The 16 best Singapore hotels, for Garden by the Bay, the Merlion and more

Best for: Heritage splendour in the heart of the city 

After a meticulous refurbishment by acclaimed interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud, the iconic Raffles Hotel is back  – and more majestic than ever before. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building from 1887, the hotel boasts beautiful interiors with antique furnishings, fine oriental carpets, and teak wood flooring. In addition to the six existing suite categories, the revitalised hotel offers three new ones: Residence, Promenade, and Studio Suites. 

Time Out tip: Shop for some souvenirs at The Raffles Arcade, which is newly outfitted with a charming Raffles Boutique and various bespoke retail brands such as Leica, Rimowa, and The Hour Glass.

Best for: Balinese vibes

A stay at Capella presents a unique offering... There's so much to soak in – literally – but not enough time. There are the foliage-fringed, three-tiered cascading pools with the dreamy vibe of a Bali resort; the Auriga Spa (access is gratis for hotel guests) with its amazing hot tub pool, herbal steam bath, and experience showers; the in-room bathtubs; and if you're staying in a villa – your private outdoor plunge pool. Retire for the evening to Bob's Bar for contemporary cocktails and sunset views from the al fresco terrace.

Time Out tip: Curl up with a good book at the salon-esque library – which is open to all guests with 24-hour complimentary refreshments.

Best for: Shophouse charm

Housed in the historic neighbourhood of Chinatown, the luxurious, award-winning Duxton Reserve has a limited amount of guest rooms – so you’re ensured an intimate experience full of personalised touches. There are three types of rooms and five kinds of suites available – but if you want to experience opulence, opt for the Duxton Duplex Suite, a two-storey loft with magnificent living space on the first floor and a bed and bath on the second. Guest perks include tours, workshops on Chinese tea and yoga classes in the morning.

Time Out tip: Benefit from an in-house medicinal herbal dispensary and traditional Chinese medicine consultations by a TCM master with decades of experience. Following consultation, guests receive two complimentary tinctures from him daily with formulations that help to promote the general well-being of both mind and body. The focus on the body and health carries on to the hotel's on-site restaurant too. 

Best for: Waterfront glamour

The crown jewel of the Marina Bay basin, the Fullerton Bay Hotel is beautiful in its own right but also offers a fabulous panorama. The main lobby is located in the historic Clifford Pier and boasts beautiful, dramatic arches. All the rooms promise a view, but the Bay View categories are sublime. Thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows (and bathtubs that face the marina), you get to experience the bay's changing faces: glittery and resplendent at night, and a beautiful vision to wake up to. The hotel is mere minutes from major attractions like the Merlion and the Esplanade, but set aside quality time to laze by the pool and soak up the nightscape.

Time Out tip: Fullerton Bay has the best pillow menu ever, with eclectic choices such as buckwheat pillows and jade-lined varieties. 

Best for: Diving into Singapore's heritage 

Andaz Singapore, nestled between the vibrant districts of Kampong Glam and Bugis, is a popular option for a staycation. Want a panoramic view of the city? The hotel prides itself on championing Singapore's rich culture and heritage, inspiring guests to experience the city through a fresh perspective. 

Time Out tip: Want a view of the city from above? Head up to Mr Stork, perched on Level 39, for a tipple and bar bites set against the stunning city skyline. 

Best for: A chic staycay à la New York City 

The Clan Hotel's crowning glory is its Sky Pool and hot tub, which boasts views of the surrounding district. Grab your swimsuit and spend an evening taking a dip in the pool. Inside the hotel, relics and chinoiserie elements are weaved into every nook and cranny of the 30-storey building. Artefacts line the display shelves at the impressive lobby, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to views of shophouses and skyscrapers. The rooms, on the other hand, come designed with sleek lines and modern furnishings; bay windows and workstations look out to scenes of the buzzing city, while modern gizmos of smart TVs and portable ultraviolet disinfecting boxes add convenience.

Time Out tip: Pay a visit to the Sky Gym for a sweat sesh with a view. 

Best for: The fitness junkies out there

Sofitel is every wellness-conscious traveller’s dream come true. Besides the 24-hour hotel gym, Club Floor guests have access to the adjacent Virgin Active gym, where you can exercise in a high-altitude room, join workout classes, or get some salt therapy in the Himalayan Salt Inhalation Room. In the evening, cool off in the 30-metre infinity pool, then head down for tipples at the 1864 Bar, which has countless barrel-aged cocktails on the list. If you'd rather me-time in the plush comfort of your room, you'll find it equipped with an exercise mat and foam rollers, as well as a signature Sofitel bed. 

Time Out tip: Make use the book-and-wine-glass tray that comes with the room's generously-sized bathtub for an unbeatable night of relaxation.

Best for: An artsy retreat in the Civic District 

The new Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore takes over two iconic buildings: the neoclassical-style Capitol Building (1930) and Venetian Renaissance-style Stamford House (1904). Located in the civic and cultural district, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the museums in downtown Singapore. The luxurious rooms boast high corniced ceilings with dramatic archways and grand windows that overlook the bustling street. 15 Stamford by celebrity chef Alvin Leung at the lobby level of the hotel is decked in intricate metalwork, burnished mirrors, and glamorous details that reference the Art Deco and Victorian-style architecture of The Capitol. Savour Chef Leung's humble tribute to Asian cuisine showcasing a hybrid of several recipes from around Asia, paying tribute to cuisines from Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Time Out tip: The hotel's spa experiences include a 'Sleep Recovery' treatment that involves a moisturizing wrap – perfect if you're feeling jet lagged or dried up from the plane ride. 

Best for: A plush retreat in the CBD 

Who says central business district (CBD) hotels are boring? Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore boasts proximity to some of the best cycling trails in the city. Get on your two-wheeler and head to Marina Bay, Gardens by The Bay or East Coast Park if you're feeling adventurous. Then, head back and take a dip in the property's outdoor pool, order cocktails to your room or soak up the sun on the terrace.

Time Out tip: The hotel hosts an afternoon tea with free-flowing hot drinks and an array of mini treats. 

Best for: Getting royally pampered

The ritzy chandelier, expansive marble, and Victorian brocades will have you imagining you've waltzed into a royal palace, and indeed, the hotel has been home to visiting royalty including Prince Charles. The opulence also sets the stage for a truly one-of-a-kind luxurious stay, because at St Regis, every guest is accorded 24-hour access to a personal butler. The perks span from notable ones, such as garment pressing and hot beverages, to the downright lavish, like having a sumptuous bubble bath drawn for you. Then there’s Remède Spa’s therapeutic Wet Lounge that’s open to all hotel guests. 

Time Out tip: Breakfast is well worth waking up for – if only for the glorious truffle flan and the Avruga caviar-topped Boston lobster omelette.

Best for: Discovering the heart of Peranakan culture

Katong is Singapore's Peranakan enclave, picturesque with colourful shophouses and quaint with old-school eateries. Fittingly, Hotel Indigo makes an earnest yet quirky modern tribute to the locale's heritage. The minibar’s an ornate cabinet, the coffee table doubles up as carrom board and there’s an enamel washbasin for you to have a foot soak in just like the matriarchs of old. And for a boutique-style hotel with a tiny footprint, it's managed to squeeze into the premises a rooftop lap pool, a 24-hour gym, a lobby lounge/business centre stocked with local books, and an in-house restaurant that stays faithful to Nyonya flavours.

Time Out tip: The rooftop restaurant doubles as a holistic oasis with daytime yoga classes and and aqua spin sessions. 

Best for: Living out your Kinfolk dreams

Stepping into Lloyd's Inn is akin to entering the artfully curated pages of Kinfolk magazine. The palette is minimalist – blonde wood on pristine white, set off by black frames – and the rooms are bathed in an abundance of ethereal light. Facilities are sparse, but there are numerous pockets of space for guests to rest and recharge: a dipping pool framed by lush greenery (the hotel even provides kaftans and yukatas for lounging around in), a roof terrace for BYOB sundowners, plus most its rooms offer a mix of outdoor showers and baths. It's almost hard to believe that this oasis is a mere hop and skip away from the Orchard Road shopping belt.

Time Out tip: Your complimentary breakfast comes in the form of a voucher to a local coffee shop – so get prepared to head out for the morning. 

Best for: Garden city adventures

Ever wanted to live in a plush apartment right in the heart of the Singapore? At Oasia Hotel Downtown, you can – even if only for a few days. The hotel towers over Tanjong Pagar MRT station, with hi-fi city views and buzzy F&B options within its furry green shell. WOHA, the architecture firm behind Oasia, has broken down the walls on all four sides of the lobby (and the 21st floor) – the resulting natural draft evokes a vibe reminiscence of a Bali villa retreat, albeit in a high-rise. Air-conditioning, what? The Skyline Pavilion – it’s only accessible to Club room guests – is our fave spot in the hotel. There, an infinity lap pool offers views of the CBD and Chinatown. On the rooftop, two mirrored pools crown the hotel with swing chairs and pale blue chaises.

Time Out tip: There are a plethora of wellness activities to keep you relaxed as well as entertained during your stay. These include clay workshops, candle-making and sound healing sessions.

Best for: The ultimate pool selfie

Snagging a pool selfie at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) is to reach the pinnacle of your selfie game – literally, because the pool deck, perched at 57 stories and spanning the length of three Olympic-sized pools, is the highest and largest rooftop pool in the world. Then there's the daredevil allure of the infinity pool's "vanishing edge" and the skyline below. You just gotta be creative at cropping because this is a 2,600-room hotel so the pool's bound to be packed. 

Time Out tip: There is a Tuesday happy hour which involves half price cocktails across more than 10 of Marina Bay Sand's bars. Arrive from 6pm to make the most of the deal. 

Best for: Party beats like no other

The W Singapore is a sexy hotel. Beats thump through the lobby, beautiful people parade around the pool and red Prada leather adorns the lift walls. A staycation here is like peeping into the lifestyles of Sentosa Cove’s rich and famous – so don’t forget your polo tee and bug-eyed sunnies. Whatever you want, whenever you want it, the hotel is happy to provide it. Even if it’s a tray of desserts served on a golden skateboard upon check-in.

Time Out tip: The pool is where it's at: open 24/7, it pulses with life in the day and transforms into a private, sensuous and oh-so-inviting space at night.

Best for: A quiet retreat from urban life

This 20-room boutique hotel in a little forest clearing within Labrador Park is easy to fall in love with. The black-and-white villa dates back to the colonial era yet offers all the trappings of modern life tastefully clad in antique or upcycled furnishing that exudes old-world grandeur. But more than its romantic charm, what won our hearts was the hospitality. A wooden boardwalk leads into the villa from the car park and sets the mood for an idyllic retreat in nature. You're welcomed with an afternoon tea set in beautiful porcelain ware and if you're staying in a Sarang or Luxe Sarang room, your private hot tub will have been prepared for your check-in. 

Time Out tip: There's cocktail hour for all guests and turndown service comes with a gorgeous crystal decanter of port and more snacks.