If you want to be in with the media and creative set then I suggest you book a room at the New Majestic in Chinatown – it is a bespoke hotel in which each room has been designed by local names from the theatre, cinema and fashion industries. There is wireless broadband internet access in all the rooms and there are huge free-standing bath tubs and plasma TV screens.

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Until very recently, Singapore was your quintessential Asian city in accommodation terms. Everything had to be big, big, big: every fixture grand, every room opulent. The Raffles though was (and still probably is) the very best of that bunch; in fact, it’s the stuff of legends. Since opening in 1886, the last Singapore tiger was shot underneath the Bar and Billiards room (1902), the first Singapore sling was mixed at the Long Bar (1915), and, like Chateau Marmont in LA, a series of film stars have called it home. All the writers that you might associate with the waning years of the empire – Joseph Conrad, W Somerset Maugham, and Rudyard Kipling – have lived here. English colonels gathered here to sing “There Will Always Be an England” after Singapore surrendered to Japan in 1942. In short, Raffles embodies all that was glamorous about the Far East in colonial times. Nowadays, it’s still a glamorous bolthole. Its near-perfect Victorian imitation décor now looks a touch naff, but, with 2.5 staff per guest, you’ll be pampered like Gardner and Taylor were half a century ago. Its own Indian food is brilliant but so are the vendors outside the hotel – try the curries, noodles and satays safe in the knowledge that no food in Singapore makes you ill. And its rooms are perfect for relaxing in after a 13 hour flight. You can even stay in a Personality Suite, named after Conrad, Kipling, Chaplin, Wayne and others.

1 Beach Road Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 6337 1886
Fax: +65 6339 7650
singapore.raffles.com

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Its exterior – an iconic colonial relic, designed in the style of such classical Greek structures as the Parthenon – may be exquisitely preserved, but there's nothing colonial within the walls of the present-day Fullerton. The interiors are clean, bold, and contemporary. Its infinity pool is bang up-to-date, its bathrooms stocked with custom-made Bulgari products, its restaurant delicious and its service impeccable (they even sent me a birthday card last year – remarkable). Choose one of its suites on the 5th floor for maximum luxury – having breakfast overlooking the harbour on a palatial terrace is one of Singapore’s great delights.

1 Fullerton Square Singapore 049178
Tel: (65) 6733 8388
Fax: (65) 6735 8388
Website: fullertonhotel.com

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With Singapore being Asia’s avant-garde country, the boutique phenomenon has just arrived. If you prefer cool over pool, choose The Scarlet or 1929. Both are located around Chinatown and represent the more confident, sexy vibe that Singapore has begun to embrace. The Scarlet is a complete contradiction of the city’s prim, proper, dull, boring reputation. Boudoir-like interiors are dominated by black, gold and (yes) scarlet; the restaurant, called Desire, serves dishes called Skinny Dipping, G-String and Cuckold; and there’s a private gym called Flaunt, a meeting room called Sanctum and an outdoor jacuzzi that helps make up for the lack of swimming.

The Scarlet
33 Erskine Road Singapore 069333
Tel: +65 6511 3333
Fax: +65 6511 3303
Website: thescarlethotel.com

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I'd recommend the Pan Pacific - my flight was delayed for several hours but the hotel pick up service was waiting just after embarking of the plane. Got free rides to the city each morning when booked beforehand and the service was great.

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If you fly on Singapore Airlines to Asia or Sydney, then you will probably be eligible for a free Singapore stopover. You can also make use of a number of benefits offered by Singapore Airlines, such as discounted accommodation, special offers on shopping and food as well as a free shuttle bus up and down Singapore's famous Orchard road.

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My recommendations are always carry an umbrella, get a Tote a Luxe Guide, visit the Night Safari and to stay at The Scarlet: excellent location and contemporary decor at a value.

Also, eat at the food stalls and buy a Makansutra if you can find it, or read the Calvin Trillin article in the New Yorker to determine which food stalls to visit.

If you're flying in and out of Changi, and just staying overnight, stay at the Changi Village Hotel. Check out the shops on 33 Erskine Road. Treat yourself to a foot massage in Chinatown.

Full trip report with photos at: www.travelmusings.net

www.thescarlethotel.com

www.nightsafari.com.sg

www.changivillage.com.sg

www.makansutra.com/index.php

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I visited Singapore last week and have enjoyed my stay there very much.

The cosy room at the City Backpackers, as well as its location in the heart of Singapore, near to the Raffles City Shopping Complex and the Esplanade Concert Hall and Theatre, couldn't be better.

A big thank you to the friendly staff!

City Backpackers, 2A Jalan Ayer, Singapore 389141
reservations: www.citybackpackers.com.sg/
Tel: 65-64925204
Email: enquiries@citybackpackers.com.sg

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A great backpacker hostel. Possibly the cheapest yet most well-developed place to get all sorts of information.

Decorated with IKEA furniture, free kitchen use, free breakfast and free internet use. Excellent service and location in Little India district.

73 Dunlop Street, Singapore 209401
Tel: (65) 6296 9169
Fax: (65) 6396 6694
www.the-inncrowd.com
Email Information
Inquiry: inquiry@the-inncrowd.com
Reservations: reservations@the-inncrowd.com
MRT
Bugis (green line)-from the airport
Little India (purple line)

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It is a friendly backpackers' place for those who are on a tight budget and want somewhere clean to crash. They also organise activities for their lodgers and there are people from all parts of the world.

Owned by 2 Singaporeans, Hai & Ping, the place is always fully booked. So booking in advance is definitely recommended!!

73 Dunlop Street
Singapore 209401
Tel: (65) 62969169
www.the-inncrowd.com
Located right in the heart of Little India and just a 10 minute walk from the "Little India" MRT station.

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Singapore Airlines periodically offer 'Stop-Over Holidays'. These are heavily subsidised rooms in 4 and 5 star hotels. As part of the offer, you also get a range of free coupons -these include things like free entry to museums, the night zoo, the bird park as well as half price Singapore Slings in Raffles.

The hotel will try to sell you transport to the attractions, but you can easily go there on your own using the MRT and are perfectly allowed to do so.

Singapore Airlines offices and website www.singaporeair.com/saa/

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Very well known hotel, very expensive to stay there but a must for anyone on a visit to Singapore is afternoon tea and a Singapore sling in the lobby area of the Raffles Hotel. It's one of those fantastic experiences and a defo must. Dress smartly.

Very local to city, just ask any locals who are very friendly to direct you.
www.raffleshotel.com

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A hostel run by an ex-backpacker (Tony), who displays a deep love for Singapore and a HUGE amount of knowledge of local areas and tourist attractions. The hostel is clean and well run, in between the Katong and Geylang area (5 mins from the president's house!) and always has a good amount of friendly travellers and backpackers to meet from many countries. I always return to the hostel when I travel to Singapore as they always make me feel welcome.

200 Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427471
Tel: (65) 6247 7340
Email: info@betelbox.com
www.betelbox.com

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This gorgeous, sexy boutique hotel is located in a row of Chinese shop houses and perfectly positioned to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Singapore's vibrant Chinatown. Book online at the hotel website for the best rates.

Erskine Road, +65 6511 3333
www.thescarlet.com

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We stayed there a couple of years ago and it was fantastic. Small and humble and a room costs around £35 / night. It's right in the heart of Little India.

Across the road is a big food court which offers pretty much anything that's local. Tonnes of fruit, stacks of "popiah" which are like roll-it-yourself spring rolls, gallons of fresh juices...don't let the grubby appearance of the places put you off. My girlfriend was very particular about food but even she was amazed by the loveliness of the hawker stalls. There are beautiful temples within two minutes' walk, and for nerdy techno freaks like me, Sim Lim Square is 5 minutes away if you want to buy yourself an iPod, camera or computer...enjoy!

Perak Lodge
12 Perak Road
Singapore 208133
www.peraklodge.net/
www.peraklodge.net

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The Changi Village is a modern, chic hotel and is one of the most affordable luxury hotels in Singapore. We managed to get a double room in August for £55 a night, booked on the hotel’s website.

Although it’s not in the centre of town, it is near a beach and ideal for early morning flights from the nearby airport.

www.changivillage.com.sg

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