Hi - I’m terrible at finding deals for hotels. I am looking for a hotel in Singapore for Jan 2025 - 12 Jan 25 - 15 Jan 25. We would like to stay around orchard road and have breakfast included. 2 adults and a 3 yr old. 4 star or 5 star hotels
Any recommendations please or suggestions on how to get a cheaper rate room.
Orchard road seemed central to everything. We actually only have 2 full days in Singapore so wanted to be central. But if you have better ideas or suggestions - please provide them. Our main plan is to visit the Zoo and either Universal or the Gardens by the bay. Haven’t decided what’s critical to see.
We won’t be shopping as it’s just a stopover and don’t have anything to buy as such.
Around $400-$600 seems to be the going rate in Singapore to stay for a 4 star or 5 star hotel
If you're not shopping absolutely no need to stay at Orchard. I know it will be winter but Singapore is always uncomfortably hot and humid. I prefer as close to an MRT station as possible to minimise time outdoors. Is that rate per night or for the three nights?
Per night
@Nini383: I like Bugis, the junction of two MRT lines including the East-West line to Changi. If you're prepared to splurge at the top end of your budget: Intercontinental Singapore ($1,581 non-refundable) with direct access to Bugis Junction shopping mall and the MRT station. There are a few other options around Bugis for less.
@Nini383: 100% with your budget the Intercontinental is the place to go. Particularly for adventuring off to the Zoo (please do the Night Safari!), Universal or Gardens By the Bay. MRT, dedicated buses to destinations from Queen Street Bus Terminal and taxis/uber stands everywhere.
The buffet breakfast at the Intercon is very, very good quality too.
@bmxr: I love that hotel and can't think of a reason to stay anywhere else. I especially like how you can get so much done while avoiding the ambient climate. Singapore humidity averages 84% in January, compared with Cairns where 80% is a summer peak.
@Nini383: I forgot to mention, the Club InterContinental Lounge is fabulous so worth considering booking a room rate that gives you access. First time I stayed they offered an upsell at check-in and it was totally worth it. Includes a carte breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and refreshments all day.
@sumyungguy: @sumyungguy
Agreed, I'm always in the club when there, just that extra level of comfort for not too much extra $$. Have even been upgraded to the Presidential Suite a couple of times which is 260m2 and larger than the Australian detached house. It felt ridiculous for a single dude on a business trip!
I tried out the "new" one in Robertson Quay - it does not even come close to the OG.
I like Bugis and Chinatown for Singapore accomodation. Practically central location without the 'Orchard road' price tag.
Singapore has stellar public transport service (MRT and buses) so just pick a hotel close to MRT station or bus stop. If you're catching taxi or Grab, that's even easier.
Edit: Never stayed here but perhaps OP might like them:
The Robertson House managed by The Ascott Limited
Duxton Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection
There are numerous accommodation search engines that will provide your answer
But they want some personalised recommendations and reviews from OzB.
@Nini383
1) Visit booking.com
2) Search for Singapore with the Date range (Jan 2025 - 12 Jan 25 - 15 Jan 25),
click the breakfast inc.
click on Review score (Good 7+),
click on the 4 /5 stars
select two adults, don't select children at this stage.
and click search.
3) Within the search result, click on the show map, which tells you the area
4) pick a hotel, click on the hotel policy, and check their policy on kids.
5) and book (with cash rewards, without, or directly with the hotel or whatever fancy).
The same apply on wotif.
Don't support booking.com. They didn't pay the accommodation and refused to refund us in the pandemic. They hide behind all their subsidiaries when things goes wrong.
Keep in mind, booking.com is a platform and hotel is entity that refuse your refund. I didnt endorse them, hence I said, you could book directly.
@boomramada: I believe you are thinking of skyscanner. Booking.com is very much where the payment goes on reservations booked through this site, they are the company that processes the refund (and they don't always approve the refund even if the hotel approves it, I have had exactly this occur).
Similar with 3rd party airline booking websites.. it's why I really prefer not using websites like webjet etc.
@bweiss: I had no issues with booking.com on two occurrences, once I booked the wrong hotel, went to the hotel, explained it, and the hotel refunded the money which I paid through booking.com (none refundable).
The second time, I booked through booking.com and was none-refundable, I got sick, and the entire journey got cancelled, then I emailed the hotel, and they gave me a partial refund.
And then (sorry to bring up the mate's story), the mate booked a hotel in Japan during the COVID-19, and the trip got cancelled, The hotel in Japan clearly said bad luck.
Can't comment on how their payment system works, but each time it was the hotel that made the decision.
I use booking.com. whenever cheaper, that site has so much useful information and most reviews are genuine, most occasions, time to time I review as well.
@boomramada: It sounds like in your situations the hotels have gone outside of Booking.com to do your refund.
Which makes me suspect that they have had bad reviews from the booking.com cancellation process, hence why they didn't use it.
Because according to Booking.com all cancellations should be done through Booking.com, and the refund will be processed by Booking.com
It doesn't sound like your anecdotes are at all "Booking.com cancellations"
Booking.com Cancellation advise… NOTE: It does not once mention that the hotel will be involved.
https://www.booking.com/tpi_faq.en-gb.html
We (family) stayed at the Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre. Included daily breakfast. We enjoyed the hotel stay
Thanks for the recommendation I will look into it
We stayed at lyf Farrer Park Singapore last in Singapore. Stayed in their Two of a Kind (2 Bedroom) which suited a family. Within short walking distance to MRT, shops and eateries. It was under $400AUD a night but depends on when you would be travelling/staying. Shop around for prices.
Thank you will look into the hotel
Stayed here a few weeks back. Excellent value for money - approx $150/night for a studio
If you're not shopping, avoid Orchard. It's a pita especially with a pram (the underpasses are not pram friendly). I always like the Chinatown, Clarke Quay area. Cheaper, good food, plenty of shops and stuff for the kids to look at.
Chinatown is also on the same blue line as Bayfront which is where Marina Bay is located. It's also one stop away from Outram Park which is the green line to Changi.
Here's some to look at:
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g294265-d1684414…
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g294265-d9872551…
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g294265-d4341475…
I mean, there's plenty around, just have to look at the reviews and photos and see what you prefer. But do NOT stay at the Yotel. That's crp!
Has Marina Bay Sands always been this expensive?
AUD$1,500 a night your dates.
They are always full and they are a premium iconic destination. Most people stay a couple of nights at most. I am not sure about these specific dates, but we saw cheaper prices when booking. For this price you would get a premium room with a few inclusions. I would say They would only get more expensive with time. A cab driver said they are trying to build another one, as they cannot keep up with demand.
maybe staying so they can take a selfie at the pool now that the public can't pay just to use the pool
I paid ~$400 for a garden view room in 2016, so it's gone up a bit.
Decided to skip it when I was passing through Singapore last October - couldn't stomach paying $1k/night for what is essentially the same room (it hasn't been refurbed as far as I know).
Edit: Checked emails. Paid S$460 for 2 nights in Feb 2016…
Thanks for confirming. I was sure it wasn't that pricey back in the day.
I think mine was around 400/500 back in 2011 for a city room on a higher floor
I looked at it again and shoved it in the ‘f.ck that’ bucket after seeing how much it’s gone up. Great hotel, but not that great
just go Pan Pacific
York Hotel, not the newest but at least the rooms aren't tiny shoeboxes and the breakfast is pretty decent.
roughyl 4 stars and $190 a night.
Directly behind Paragon.
I know a lot of people will say if you are not shopping, avoid Orchard Rd and go to Chinatown/Bugis instead. That is the usual mentality. But im not a fan of Chinatown and Bugis. It is a little run down in some areas and can be exciting if you are looking for some traditional heritage sights and sounds. I would very much prefer the bright, modern, bustling Orchard Rd.
And dont feel pressured to must stay within super close distance to an MRT. It will be useful and MRT is a great option but cab rides in Singapore are fairly cheap.
Make sure you check room sizes; a lot of hotels in Singapore have very small rooms.
if you are going to the zoo and to Gardens by the Bay, both are on the Thomson-east line and so perhaps look at somewhere near that line (not that it matters too much, but it saves a transfer). Chinatown (well, Outram Park station) and Maxwell (central) areas make a good choice. The Oasia hotel has been linked by Benoffie above is a good choice although is about 1km away from Outram Park. Near Maxwell is the Sofitel, although there are plenty of others (Maxwell also has a big/famous food centre that is definitely worth visiting)
If you dont mind doing one transfer then Paradox Merchant Court is in Clarke Quay. Its a little isolated from the hyper activity but is close to the river where you can walk down to central Has a good pool as well and a fantastic breakfast buffet. Large rooms. A 15 min or so walk to Chinatown for adults (might be a bit far for a 3 yr old). Also built above an MTR
Agree with the others that Orchard Road is a pain in the neck - its interesting enough but there are overpasses and underpasses and lot and lots of people. If you really want to stay there, Pan Pacific Orchard is a fairly new hotel that gets good reviews.
Gardens by the Bay over Universal is my suggestion.
We stayed at Jen Singapore Orchardgateway last year, 2 adults and an 8-month old. Room was about $400 per night. I did some research at the time and decided this was the best for our situation and booked. To my lovely surprise, upon trawling through ozbargain forums AFTER booking, many people had said positive things about the hotel, which was reassuring. Probably should’ve checked ozbargain first in hindsight.
Hotel is above a shopping centre and MRT station, extremely convenient because of these 2 factors, lots of food options in the shopping centre as well as in adjacent shopping centres via interconnected underground passageways. You essentially don’t have to venture outdoors to get food and travel by train.
Room (deluxe king) was very nice, big, quiet, modern and clean. You can also ask for a cot if required which we did.
We used the rooftop infinity pool which was lovely, nice views of the city, not too crowded.
We opted for the buffet breakfast which was excellent. We booked directly through the hotel as we wanted a cot and thought it was easier to do so this way. But luxury escapes had a promo at the time giving the same room + buffet breakfast for cheaper than we booked. I kinda complained about this and the hotel were responsive, offering breakfast for only $20 SGD for the entire 4-night stay.
Would highly recommend. The only downside for us is probably price, but after doing the research, it was competitively priced compared with other similar hotels. We would almost certainly stay there again if we went back to Singapore.
I stayed here and it was fine! https://hotelmibencoolen.sg-singapore.com/. Bencoolen so a bit closer to the quays. Rooms for 3 with queen and single start at $200 in January. Pros: very clean, modern, comfortable, friendly. Pool. Next door to MRT, also to Big Bus stop. Nice 'lobby' with free iced water and charging stations. Cons: neighbourhood a bit boring (shopping, offices). Rooms are small, a bit Ibis like, but huge windows. 4* on a budget. I always check prices at hotel site, they can be cheaper.
my last stay in singapore was with Airbnb.
stayed in a cool apartment off geylang road (which is shady AF) but the MRT was 2 minutes walk away
It's probably the shadiest part of Singapore but far from shady AF.
for singapore , yeah shady AF
Booking.com would be a very last resort to use.
As many have said, Booking.com don't refund, even if the hotel says they can.
They keep the money, It happened to us after I had booked accommodation in Dijon, then found out the parking was 400 metres away.
We tried to cancel 30 mins after booking, but were denied on a booking 5 weeks prior to being there.
We are in our 70's and had to carry 5 suitcases from our car.
Never again!
Back to your posting, we found the Grand Plaza on Scotts Road to be brilliant.
Booking.com clearly states if the booking is refundable or not. They usually have a refundable or non-refundable price for the same room and you pay a premium if you select the refundable booking.
I've cancelled plenty of reservations via Booking.com without any problems.
Why didn't you drop your wife and luggage at the hotel before you went to park the car?
Grand Hyatt
We stayed at Treetops Executive Residences in a 2 bedroom apartment. It is a short walk to the Orchard MRT station, which has two intersecting lines. It was a breeze to get around. (We used Qantas Frequent Flyer points to book/pay for it, so I don't know how much it'd normally cost). I'd recommend you check it out.
Also, make sure you download the Grab app on your phone prior to going to Singapore. It's their equivalent of Uber - even the taxi drivers use it.
Hilton Singapore Orchard is very pleasant. Great F&B in the exec lounge.
How much are you hoping to spend? Why Orchard Road? IMO there are better neighbourhoods if you want to pay less