World Country Guide

Accommodation

Hotels
There is a wide variety of accommodation, ranging from budget to modern high-class hotels. These have extensive facilities, including swimming pools, health clubs, several restaurants, full business services and shopping arcades. It is advisable to make advance reservations. All rooms are subject to 4 per cent tax and 10 per cent service charge. For further information on accommodation in Singapore, contact the Singapore Tourism Board (see Contact Addresses section) who can supply the Singapore Hotels brochure. The following organisation also offers information: Singapore Hotel Association, 21 Bukit Batok Street 22, Singapore 659589 (tel: 6415 3588; fax: 6415 3510; e-mail: secretariat@sha.org.sg; website: www.sha.org.sg). Grading: Some hotels are designated as being ‘International Standard’ with all modern conveniences such as swimming pools and air conditioning, and prices range from S$100 a night. However, there is no formal star system of grading.

Guest houses
The majority of the guest houses are situated along Bencoolen Street and Beach Road. Although considerably cheaper than the main hotels, guest houses tend not to be good value for money; the price per night is usually between S$20 and S$30 for a small, ill-equipped room. Discounts are sometimes available when staying a few days.

Youth Hostels
There are at least a dozen hostel-style establishments offering communal dormitory accommodation; the average price for a night’s accommodation is S$10 or less. There is one YMCA International hostel in Singapore.

Camping
The few campsites there are in Singapore are inconveniently located, making camping a difficult option. Tents can be rented from the Universal Adventure shop on Pulau Ubin, and can be pitched on open land on the island. The only other option is to go to Sentosa island, where a four-person tent costs S$16 (which includes entrance fee to the island), pitched on a site with toilets and barbecue pits.