A Local’s Guide to the best and cheapest Service Apartments in Singapore [2024]

Figment’s Serviced Apartment Offering


Whether you’re in Singapore for business, pleasure or a longer term stay, there are only 24 hours in a day, hardly enough time to squeeze in all the experiences the city has to offer.

Serviced apartments are a cost-effective option for stays of a week or more, combining the time-saving convenience of hotels with the comforts of home. They offer excellent value for business travellers and tourists alike.

These fully-furnished apartments are ready to move into at a moment’s notice, and are equipped with all the amenities you could possibly need, including high-speed wifi and a home entertainment system.

At the same time, serviced apartments feel more like a bona fide home than a hotel. As such, they typically come with kitchens and laundry amenities. In addition, most maintain separate living and sleeping spaces, offering greater privacy and a more spacious layout. Since Singapore short term rentals require a minimum stay of at least 3 months, serviced apartments offer a quicker and less complicated way to obtain home-like amenities.

Serviced apartments are sometimes referred to as serviced residences, serviced suites, apart-hotels or extended-stay hotels. While a popular choice for longer stays, serviced apartments can also cater to short stays of a few days.

Figment offers boutique serviced apartments in captivating historic shophouses and access to a vibrant community of residents that will help you see Singapore with new eyes. Stays start from 7 days, with the option to extend your stay and pay lower rates based on the duration. Click here to browse shophouses and book your stay.

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Contents

1.      Why stay in a serviced apartment?

2.      Our recommendations for best serviced apartment options in Singapore

3.      Where to book?

4.      Where should I stay in Singapore for the short term?

5.      Tips on booking a serviced apartment

6.      Conclusion

Why stay in a serviced apartment?

Serviced Residence Room With Window View
 Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Serviced apartments come with some advantages that distinguish them from hotels or rental apartments.

– Flexible booking – Serviced apartments offer a quick and convenient way to gain access to the comforts of home, yet they can be booked as quickly and easily as hotels. Unlike renting an apartment in Singapore, there is no need to commit to a long-term contract.

– Fully-furnished and equipped – All units are fully-furnished and ready to move into right away. You step into your suite for the first time knowing that high-speed wifi is available, all appliances are installed and all kitchen amenities are cleaned and available for immediate use.

– Cooking and washing amenities – Unlike hotel rooms, serviced apartments have their own kitchenettes or kitchens, which is ideal for those who do not wish to eat out every day. The availability of shared washing machines and dryers is another common feature, and many properties also maintain a laundry service for added convenience.

– Services – Housekeeping and the provision of fresh towels and linen are available on a regular basis at no additional cost. Concierge services can offer assistance whenever you need them, and the entire property benefits from round-the-clock security.

– Space and privacy – Serviced apartments are usually composed of a living room and a separate bedroom, offering a higher degree of privacy and more space than standard hotel rooms.

– Cost-effectiveness – Serviced apartments are generally cheaper than hotels. Longer stays tend to lower the nightly rate. It does, however, cost more to stay in a serviced apartment than to pay monthly rent for an apartment in Singapore.

– Location – Serviced apartments tend to be located in or near the city centre, making it easier to reach your work or leisure destinations.

Our recommendations for best serviced apartment options in Singapore

Looking for a serviced apartment in Singapore? Here are our top picks.

Frasers Hospitality Serviced Apartments

Guest Sitting In The Living Room Reading A Magazine
Fraser’s Hospitality 1-BR Apartments

Frasers Hospitality operates five-star serviced apartments at five locations in Singapore—River Valley, Robertson Walk, Changi Business Park, China Square and Orchard, which is home to two properties.

Besides the Changi property, all their serviced apartments are located in the heart of Singapore, making them ideal for both work and leisure. Tourists are likely to enjoy the River Valley and Orchard properties due to their proximity to the Orchard Road shopping belt. The China Square and Robertson Walk properties are suited to guests working in the CBD, while the Changi Business Park property is aimed at those with professional commitments in the east.

Their luxurious properties offer a comprehensive range of creature comforts, including swimming pools, lounges, gyms, outdoor fitness areas and barbecue facilities. The units are tastefully furnished in a classic style and some are equipped with study rooms and offices, making them perfect for those who work remotely.

At the moment, the average nightly rate for two adults hovers at around $160 to $300, depending on the property and date.

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road
Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites are available at two locations. One of the properties occupies a prime spot on Orchard Road, a stone’s throw from Somerset MRT station. Located across the road from major malls Cathay Cineleisure and TripleOne Somerset, it is ideal for shopaholics visiting the Orchard Road retail belt.

The second property, located on Beach Road, is located within easy reach of Arab Street in the heart of the Malay cultural district. Apartments on the higher floors enjoy stunning panoramas of the sea and the Singapore Flyer.

Luxurious on-site facilities include a spa, swimming pool and lounge with a pool table. The Beach Road property’s 21stfloor rooftop pool with its view of the Singapore flyer and surrounding skyscrapers is a must-see.

Th nightly rate for one-bedroom deluxe suites starts from about $300.

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Beach Road
PARKROYAL Serviced Suites Beach Road

PARKROYAL Serviced Suites’ Beach Road location makes it ideal for tourists who wish to explore the atmospheric Kampong Glam cultural enclave surrounding Arab Street, and is also close to the Bugis area, civic district and CBD.

Rooms enjoy panoramic views of the Singapore skyline or Singapore Sports Hub. The pet-friendly property also allows up to two animals weighing up to 7kg each. On-site facilities include a luxury spa and a swimming pool offering calming views of the surrounding greenery.

The nightly rate for one-bedroom deluxe suites starts from about $273.

Oakwood Studios and Oakwood Premier AMTD

Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore
Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore

There are two properties under the Oakwood banner. Oakwood Studios is located on the Orchard Road shopping belt and features trendy and youthfully-decorated apartments, offering a dynamic base from which to explore Singapore’s biggest cluster of shopping malls.

The serviced apartments at Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore, on the other hand, project a sleek image befitting the property’s CBD location. They are ideal for business travellers or those who wish to explore the civic district and Marina Bay. One of the property’s highlights is its outdoor infinity pool.

Nightly room rates currently start at about $163 for Oakwood Studios and $210 for Oakwood Premier.

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ST Residences Serviced Apartments

ST Residences offer business travellers and tourists alike cost-effective accommodation at multiple locations all over Singapore. The majority of their serviced apartments are clustered in the city centre, and they also have some in city-fringe and suburban neighbourhoods like Geylang, Jurong East, Clementi and Bishan.

Unlike conventional serviced apartment providers, ST Residences’s serviced apartments are located in residential condos with swimming pools. The company provides housekeeping and concierge services.

Monthly rents start from $3,500 a month.

Where to book?

Hotel booking websites such as Agoda.comBooking.com and Hotels.com list serviced apartments in addition to hotels.

You can also use Google to search for the official websites of serviced apartment providers.

Where should I stay in Singapore for the short term?

Getting around in Singapore isn’t expensive, but it can be time-consuming, so it’s a good idea to look for accommodation offering easy access to the areas you plan to frequent most.

If you’re in Singapore for business, you can choose from one of the many short term rental apartments or serviced apartments available in the CBD. Serviced apartments can also be found close to business parks in Changi and One-North for those whose professional duties take them to the suburbs.

Whether you’re in town for work, play or both, looking for serviced apartments near your preferred sightseeing and entertainment options can also be a good choice. If you plan to indulge in retail therapy, Orchard is an unbeatable option. To enjoy the nightlife scene to the fullest, opt for Clarke Quay, Emerald Hill in the Orchard area or Tanjong Pagar. Meanwhile, Chinatown, Little India, Bugis and Beach Road are ideal for those who wish to explore Singapore’s cultural enclaves.

Tips on booking a serviced apartment

Desktop and Notebook Open: Let's Get Started!
Nick Morrison on Unsplash

Booking a serviced apartment is as easy and convenient as booking a hotel room.

If you haven’t decided where to stay, your best bet would be to first run a search on booking websites such as Booking.com and Agoda.com, where you’ll be able to check addresses, have a look at photos of the properties and read reviews. Sites like Tripadvisor.com are another useful source of past guests’ opinions.

When you have chosen a property, compare prices across different booking sites and the official website, keeping an eye open for discounts which might only be available on certain sites.

Other than pricing and location, you might also want to compare factors such as the minimum stay period, in-room amenities like cooking facilities and dishwashers, and communal amenities such as swimming pools, gyms and spas.

The final step is to make a booking on your site of choice. Prefer to do things the analog way? Give the property a ring and place a reservation by phone. Some serviced apartments impose a minimum stay period, typically of 6 or 7 days.

Always make sure you receive an invoice after payment so you have a reference if you wish to make any changes or if you discover there are discrepancies upon check-in.

Conclusion

Figment's Monocot House
Figment’s Monocot House

Serviced apartments are a cost-effective option for stays of a week or more, enabling you to enjoy creature comforts like cooking and doing the laundry together with the luxury of high-end hotel-standard services.

Figment offers boutique serviced apartments in captivating historic shophouses and access to a vibrant community of residents that will help you see Singapore with new eyes. Stays start from 7 days, with the option to extend your stay and pay lower rates based on the duration. Click here to browse shophouses and book your stay.