One of the most challenging parts about planning a trip to Singapore is finding somewhere to stay that is both family friendly and fits within your budget. Singapore is known to be an expensive travel destination and when it comes to accommodation this is definitely true!
Finding a hotel that is right for your family and the holiday you have planned is essential for making the most of your time exploring Singapore. After three trips to Singapore, staying in a new area each time, I have put together a guide to help you choose where to stay in Singapore with your kids.
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Quick links to the Best Accommodation in Singapore for Families
Accommodation prices tend to be one of the biggest expenses when travelling to Singapore, so I’ve included some quick links to some hotels for different budgets.
- Budget – Ibis Budget Singapore Imperial: Only a 5-minute walk from Lavender MRT Station, the Ibis Budget Singapore Imperial has a rooftop swimming pool and free parking.
- Mid-Range – Mercure Singapore Tyrwhitt: With newly renovated rooms, the Mercure Singapore Tyrwhitt offers a timeless, comfortable and modern stay. Only 600m from Little India, there are also 2 MRT stations within walking distance.
- Luxury – Pan Pacific Singapore: A 5-star hotel, the Pan Pacific Singapore is located in Singapores Business District. Garden’s by the Bay is only 1.1km away and the MRT is easily accessible.
Best Areas to Stay in Singapore for Families
Despite being a small island, there are a lot of areas you can stay in Singapore. I’ve now visited Singapore on 3 occasions, each time staying in a different area. Overall, I’ve found that as long as you have access to the MRT you can easily get around the city and to any attractions you want to visit.
However, choosing which area of Singapore to stay in is much easier to decide once you know a bit about each area and the accommodation options available. So I’ve summed up the best areas of Singapore to stay in so you can choose which location is best for your family.
Sentosa Island
Probably the most expensive area of Singapore to stay in, but it’s the best if you’re looking for a luxurious and a relaxing holiday. Here there are plenty of resort-styled accommodation options that are great for families. As Resort World is located on Sentosa Island you’ll be close to some incredible kid-friendly attractions such as Universal Studios, SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark. Here are some of the best family-friendly hotels & resorts on Sentosa Island:
Explore all Sentosa Island Accommodation Options
Explore all Resort World Sentosa Accommodation Options
Marina Bay Sands
Staying in the Marina Bay Sands area will place you in the centre of the city, however it does come at a high cost! You’ll have easy access to the best attractions like Gardens by the Bay and the Art Science Museum. Here there are also plenty of places to eat, at a variety of price points.
You (and your kids) will love escaping the Singapore heat inside The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, which also has lots of food options and is a great place to wander around. If you plan to watch either of the night time light shows at Marina Bay Sands or Gardens by the Bay, then I can guarantee you’ll appreciate staying in the area, especially if you have young kids!
Explore all Marina Bay Sands Area Accommodation Options
Little India
Little India is the most colourful and vibrant area of Singapore. If you don’t choose to stay in this neighbourhood, then make sure you come here for a visit! We always love to come out to Little India for at least one meal – the food is incredible & affordable!
Accommodation options here can vary but you’ll be able to find some more affordable options here, so consider this area if you’re visiting Singapore on a budget.
Explore all Little India Accommodation Options
Chinatown
A cultural and culinary hotspot of Singapore, Chinatown is one of the more affordable areas to stay with your family. If you don’t choose to stay here, make sure you visit the Maxwell Hawkers Market located in Chinatown.
Explore all Chinatown Accommodation Options
Orchard Road
This is Singapores iconic shopping strip, where you’ll find a range of international brands, incredible cuisine and lots of kids activity centres to entertain your children!
- Adina Serviced Apartments: Located just across from Orchard Mall it has a rooftop outdoor pool and is a 10-min walk to 2 MRT stations. As a serviced apartment your accommodation will have multiple rooms, perfect for families!
- Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard: Conveniently located only minutes away from the closest MRT station. Families in particular like this hotel, rating it 9 out of 10 for staying with kids!
Explore all Orchard Accommodation Options
Bugis
Bugis, Singapore is a popular area for families to stay in, with lots of restaurants, shopping and food courts. You’ll also find it easy to connect to the MRT train line to explore other areas of Singapore. This is the area we stayed in on our most recent trip to Singapore and found the location great! We easily found affordable places to eat and took the MRT into Gardens by the Bay and a few other places around the island.
Explore all Bugis Accommodation Options
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Singapore
When looking for a family-friendly hotel in Singapore you’ll want to consider what your family needs most. Whether it’s a big enough room to fit your whole family into, facilities for entertaining your children or a great location we’ve done the work for you and found the best accommodation options for families:
Singapore’s Best Resorts for Families
If you’re coming to Singapore for relaxing holiday you’ll want to look at staying at one of Singapores many luxury resorts. Most of these will be found in the Sentosa area and will include all the things you’d expect from a luxury resort such a stunning rooms, pools, beach access, restaurants and more!
Many families choose to stay on Sentosa Island for a combination of the resort accommodation and easy access to plenty of kid friendly attractions!
Affordable Family-Friendly Hotels in Singapore
Finding an affordable family-friendly hotel in Singapore is not for the faint hearted. Trust me, I’ve tried! The best tips I can offer you if you’re visiting Singapore with kids on a budget are to:
- Book well ahead of time: You’ll have a better chance of finding an affordable hotel in Singapore if there are more options available!
- Be flexible with your location: If you need to find accommodation that is affordable in Singapore, you won’t be able to stay in the more “expensive” areas. Though, it is always worth a look to see if any hotels are offering great deals!
- The best areas to find affordable accommodation in Singapore: Little India, Chinatown and Bugis
- Check the Inclusions: Finding a hotel that includes breakfast but costs a little more can still be a great option if you’re travelling Singapore on a budget!
- Don’t compromise location for a lower price: Always check that your accommodation will have good access to the MRT system, you don’t want to come all the way to Singapore and have a hard time getting around to see the country!
Now, the last tip is the most important if you want to explore as much as Singapore as I suggest in my 3-day Family Friendly itinerary.
Where to Stay in Singapore on a Budget
Looking for where to stay in Singapore on a budget will come down to your preferences. However, I’ve put together a list of affordable family-friendly hotels (that have options to actually fit your family in the room) that have access the the MRT and have a good review rating.
- Ibis Budget Singapore Imperial is only a 5-minute walk from Lavender MRT Station and even has a rooftop swimming pool and free parking. The rooms are likely to be the biggest draw back as some of the lowest priced rooms have no windows. If this is something that doesn’t bother you, you’ll find this hotel to be in a very affordable price range.
- STORIES Joo Chiat, a Hotel by Cove is newly renovated and located in the Geylang district of Singapore. They offer family rooms but is important to note that the closest MRT station is 900m away and there are no major attractions nearby.
- Village Hotel Katong offers great family room options and is located within a 3 minute walk to the nearest MRT station. Rooms look spacious and cots are available for those travelling with young children.
- Holiday Inn Singapore Little India is located in the centre of the vibrant Little India with easy access to the MRT and stunning views over the district. They have options for large families with spacious rooms.
Other Tips for Booking a Family-Friendly Hotel in Singapore
- Expect Small Rooms: We have found that if you’re booking a budget friendly hotel, the rooms will often be quite small! On our most recent trip to Singapore our room barely fit the double and single bed and there was absolutely no room for a cot (and limited space for our suitcases!)
- Cots: Not all hotels in Singapore offer cots. If you’ll need a cot for your stay, make sure this is something your hotel offers and request a cot for your stay when booking!
- Additional Costs: Be aware that your hotel booking may be subject to an additional 10% service charge and 7% GST as some booking engines do not include these in the price.
- MRT: We would highly recommend that no matter where in Singapore you choose to stay, you ensure your within walking distance to the closest MRT. If you have access to the train system you’ll easily be able to get around the country and see all the sights on your bucket list. This guide includes more information on how to get around Singapore.
Airbnbs in Singapore
It might come as a surprise, but Airbnbs are actually illegal in Singapore! While you may find listings for Airbnbs in Singapore, they are usually located far away from the city centre and you run the risk of getting into trouble.
