From trendy mod hotels to heritage shophouse lofts, we round up ten of Singapore's best affordable boutique hotels.
We’ll make no bones about it: Singapore can be an expensive country to live in. But hear us out, savvy savers: there are plenty of penny-pinching ways to experience the Little Red Dot, including hawker hunting, museum-hopping, hiking, and cheap hotels for staycations. Yep, in a city dotted with swish hotels, there are affordable options – and they aren’t lacking in style or quality either. From cosy shophouses to industrial-inspired rooms, we suss out the best affordable boutique hotels in Singapore.
Best budget-friendly hotels in Singapore
Kam Leng Hotel
Perfect for history buffs, Jalan Besar’s Kam Leng Hotel evokes nostalgia for a time when Singapore was little more than a sleepy trading post. Featuring 70 neat rooms outfitted in a bold Nanyang style, the rooms are small but expertly plotted out. If you’re sentimental for the good ol’ days, then this heritage hotel is a must-visit. Fun fact: The identity of the hotel’s first owner (circa 1927) remains a mystery ’til today.
Kam Leng Hotel, 383 Jalan Besar, Singapore 209001. p. 6239 9899. Prices start from SGD 90.
Naumi Liora
Much like other hotels located in shophouses, the 79-room Naumi Liora is distinctly historic in its facade with its double-leaf doors and Chinese townhouse structure painted in dusky orange. Rooms here are compact but well-appointed with modern comforts and traditional design accents. We strongly suggest booking the Porch, which is equipped with a private alfresco terrace, perfect for makeshift romantic dinners and outdoor yoga sessions. Its location is the top draw with its close proximity to Potato Head Folk, cafés, and buzzy watering holes.
Naumi Liora, 55 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089158; Price starts from SGD 140.
Hotel 1929
At this boutique hotel made up of five shophouses, guests will find that no two rooms are alike, with everything from furnishing and beds right down to the clear glass bathrooms being unique. Hotel 1929 also offers two specially-designed suites with outdoor baths set in tropical roof gardens, which overlook the bright lights and bustling streets of charming Chinatown. Hip and cosy, this stylish hotel is definitely notches above your typical budget hotel.
Hotel 1929, 50 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089154; Prices start from SGD 150.
Porcelain Hotel
Located on a buzzy Chinatown Street, the design of this boutique hotel centres on – you guessed it – Porcelain. While rooms are tiny, the Chinoise chic abodes are furnished with porcelain-inspired motifs and striking blue and white accents. Go for the Theme Suite if you’re splurging a little; the 43 square metre room comes with two couches and a bathtub right behind the bed.
Porcelain Hotel, 48 Mosque Street, Singapore 059526, p. 6645 3131; Prices start from SGD110.
Moon 23 Hotel
Cosily nestled within Little India’s colourful streets, Moon Hotel isn’t just low-key luxe. The contemporary design is undeniably trendy, with clever mood lighting, deep purple accents, and mod furnishings dotted across its lobby and rooms. As with other budget boutique hotels, the lower-end rooms are a little on the small side, but with the rain showers and alternative designs, we can’t complain. Tip: For a higher end hotel stay, book the Moon Light Suite: it boasts a brilliant outdoor tub for alfresco canoodling (wink wink).
Moon 23 Hotel, 23 Dickson Road, Singapore 209507. p. 6827 6666; Prices start from SGD 120.
Hotel G
Okay, so maybe we’re a little biased ’cause this hotel is home to Ginett: an affordable French resto we’ve repeatedly raved about. But food aside, the hotel deserves its own fanbase. Though rooms (sized between 11 to 27 sqm) are petite, their eclectic interiors are one-of-a-kind, with grey walls, wooden furnishings and bright accents. Bonus points for its in-house gym, and convenient location between Dhoby Ghaut and Bugis.
Hotel G, 200 Middle Road, Singapore 188980; Prices start from 144.
Hotel Clover 33 Jalan Sultan
Situated in the buzzy, hipster-friendly, ethnic district of Kampong Glam, Hotel Clover 33 Jalan Sultan breaks out of the boxy, generic hotel mould for a more unique, alternative stay. Housed in a row of 17 two-storey shophouses, the hotel’s ambience is reminiscent of a bygone era. Antiques and rustic furnishings pepper its homely, communal-style lobby while rooms are decked in rich, dark brown palette with vintage Asian fixtures decorating the walls. While you can stay in the pocket-friendly, Queen or Plus rooms, the Premier Garden rooms (with their airy, leafy patios) and Loft Suites will truly make your stay a memorable one.
Hotel Clover 33 Jalan Sultan, 769 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198737, p. 6340 1860; Prices start from SGD 120.
Village Hotel Katong
Located in the Katong-Joo Chiat district, Village Hotel Katong (pictured in top image) defies cookie-cutter hotel designs with its Peranakan decor inspired by the heritage of its colourful surrounds. Bold, bright design accents feature heavily in its rooms – think cerulean patterned carpets with matching throw pillows, and similarly brilliant colour hues for its headboard and window seat. The major bonus here is room size; even its smallest Superior Room stands at 29 square metres – a far cry from the standard 23 square metres. If you’re (reasonably) splurging, book the Peranakan Club which comes with an in-room tub for sumptuous soaks over your fave TV programme.
Village Hotel Katong, 25 Marine Parade, Singapore 449536; Prices start from SGD 170.
Studio M Hotel
A favoured and unofficial party hotel among the younger crowds, Studio M still ranks high on our list of relaxing boutique hotels. Its location in Robertson Quay offers the best of two worlds; it’s right smack in the middle of riverside cafes and quiet brunch spots, and is a mere walk away from Clarke Quay’s hottest clubs. But its key feature is its loft rooms; spread across four categories, all of them are decked out in minimalist designs, plush beddings and panoramic views of the city from large bay windows. Personally, we love the Executive Lofts as their corner locales offer maximum privacy, larger lounge areas and complete cosy, comfort for stay-in staycays.
Studio M Hotel, 3 Nanson Rd, Singapore 238910. Price starts from SGD 150.
The Sultan
Taking up 10 shophouses, The Sultan is a hip tribute to Singapore’s colourful heritage. Be sure to check into The Sultan Loft; it’s fit for royalty, with its double-storied set-up comprising a living area on the first floor and a bedroom on the second – jazzed up with timber roof beams, wide arcs, and full-length shuttered windows. You don’t even need to leave the hotel for a good time – the hotel houses Singjazz Club, a club with a music hall environment, and Fresh!, a laid-back club serving up tasty cocktails and old-school music from the ’90s and ’00s.
The Sultan Hotel, 101 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 199002; Price starts from SGD 158.
