I’ve already told you 20 reasons why you’ve got to get to Singapore ASAP. Now that you’re hooked on getting to the tiny Southeast Asian country, let’s talk about where to stay. Singapore is busting with hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels, the amount of accommodation options can be a bit daunting. But not to worry as we’ve already found the coolest and most localized hotel group that is eagerly awaiting to welcome you to a luxurious stay in the Lion City. Village Hotels operate several locations in the country and are operated by the world-renowned and globally trusted Far East Hospitality group. We were invited to spend a few nights at Village Katong and Village Changi but they also have properties in the Albert Court and Bugis districts.
Village Hotels are unique in that they are each located in suburban neighborhood areas in Singapore. The design elements of the properties reflect their surroundings, an admiral concept that pays homage to the districts they call home. Travelers can enjoy this localized setting by having a rare perspective on the day-to-day life of their temporary neighbors. Each Village Hotel gives each guest a booklet called a village passport with customized suggestions on things to eat, see, and do in the area surrounding the property. The passports are part of the Village Hotel’s ethos to “Live like a local” by eating, exploring, and playing the way Singaporeans do.
The guest is the priority at Village Hotels. Every comfort is considered and need is met. There is even a free shuttle service at all of the hotels that frequently make trips back and forth to Changi International Airport. The convenience is much appreciated by guests who can avoid overpriced Uber and Grab rides and arrive at the airport stress-free in an air-conditioned van with a professional driver at the wheel. Traffic in Singapore can be really crazy!
Another major perk provided to guests by Village Hotels is something I found to be entirely genius. Each room contains a smartphone equipped with data that can be used for google maps and is preprogrammed with some information and suggestions of experiences to have in Singapore. We were only in Singapore for 5 days so we didn’t get local sim cards. The cell phone provided by Village Hotels was a lifesaver when trying to figure out directions as we explored and pull up timings for buses. By not having to waste our phone batteries on WiFi and Google Maps we were able to take more photos and not waste time charging our devices. This is an initiative that all hotels should implement and made our experience with Village Hotels even more memorable.
We were treated like royalty at Village hotels by the ultra-professional staff. They even showered us with gifts which was incredibly sweet. We received our very own Peranakan tray set, traditional sweets, a guide to Singaporean street food, and a beautiful handwritten card with a drawing celebrating Singapore as the 50th country I have visited!
STAYING AT VILLAGE KATONG
We were invited to stay at the flagship Village Hotel property, Village Katong Hotel, in the luxurious Peranakan Club Room. The ultra spacious room was equipped with modern amenities that made it hard to leave the space and go out to explore–who wouldn’t want to soak in this stunning tub for hours? If you’re more of a shower person you’ll be delighted by the rain shower with extra strong water pressure. In the mornings we had tea in our lounge area with the beautiful Peranakan ceramic tea set and in the evenings we enjoyed fresh air from our private en-suite balcony.
We were invited to enjoy the Peranakan Lounge–a club room exclusively available to suite guests. The lounge serves a light breakfast in the morning and has three separate seating areas making it the perfect place to work privately for a few hours or leisurely enjoy coffee and catch up on the daily news. In the evenings a cocktail hour is held for guests with canapes and the signature Katong Sling–their own version of the Singapore Sling which in my opinion is 100% better than the original. One of my favorite things about Village Katong was the artwork on display, most of which were created by local children and sourced through an NGO that is keeping the arts alive for Singaporean youth.
The Village Katong building itself is quite fascinating. It was built like a pyramid, so the top of the structure is smaller than the base. The larger suites and family rooms are located on the top floors, as was our Peranakan Club Room. The building is quite futuristic but was actually erected over 35 years ago and was originally a Paramount hotel. Kudos to the architect to being way ahead of his time with this avant-garde design! The circular swimming pool on the 4th floor is also part of the original structure. Surrounded by greenery and blue sky it’s a little tropical oasis and perfect place to escape from the bustling city.
The historic Katong district is where the Insta-famous Joo Chiat street is with pastel colored facades. This area is where the Straights Chinese originally landed after immigrating to the tiny country and their culture still remains at large in the area today. Village Katong Hotel compliments its neighborhoods history by reflecting the Peranakan culture through the hotel décor. From the tea sets, furnishings, and rugs, everything was created with authentic Peranakan design elements in mind. Even the lace curtains replicate a traditional Peranakan design. This Village Hotel location is ideal for those who have a few days to explore Singapore and want to be located in a hip district. Surrounded by an abundance of local hawker stalls and western restaurants, malls, and several bus lines which provided easy transport to Singapore’s top sites.
STAYING AT VILLAGE CHANGI
We were invited to experience one of the Deluxe Rooms at the resort-like Village Hotel Changi. As the name suggests the property is located just a 10-minutes drive from the airport. You can watch planes taking off from the rooftop infinity pool, or take in sweeping views of the sea. Our spacious room had a lovely bathtub and super luxurious mattress.
The vibrant Village Hotel Changi is located on the east end of Singapore and far away from the typical tourist sites. As it is near the airport it is an ideal location if you just have a quick stopover in Singapore or seek a mellow staycation. The property has everything a guest could desire–multiple dining options, a spa, a world-famous Harry’s bar, gym, and two swimming pools. Just a few moments walk from the hotel are several hawker stalls serving affordable local food and a beachfront promenade. To escape to nature take a 15-min ferry ride to the wild Ubin island to explore the jungle surroundings and play at the beach. Village Hotel Changi provides bicycles for guests who wish to ride around the island or the promenade.
We spent hours lounging at the rooftop Infinity Pool that has incredible views. Besides the occasional airplane flying overhead the setting was incredibly tranquil with a sea breeze and lush greenery seen from every vantage. There is also the Creek Pool located on the main floor outside of the Saltwater Restaurant where breakfast is served. The pool is a bit smaller but provides more shade and has a glass wall which is perfect for underwater pictures if you don’t have a GoPro!
Thank you for hosting us in Singapore Village Hotels! All opinions and photos are my own. This post contains affiliate links, please read the Miss Filatelista disclosure policy for more information.