Where to stay in Singapore

Airbnb is largely illegal here

This is the practical fact that changes how you book.

• Private residential property cannot lawfully be let for less than 3 consecutive months. For public housing, the HDB flats where most Singaporeans live, the minimum is 6 months.
• The rules are enforced, with substantial fines for hosts.
• Listings still appear. Booking one risks being turned away on arrival with no recourse.
• Book licensed hotels, serviced apartments or hostels. That is the whole market in practice.

What you get for your money

• Singapore is expensive and the rooms are small. A mid-range room here is smaller than a budget room in Bangkok.
• Budget hotels in Geylang and Little India are the cheap end, and Geylang is also the red-light district, which is worth knowing before you book on price alone.
• Chinatown, Bugis and Little India are well connected, characterful and better value than the centre.
• Marina Bay and Orchard Road are the expensive districts, and Orchard is where the shopping is.
• Sentosa is a resort island, good for families and a long way from the rest of the city.
• The neighbourhood matters less here than in most cities, because the MRT gets you anywhere in half an hour.

Practical

• Book ahead around the Formula 1 night race in September, the Chinese New Year period and the big convention weeks, when rates roughly double.
• Hostels are well run, clean and legal, and a good option in a city this costly.
• Check the room actually has a window. Many cheaper city rooms do not, and it is disclosed only in the small print.
• Air conditioning is essential and universal.
• Passport registration at check-in is required.