It’s no secret that Singapore is a glittering metropolis, a food paradise and a melting pot of diverse cultures. From the iconic Marina Bay skyline to the towering supertrees of Gardens by the Bay, this island city lives up to its nickname of “The City of the Future.”
Singapore is also a popular stopover for travelers, especially those traveling with just a backpack. Although Singapore has a reputation as an expensive holiday destination, there are still some 3-day or 2-day accommodation options available that are worth your time.
This list explores some unique and affordable options when it comes to eating, staying, and playing in the Lion City on short notice, whether you’re transiting or spending the weekend here without compromising on quality in any way. Explore them below!
Photo: Instagram @mynameis_nuinui and Michelin Guide
eat
Shanjie Dahua Pork Noodles
One Michelin star
Singapore Michelin Guide 2023
Ask the locals for their favorite bowl Meat Noodles (Pork Noodles), they will definitely take you in a different direction.But this version was released in Shanjie Dahua Pork Noodles is one of the most talked about.
This stall has been awarded a Michelin star for several years in a row, and for good reason. Their noodles are always cooked al dente and topped with delicious crispy sole, fried pork slices and tender slices of pork liver. Don’t forget to mix the noodles into the black vinegar and chili sauce at the bottom of the bowl before eating. The cheapest Michelin star meal you can get.
Must order: Meat Noodles with your choice of noodles and add-ons
Price: Starting from SG$6
Photo: Michelin Guide
Tiantian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Bib Gourmand
Singapore Michelin Guide 2023
Located in the popular Maxwell Food Center just a stone’s throw from Chinatown. Tiantian Hainanese Chicken Rice Popular with locals and tourists alike. The lunchtime queue can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, but the reward is a delicious plate of rice cooked with plenty of chicken fat and stock, among other secret ingredients. The rice is then served with generous portions of silky and tender chicken, drizzled with a delicious and savory sauce. Don’t miss their chili, it’s also very flavorful.
Must order: chicken rice
Price: Starting from SG$5
Photo: Blue Ginger
Blue Ginger(Tanjong Pager)
Bib Gourmand
Singapore Michelin Guide 2023
Housed in a charming shophouse along Tanjong Pagar Road, those familiar with Malay and Indonesian cuisine will find some familiar dishes on the menu, as Peranakan cuisine is essentially Chinese, Malay and A fusion of Indonesian food traditions. The best experience of dining here is in a group, allowing you to order a variety of dishes to sample.
Must order: Five-spice, grilled chicken, Nyonya shrimp, cendol
Price: S$40-50 per person
Photo: Hjh Maimunah
Hjh Maimunah (Banana Street)
Bib Gourmand
Singapore Michelin Guide 2023
Although it has opened branches in several locations, a humble branch on Jalan Pisang (across the road from Sultan Mosque) is where it all started. maimuna (pronounced “hajah”) is a Bib Gourmand casual restaurant that offers customers a daily buffet of more than 40 dishes. Badong rice (Fluffy rice served with a variety of Malay and Indonesian dishes) Line-up. Many of the recipes here are passed down from the owners’ own families, and the dishes are often prepared hours or days ahead.
Must-order dishes: Sundanese grilled chicken, stir-fried sambal, snail oil, baka rooster and Bergedil
Price: S$10 to S$20 per person
Photo: G Hotel Singapore
stay
G Hotel Singapore
Located on Middle Road, just a 5-minute walk from Bencoolen MRT station. G Hotel Singapore It is a hotel with personality. Their 308 guest rooms are divided into six categories and decorated in a quirky, eclectic style that doesn’t shy away from color. The front desk is open 24/7 and the hotel also has a well-equipped gym and several on-site restaurants for guests’ convenience.
Accommodation Cost: Leading Good Room Single category prices start from SGD 189 per night
Photo: Serangoon House
Serangoon Villa
Named after its location on Serangoon Road in Little India. Serangoon Villa It is a 90-room boutique hotel that prides itself on its luxurious and thoughtfully designed furnishings and amenities. An impressive custom chandelier and green and white marble greet you in the lobby, while De Gournay wallpaper and a gilded four-poster bed welcome you into the room. The hotel is located in Little India, one of Singapore’s most vibrant ethnic districts, and is a 2-minute walk from Farrer Park MRT Station.
Accommodation Cost: Leading Royal Classic Twin room category starts from SGD 207 per night
Photo: Lloyd Hotel
Lloyd’s Inn
Located in an upscale residential area, it is only five minutes away from the bustling Orchard Road shopping district. Lloyd’s Inn Offering a relaxing, quiet atmosphere and accommodation. This 34-room quaint boutique hotel features lots of white, clean lines and minimalist interior design.For breakfast, the hotel arranges for guests to enjoy local crispy meals so (coconut butter) toast and a cup coffee Killiney Kopitiam Coffee Shop (freshly brewed coffee) is a 4-minute walk away.
Accommodation Cost: Starting from S$266 per night in leading standard double or twin room categories
Photo: Rangers Club
Rangers Club
Conceived by award-winning French designer Jacques Garcia, Rangers Club Located in the eclectic neighborhood of Jalan Besar, it offers Parisian-style luxury accommodation. With rooms at this 41-room boutique hotel in dark, romantic tones—red velvet banquettes, dark wood panels and bathrooms with Italian marble—the design is truly impressive. The hotel’s Whiskey Bar has more than 1,000 carefully crafted whiskeys from around the world, making it the perfect place to stop after a day of exploring. If you’re heading out, Jalan Besar MRT station is just an 8-minute walk away, providing easy access to most of the city’s attractions.
Accommodation Cost: Leading Classic room category is priced at SGD 312 per night
LR: Thian Hock Kung Temple and Singapore Botanic Gardens (Photo: Shutterstock)
Play
nightlife
Singapore is home to many world-class cocktail bars and clubs, but if you want to experience something off the beaten track, head to Offtrack, a music-centric bar that serves pan-Asian cuisine and classic cocktails accompanied by DJs. tune. For live music, the trendy NCO Club has the Cool Cats, where blues and jazz take center stage most nights, while The Black Bird at the quietly charming Gillman Barracks belts out The Queen and The Queen. Creedence Clearwater Revival” and other hits.
Arts and Culture
Some say the best way to explore a city is to go for a walk, and we definitely agree. The Singapore Tourism Board has put together a series of free walking routes that visitors can easily refer to based on the neighborhoods, arts and culture they want to explore. Just choose a trail you like and follow the points of interest marked on the map, reading their little stories on the website as you go. But if you prefer a guided tour, Monster Day Tours offers a variety of activities to take you around Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and even Little India. The tours run daily and follow a pay-as-you-go concept which is a nice touch.
nature
Despite being known as a city-state, Singapore has a surprising number of natural enclaves that one can easily travel to for a brief respite from the city’s eternal hustle and bustle. Just 5 minutes away from Orchard Road is a tropical garden not to be missed by nature lovers – the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering 82 hectares of ground can be a daunting task, but thankfully the garden plans to host a series of guided tours throughout the month for visitors to sign up for. The best thing? Entrance to the gardens and most guided tours are free.
Another natural attraction worth seeing is Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore’s first ASEAN heritage park. The wetland reserve is also free to explore and is rich in biodiversity and is an important habitat for many migratory birds. If you’re lucky, you might spot some of the reserve’s crocodiles sunbathing, as well as one or two of the much-loved smooth-coated otters enjoying a quick meal in the mangroves.
