Swanky towers of steel and glass may signal a city’s success (we’re looking at you, Hong Kong!), but in Singapore, many heritage buildings have been repurposed as hotels, showing that old-world design, sophistication and charm can co-exist with the latest high-tech systems and gadgets. Imagine living it up in a former godown by the Singapore River, or making old army barracks, a printing press, or even a former police station your temporary digs? These Singapore heritage hotels have a little something for everyone who craves some charm with their check-in. (Psst… design lovers will want to check out our top picks for hotels in heritage buildings across the world, too.)
The best Singapore heritage hotels
1. The Warehouse Hotel | Robertson Quay
Hotel: The Warehouse Hotel
Location: 320 Havelock Road, Singapore 169628
Neighbourhood: Robertson Quay, along the Singapore River
Rooms: 37 rooms, including loft-style accommodation and river-view rooms
Style: Industrial-chic boutique design retaining the original 1895 warehouse’s beams, trusses and architectural details
Family-friendly: Suitable for older children; rooms accommodate up to three guests, and children can use the rooftop pool under adult supervision
Wellness: No on-site gym or spa; bicycles are available for guests, and riverside running routes are nearby
Pool: Rooftop infinity pool overlooking Robertson Quay
Dining: Po Restaurant serves modern Singaporean cuisine; The Warehouse Lobby Bar offers cocktails and drinks
Best for: Design-conscious travellers, couples and guests seeking a distinctive riverside heritage stay
Prices starting from: £200 per night, depending on room and season
Exterior of The Warehouse Hotel
A rundown, 1895 godown by the Singapore River has become one of the most fashionable boutique hotels in Singapore since its restoration and resuscitation in 2017. The Warehouse Hotel infuses modern-day pizazz into industrial-commercial heritage across its 37 rooms (main image) and public spaces.
Many of the original trusses and beams were retained. Steep-pitched roofs make for sleek loft rooms and closet-bathrooms with uncluttered lines. Test the locally sourced and eco-certified accessories, and for a fun splash, dip in the protruding, salmon-pink tiled swimming pool – typical blue is so passé!
It’s so gorgeous that it also makes our list of the world’s trendiest design hotels in heritage buildings.
Explore The Warehouse Hotel or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
2. Raffles Singapore | City Hall
Hotel: Raffles Singapore
Location: 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673
Neighbourhood: City Hall, near the Civic District and Bras Basah
Rooms: 115 suites, all with spacious layouts and dedicated butler service
Style: Grand colonial architecture, restored period details and traditional luxury interiors
Family-friendly: Family-friendly suites, personalised service and spacious accommodation make it suitable for multi-generational stays
Wellness: Raffles Spa, fitness centre and restorative treatments
Pool: Outdoor swimming pool set within the hotel’s landscaped grounds
Dining: 1887 by André, 藝 yì by Jereme Leung, Butcher’s Block, Tiffin Room, The Grand Lobby, Writers Bar and Long Bar
Best for: Luxury travellers, history enthusiasts and guests seeking an iconic Singapore hotel experience
Prices starting from: £1,000 per night, depending on room and season
Raffles Hotel has had a facelift and is looking better than ever
The grand old dame is resplendent once more. Raffles Singapore re-opened in August 2019 after a massive, two-year renovation that saw interiors sensitively restored to deliver the luxury and polish that have been its hallmark since 1887.
This national monument of 115 suites revels in its rich traditions – from period furniture, fixtures and fittings to fine-dining restaurants and butlers on call. If the spirits of Kipling and Maugham grab you, head to the bars for a tipple. And yes, you may still flick peanut shells on the floor as you sip a Singapore Sling in the refreshed Long Bar.
Read our review of Raffles Singapore.
Find out more about Raffles Singapore or Book through Booking.com
3. The Barracks Hotel Sentosa | Sentosa
Hotel: The Barracks Hotel Sentosa
Location: 2 Gunner Lane, Palawan Ridge, Sentosa Island, Singapore 099567
Neighbourhood: Sentosa, near Palawan Beach and Resorts World Sentosa
Rooms: 40 rooms and suites, including pool-access rooms, garden suites and a duplex family suite
Style: Refined colonial heritage design in a restored former British artillery outpost dating from 1904
Family-friendly: Duplex Family Suite accommodates up to five adults, with connecting accommodation and generous living space
Wellness: Gym access and spa facilities through the wider Sentosa hotel enclave; suites also feature private or semi-private jacuzzis
Pool: 30-metre outdoor lap pool surrounded by heritage buildings and tropical greenery
Dining: The Living Room serves breakfast and refreshments; guests can also access dining options across the Sentosa hotel enclave
Best for: Couples and families seeking a quiet, intimate heritage resort on Sentosa
Prices starting from: £350 per night, depending on room and season
Dive into good time at The Barracks Hotel Sentosa
As the name suggests, this hotel was previously a plain British Army barracks. But the two-storey heritage building was painstakingly converted into a homely hotel in 2019, with all 40 rooms and suites having either a patio or balcony. Conserved vintage elements include moulded columns and timber louvred windows and doors.
Extra benefits include a private lounge serving all-day refreshments and evening cocktails, complimentary minibar refreshments, and heritage walking tours. For recreation, Resorts World Sentosa is just a short walk away, and Sentosa’s best beaches also beckon.
Read our full review of The Barracks Hotel Sentosa here.
Discover more about The Barracks Hotel Sentosa or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
4. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore | Marina Bay
Hotel: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Location: 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178
Neighbourhood: Marina Bay, near the Singapore River and Civic District
Rooms: Approximately 400 rooms and suites, with river, courtyard and Marina Bay views
Style: Grand neoclassical architecture in the former General Post Office, built in 1928 and now a National Monument
Family-friendly: Family-friendly accommodation, spacious room categories, heritage experiences and an outdoor swimming pool
Wellness: Fullerton Spa, fitness centre, sauna and steam room
Pool: 25-metre outdoor infinity pool overlooking the Singapore River
Dining: Jade serves Cantonese cuisine; Town Restaurant offers international dining, while The Courtyard serves afternoon tea and refreshments
Best for: First-time visitors, families and history enthusiasts wanting a landmark hotel in central Singapore
Prices starting from: £250 per night, depending on room and season
Get yourself a suite at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
Fullerton Building, built in 1928, once served as the General Post Office. But in 2001, it was reincarnated as The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. While the grand façade, Doric columns and porte-cochères typify the remaining Palladian architecture of the city-state, the interior décor is stylishly contemporary. Enjoy the city skyline, Singapore River or Marina Bay views from the 400 rooms and suites.
Declared a national monument in 2015, the hotel offers guests complimentary tours to affiliated heritage attractions, each telling its own fascinating story. Alternatively, wander through The Fullerton Heritage Gallery to appreciate the rich legacy.
Read our full review of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
Learn more about The Fullerton Hotel Singapore or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
5. QT Singapore | Marina Bay
Hotel: QT Singapore
Location: 35 Robinson Road, Singapore 068876
Neighbourhood: Central Business District, near Raffles Place and Lau Pa Sat
Rooms: 134 rooms and suites, including a dedicated Heritage Suite
Style: Playful contemporary design within a restored 1927 neoclassical landmark, formerly the Cable & Wireless building
Family-friendly: Interconnecting and accessible rooms are available; suitable for families seeking a central city base
Wellness: Fitness centre and rooftop leisure facilities
Pool: Rooftop swimming pool with city views
Dining: Cygnet serves food and drinks, while Rooftop at QT combines a bar and poolside dining
Best for: Design lovers, business travellers and guests wanting heritage architecture with a contemporary atmosphere
Prices starting from: £170 per night, depending on room and season
QT Singapore
QT Singapore is home to 134 rooms, all housed in the almost century-old former Cable & Wireless building on Robinson Road. Designed by F.G. Lundon of Swan and Maclaren, the property was originally opened in 1927 and afforded heritage status in 2000.
With interiors by Nic Graham & Associates, guests can enjoy a vibrant selection of art by local creatives set against a colourful collection of unique furnishings. A rare, five-star hotel smack in the centre of the CBD, the hotel is flanked by Singapore’s “Wall Street” and heritage landmark, Lau Pa Sat food centre.
Read our full review of QT Singapore.
Find out more about QT Singapore or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
6. The Sultan | Kampong Glam
Hotel: The Sultan
Location: 101 Jalan Sultan, Singapore 199002
Neighbourhood: Kampong Glam, near Arab Street and Haji Lane
Rooms: 61 individually designed rooms across restored early-20th-century shophouses, including lofts and attic rooms
Style: Heritage shophouse architecture with traditional Malay and colonial influences, French windows and decorative floor tiles
Family-friendly: Double and twin room options are available, although the compact layouts and limited facilities suit couples and smaller groups better
Wellness: No dedicated spa, gym or extensive wellness facilities
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: The White Label serves French cuisine with Malayan influences
Best for: Couples, solo travellers and culture enthusiasts exploring Kampong Glam’s historic streets
Prices starting from: £90 per night, depending on room and season
Experience the attic room at The Sultan
The two adjacent shophouse blocks look starkly different: one elaborately ornate, the other rather plain. But step inside, and you’ll be amazed at how the dilapidated Malay printing press from a century ago and its hotch-potch neighbours have been transformed into a single hotel of 64 rooms in different layouts.
The Sultan revives the spirit of old Kampong Glam. Marvel at the eclectic architectural mix, from French windows to traditional Malay-style floor tiles. You even have to climb onto the attic room bed, as the mattress is on a raised platform – rather like the dais at a Malay wedding ceremony.
Find out more about The Sultan or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
7. Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong | Joo Chiat
Hotel: Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong
Location: 86 East Coast Road, Singapore 428788
Neighbourhood: Katong, within the Joo Chiat heritage district
Rooms: 131 rooms featuring Peranakan-inspired interiors and modern comforts
Style: Contemporary boutique design inspired by Peranakan culture, traditional shophouses and the neighbourhood’s heritage
Family-friendly: King and twin room options suit couples and smaller families; the rooftop pool adds a leisure option
Wellness: 24-hour fitness centre
Pool: Rooftop infinity pool with views across Katong’s heritage district
Dining: Baba Chews serves modern Asian cuisine; Rooftop 88 offers drinks and light bites, while Hotel Indigo Garden provides alfresco dining
Best for: Culture enthusiasts, food lovers and travellers wanting to explore Singapore beyond the central districts
Prices starting from: £150 per night, depending on room and season
Don’t miss a meal at Baba Chews
Capturing the colour and character of its Peranakan (Straits-born Chinese) neighbourhood, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong integrates the former Joo Chiat Police Station, built in 1928, with the 131-room tower block completed in 2016.
The Peranakan theme permeates from reception, through Baba Chews restaurant and all guestrooms. One highlight is that, unlike most hotels, as you enter your room, the bathroom is not to your left or right – it is up front by the window, complete with a bathtub and a beautiful view to boot! The hotel’s heritage precinct location affords interesting walks to experience the vibrancy of local life.
Discover more about Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong or Book through Booking.com Book through Expedia
8. Capella Singapore | Sentosa
Hotel: Capella Singapore
Location: 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Neighbourhood: Sentosa, surrounded by tropical gardens and close to the island’s beaches
Rooms: 113 rooms, suites, villas and manors, including two restored colonial manors dating from the 1880s
Style: Contemporary tropical luxury combining restored colonial architecture, Asian design and landscaped resort grounds
Family-friendly: Family accommodation includes spacious suites, one- and two-bedroom villas, and residences; selected villas accommodate families with children
Wellness: Auriga Spa offers holistic treatments, vitality pools, steam baths and private treatment rooms; fitness facilities are also available
Pool: Three cascading outdoor swimming pools, alongside private plunge pools in the villas
Dining: Fiamma serves Italian cuisine, while The Pineapple Room offers cocktails and relaxed drinks; additional dining experiences are available across the resort
Best for: Luxury travellers, couples and families seeking a secluded resort experience with colonial heritage
Prices starting from: £750 per night, depending on room and season
Expect exquisite design at Capella Singapore
Set amid 12 hectares of vegetation, this resort on Sentosa Island comprises colonial heritage buildings ringed by ultra-modern hotel wings. Perhaps etched in global media memory as the venue of the first Trump-Kim summit in 2018, the hotel actually has other standout features, such as the assortment of accommodation – just 112 keys, but they range from premier rooms to suites, villas and even two colonial manors.
Another talking point – some 900 pieces of artwork scattered around the resort. Luxury includes a variety of F&B, a lunar-inspired spa, and several complimentary amenities and services.
Learn more about Capella Singapore or Book through Booking.com
9. Mett Singapore | Fort Canning Hill
Hotel: METT Singapore
Location: 11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881
Neighbourhood: Fort Canning, within Fort Canning Park and near Orchard Road
Rooms: 84 rooms and suites in a restored 1920s heritage property
Style: Contemporary luxury with colonial architecture, restored historic features and modern interiors
Family-friendly: Interconnecting rooms and family accommodation options are available; the hotel also has two swimming pools
Wellness: The Longevity Suite, fitness facilities, padel and pickleball courts
Pool: Two outdoor swimming pools set within the hotel’s landscaped grounds
Dining: L’AMO serves Southern Italian cuisine, HANU specialises in Korean dining, and Canning Bar & Lounge offers cocktails and drinks
Best for: Design-conscious travellers, couples and families seeking a heritage stay with resort-style facilities near the city centre
Prices starting from: £200 per night, depending on room and season
Mett Singapore
Once part of the British Far East Command HQ, this three-storey, neo-classical style mid-1920s building sits atop the historic Fort Canning Hill. The 86 spacious and lavishly furnished rooms and suites complement the authenticity of the original structures that were retained and restored, such as the grand stairway. Premium room bathrooms are to die for, while deluxe garden rooms have private sun-decks.
History buffs – do scrutinise the four glass-topped archaeological pits embedded in the hotel lobby floor. They contain 14th- and 19th-century artefacts excavated nearby on this fabled “Forbidden Hill”.
Read our full review of METT Singapore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a hotel in Singapore a heritage hotel?
A heritage hotel occupies a historic building or incorporates preserved architectural features and cultural references. Examples include former warehouses, colonial barracks, shophouses and landmark civic buildings.
Which neighbourhoods are best for a heritage stay in Singapore?
City Hall and Marina Bay suit visitors interested in landmark architecture and central attractions. Kampong Glam, Katong and Robertson Quay offer more distinctive neighbourhood experiences. Sentosa is better suited to a resort-style stay.
Is it better to stay in a heritage hotel in central Singapore or on Sentosa?
Central Singapore offers easier access to museums, shopping, dining and public transport. Sentosa provides a quieter resort atmosphere, beaches and family attractions. Choose based on whether sightseeing or relaxation is your priority.
How many days should I spend exploring Singapore's heritage districts?
Allow at least two or three days to explore areas such as Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Little India, Katong and the Civic District. Add more time if you want to visit museums and take guided heritage walks.
What is the best time of year to visit Singapore's heritage districts?
Singapore is warm and humid throughout the year. February to April is generally among the drier periods, while November and December tend to bring heavier rainfall. Plan outdoor walking tours for the morning or late afternoon.
Can I explore Singapore's heritage districts using public transport?
Yes. The MRT connects major heritage areas, including City Hall, Chinatown, Bugis and Katong. Buses and taxis are useful for shorter journeys, while walking is often the best way to explore conserved streets.
Are Singapore's heritage hotels suitable for families?
Many are, but facilities vary. Larger properties such as Raffles Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel and Capella Singapore offer more spacious accommodation and family-oriented facilities. Smaller boutique hotels may have limited room configurations and amenities.
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