, sizes and colors, along with a number of peculiar plant specimens. Talking about plants, Singapore Botanic Garden is another cool place where you will be left utterly flabbergasted with some exotic species of plants and birds. 

Singapore Zoo and Cloud Forest attract their fair shares of tourists each year, with the zoo being an automatic choice if you have the company of young kids. 

Marina Bay offers some moderate beach fun, but nothing too exciting, if you are not a crowd person. Last, but definitely not the least, is the Singapore Flyer “ the largest ferris wheel in the world. A ride in the flyer might well be your most memorable moment from your trip to Singapore! 

Singapore is a liberal city on most counts. However, if you are going to be hopping from one sight to another in Singapore, be sure never to miss your time, even by one minute. Singapore runs very, very punctually, and as long as you are not a German citizen with innate time-keeping skills, you will have to make conscious efforts to keep by the clock.

For example, most hotels in Singapore will offer you no leeway in your check-out timings, promptly charging you a day's fare if you overstay your room tariff!  

Perfect Time to Visit Singapore 

To put it in the simplest of words, the best time to visit Singapore is now. 

Singapore is a tropical island that sees no significant changes in its weather all year round. It's always humid and hot, with untimely precipitation of rain being the norm of the country. 

Singapore also sees a consistent flow of tourists, no matter what time of the year it is. So, just pack up and make your plans “ the garden city awaits your arrival!