8 Best Affordable Hotels in Singapore – Wah So Shiok

In this listicle, I’ll be rounding up 8 of the best affordable hotels that I’ve personally stayed in. I last published this listicle in 2021, when prices were fairly affordable. Since then, room rates have skyrocketed with tourism back in full swing. As such, I’ve decided to revise my listicle to feature hotels that are still relatively value for money.

Without further ado, here are 8 of the best affordable hotels that I’ve personally stayed in, across a variety of price points. While there are other listicles on the internet covering affordable hotels, I believe this is the only one where the writer (me) has actually stayed in the mentioned properties. Don’t just take it from me though – all the hotels below have a Google rating of at least 4/5.

Psst: Read till the end for a promo code!

Under $150:

For $150, expect the bare minimum – a clean room with no frills. It’s not much, but it does beat Hotel 81.

A three-star hotel located in Joo Chiat, Champion Hotel offers clean, unassuming rooms for little money.

My opinion: I believe Champion Hotel to be a hidden gem in the budget hotel segment. I didn’t have high expectations for it, but I actually found my stay at Champion Hotel surprisingly pleasant. At 20 sqm, the Deluxe Double room is almost twice the size of other budget hotels at this price point, and also relatively clean with a chic aesthetic. The main downside would be the lack of facilities (there’s no pool or gym), and the slightly inaccessible location (it’s a ten-minute walk from the nearest MRT). Still, if you’re mainly looking to spend your time in the room and are simply seeking some privacy, then I believe Champion Hotel to be the best option under $50.

Prices: Deluxe Double room starts at $100 a night.

Location: 60 Joo Chiat Rd, #01-06, Singapore 427726

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at Champion Hotel here, as well as a Youtube review here.

For those looking for an affordable boutique hotel experience in the east, Santa Grand Hotel East Coast fits the bill perfectly.

My opinion: I really enjoyed my stay at Santa Grand Hotel East Coast, and would say that it exceeded my expectations. Despite its low price point, the hotel ticked a lot of boxes. The location is great (plenty of yummy food options around), the lobby was comfortable to wait in, the service was good (they did up the bed decor in the photo above) and the rooftop pool is an added bonus. While not as spacious as Hotel Royal Newton, the 16 sqm Deluxe room I stayed in felt cosy rather than cramped. It was also clean, and even had a bathtub – what more can one ask for?

Prices: Deluxe rooms start from $149 a night.

Location: 171 East Coast Rd, Singapore 428877

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at Santa Grand Hotel East Coast here, as well as a Youtube review here.

Although it lacks amenities, the rooms of Five/6 Hotel Splendour are the best furnished I’ve seen at its price point.

My opinion: I genuinely believe five/6 Hotel Splendour offers one of the best rooms – if not the best – under $100. Every aspect of the room punches above its price point, from the Serta mattress and the 4K 49-inch curved Samsung TV (with a full-motion wall mount, soundbar and wireless subwoofer), to the plentiful room amenities and the elegant bathroom. The main downside of the hotel is its lack of facilities – there’s no pool or gym. It’s also located in Geylang, which may not be the best area to bring your date to. However, if you’re simply looking for a clean, comfortable and well-equipped room that doesn’t break the bank, five/6 Hotel Splendour is hard to beat.

Prices: Deluxe King room starts at $129 a night.

Location: 5 Lor 6 Geylang, Singapore 399167

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at Five/6 Hotel Splendour here, as well as a Youtube review here.

Under $200:

Moving up a notch, one can find multiple 4-star hotels managed by renowned hospitality chains – which should translate into a more consistent and professional guest experience – at this price point.

If you’re after a unique boutique hotel experience that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, then consider Hotel G!

My opinion: To me, Hotel G personifies the boutique hotel experience. Yes, there are some shortcomings – the room isn’t the biggest, and because of size constraints, certain amenities (such as a fridge, a cupboard, or luggage space) are lacking. But those are minor annoyances that didn’t detract substantially from the overall experience. Hotel G is highly successful in conveying its dynamic vibe, which is evident from the service staff to the design of the room. The rooms are clean too, featuring several aspects that actually punch above its price point, such as the METIS toiletries and the Grohe rain shower. For less than $100 (including late checkout and breakfast), Hotel G is a solid value proposition for those seeking a more unique staycation experience. And for those wondering, the food at hotel restaurants Ginett and 25 Degrees are superb as well – both are my regular haunts.

Prices: Good Room Queen starts at $160 a night.

Location: 200 Middle Rd, Singapore 188980

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at Hotel G here, as well as a Youtube review here.

However, if you prefer a full-fledged hotel experience, then Ramada by Wyndham is a steal at its price point.

My opinion:  I believe Ramada to be a hidden gem in the heartlands. It’s not one of the usual places that come to mind when booking a staycation, and that’s a shame. Ramada has consistently punched above my expectations in every regard, from the meticulously clean room (modernly furnished with a bathtub to boot) to the picturesque pool and garden area. The service is great and even the food from the hotel New Ubin restaurant is delicious (be sure to order the fried rice). For less than $100, Ramada is a great value proposition, and personally my favourite out of the 5 hotels that I’ve listed at this price point.

Prices: The City View room starts at $190 a night.

Location: 16 Ah Hood Rd, Singapore 329982

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at Ramada by Wyndham here, as well as a Youtube review here.

Perhaps the most value-packed option at under $200, Furama Riverfront offers full-fledged services and large, recently renovated rooms without breaking the bank.

My opinion: I appreciated the levity and the modern touches of the Deluxe Tropical Room, and loved its relatively large size. And as compared to its sibling Furama City Centre, Furama Riverfront’s amenities (pool, gym, lobby, etc) are better maintained too despite being around the same price. It’s also situated in a central area, with plenty of food options (Great World City is just a stone’s throw away) and drinking places (it’s near Clarke Quay) around. And as the icing on the cake, the service was top-notch too.

Prices: The Deluxe Rooms start from around $160 per night.

Location: 405 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169633

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at Furama Riverfront here, as well as a Youtube video here.

For those that desire something different, as well as ultimate convenience, lyf Funan is a hip young offering that is strategically situated at the top of Funan mall.

My opinion: Staying at the Thematic Studio of lyf Funan was a very intriguing experience – definitely something that felt vastly different from my previous hotel stays. I felt like I was visiting a friend’s apartment, and as a result, the room came across as more homely and welcoming than the standard hotel room. I had a blast spending hours playing Dead or Alive and The Amazing Spiderman in the room, as well as trying out the Murphy bed. And although lyf Funan doesn’t have the traditional facilities of a full-fledged hotel – there’s no pool or gym – I did appreciate the various co-living amenities on its premises, such as the Bond Kitchen, various coffee and vending machines, the outdoor terrace, the co-working space (useful for doing work, since the Thematic Studio doesn’t come with a work desk) and even the darts machine. I recall heading down on a whim to play some darts at 3am while sipping on a can of beer that I got from the drinks machine. If the point of a staycation is to unwind and relax, then lyf Funan certainly did the trick. The staff were all relatively young as well (late 20s, early 30s), which complemented the youthful energy of lyf Funan perfectly. I had a ball of a time at lyf Funan, and would probably return.

Prices: The One of a Kind Studio starts at around $198 per night.

Location: 67 Hill St, Level 4 Funan Mall, Singapore 179370

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at lyf Funan here, as well as a Youtube video here.

Under $250:

We are now firmly in the 5-star hotel category – expect well-furnished rooms, attentive service, and a wealth of amenities on offer.

Perhaps one of the most affordable 5-pearl establishments, One Farrer Hotel represents great value for money.

My opinion: My first stay at One Farrer Hotel wasn’t the best – I found multiple cleanliness lapses in the room that were frankly inexcusable for a hotel of its stature. However, after highlighting the situation to the management, One Farrer Hotel actually offered a stay at its Skyline Studio (with lounge access) as a gesture of goodwill. Mistakes are bound to happen in the hospitality industry, but it’s how a hotel responds to said mistakes that show its mettle. One Farrer Hotel did a great job at its service recovery, and I thoroughly enjoyed my second stay, with the service in particular being a highlight. In fact, I would say that the service at One Farrer Hotel is the best that I’ve experienced to date (shoutout goes to Mr Malek of the Skyline Lounge). The amenities are great as well, befitting of a 5-star establishment. At its current ~$150+ pricing, I believe One Farrer Hotel to be a steal with its spacious rooms, bountiful amenities and top-notch service.

Prices: The Mint Den starts at $245.

Location: 1 Farrer Park Station Rd, Singapore 217562

Review: I reviewed my recent stay at the Mint Den of One Farrer Hotel here, and the subsequent service recovery stay at the Skyline Studio here, as well as a Youtube review here.

Conclusion (and a promo code!)

That sums up my list of the 8 affordable hotels that I’ve enjoyed my stay at – I wouldn’t hesitate to return to any of them. As I visit more noteworthy hotels, I’ll add them to this list if I enjoyed my stay. And if there’s a hotel you think I should review, don’t hesitate to email me at qile@wahsoshiok – I just might review it for you!

Those interested in booking a stay at any of the abovementioned hotels can do so on the Traveloka app. Traveloka constantly has some sort of ongoing promotions, with prices so ridiculously low that I’ve personally booked about 90% of my staycations on Traveloka. Just for my readers, you guys can use the promo code “WAHTVLKSRV” (if you’re using SRV) and “WAHTVLK” (non-SRV) for 10% off any hotels bookings (up to $30 off, with a minimum spending of $100) for new users and $5 off any hotels bookings (with a minimum spending of $50) for existing users. The codes are valid till the end of 2022. Here’s a pro tip: keep a lookout for Traveloka’s Weekend Flash Sales which occurs every Friday to Sunday for the lowest prices! However, this post is not sponsored – I paid my own dime to book and review my staycations.

Other listicles

If you found this hotel listicle helpful, do check out some of my other listicles below:

P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.

P.P.S: Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wah so Shiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!

P.P.P.S: If you haven’t already, do follow my social media channels on Facebook here, on Instagram here, and on Youtube here.

P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.