A staycation is one of best ways to squeeze in some rest and relaxation without the hassle and cost of an overseas holiday. If you really want to make the most of your budget and still enjoy some down time, skip the major chains and try one of the best boutique hotels in Singapore instead.
To earn a place on our Top 13 boutique hotels list, each of these hotels had to be conveniently located, possess a unique character, and demonstrate a commitment to superior customer service. If that sounds like what you want for your next staycation, book a room at one of these stellar performers. Links included!
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1. Hotel Fort Canning
Most Singaporeans associate Fort Canning with the Registry of Marriages but you could stay after the ceremony and have your honeymoon here, too! Hotel Fort Canning is a charming piece of nature, history and heritage rolled into one. All 3 of those elements play a part in it securing a spot on our best boutique hotels list.
Hotel Fort Canning is a conservation building that served as an office for the British administration in the pre-war era. Surrounded by 18 hectares of some of the most verdant parts of Singapore, its 86 rooms sit within a characteristically colonial building. Given its magnificent location at the top of a hill, it’s no surprise that the rooms offer wonderful views of the surrounding area.
They range from standard Deluxe rooms to sprawling multi-room suites. Laze around the 2 landscaped pools or take a dip in their chlorine-free mineral water. Head to The Salon and Tisettanta Lounge for carefully-curated meals and drinks. Orchard Road, Clarke Quay and the CBD are conveniently just around the corner.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881
+65 6559 6769
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2. Naumi Hotel
Named one of the best design hotels in Asia, Naumi Hotel is a hidden gem of the Singapore boutique hotel scene. Its prime location on Seah Street puts this quirky people pleaser in the heart of the CBD. There is a heavy emphasis on art across the Naumi brand of hotels and the Singapore edition aligns itself boldly with that theme.
One of the highlights of Naumi Singapore is its Cloud 9 Rooftop Infinity Pool & Bar. The 10th-floor perch offers a wonderful bird’s eye view of the bustling locality near Bugis and Raffles Hotel. Bringing the taste of La Serenissima Venice to Singapore, Florian is a boutique hotel restaurant that pulls its weight against much bigger establishments.
Its 5 classes of rooms— Habitat, Oasis, Patio, Gabrielle & Camellia, and Eden & Nirwana give guests an experience that varies from intimate serenity to a luxurious designer experience.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
Address: 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396
+65 6403 6000
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3. AMOY Hotel
AMOY Hotel got its name from the Zhangzhou people who emigrated from China to settle in Singapore. This boutique hotel is a tribute to the area’s trading history and is the hotel of choice for today’s modern business traveller. Deviating from the typical city hotel, AMOY caters to the sophisticated traveller who craves personalised service in an intimate setting.
With only 37 rooms, the boutique hotel is famous for its room service. Their staff greet every guest by their name and go the extra mile when it comes to meeting guests’ needs.
Although they offer room breakfast and special diet menus on request, drop by the nearby HENRI. The dual-concept wine bistro and bakery offering French-inspired food and wines is situated at Far East Square, a commercial building in Singapore’s Central Business District.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
76 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 048464
+65 6580 2888
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4. The Vagabond Club
41 rooms individually appointed in a Parisian chic persona. Home to a bar named among the world’s greatest whiskey bars. A Tribute Portfolio hotel within walking distance of the vibrant sights, mesmerising sounds and incomparable thrills of Little India and Kampong Glam. This is The Vagabond Club.
One of the most unique, striking and sophisticated entries on our list of the best boutique hotels in Singapore, this is a setting made for elevated experiences. It may be for the 1,000 bottles of bespoke whiskies of the Whiskey Library & Jazz Club, the curated Artist-In-Residence programme, or simply the intricate personalisation of every visit.
The magic begins from the moment you arrive. Check-in is followed by a complimentary art tour of the magnificent pieces that adorn the walls and halls. It continues at the Executive Club Lounge with its VIP experience that includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres, fine wines, spirits and entertainment.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
39 Syed Alwi Road, Singapore 207630
+65 6291 6677
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5. The Scarlet
The year after it opened in 2004, The Scarlet Singapore won the Singapore architectural Heritage Award. More recently, it has been named ‘Leading Boutique Hotel’ at the World Travel Awards. Those accolades come as no surprise to anyone familiar with this amalgam of 13 shophouses built in 1868 and an Art Deco building that dates back to 1924.
They accommodate 75 rooms and 5 suites fitted with modern comforts and enhanced functionality. Each comes with a pillow menu to give you the best rest possible. Several of the rooms come with a balcony and the most opulent feature an outdoor jacuzzi as well.
Feeling peckish? The La Grigne Patisserie combines the precision required to create French pastry with the Shokunin spirit of Japan. For the grandeur and fanfare of a traditional Italian meal, there is Pasta Brava Italian Restaurant with its friendly family vibe.
Chinatown Complex, the Amoy and Maxwell Food Centres, and historic temples are all a few minutes away. Trendy bars, cafes and several Michelin-rated restaurants pepper the area, too.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
33 Erskine Road, Singapore 069333
+65 6511 3333
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6. Santa Grand
One of simpler entrants on our list of the best boutique hotels, Santa Grand Hotel East Coast is the only Singaporean property of the 3-hotel Santa Grand chain. Located just 15 minutes from Changi Airport, it’s a convenient stop for travellers or anyone who wants to explore Singapore’s eastern suburbs of Katong and Joo Chiat.
It is an excellent example of Peranakan architecture and décor. In fact, the entire neighbourhood was a Peranakan enclave in the 1920s and 1930s.
Rooms range from the compact 15sqm Superior Room (that seems bigger, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows) to the 35sqm Katong Suite with its separate bedroom and living areas. The Skylight Heritage Triple of 25sqm has a remote-controlled skylight, perfect for stargazing yourself to sleep.
On the premises is the USD Café. No, not the currency, the USD here stands for ‘upside-down’. It is a reference to the optical illusion them of this eatery.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
171 East Coast Road, Singapore 428877
+65 6344 6866
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7. Lloyd’s Inn
Monochromatic and minimalistic, Lloyd’s Inn is a stark getaway that just may be the perfect escape for your senses. Location-wise, this is an excellent choice for shoppers as it is just a short walk from Orchard Road.
It is an intimate establishment with just 34 rooms across 8 room tiers. The best of these is the Big Sky Room. It gives guests an outdoor bathtub, luxurious king-sized bed, and designated working area with a bench and a working table.
Being such a compact affair, this boutique hotel has no on-site dining facilities. Instead, guests receive vouchers for the nearby Artisan Boulangerie Co. make sure to visit for a high-quality selection of freshly baked artisanal morning pastries and specialty coffee.
Lloyd’s Inn makes it to our list of best boutique hotels partly because of its opportunities for social interaction. With the bare minimum of staffed hotel facilities, the shared communal pantry and relaxation spaces are perfect for meeting people from across the world.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
2 Lloyd Road, Singapore 239091
+65 6737 7309
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8. Quincy Hotel
Named the Best Boutique Hotel at the TTG Travel Awards 2022 and recipient of the Traveller Review Award 2022 by Booking.com, Quincy Hotel was always a shoo-in for our best boutique hotels list. It is a visual delight, with bright and bold colours marking the property in its vivid credentials.
The premises are a short walk from Orchard Road, where you can discover some of the trendiest and most interesting bars, clubs, restaurants and shopping. They have just 2 types of rooms. The 32 sqm Premier Room and 26 sqm Deluxe Room both feature a king bed in each and giant bay windows with city views.
We also love Quincy Hotel because it is big on experiential activities. Among the fun and stimulating experiences you can have are perfume creation, macramé workshops and watching retro-style projector films. If that doesn’t appeal to you, the sheltered infinity pool is a great backup.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
22 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228517
+65 6738 5888
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9. The Warehouse Hotel
The Warehouse Hotel was built in 1895 along the Singapore River as part of the Straits of Malacca trade route. Then, the area was a breeding ground for secret societies, illicit activity, and liquor distilleries. Today, while much of that dark history has vanished, The Warehouse Hotel has been carefully restored as a contemporary 37-room boutique hotel.
The boutique hotel makes you feel at home with luxurious rooms, classic local dishes, craft beers and collaborations. They have even started a line of lifestyle products, including the Warehouse Tote bag inspired by the geometric interior features of the hotel’s architecture.
Drop by the Lobby Bar, which serves curated cocktails. Savour the Original Triad and classics such as the B.B. King, Lady Luck and the Disco Sling. Each of these is inspired by the Warehouse Hotel’s peculiar history and its merry-making character.
320 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169628
+65 6828 0000
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10. Hotel YAN
Straddled by the distinct heritage-rich ethnic enclaves of Kampong Glam and Little India, Hotel YAN is one of the most accessible of all the best boutique hotels in Singapore. Lauded as Singapore’s very first industrial-chic boutique hotel, it features some unique design elements to intrigue the curious.
The first of these is the Single Loft room. Don’t let the single-digit 8 sqm floor space dissuade you— that figure doesn’t take into account the climb-up bed on a dedicated split level! Opt for the 28 sqm Luxury Suite with its bathtub, rain shower and King-sized bed if you need more space.
All over the premises, wood and iron fittings allude to the building’s heritage as a warehouse. While the bareness complements the high ceilings, washed concrete and exposed steel pipes, there are ample additions of flora and fauna that soften the feel. If you are a social butterfly, you will enjoy the wide, open spaces designed to bring people together.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
162 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207581
+65 6805 1955
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11) Duxton Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection
Duxton Reserve, Autograph Collection is situated in the city centre of Tanjong Pagar and the heart of Chinatown. This is where business, socialising, dining and nightlife meet. The design of the boutique hotel features a mix of Chinese, Malay and European elements.
Guests are in for a surprise as they enter the hotel. The lobby is home to large theatrical golden fans and strong shades of black, gold and yellow, coupled with Oriental screens and calligraphy wallpaper from Anouska’s private collection. The best boutique hotel boasts 49 guestrooms and suites, each unique; no 2 rooms are the same.
You are also in for a feast at Yellow Pot, the hotel’s modern Chinese restaurant that adopts the clean eating philosophy. You won’t find additives or artificial flavourings in their food.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
83 Duxton Rd, Singapore 089540
+65 6914 1428
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12) Barracks Hotel Sentosa
If you are looking for a boutique hotel steeped in history and escapade vibes, look no further than Barracks Hotel Sentosa. Set against the backdrop of the island’s maritime mystery, the boutique hotel was formerly a British outpost, home to soldiers from abroad.
Their rooms are imbibed with Old World flair. Step into a multi-layered world of dark wood grains, warm brass and leather-accented furnishing. The combination of wistful glamour and contemporary tastes sets the mood for a staycation. Enjoy a good night’s sleep amidst lavish cottons, old-school curios and relaxing hues of forest green and ochre.
Moments are crafted with utmost care, from heritage stories and lush swimming pools to delicious meals and all-day refreshments at The Living Room, an exclusive lounge. Order additional pints such as the distinctive Barracks Spritz to toast to the ideal island getaway.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
2 Gunner Ln, Singapore 099567
+65 6722 0802
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13) Hotel Gin Bugis
If you are looking for the best boutique hotel in the heart of the city, visit Hotel Gin Bugis, located in the bustling hub of Bugis. The boutique hotel is a stone throw’s away from the Bugis and Dhoby Ghaut Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations. Its location allows for easy access to Orchard Road, Bugis Junction and the shop-houses of Arab Street and Haji Lane.
At Hotel Gin Bugis Singapore, guests can rest in cosy hotel rooms equipped with all the amenities required for a relaxing stay. Their rooms all come with comfy beds, ensuite bathrooms and free high-speed Wi-Fi. The best boutique hotel also has a beautifully designed fitness corner for your fitness needs, making your workout an enjoyable session.
Book now: Trip.com Agoda Booking.com
+65 6809 7988
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