If you’re one who thrills for the new, Singapore’s luxury hospitality scene is well and ready for you. The recent mushrooming of hotels continues well into 2024, so take your pick of tastefully designed stays or nostalgic heritage lodgings in cultural districts. There’s something for everyone, be it gorgeous infinity pools, co-working spaces or snack bars stocked with local goodies. And that’s not even mentioning the host of scintillating culinary options to choose from. Get the low-down here:
Along the bustling Orchard Road
The beating heart of Singapore’s shopping scene, Orchard Road is home to iconic malls and upscale boutiques. Many of the newly-opened luxury hotels are a mere stone’s throw away.
1. The Singapore EDITION
For a luxurious experience acclaimed by the trendiest tastemakers
This hotly anticipated luxury boutique brand opened its doors last November, becoming the first Southeast Asian outpost of this iconic brand by legendary hotelier Ian Schrager.
In keeping with the EDITION’s trademark of creating one-of-a-kind experiences that take inspiration from their locale, nature intertwines with architecture here at The Singapore EDITION. The light-filled conservatory at the lobby is lush and leafy, while a skypark and a sunken garden continue to deliver an expression of Singapore’s tropical abundance.
The rooms themselves exude a plush minimalism, with every single room type featuring a marble bathroom with a bathtub, the fluffiest La Bottega bathrobes and exquisite Le Labo amenities. For further pampering, book an appointment at their signature spa, where plunge pools replete with powerful jets and an ice fountain await.
While there: Take a dip in their 43-metre long rooftop pool – the longest you’ll find along the Orchard belt – and enjoy the curious experience of peeking at the diners below from its transparent acrylic oculus base.
2. Artyzen Singapore
For picture-perfect infinity pool shots
Just down the road from The EDITION, Artyzen Singapore offers a different expression of luxury while also being a mere pebble’s skip away from the main shopping belt of Orchard Road.
Book a stay here if you enjoy a touch of eclecticism in your décor: its 142 rooms exude a fun, modern vibe with their splashy, colourful carpets and throw pillows alongside brushed chrome and black light fixtures.
The crowning glory of this hotel is its 25-metre long cantilevered infinity pool that has a transparent base, set alongside a leafy rooftop garden. Enjoy peering down on the crowds along Orchard Road as you unwind.
While there: For a charming morning adventure, take a ride to the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens – Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – on one of the hotel’s complimentary city bicycles.
3. Conrad Singapore Orchard
For a family-friendly stay that you’ll never have to leave
With staggering food and beverage options from Italian-style buffet brunch at Basilico to glitzy destination bar at Manhattan, to the Michelin-starred Summer Palace serving Cantonese fine dining, your every gastronomic need can be satiated without ever stepping out of the Conrad Singapore Orchard.
Its 445 guest rooms are furnished in calming sand tones with terracotta accents, and boast floor-to-ceiling windows with a breezy view. The hotel’s suites particularly feel like a home away from home, with their residential-style floor plan and plentiful seating options. All room types enjoy minibars stocked with favourite local snacks that celebrate the Lion City.
If you’re bringing the kids or travelling as a large group, you’ll be happy to know that connecting rooms can be requested for all room types.
While there: Start your morning right by signing up for their complimentary poolside sessions, which rotate daily between yoga, meditation and movement classes.
4. Pan Pacific Orchard
For sustainability-minded luxury
If eco-consciousness is your jam, look no further than Pan Pacific Orchard. The 347-key hotel embraces biophilic design and sustainable features such as rainwater collection, solar panels and a biodigester system.
Its four lushly-vegetated terrace spaces offer tropical alfresco vibes, starting with a breezy check-in at the Forest Terrace. Over at the bar Florette at the Garden Terrace, guests can indulge in an impressive Champagne list that includes growers and rare vintages. Pair these with fresh oysters for an evening of decadence.
While there: Try their exclusive Singapore’s Orchard Gin, crafted in collaboration with local distillery Tanglin Gin.
5. The Standard Singapore
For first dibs on a glitzy stay in late 2024
As if travellers who intend to stay close to the main shopping belt aren’t already spoilt for choice, there’s one more highly anticipated hotel due to open in July. The Standard Singapore is slated to be the city’s next social hub, and will be the trendy global brand’s third property in Southeast Asia – the first two being in Hua Hin and Bangkok, Thailand.
The hotel will include 143 rooms on its prime – yet tranquil – Orange Grove Road location, directly across from the renowned grand dame Shangri-La Singapore.
Along cultural hotspots and nightlife jaunts
These hotels near Chinatown, Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay offer the perfect roosting spot for those exploring Singapore’s cultural district, and those who plan to party into the night at trendy bars and clubs.
6. The Robertson House
For cosy rooms decked out in luxury colonial style
Stepping into The Robertson House is akin to entering the bygone era of British colonial Singapore. Every space in this 10-storey hotel is perfumed with bespoke scents inspired by the historic spice and tea trade along the Singapore River, while each of the 336 rooms are decorated with a nostalgic black-and-white print of the river and decorated with visuals narrating the city’s port history.
The inspiration extends to its culinary offerings. All-day dining restaurant Entrepôt pays homage to Singapore’s trading port growth by way of its fantastic Anglo-Asian cuisine. The must-try is its grilled tiger prawn malfadine pasta with wok-roasted shellfish bisque and sakura ebi, an umami flavour bomb that does its inspiration, the Singaporean Hokkien noodles, justice.
The private quarters are on the snug side at 24 square metres for most room types, but the views that look out to the Singapore River make this boutique stay a delightful one. Choose The Robertson House if you’re looking for charming digs to return to after an adventurous day out about town – historic Fort Canning Hill and party central Clarke Quay are right around the corner.
While there: Indulge in the complimentary in-room mini-bar, which features snacks by local businesses, such as spiced pepper chips by The Golden Duck Company and granola by Amazin’ Graze.
7. Pullman Singapore Hill Street
For a cosmopolitan food trip in railway style
Offering quintessential railroad charm, Pullman Singapore Hill Street welcomes guests with a replica Pullman sleeping cabin that serves as its luggage area. And right on theme, the marble and wood-clad lobby are adorned with vintage carriers and antique-style elevators.
Its 350 rooms take some design cues from private railroad cabins, but unlike the locomotive experience of yore, here you can look forward to plush bedding, open-concept wardrobes and smart technology with customisable functions.
Pick a vibe and swing by one of the hotel’s three dining options. Madison’s on the ground floor offers New York-inspired, all-American deli bites, while El Chido on the rooftop is a Mexican-themed swim-up bar with an infinity pool and views of the Marina Bay Sands.
Last but not least, modern Japanese Izakaya and cocktail bar MOGA promises to please with its curated selection of sake and small plates – don’t miss their melt-in-your-mouth A3 Wagyu striploin.
While there: A stay at Pullman Singapore Hill Street puts you at the heart of the local cultural district. Art lovers, check out the National Gallery Singapore – a treasure trove of Southeast Asian modern art – while history buffs, make a beeline for the Asian Civilisations Museum.
8. 21 Carpenter
For a historic shophouse stay that art and architecture enthusiasts will love
Nestled between the lively nightlife of Clarke Quay and the cultural allure of Chinatown, heritage boutique hotel 21 Carpenter is a design-forward stay that breathes fresh life into a former remittance house. This architectural revival of the Chye Hua Seng Wee Kee house – which dates back to 1936 – was led by the award-winning local firm WOHA. 21 Carpenter is only Singapore’s second member of the international Design Hotels network.
The building’s interior blends heritage and contemporary design, with its 48 rooms exuding a quiet sense of chic with their mix of textures and motifs. At between 30 to 56 square metres, the rooms are amply sized for a city hotel. Enjoy sweeping views of the city and Marina Bay at the rooftop infinity pool, and lounge on the third-floor garden terrace.
While there: See if you can spot artworks by local artists dotted around the hotel, such as a hand-drawn charcoal mural by Dawn Ang, a tapestry by Heman Chong and bespoke vases by Jenevieve Studio.
On the city fringe
If you’re looking for something off the beaten path, consider staying in the cultural district of Little India where there’s plenty to shop, eat and explore.
9. Owen House
For an immersive working-holiday stay in Art Deco style
Those looking for a flexible living experience should check out Owen House by Habyt, nestled in this characterful precinct. The hotel extends an array of flexible accommodations and co-living solutions, with some room types featuring kitchenettes and pantries. It’s a great stay to feel like a local while immersing yourself in a rich cultural hotspot.
If you’re feeling social, whip up your meals in their two communal lounges that come with fully-equipped kitchens, or nurse a coffee while you work at Sunlight and Moonshine, a co-working space that transitions into a 35-seater cocktail bar at night.
It’s a slick, modern take on co-living, with décor that nods to the neighbourhood’s famous New World Amusement Park from the 1920s.
While there: Check out New World’s End, an immersive art experience and night tour where you’ll learn more about this historic neighbourhood.
Offshore in Sentosa
One of Singapore’s main entertainment destinations, Sentosa offers a gamut of attractions, from aquariums to beach clubs and adrenaline-pumping rides. And now, travellers can look forward to a new all-villa resort:
10. Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa
For a secluded island resort escape
One would not typically think of heading to Singapore for a villa stay, but this might all change when the Little Red Dot’s first all-villa resort opens its doors in the third quarter of 2024. Expect the height of tropical extravagance in the Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa, which will span over 10 hectares of gardens, with views of the South China Sea.
The resort promises a serene island escape with its 62 villas, each equipped with its own private swimming pool. Guests can also look forward to top-notch amenities – including bars, restaurants, a fitness centre and state-of-the-art meeting spaces – alongside personalised hospitality by the renowned Raffles Butlers and luxury wellness offerings at the Raffles Spa.
For our full list of things to try and places to see in Singapore, check out our Singapore City Guide.
For more information on Singapore Airlines flights to Singapore, visit the official website.
