10 Best Hotels in Singapore

Sitting on a historic pier, the Fullerton Bay Hotel is built completely over water, with a glass facade that sets it apart from the historic buildings nearby. Rooms all have floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, giving you spectacular views of the city skyline. On the rooftop there is a well-equipped gym, an 80-foot infinity pool, and a bar, all with fantastic views of Marina Bay.

An extensive 2019 makeover added elegant new suites, restaurants, and bars to this 1887 Grande Dame, which was once the home of a British sea captain and is still Singapore's history-steeped showpiece—not only has its guest list included the likes of Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, Elizabeth Taylor, and Michael Jackson, but its chic plantation-themed Long Bar is the original purveyor of the Singapore Sling cocktail and the only place where you can litter legally (help yourself to peanuts from the gunny sack, then throw their shells onto the floor).

One of the most dramatic of the luxury hotels in Marina Bay has 32 floors of unobstructed harbor and city views; sculptures by Frank Stella; prints by David Hockney and Henry Moore; and large rooms with sofas as well as bathrooms where tubs have pillows and large octagonal windows. The Ritz-Carlton Club, on the 32nd floor, comes with personalized concierge service. In-house restaurants include the one-Michelin-star Summer Pavilion for Cantonese, and the popular Asian- and European-influenced Colony. The acclaimed Shiraishi Japanese restaurant is also within the building, though it's not managed by the hotel. There's live jazz in the lobby lounge every evening.

At this, another of the Starwood chain’s trendy W brand hotels, works by Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst are mixed in with unique art installations, and the glam-rock atmosphere starts in the lobby with an illuminated wall and fountain at WOOBAR, where a DJ often spins. Other bonuses include 24-hour access to both the gym and swimming pool, advanced in-room entertainment systems, and special mood-lighting options in all the rooms. There are nine room types, each offering different amenities—plunge pools, outdoor balconies, full bars and kitchens—so choose accordingly.

It’s all about the view at this world-famous hotel, with its three towers offering plenty of vantage points from which to enjoy Singapore’s cityscape. Inside, the rooms are pretty standard, with few of the design touches that have been lavished on the building’s exterior. The mega-structure is capped by a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) SkyPark, where there's a large infinity pool. Also on offer are a casino, theaters, and tons of shops and restaurants.

This hotel feels less like a family theme park than the five other hotels that make up Resorts World Sentosa. In the lobby there are aqua and sand color patterns running across all of the furniture and carpeting, along with a giant digital waterfall gushing down behind the bar. Although the hotel does its best to provide a tranquil escape from the family fun, it's best to request a room facing the rain forest, as the squealing children splashing in the water park outside can often be heard from rooms on the other side. Some rooms have direct access to a private lap pool for more privacy. Contemporary Chinese cuisine is served at the well-respected Forest restaurant, with stand-out dishes being whipped up by celebrity chef Sam Leong.

Rooms are spacious at this refined hotel with a design inspired by the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens, including a natural color palette with Peranakan tiles and Asian art. The Jiang-Nan Chun restaurant serves impressive Cantonese dishes and has a stunning interior that blends art deco and art nouveau styles. Some of the tennis courts are air-conditioned, and there's a golf simulator and in-room exercise equipment. Parents can request a childproof guest room, along with a complimentary stroller or baby carrier; board and video games are available for older kids. The hotel is linked to Orchard Road via an elevated passageway to the Hilton.

Singapore's former General Post Office-turned-hotel has many historic details paying tribute to its past, making this an atmospheric setting to base yourself; plus, its central location means that you’ll be within walking distance of many of the top sights. The rooms facing Marina Bay offer views of the nightly laser-light show; the infinity pool overlooks preserved shophouses in Boat Quay. The restaurants here include Jade (serving Chinese), The Courtyard (international menu with traditional English afternoon tea), and the buffet restaurant Town.

The hotel's Grand Wing consists of one-, two-, and three-room apartments with extra bathrooms, study areas, and private mailboxes; the Grand Club executive floor, on Level 21, has breathtaking skyline views. The smallish standard rooms are painted in soft hues against dark carpeting, and the deluxe rooms in the Terrace Wing have glass enclosed alcoves with views. The gardens on the fourth- and fifth-floor terraces stand out for their cascading waterfalls and Asian landscaping. The hotel's restaurants are also dining destinations in their own right: head to Pete's Place for excellent pasta dishes, mezza9 for authentic Asian, or stop at Scotts Lounge for afternoon tea.

The rooms in this vast, arc-shape building all have balconies; ask for a room facing the sea, or else your view will be of a grassy knoll. The Shangri-La is popular with both conventions and Singaporean families escaping to the beach for the weekend. Children love it for its pool with water slides, and adults can rock climb (on a wall), golf, or windsurf. The hotel has also added Nestopia, an open-air play space with 17 play sections including netted obstacles courses. There are four restaurants and two bars including a Chinese noodle spot, an Asian-Western mix at Casserole, a casual Italian beachfront eatery, and the family-friendly Silver Shell Cafe with a Baby Zone that has everything you need to feed a newborn. A free shuttle bus brings you to and from the nearby VivoCity shopping mall.