I'm staying in Singapore for 5 days and have been looking at budget hotels, all have mixed reviews. Can anyone suggest a budget hotel they have used before? I'm hoping to spend no more than $80 per night (of course cheaper would be better!), but would like to be in the Orchard or Bugis area.

The YMCA Singapore is S$75/85 with simple breakfast. It is right at the beginning of Orchard Road and very convenient, with a bus stop right outside and the Dobhy Ghaut MRT station a 3-min walk away.

Rooms are simple but it's not a hostel.

http://www.ymca-hotels.com/singapore/ymca/

Is your budget USD 80 or SGD 80 ?

I will rough guess at USD 80. Stayed once at a real cheap budget hotel but would not stay again(!)
Here are some ideas that might be of help

Fort Canning Lodge, near 'top' of Orchard Road, walking distance to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, roughyl 3 star, includes breakfast, air con with TV, bathroom etc, place also has swimming pool, tennis etc.
About USD 63 a night for a twin

Royal Peacock ( though this in Chinatown ), small boutique place, with breakfast about USD 52 for a twin, air con, restaurant but no pool, rooms a bit small ( stayed several years back ).

If USD 84 is possible you could get a great 3 star hotel near Bugis, the Allson is a large hotel, swimming pool, restaurants, room service etc etc, several hundred rooms ( stayed a few years back ), very popular with stopover travelers, full facilities.

Personaly I would not go for Fragrance/Hotel81s, although good value for not so much more you can enjoy a nice place. Royal peacock is character style, if you can stretch to USD 84 Allson takes you right into full 3 star major hotel category, Fort canning otherwise is good value.

the orchard hotel on orchard road suited out needs nicely

I recommend highly the Perak Lodge at 12 Perak Road in Little India. I stayed there two years ago. It is close to a MRT station and to bus routes. It is within walking distance of the Raffles Hotel. The rooms I was in were small, but they were singles. The service is good. ZZ

For nearly 10 years annually, I've stayed at the YMCA International House Hotel at 1 Orchard Road...next to the Dhoby Gaut MRT(subway)stop. It only cost about $US50.00 a night for a very claen private room. Get a room on the 8th floor and you'll have a nice safe. The rooms have fridges and breakfast is included in the price of the room. You will be in a prime area and very close to a lot of places which will be only about 1-3 MRT stops away. Plus, the hotel has an internet cafe which is very reasonable and there's a pool on the roof. I've watched this place evolve...renovations... over the years and know the manager quite well... who works very hard at keeping it nice. Happy Travels!

Another suggestion is the Strand Hotel, just behind the Rendezvous. A short walk from the Dhoby Gaut MRT. I got a good room there for about $50 a night. Avoid the Bencoolen.

Hi,
Elizabeth Hotel is located one block behind Orchard Road, behind the Mt Elizabeth Hospital, opposite Takashimaya. The rate is approx USD$80 per night. It's a 4-star. You can also try Landmark Hotel, located one block away from Bugis MRT station, a 3.5 star. Note that when you are quoted rates, there is an additional 10% + 1 % +5% taxes tagged at the end, unless specified nett. 2 reliable sites you can check out www.wotif.com; www.directrooms.com