8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

While many of our friends are away on vacay somewhere in the world, not all of us here have the luxury of time to take a proper holiday far from Singapore’s shores. Luckily, some of the newly opened hotels here have been upping their staycay game—from offering in-room cocktails kits and their own brand of craft beer to being located in hip hoods and providing complimentary minibars. Here’re eight that have opened very recently. 

Andaz Singapore

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

The first Andaz-branded hotel to open in Southeast Asia is not only iconic for its striking honeycomb facade, but is also the stuff of staycation dreams. It’s located right beside the hip Arab quarters, but what really makes it a draw are its own offerings. The charming Alley on 25 is a collection of seven shophouse-themed eateries serving up local cuisine and more. Then there’s 665°F restaurant which specializes in premium meats and sustainable seafood. And of course, be sure to check out the much-anticipated Mr Stork, a rooftop bar offering teepee-hut seating and 360° views of the city from its perch.

Its 342 rooms (including 26 suites) feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a complimentary minibar filled with local snacks and non-alcoholic drinks that are replenished daily. All guests are also treated to a club room access-like experience with all-day complimentary refreshments at the Sunroom lounge, plus access to the Andaz Lounge Hour from 5-7pm daily where complimentary (again) wines and their own Andaz Pale Ale (made in collaboration with Red Dot Microbrewery) await. There’s an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center too, for your workout needs after all that feasting and drinking.

Sofitel Singapore City Centre

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

AccorHotels’s landmark 800th hotel in Asia Pacific is a 223-room luxury hotel elegantly designed to reflect a mix of French flair and Singapore’s rich cultural heritage, evident from the custom-made furniture and artworks, to the stunning nine-meter chandelier in the lobby. The rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, perfect for looking out over the mix of shophouses and skyscrapers below.

The complimentary minibars in the rooms—serviced by the hotel’s very own android butler, Sophie the Robot, is a nice touch. For amenities, guests get to enjoy the 30-meter infinity pool, an in-house gym, as well as access to the adjacent Virgin Active Fitness Club. Those who are shy can use the complimentary in-room fitness kit instead.

French-Chinese restaurant Racines is definitely a must-visit for its tastefully done fusion cuisine and the freshest honey farmed from its in-house apiary. Barrel-aged cocktails from the hotel’s 1864 bar completes the experience.

Yotel Singapore

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

It may be the very first Yotel in Asia, but this millennial favorite has been favored by savvy travelers around the world for awhile now. Known for packing luxury hotel living into the most compact of spaces and inspired by first class airline travel, Yotel is small in size but big on comfort. Despite the size, all 610 rooms (known as “cabins”) are beautifully designed and Premium Cabins come with an adjustable SmartBed, rejuvenating rain showers, smart TV and more than enough power sockets—and even mood lighting.

The building itself also houses a club lounge, gym, restaurant and bar called Grains & Hops (featuring rice bowls, skewered meats and craft beer), a coworking space, and a 20-meter pool; so even if you don’t feel like venturing out onto Orchard, you’re set for a good time.

Novotel Singapore on Stevens

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

Just off the main Orchard area on Stevens Road (an area that’s just close enough to the city but still away from it all) is the Novotel brand’s newest addition to Singapore. It’s a great launchpad for a jaunt to nearby Botanic Gardens, but the hotel, which is actually an integrated lifestyle hub alongside sister property Mercure Singapore on Stevens, offers plenty to keep you occupied within its premises.

Combined, there are 772 rooms on offer, as well as an infinity pool, lap pool, tennis court, 24-hour gym and 14 F&B outlets cocooned within the lush urban escape. Be sure to dine at Food Exchange (choose to do so alfresco by the infinity pool), that offers Thai, Singaporean, Indian and European cuisine prepared in open kitchens. There’s also Fudebar for barista coffee, the L’Apéritif Tapas Bar for classy cocktails, and Winestone, where you can enjoy a good selection of reds and whites with cheeses, breads and pizzas.

InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

Combining the conveniences of serviced residences with the opulence of luxury hotels is InterContinental’s second property here. One of the small surprises you’ll discover in its 225 rooms (comprising studios, suites and a penthouse) is a specially designed in-­room cocktail kit done up by local bar gurus Proof & Co.

The quayside location does it many favours, including being just a stone’s throw away from a plethora of restaurants and bars in the area. But rather than dining elsewhere, you might want to first check out Publico, the hotel’s multi-concept Italian restaurant. There’s also Marcello, an Italian vintage craft cocktail bar, as well as Wolfgang’s Steakhouse for fine cuts. We’ll recommend taking a jog or brisk walk along the Singapore River to work up a sweat, but there’s always the hotel lap pool or 24-hour fitness studio you can rely on.

Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

Those looking for a stay in Singapore’s CBD area now have serviced apartment Oakwood Premier OUE Singapore to consider. It is located at the OUE Downtown building, right next to the new and high-tech Downtown Gallery mall, and a short walk away from Tanjong Pagar MRT station.

The 268-unit property comes with all the services expected from most luxury hotels, including an outdoor infinity pool, Jacuzzi, fitness centre, concierge and F&B offerings such as a lobby bar and restaurant.

If you’re considering to have a staycay here, you should note that a minimum booking of seven nights is required. Apartments here come in studio, one- and two-bedroom configurations. It is best for longer-term stays and where the use of a kitchen and washing machine is needed. Did we also mention that there is complimentary daily breakfast?

Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

Taking up floors 22 to 33 of mixed-use development Royal Square @ Novena, and located close to Novena MRT is the newly opened 250-room Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena. It is probably one of the more affordable, yet reasonably luxe stays on the list. Rooms here are clean and elegant, plus offer full-length windows for picturesque moments.

Besides utilizing the pool and gym, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Sky22 is well worth checking out. The contemporary dining enclave (located on level 22, as expected) offers leveled-up Singaporean cuisine like tiger prawn laksa lemak and turmeric-laced pan seared salmon. While views from the restaurant are great, an even better spot is Urbana Rooftop Bar found on the hotel’s top floor, perfect for sipping cocktails and whiling your time away.

Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon

, 8 new hotels for your year-end staycation needs

Opened earlier this year in June is this new-build 328-room landmark building looming over the Little India area. It is sited just a short walk away from Little India MRT and easily towers over many of the shophouses found in the historic district, making it a great base for exploring the area’s hidden treasures. Tekka market and Mustafa Centre (for awesome late-night shopping) are a must, of course.

The rooms themselves sport a clean, modern aesthetic and each different room category also offers a different facing of the city. On the F&B front, the Garden Grille serves up cooked-to-order breakfast and evening room service, while the Pavilion Pantry is essentially a 24-hour provision shop stocked with snacks, treats, beverages, and ready-to-cook meals. Other facilities include a fitness centre and an outdoor pool overlooking the city. On a clear day, you can easily peer as far as Parkview Square, that Gotham City-looking, art deco-style building located in the Bugis area.