Looking for a hotel in Singapore, what areas should I avoid?
 

I am looking for a nice but not expensive hotel in Singapore. I already tried all different places but i would like to know which areas to avoid. Any suggestions?

Avoid why? First time I stayed in Singapore I stayed in Chinatown. Last time I stayed at the Ibis Bencoolen - good call as it was Chinese New Year and Chinatown was mobbed, but that's only once a year.

Singapore is, I think, one of the safest cities in the world. It's also very expensive so I search by price and I like Chinatown.

I've stayed twice here: http://www.theinn.com.sg

Lol, MmePerdu - that's where I stayed in 2002. When I checked the reviews in 2011 it sounded like it had gone downhill.

There is really no area to avoid. Just try to get a hotel close to the MRT. A friend of mine has often stayed at the YWCA International House - a great location right by an MRT station.

Thursdaysd, I stayed last in late 2012 and liked it every bit as much. And the staff are lovely. One evening I spilled a cup of tea in my bed and they gave me, no charge, a wonderful single room for the night, windows all down the length of it. I wished I could have stayed in it.

Thank you all for your comments. The reason I ask about the areas to avoid is because somebody mentioned that they are "adult neighborhoods" or red zones.

Keep away from Geylang Area - its safe and crowded but these areas are known to be sleazy and you can rent rooms by the hour in some of the hotels there.

Instead of coming up with places to avoid, I'm going to suggest a place you should try: Nostalgia Hotel in the vibrant Tiong Bahru neighborhood with lots of restaurants, cafes, shops etc. Singles are 160 SGD rack rate, but you get a 25% discount for booking 30 days or more in advance. (Note: the cheapest rooms are compact, aka small) and it's best to be on an upper floor.

The hotel was recommended to me by colleagues who work in our Singapore offices, which used to be in the TB neighborhood.

http://www.hotelnostalgia.com.sg/default-en.html

Modestly priced, chic, with all the essentials and some extras.

Although I stayed in a beautiful high rise hotel (Pan Pacific) the one time I was in Singapore (October 2013), if returning, I'd avoid the Marina Bay/Suntec area. Although not for Letty's reason, it was too modern-concrete-jungle feel for me. That said, it was next to a Metro.

Cali did you stay at the PP at the Marina? That's where we have reserved. Any tips?

I'd be interested to know if letty33 has made a decision, how it goes (or went). Please do let us know.

Yes, Jacket. Pan Pacific Marina. Best hint for that particular hotel is : ask for TJ at the concierge desk!! Great guy--wonderful personality--a real character!! It's such a big place, and was traveling 'solo" to having a "go-to" fun person was even more important,. Nearly all staff were good, some outstanding, in that solicitous Asian hotel way.
Also, the hotel is directly connected to a big mall with a great food court if you just fancy something very close, easy, and inexpensive for dinner one night (like me--jetlagged). You enter via a "skywalk" from--if i recall right-- the third floor of the hotel. In fact, the hotel is surrounded by towers and malls.
You can use the pool and its changing room if you have time between check out and departure. However, I got a late check out time of 6 pm with no problem, should you need the extra time.
Also, I'd say do NOT pay the extra to upgrade to a Marina Bay view room. All their rooms are beautiful,and mine had a huge floor to ceiling window, which I think is standard there.
Breakfast buffet is supposed to be fantastic, though I didn't try it.
The open air lobby, with rooms around it, is stunning--kinda like a high class Embassy Suites style in the USA!

Good info. Thank you. I was wondering about the room. We have a deluxe king but I am not sure about the view but as you say it should be good!!

BTW are you an RN? I am too.

Hello Sistah Nurse! Yes--RN in Oakland, California. Kal on the USA and Europe forum calls me "Nurse Ratchet" (-:

You can ask about the view at the hotel either before arrival (I love contacting hotel managers or sales staff in advance--often good comes of it!) or once there. They were flexible about changing rooms--very much into customer satisfaction. So if you dont like your first view, ask and they will change it. All rooms face something of interest-- those bright city lights at night! I just didn't think having a view of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel was worth the extra $, since you can't miss the MBS once outside. It looks like a cruise ship got stuck on a high-rise rooftop!
PP is in a good location for Marina Bay Gardens--about a ten-minute walk. Also same walking time--maybe a bit less--to Raffles Hotel for a peek into the bar where the Singapore Sling was "born."

Wow. I saw that that hotel with the ship on top before and that's cool. Also must go to Raffles but I am a single malt drinker.

I am semi retired now for a yr. after 35 hrs. in the trenches, the last 24 at the U of I in Chicago in open heart. Now I work 3 days per week as a case manager for a home health company.

I am your Bro! ��

Larry. ��

I love RNs, Larry !! Yeah,after I wrote "sister" i thought--why assume JW is a woman RN? Stereotypes die hard!
You 've had a great career. I work med-surf-oncology inpatient."In the trenches" indeed.
Glad to say hi to a fellow RN!!I Perhaps ours is the profession most deserving or needing!) of vacay!!

OK, back to the thread! Apologies to Letty for the digression.

Yep, in the trenches indeed. Don't know unless you've been there. I still keep up with my work homies and the U if I will always be my home but don't miss the work!

Anyway back to the OP please let us know what decision you have made. You can look at reviews on Trip Advisor. That should help.

Larry. :).

Rather early morning greetings from Nepal to the OP and also to "jacketwatch" (Larry). Glad you will be spending time in our fine home of Singapore; our sweet city-state of SIN can have her moments.

The OP has received good suggestions from all of you; thank you kindly. For you, Larry, can assure you the Pan Pacific remains most satisfactory; well done with your choice and booking. Can also assure you her Rang Mahal restaurant was as enjoyable as ever last month (as a London-based business colleague loves dining at that fine Indian locale when in SIN).

Enjoy your Singapore times, all of you. Normally conclude with a subtle promotion of our sensational Singapore Airlines; rather, today will praise one of her next best options, SIA's subsidiary, SilkAir. SilkAir flight in question: MI 412, business class, non-stop service, Singapore -> Kathmandu. Fine flight, a few days back. And rather soon, a potentially exciting flight awaits for us from Kathmandu to Bhutan; love that aviation industry for work and holiday (when all goes as planned).

Signing off from what has been an all-too-brief, but enormously special reunion with some cherished climbing Sherpas, their families -- and lovely Nepalese friends, going back to the 1980s. More to follow from Bhutan; good travels to you,

robert

I've stayed at a lot of hotels in Singapore since the 1990s, from the YMCA International house to the Four Seasons. One of my favorites is the YMCA International House where I started staying in the 90s and well into the 2000s. I've stayed there for as long as 2 weeks straight. I've watched it go through renovations and grow over the many years.

http://www.ymcaih.com.sg/

My personal definite favorites in Singapore are the YMCA International House, The Fairmont, and the Four Seasons.

Happy Travels!