For a small island, Singapore has an impressive number of hotels. It's also one of the world's most expensive cities, where accommodations can easily cost thousands of dollars a night.
As a local, I've given friends and visitors countless hotel recommendations over the years that range from budget-friendly to all-out luxury. Before deciding where to stay in Singapore, I recommend setting a budget and picking a neighborhood where you want to be based.
If you want malls, shopping, and don't mind glitzy skyscrapers and crowds, the Orchard neighborhood is for you; whereas if you prefer stand-alone indie boutique shops and a more chilled-out vibe, you're better off staying around the Bugis area. If you're someone who loves the sun, sand, and sea and wants to be away — but not too far away — from the mainland, pick Sentosa for its endless attractions and cool beach clubs. Those looking for a "self-contained" district where there's a little bit of everything, from hip cafés serving all types of cuisine to quaint stores selling handcrafted, locally made goods, choose the Katong/Joo Chiat area.
Narrowing down this list was tough, but here are my 10 favorite places to stay for every type of budget.