Airbnb in Singapore

Hawker Centre on Smith Street © DerekTeo / Shutterstock.com

Chinatown

Pros

• Some of the best street-food in the city
• Is surprisingly affordable
• Close to Marina Bay

Cons

• There’s hardly room to move!
• Loud at nights

There’s no doubt about it – Chinatown is one of Singapore’s most immersive areas. A great wedge of the downtown to the immediate west of Marina Bay, it begins with the lantern-dangling bazaars of South Bridge Road, where the sellers tout everything from bubble tea to cutting-edge electronics goods. Temple Street and Smith Street reach beyond that, taking you deeper into the mix of Canton cookhouses and noodle buffets. On rainy days, check out the Chinatown Heritage Centre to unravel the tale of multicultural Singapore and its Chinese migrant cohort.

Tiong Bahru really revolves around Tiong Bahru Market. © t.natchai / Shutterstock.com

Tiong Bahru

Pros

• Nice local café culture
• Quieter than the downtown core
• The buzz of Tiong Bahru Market

Cons

• Can be tricky to get to
• It’s getting more popular each year

Tiong Bahru really revolves around Tiong Bahru Market. A trip there is an experience in itself, offering a glimpse of a bona fide Singaporean wet market, where steamed rice cakes are stacked next to pungent fish fresh off the boat. Around the famous trading courts is one of the oldest residential parts of the metropolis, which is now slowly edging into the realms of the hipster, with a growing number of artisan coffee outlets, record emporiums and bespoke bookshops. It’s also quieter and cheaper than the main centre.

River Valley

Pros

• Fantastic condo Airbnbs
• Close to Orchard Road’s world-class shopping
• Green, leafy and quiet

Cons

• No major sights of its own
• Not terribly well connected

River Valley might be fringed on its northern side by the retail mecca that is Orchard Road, but it’s actually among the quieter havens in central Singapore. Leafy and green, the streets come threaded with mahogany trees and ferns. Meanwhile, a forest of skyscraper condos looms behind gated walls. They often have shared pools, shared gyms, communal gardens, and high levels of privacy, making them prime territory for family Airbnbs.

Best Airbnbs in Singapore

Best Airbnb apartment in Singapore

City-located Studio Apartment

On the fringes of the buzzy hipster neighbourhood of Kampong Glam, this lovely duplex apartment has recently been redone with contemporary finishes and furnishes. Downstairs is a compact living area with a dining table for two. Upstairs comes the mezzanine-style bed. The best feature? This property is located inside a condo complex that boasts a communal swimming pool and gym!

Best Airbnb house in Singapore

Private Lift, Jacuzzi Steam Bath, Kitchen & Train

You’ll have the whole floor of a house to yourself if you score this luxury listing on the northern outskirts of Singapore. It puts you in a great place for visits to acclaimed Singapore Zoo, the TreeTop Walk, and local golf courses. Inside, there are 103 square metres of space that flaunt frills like a steam room and a private office area.

Best Airbnb for families in Singapore

Stylish 3-bedroom in Famous Tiong Bahru

In a metropolis where family-sized flats can be hard to come by, this three-room pad is something of a rare find. Inside, it’s simple but comfy, with a quirky dining area that converts into a billiards room and a trio of sleeping quarters with interesting art pieces on the walls. The local neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru only adds to the charm, what with its artisan cafés and historic shophouse architecture. 

Best Airbnb for large groups in Singapore

5-bedroom Central Apartment for Budget Travellers

Located a few MRT stops to the north-east of Singapore’s central core, this five-bedroom place could be the perfect choice for your large travel group, especially if budget is an issue. There’s space for up to 12 guests in total throughout the contemporary home, which also comes with air conditioning and a generously sized lounge come diner.

Best Airbnb for budget stays in Singapore

Beary’s Upper Capsule

To save some dollars for those jaunts through the Chinatown bazaars or Singapore Slings in Raffles, be sure to consider this lovely pod hostel. It offers sleeping in shared dorms, but with beds that have private curtain pulls for extra seclusion. On top of that, there’s a fantastic panoramic terrace where you can kick back with likeminded travelers while the sun sets over the metropolis.

Is Airbnb cheaper than hotels in Singapore?

Singapore isn’t known as one of Southeast Asia’s more budget-friendly cities. In fact, it’s regularly listed among the priciest destinations on the planet. That’s probably why Airbnbs have proved so popular in recent years, because they do generally tend to give lower nightly rates than resorts or hotels. On top of that, you can mitigate costs further by sharing apartments with more travelers and making use of the self-catering facilities that come part and parcel to many an Airbnb.

On the downside, these sorts of stays won’t give the same height of luxury that’s on the menu in Singaporean hotels. Take a place like the YOTEL Singapore Orchard Road. It’s got clean, stylish and compact rooms, along with sumptuous breakfast buffet offerings and a stunning swimming pool that opens onto views of the downtown skyscrapers. You’ll probably pay extra there, but will be pampered more!

Skyscraper-topped and jaw-dropping in its urban design, Singapore is one of the world’s bucket-list cities. Choose an Airbnb to have a pad of your own in the sprawling metropolis, so you can explore the Gardens by the Bay and the heady markets of Chinatown at whatever pace you like.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count: