Vacationing in Singapore comes with a luxury price tag – at least that's what most would assume with the country being recognised as one of the most expensive cities to live in ?
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But don’t go skipping this island nation just yet! Beyond the glitzy sky-scraping hotels that would surely break the bank, there are affordable alternatives not far from tourist hotspots. For the budget-conscious, here are 11 accommodations under SGD$100 ?
Disclaimer: Prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but they tend to fluctuate depending on season and room availability. Do check the final costs (including taxes!) before making your booking ?
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Arab Street
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Persian carpets, kebaya dresses and handmade perfumes are just some of the novelty items you can find along the streets of this Malay enclave. This historic area used to be the living quarters for the Muslim community in the early 1820s and has been transformed into a budding hub for trendy halal cafes.
Choosing to stay near Arab Street means savouring a huge range of culinary delights, from local delicacies like nasi padang to authentic Japanese cuisine and even fusion Mexican food! Nothing is too far to travel to for some great chow ?
1. Shophouse The Social Hostel at Arab Street
Travelling on a budget doesn't mean slumming it. That’s the philosophy Shophouse The Social Hostel stands behind and it shows in the hostel's chic industrial decor and street-art embellished walls.
Credit: Desejo de voar on Facebook
What’s more, this hostel is located right above the popular halal burger bar (working title)! A place to rest with food conveniently accessible just below, Shophouse checks all the right boxes ?
P.S. Been to Working Title before? Leave a review on our website and tell us why you loved it!
Credit: @shophousehostel on Instagram
The hostel also features common spaces like the open-air lounge and terrace for guests to mingle and socialise. Plus points for the awesome view of the surrounding Arab Street shophouses!
Credit: Shophouse The Social Hostel on Facebook
Aside from dormitory-style rooms with bunk beds, a double private room for two is also available – all simply decorated and industrial-themed for a no-fuss stay.
Rates: From SGD 75 (Private Room)
Address: 48 Arab Street, Singapore 199745
Contact: +65 6298 8721 | Website
2. Five Stones Hostel at Beach Road
Named after a traditional children's game, Five Stones Hostel presents the playfulness of youth through the vibrant murals decorating the hostel’s rooms.
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Whether it's iconic Singaporean buildings splashed across the pantry or other traditional games like the congkak, wooden tops or hopscotch brightening up the rooms, these bright paintings are bound to make you smile from ear to ear.
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The hostel’s common area includes the pantry and lounge with a huge comfy sofa and a rainbow of colourful accents to brighten your mood – ensuring your stay is a cosy and vibrant one!
Credit: Five Stones Hostel
Apart from the usual dormitory-style rooms, Five Stones also offers private twin (bunk beds) and private double rooms.
Rates: From SGD 95 (Private twin rooms)
Address: 285 Beach Road, Singapore 199550
Contact: +65 6535 5607 | Website
3. Hotel NuVe at Jalan Pinang
Street art and murals are a huge part of what makes Arab Street so charming, so it's no surprise that Hotel NuVe at Jalan Pinang features gorgeous life-like murals of old Singapore painted across its entrance.
It's perfect for those quirky insta-shots for you to document and remember your stay in Singapore!
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Offering lovely views of Sultan Mosque right outside, this hotel is housed in pre-war conservation shophouses and offers an economical stay with added convenience of nearby public transportation.
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Hotel NuVe has a variety of rooms ranging from single (great for solo travellers) to family-size (catering to up to three adults!)
Credit: Hotel NuVe on Facebook
Rates: From SGD 92 (Queen Room)
Address: No. 9 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199141
Contact: +65 6299 5975 | Website
Clarke Quay
Nothing is quite as spectacular as the city skyline glistering above the Singapore River at night! Take an evening stroll along the gorgeous riverfront of Clarke Quay and soak in all the sights of the city. Singapore’s skyscrapers do make for a wonderful view to wake up to ?
1. 5 Foot Way Inn at Boat Quay
Start your day on the right foot by having breakfast and coffee overlooking Singapore’s skyline here at 5footway Inn at Boat Quay!
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The hostel’s terrace is said to be the favourite spot for their guests and it’s hardly a surprise why. It overlooks Marina Bay Sands, the old parliament house, Asian Civilisation Museum, as well as the skyline of the Central Business District. Now this view is worth waking up early for ?
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Situated right next to the picturesque Singapore River, 5footway also houses photo gallery Gallery 76 which aptly matches the contemporary style laced with monochrome furnishing of the entire space.
Credit: 5footway.inn on Facebook
5footway boasts one of the largest boutique hostel chains in Singapore and offers both private rooms or dormitories.
Rates: From SGD 70 (Standard Twin Room)
Address: 76 Boat Quay, Singapore 049864
Contact: +65 6557 2769 | Website
2. Quarters Hostel at Circular Road
Another convenient hostel located along the vibrant Singapore River is Quarters. Featuring a minimalist décor with simple wooden accents, the chill-chic vibes are really prominent here.
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This photogenic area is Quarters’ cosy open concept common space; an ideal place for chatting with fellow travellers and swap travel stories over food ?
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With every room featuring bunk beds (yes, even the private ones!), you’ll definitely feel like you’re in college again rooming in with your best bud.
#HHWT tip: If a single bed is all you need, Quarters has a separate property called The Port featuring single bed capsules that is also located along Clarke Quay. It is a more novel alternative where you’ll get a single capsule pod to stay in.
Rates: From SGD 52 (Private twin room)
Address: 12 Circular Road, Clarke Quay, Singapore 049368
Contact: +65 6438 5627 | Website
Near Sentosa Island
1. Harbour Ville Hotel at Kampong Bahru Road
Home to luxury hotels like Resorts World Sentosa and Sofitel, Sentosa Island isn't exactly compatible for budget travellers -- that's where Harbour Ville Hotel at Kampong Bahru Road comes to the rescue!
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Harbour Ville is a stone's throw from VivoCity, the mega-mall where you can take the skytrain to Sentosa, so it's a nearby alternative for those who are keen to stay close to Sentosa Island without spending a bomb ?
Credit: Harbour Ville Hotel on Facebook
With the amount you save by checking into Harbour Ville, you can enjoy your time in tourist haven Sentosa Island where the Universal Studios Themepark and S.E.A Aquarium await!
This budget-friendly accommodation is simple and frills-free, with rooms ranging from standard single to deluxe twins.
Rates: From SGD 71 (Standard single rooms)
Address: 512 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 099448
Contact: +65 6271 2771 | Website
Near Marina South Area
1. Hotel Kai at Purvis Street
Along the outskirts of the central city area is Hotel Kai. This cute little hotel is housed in a restored conservation shophouse at Purvis Street, its signature purple a welcoming sight for those looking for a respite after a day in sunny Singapore.
Credit: @hotelkaisg on Instagram
Hotel Kai is extremely accessible – there are four MRT stations from four different lines all within a 10-minute walk from the hotel!
It's also within walking distance to major shopping centres like Suntec City, Bugis Junction and Raffles City, while Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer are a short taxi ride away. Whew, what an extensive list of nearby attractions ?
Credit: Hotel Kai on Facebook
While it's a little tight on space, Hotel Kai offers compact rooms ideal for solo travellers. The windowless personal cabin is like a cocoon where you can rest for the night without the sights and sounds of the outside world.
Credit: @hotelkaisg on Instagram
Rates: From SGD 89 (Urban Cabin Room)
Address: 14 Purvis Street, Singapore 188593
Contact: +65 6643 9999 | Website
Little India
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The vibrant district of Little India is lovely for an immersive experience in Singapore’s Indian community. Home to yummy South Indian vegetarian eateries and the famous 24-hours shopping mall of Mustafa Centre that offers everything from groceries to electronics, there's not a dull moment at Little India ?
1. Sandpiper Hotel at Dunlop Street
Sandpiper Hotel is located at the cultural meeting point of Little India and Arab street, an area of conservation which preserves the remnants of Singapore’s architectural history.
Credit: Sandpiper Hotel on Facebook
Likening travellers to birds that often migrate across the globe, Sandpiper Hotel reflects this philosophy through the artwork feathered creatures as well as the quirky named rooms like “The Nest” where the idea of huddling close with your family seems highly encouraged ?
Credit: Sandpiper Hotel on Facebook
Who wouldn’t want to retreat back to “The Nest” for some quality rest, right?
Credit: Sandpiper Hotel on Facebook
Rates: From SGD 88 (The Nest/Standard room)
Address: 63 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209391
Contact: +65 6293 6129 |Website
2. Kam Leng Hotel at Jalan Besar
The yesteryear vibes are strong over at Kam Leng Hotel at Jalan Besar. First established in 1927, this heritage hotel was reopened in 2012 to much fanfare as it rekindled the nostalgia of days past.
Credit: Kam Leng Hotel on Facebook
The eclectic mix of contemporary furnishing with charming vintage touches makes for a rustic vibe reminiscent of old Singapore with subtle, modern twists.
Credit: Kam Leng Hotel on Facebook
Kam Leng offers cosy rooms that can sleep up to two, like the Cabin Queen Room, although it doesn't have any windows.
Credit: Kam Leng Hotel on Facebook
Rates: From SGD 99 (Executive Queen rooms)
Address: 383 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209001
Contact: +65 6239 9399 | Website
Chinatown
Credit: Nicolas Lannuzel on Flickr
A bustling mix of the old and new, Chinatown is adorned with charming shophouses and chic cafes, traditional medicinal halls and trendy restaurants. This culturally rich enclave would be easier to explore with a stay at these affordable accommodations.
1. Beary Best! By a Beary Good Hostel at Upper Cross Street
Under the Beary Good brand of hostels, Beary Best offers spacious accommodations featuring dormitory-style bunk beds, private rooms and family rooms that suit every need.
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It's conveniently located near Chinatown MRT (just across the street!), so you're literally minutes away to almost anywhere in Singapore.
It’d be hard to miss this hostel’s front with its adorably pun-ny name and cheerful pastel windows.
Credit: @abearygoodhostel on Instagram
Aside from providing what the hostel believes are the true essential for backpacking travelling – which is comfortable and good value accommodation - a Beary hostel is not complete without a lounge corner full of adorable and plush teddy bears!
Rates: From SGD 82 (2 Bed Private Dorm with Bunk Bed
Address: 16 & 18 Upper Cross Street, Singapore 058331
Contact: +65 6222 4957 | Website
2. Santa Grand Hotel Lai Chun Yuen at Trengganu Street
It's little wonder you would feel like you’ve been transported back in time when you step into Santa Grand Hotel Lai Chun Yuen – this hotel’s gloriously red lobby used to be an opera house popular amongst the Chinese elders!
Credit: Santa Grand Hotel Lai Chun Yuen on Facebook
Staying at Lai Chun Yuen means you’re in the heart of Chinatown. Peer over the balcony and you’ll see an alley of Chinatown bustling with activity.
Credit: @ppeerawach on Instagram
Since it's so centrally located, you won't have to worry about it being too quiet for your liking. If peace and quiet is what you're looking, for though, then we recommend staying at the other accommodations on this list ?
Credit: Du Lich Sen Viet on Facebook
Credit: Santa Grand Hotel Lai Chun Yuen on Facebook
The hotel's compact, rustic rooms are sure to guarantee you a cosy stay that evokes vintage memories of old Singapore!
Rates: From SGD 68 (Standard room)
Address: 25 Trengganu Street, Singapore 058476
Contact: +65 6632 0760 | Website
Bonus: City Area/Orchard Road
1. YMCA Orchard on Orchard Road
Accommodations can be a little steep on the famous shopping belt of Orchard Road and it may be a real challenge to find one below SGD100 a night. Top up a few dollars and you can get a fantastic room over at YMCA Orchard!
Credit: Victor Lee on Facebook
Plunge into the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool to cool off from Singapore’s sweltering heat. At no extra costs, you’ll even be greeted by the gorgeous views of the city skyline!
Credit: YMCA Outdoor & Adventure on Facebook
Rooms at the YMCA Singapore are sparsely decorated, but definitely clean and comfortable ?
Credit: YMCA of Singapore on Facebook
Rates: From SGD 130 (Superior Standard rooms)
Address: 1 Orchard Road, Singapore 238824
Contact: +65 6336 6000 | Website
A stay in Singapore certainly doesn't mean you’ll be broke for the rest of the trip with these affordable accommodations! Enjoy a stay at any of these culturally dense tourist hotspots and be immersed in the multifaceted society Singapore prides herself to be ?
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