Looking for a Bugis hotel?
By LINDA JAMES | Updated APRIL 9, 2025 | STAY
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Culture, colourful houses, street art and tradition with some great food is what you’ll get when you stay in this neighbourhood. If you’re looking for a Bugis hotel, this is a round-up of some of the best options.
One of the oldest in Singapore, Kampong Glam (in Malay “kampung” means village and “gelam” is a type of paperbark tree that grew in the area) was given to Sultan Hussain Mohammed Shah for use by the Muslim community after he signed a treaty with Sir Stamford Raffles ceding Singapore to the East India Company in the 1820s.
The Sultan then built an istana (palace) for his family and entourage as well as a mosque, both of which have since been rebuilt. The istana is now home to the Malay Heritage Centre and the unique golden dome of Sultan Mosque is an icon of the area.
In recent years, the area has become popular with the young and trendy who love it for its cafes, restaurants and vintage clothing shops as well as its street art and graffiti, which are popular backdrops for Instagrammers.
The InterContinental
Andaz Singapore
Luxury
Andaz Singapore
Looking for a rooftop bar with 360-degree views of Singapore? Andaz, one of the best hotels in Bugis, has it in the aptly named Mr Stork on level 39.
And if you want to seriously up your Insta game, you can book a tepee hut (there are 10) if you commit to spending a minimum of $S150++ Sunday to Thursday and $S200++ on weekends.
The hotel occupies the 25th to 39th floors of DUO Tower, a mixed-use development in Bugis. The unique honeycomb exterior was created by Büro Ole Scheeren.
The 8m-high lobby ceilings crown a modern space, meant to convey an abstract interpretation of a shophouse façade, replete with contemporary furniture and loads of natural light.
Level 25 houses the hotel’s F&B concepts, as well as the pool and the Sunroom, Andaz’s version of a club lounge, which is open to all guests.
While the 1.2m-deep pool is described as an infinity one, it is surrounded with glass partitions somewhat limiting the effect.
Along with complimentary snacks during the day, the Sunroom has an evening happy hour with wine, beer, and light snacks. There’s also a happy hour available at Bar Square next door.
665°F is Andaz’s signature steakhouse while 5 on 25 features Cantonese cuisine and Alley on 25 delivers breakfast and a variety of international and street food for lunch and dinner.
The 342 rooms are on floors 27 to 37 and range from standard at 38sqm to the presidential suite at a jaw-dropping 188sqm. Other suites are 76sqm.
All rooms face on to an internal atrium that contains a 26m feature wall titled “The World Traveler” by Brazilian artist Andre Mendes, which features Singaporean favourites such as the Merlion and Gardens by the Bay.
There’s also a gym on the 38th floor.
The hotel is a 3-minute walk to Bugis MRT via an underground walkway.
Price: from $S410 for an entry-level king
Address: 5 Fraser St
More information: Andaz Singapore
InterContinental Singapore
If you want to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Singapore – in 5-star luxury – then this may be the Bugis hotel for you. The InterContinental lays claim to being the only Peranakan-inspired luxury hotel in the city and did actually incorporate the original shophouses on the block in its design style.
This award-winning Bugis hotel is just a short walk to Little India and Arab Street. Guests can join the weekly Guided Heritage Trail, which highlights the area’s historical and cultural sights. If chilling is more your style, there’s an outdoor rooftop pool that includes a shallow area for children.
The dining options are impressive with the Cantonese Man Fu Yuan, international Ash & Elm and an outpost of the well-known Tokyo restaurant Chikuyotei. For afternoon tea and cocktails, guests can head to The Lobby Lounge and there’s also a special children’s room service menu.
The hotel’s 384 rooms and 19 suites reflect the Peranakan culture with some rooms entirely based on the 1920s’ shophouse theme with Oriental carpets and carved hardwood furniture. All rooms have Nespresso machines.
There are also Club Rooms that include access to the lounge with daily breakfast and evening cocktails as well as family rooms with special annexes for kids.
The hotel is a 5-minute walk to Bugis MRT.
Price: from $S385 for a classic king
Address: 80 Middle Rd
More information: InterContinental Singapore
Naumi Hotel
Design is a focus of this Bugis hotel with original pieces from B&B Italia, Poltrona Frau, Zanotta and Artemide as well as a collection of Singaporean art that were specially commissioned.
The 73 rooms start from the entry-level 26sqm Habitat room with a shower to the 33sqm Patio room with balcony and daybed and 43sqm rooms with large bathtubs. All rooms have Nespresso machines and Apple TVs.
It’s just an 8-minute walk to Bugis MRT or Suntec City.
Prices start from $S285 for a Habitat room
Address: 41 Seah St
More information: Naumi Hotel
Mid-range
Mercure Singapore Bugis
The entry-level rooms in this Bugis hotel are on the smaller side but so is the price. Guests have access to a small but adequate gym and a really good rooftop pool (pictured above).
There are two dining options – Royale, a non-halal certified
restaurant, Song Garden4, a Cantonese restaurant and BARtistry@ONE22 in the lobby, which offers cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine, coffee and bar snacks.
The 395 rooms come in three room types: the 15sqm Signature rooms are available with queen or twin beds, the 22sqm Superior king and the queen-bed Loft rooms – a 22sqm standard and a 24sqm executive.
It’s about an 8-9 minute walk to Bencoolen MRT, Bras Basah MRT and Bugis MRT.
Prices start from $S200 for a Signature queen room
Address: 122 Middle Rd
More information: Mecure Singapore Bugis
Budget
Lyf Bugis Singapore
The rooms here are really very small but so is the price, which I’d even describe as tiny for Singapore!
Guests have access to a well-equipped gym and there is a social kitchen, co-working lounge and a laundromat.
This was formerly Hotel G but has now been taken over by Ascott Star Rewards.
The 308 rooms come in six room types: the 9sqm Nano single, 11sqm Nano queen and the 13sqm Nano king, and 16sqm and 27sqm One of a Kind studios with king beds, as well as a 16sqm twin.
The Nanos don’t have fridges.
It’s a 2-minute walk to Bencoolen MRT and an 8-minute walk to Rochor MRT.
Price: from $S135 for a Nano single
Address: 200 Middle Rd
More information: lyf Bugis Singapore
ST Signature Bugis Beach
This property has a cool communal kitchen called the Cook Lab, which is complimentary and provides free coffee and water all day, double and family cabins. Wifi is free and all rooms have bathrooms with free amenities.
The entry-level room is the private 9sqm Cabin M-no windows, which has queen bed with no window but does include a bathroom, towels, TV and safe.
The property is a 4-minute walk to Bugis MRT.
Price: from $S130 for Cabin M-no windows
Address: 85 Beach Rd
More information: ST Signature Bugis Beach
Conclusion
Be prepared to be impressed by the street art, culture and history that surround these Bugis hotel options. You’ll also find rates cheaper here, which will give you more to spend on activities and eating out. For a full rundown, check out my area guides. If you need ideas on how to plan your trip, I’ve put together a range of sample itineraries.