Hotels in Geylang

The Geylang neighborhood offers a peek into Singapore’s edgier underground scene. Head here if you want to dig a little deeper than the gleaming skyscrapers and manicured gardens which the island is famous for. The area has maintained a historic authenticity and has some of the tastiest food in Singapore, but it is also an up and coming area which plays home to a burgeoning clubbing scene. Thanks to its location away from the business centers, you can find great hotel deals in Geylang.

Hotels in Geylang

Geylang hotels offer really good value for money. Spend a little time looking through what’s on offer and you’ll find some real bargains, with high-quality accommodation at very low prices. The Hotel 81 chain (Star and Sakura) offer decent basic accommodation for a very good price. Another favorite is the Champion hotel, which offers clean comfortable rooms, multilingual staff, and space to leave luggage after you check out. In terms of quality, Geylang accommodation sits in the middle of the range with average ratings of 2 or 3 stars. The hotels here offer an informal, relaxed atmosphere with communal areas for guests to relax and chat.

Things to see in Geylang

The old-fashioned, low-rise shophouses of Geylang make a refreshing change from the skyscrapers which dominate Singapore’s skyline. Some of the finest examples of these historic buildings can be found in Joo Chiat Street, a historic commercial area named after the milliner, Chew Joo Chiat. The Malay Village, which provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of Malays in Singapore during the 1950s and 60s is also worth a visit for anyone looking to learn more about local history. One of the best ways to pass an afternoon in Geylang is to wander through the area’s lorongs, or alleys, sampling local delicacies such as Clay Pot rice and frogs-leg porridge. If you’re looking for food, it’s advised to stick to the odd-numbered lorongs as the even-numbered alleys are reserved for the area’s seedier establishments! Finish your informal tour at the Geylang Serai market, for the chance to buy a spectacular range of products covering everything from batiks and cosmetics to snakes and turtle eggs!

Good for budget travelers

It is not just the cheap hotels in Geylang which make it attractive to a younger, more adventurous crowd, but they certainly are a pull to anyone traveling on a budget! The district has a lot to offer for visitors who are interested in scratching away at Singapore’s glossy façade and getting an insight into the sights, smells, and sounds which pulse below the polished surface. Although it retains a grungy charm, the slow process of gentrification has definitely begun in Geylang—as reflected in the plethora of hipster coffee shops and hopping nightspots which are starting to spring up across the neighborhood.

How to get to Geylang

The main entry point to Singapore is Changi Airport on the east coast. From here, Geylang is a short ride in a private taxi or the slightly cheaper airport shuttle. Public transport options are also available from terminals 2 and 3. The East-West line of the MRT network links the airport to Singapore’s urban neighborhoods. Aljunied, Kallang, Dakots, Mountbatten, and Paya Lebar MRT stations all serve the Geylang area, so do check which is nearest to your hotel before you travel. The neighborhood also boasts a central bus terminal, which provides good transport in Geylang and between Singapore’s different districts.