The city-state of Singapore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and the neighborhoods of Chinatown and Little India are among its biggest draws. Though Singapore is known as a melting pot of Asian cultures, the city is also home to these enclaves, where unique and distinct traditions continue to thrive. A visit to this bustling, modern Asian city wouldn’t be complete without stopping by its more traditional neighborhoods. See historic temples, shop to your heart’s content, and sample the flavors of different cultures. Here is a helpful overview of where to stay in Singapore Chinatown and Little India. Many of these fantastic properties come with SG Clean certification, which guarantees that they adhere to high public hygiene standards.
Where to Stay in Chinatown
Singapore‘s Chinatown is a traditionally ethnic Chinese enclave in the Outram district of the city. Today, it is a historically and culturally significant area — in fact, many sections of the neighborhood have been declared national heritage sites, preserving much of the neighborhood’s charm. Modern Chinatown is a blend of old and new, with historic temples located next to trendy cafes and bars. It continues to be one of the city’s main tourist attractions, with a choice of accommodations near many popular landmarks. One can easily spend full days exploring the museums and sampling the diverse cuisine in Chinatown while based in a comfortable hotel nearby.
KeSa, House, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood
KeSa, House, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood is a beautiful 3.5-star property located in the heart of Chinatown. It puts you right next to the Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple, a popularly photographed Hindu temple with a colorful exterior. Guests give this hotel overwhelmingly positive reviews, noting its excellent value, superb location, and overall cleanliness. Choose from a selection of room types depending on your budget and preferences, from a cozy studio to a premier room with a garden view. A hotel bar and many great dining options nearby ensure easy meals, and the lounge lets you mingle with other travelers.
Hotel Soloha @ Chinatown (SG Clean)
Just down the same bustling street, you will find Hotel Soloha @ Chinatown (SG Clean), a 4-star property that opened in 2019. This unique hotel is actually a converted shophouse, which means that no two rooms are exactly alike, making it fun to choose where you will stay. Some rooms are located in the loft, while others have an outdoor bathtub! There is even an on-site restaurant and a bar offering happy hour drinks. When you want to stretch your legs, the popular bookstore called Littered with Books is just a short walk away.
Heritage Collection on Chinatown (SG Clean Certified)
Travelers love this 3.5-star property centrally situated in Chinatown, giving it high scores for location, value, service, and cleanliness. Heritage Collection on Chinatown (SG Clean Certified) offers guests a choice of compact but cozy studio rooms as well as convenient amenities like in-room kitchenettes and on-site laundry service. This hotel utilizes mobile and contactless self check-in and check-out for even more convenience. Located in a very walkable area, it puts guests within easy distance of landmarks like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, a temple museum complex and one of the most popular tourist sites in the neighborhood.
Butternut Tree Hotel (SG Clean Certification)
Butternut Tree Hotel (SG Clean Certification) is just the property for travelers looking to balance value and location. It is centrally located close to landmarks like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple to make your sightseeing expeditions a breeze. The property itself offers a choice of rooms with one or two beds and clean, modern finishes. It is a good choice for families with children, as extra beds are available depending on the chosen room. Guests note that the hotel feels cozy but that rooms are relatively spacious compared to others in the area.
Furama City Centre Hotel (SG Clean Certified)
Another excellent property right outside of the main Chinatown area, Furama City Centre Hotel (SG Clean Certified) is a 4-star hotel with some of the best views in the neighborhood. The high-rise building is home to its own fitness center and outdoor rooftop swimming pool. Grab a coffee in the on-site coffee shop, lunch at the restaurant, and evening drinks at the hotel bar in between your explorations of the city. Walk to the Singapore River in just a few minutes and check out nearby attractions like the Chinatown Point shopping mall.
Where to Stay in Little India
Little India is located across the Singapore River from Chinatown, in the Rochor area. Once a site for cattle raising on the fertile riverbanks, it grew into an ethnic district for the city’s Indian community over time. Today, Little India offers a vibrant mix of Hindu temples, North and South Indian food, some of the best shopping in the city, and an artistic, relaxed vibe. It is one of the liveliest districts in Singapore and a great spot to book a hotel. Choose from a variety of comfortable and highly rated options near some of the area’s most popular landmarks.
Wanderlust, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood
Experience Little India as it’s meant to be experienced with a stay at the highly rated, 4-star Wanderlust, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood hotel. This property scores high among travelers across all metrics, including location, cleanliness, service, and value. The rooms are spacious, modern, and well-appointed, and they even come with well-equipped kitchenettes. Other amenities this property offers include a swimming pool, a hut tub, an on-site restaurant, and laundry service. Best of all, the Abdul Gafoor Mosque, one of the top landmarks in the neighborhood, is located only a few minutes’ walk away.
One Farrer Hotel (SG Clean)
For a five-star experience in Singapore, book a stay at the One Farrer Hotel (SG Clean). This luxury hotel boasts high ratings and exceptional reviews from happy guests. Travelers will love the excellent views out over the city and the sprawling outdoor pool. Its location right on Race Course Road means that guests get to enjoy easy access to some of the area’s best shopping and dining opportunities, as well as easy access to landmarks like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. An exercise room, a spa, and an on-site restaurant complete this irresistible package.
Hotel NuVe Stellar
A four-star property just outside of the hustle and bustle of the main Little India area, Hotel NuVe Stellar is praised by guests for its cleanliness and friendliness. The beautifully decorated hotel is complete with sleek, modern finishes and elegant touches like curtained four-poster beds. Large parties can even choose to book connecting rooms, making it easier to stay together. Avid shoppers will be thrilled to stay just a hop away from City Square Mall, while football fans will easily be able to make their way to Jalan Besar Sports Centre.
The Noble Hotel (SG Clean Certification)
A 3-star hotel right on Jalan Besar Road, The Noble Hotel (SG Clean Certification) is an excellent choice for travelers looking for affordable comfort. One of the main perks of this hotel is that children under 13 can stay for free. Guests rave about the clean and well-appointed rooms and helpful staff. The cozy rooms come with one or two beds, and the property itself has an on-site restaurant where you can grab a meal before heading out the door to explore. One of the most popular nearby landmarks is the Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Temple, a colorful Hindu temple built in the 1830s.
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road, Singapore (SG Clean Certified)
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road, Singapore (SG Clean Certified) is a 4-star, high-rise hotel just off busy Kitchener Road in Little India. It has excellent connections to public transit, top-quality restaurants, and popular shopping spots like the Mustafa Centre and City Square Mall. This property comes with everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay, including a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool. Room options include twin rooms, family rooms, and executive suites, and guests also note that the rooms are clean, modern, and spacious. The two on-site restaurants serve up Chinese, Asian, Indian, and international fare.
