Best Value Hotels in Singapore

The Scarlet Hotel is a trendy, 80-room boutique in Chinatown, with a cool rooftop restaurant, darkly lit bistro and bar, and rooms with rich, jewel-toned decor. It's one of the city's best values, with rates that often dip below $200 or even $150 a night -- a steal for a four-pearl property in Singapore. Creative touches add an element of fun to the rooms, including funky headboards and intricate mirrors. While rooms are on the small side, they are packed with character and some have balconies. Hotel highlights include an outdoor Jacuzzi, small fitness center, and free Wi-Fi. Beyond the dramatic style and appealing restaurant and bar, the hotel also has a central location in Chinatown within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and numerous attractions.

The Oasia is an upscale hotel offering affordable rates, due to its location outside of the downtown area. Some people (especially those traveling on medical business) prefer this neighborhood for its close proximity to major hospitals. The 428 sleek, minimalist rooms are spacious and feature blonde wood, iPod docks, and big flat-screen TVs. Guests that upgrade to Club Rooms or suites will have larger bathrooms and access to the "Living Room" area that includes an outdoor infinity pool. Guests on the regular floors can use the pool by the eighth floor fitness center. While rooms feature nice touches such as electric kettles and espresso makers, there is a pesky fee for Wi-Fi.

The New Majestic Hotel is a small, historic boutique just outside Chinatown offering reasonable rates. This stylish hotel has 30 individually decorated rooms with great amenities including Nespresso machines, Kiehl's toiletries, Bose stereos, and plush bedding. While rooms are modern and comfortable, most are small and have glass-enclosed bathrooms that don't offer too much privacy. Hotel highlights include a nice pool, a modern Cantonese restaurant by acclaimed Chef Yong Bing Ngen, and a small fitness center. The location is also walking distance to nightlife and the night markets.

The 64-room Sultan Hotel is a lovely, affordable boutique hotel in the historic district of Kampong Glam. Though there are few hotels in the area (most tourists choose to stay in downtown or Chinatown), the location is within walking distance of numerous sights. Constructed from 10 historic shops, the hotel has attractive period details including arched doorways, wood-beamed ceilings, and latticework screens. The rooms, however, aren't quite as charming as the lobby or the on-site restaurant. Suites have some attractive features and design touches, and standard rooms are decorated in clean, contemporary decor of whites and light woods -- but they're small, and bathrooms are cramped. Amenities are modern, however, and include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and espresso machines. Hotel highlights include the rooftop bar, and Pasha restaurant, serving Moroccan cuisine.

Though it's usually pricier than the other hotels on this list, The Fairmont is still a great deal for its level of luxury and location. The Fairmont is a huge rooms and 16 restaurants and bars, centrally located above the Raffles shopping mall in the heart of downtown. Spacious rooms are sophisticated and modern, with high-end amenities including Nespresso coffeemakers (except Fairmont Rooms) and flat-screen TVs. Most of the rooms have at least one balcony with gorgeous views of the Marina Bay and the skyline. The hotel also has the Willow Stream Spa, a modern fitness center, and two outdoor pools. But there is a pesky fees for Wi-Fi and parking, and the quality of the bathrooms varies from room to room.