12 Best Hotels in Singapore

Often referred to as "Singapore's other botanical garden" (due to its 15 acres of tropical landscaped gardens), this oasis has been one of Singapore's top hotels for more than three decades. The hotel has three distinct wings that offer different experiences (and prices), from the butler-serviced Valley Wing to the balcony suites in the Garden Wing. The hotel has a huge variety of dining options, including Waterfall Ristorante Italiano for delicious Italian cuisine, and Shang Palace for refined Cantonese dining.

What may be the world's best airport hotel has many (soundproof) rooms that face the runway, as well as more tranquil terrace rooms that lead directly to the lushly landscaped pool. Day rates are also available. With the subway below the lobby, downtown Singapore is 30 minutes away.

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.

With its gorgeous Peranakan-style furnishings, silk wall coverings, elegant chandeliers, and rooms styled after 1920s heritage shophouses, this pet-friendly Bugis Junction hotel is luxuriously local. Unlike most other five-star hotels, it's situated outside of the Central Business District and Orchard Road shopping belt, but it's in one of the city's most culturally rich neighborhoods, which is a delight to explore. Sign up for the hotel's free two-hour Guide Heritage Trail tour for an introduction to the area.

Being close to Orchard Road, several embassies, and the Botanic Gardens has no doubt contributed to this hotel's popularity. Rooms in the Orchard Wing are larger and more expensive than standard rooms. Premier and Harvesters' Club rooms on the top floors have separate check-in and complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails. The formal Hua Ting restaurant offers Cantonese and Shanghainese fare, while the Orchard Cafe serves a variety of lighter dishes. Kids will feel at home with the "Ask Alfred" service, which—for an extra fee—includes things like ice cream, candy, special soaps and other amenities.

In this warm and colorful Mediterranean hotel, the botanical-inspired rooms are spacious, and family rooms have extra single beds and a dining area. The handy location makes it a favorite with leisure travelers, as do the outdoor pool and laid-back lobby lounge. Tuck into Japanese, Chinese, and Western menus at the on-site restaurants.

The vast, 35-story atrium of this luxury hotel is filled with greenery and has an exterior elevator with impressive city views. Guest rooms on the upper levels have not only great vistas, but also great amenities, including butler service and complimentary breakfast and cocktails. The Duplex Suite has a private sauna and spa bath. Dining options include a rooftop Chinese restaurant and the Japanese and Italian dining rooms. The hotel is connected to the Suntec Centre via a covered walkway.

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.

This well-run YMCA at the bottom of Orchard Road has a range of room types and suites (including family rooms), plus an impressive gym and a rooftop pool. Air-conditioned rooms have private bathrooms and all the expected amenities, including TVs, kettles, refrigerators, and toiletries. The location is great, just a short walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT—plus there's fast free Wi-Fi.