Short-Term Accommodations in Singapore: Traditional Vs Non Traditional

by Ritchelle Ann Ona

For many people, the idea of being on a business trip or vacation means having the best accommodation.

With the presence of the non-traditional accommodations that allows you to use someone else’s residence or room, along with traditional hotel accommodations that many are now using for term short-term accommodations, which is better?

Traditional Short Term Residences

Though comfort level is subjective, the comfort provided by traditional short-term accommodations like that of hotels, are more comfortable and convenient. You’re guaranteed availability of certain amenities and there’s someone in charge of quality control of everything in the premises.

Such guarantees come at a price, of course. For those who want a full cultural immersion of the place in Singapore they’re visiting, the traditional short-term accommodation isn’t going to be ideal either.

Here are three of the best short-term residences Singapore has:

•  LMB North

  

  LMB North is close to Science Park, NUH, International Business Park, Fusionopolis and NUS which make the area a vibrant social melting pot.

  The complex is also close to the East-West and Circle MRT lines for an easy trip downtown.

  This is the ideal place to stay if you’re on a business trip or just passing by Singapore and want to get the feel of the country’s CBD.

• Fraser Place – Robertson Quay

Rare in a place with a close proximity from the central business district is Frasers Robertson Quay. With fully furnished apartments, the residences all have chic and contemporary interiors.

It’s accessible to Clark Quay, Boat Quay and Orchard Road. Robertson Quay is also near bars and restaurants.

This place is ideal for those who are on a business trip but are looking at the possibility of an extended stay.

Aurealis – Marina Bay

Having something for everyone, Aurealis Serviced Residence has a 25-metre long swimming pool, tennis courts, gym and BBQ pits. At its basement is a large shopping mall. The place has a karaoke lounge, a children’s playground and poolside sundecks. Its facilities suitable for the travelling business person are its reading rooms and conference halls.

Proving the convenience of its location, the food centre Lau Pa Sat is a five-minute walk away. From Aurealis, you’ll easily reach One Raffles Quay, Marina Bay Financial Centre, and Asia Square. Not far is the Gardens by the Bay and  Raffles Place. Likewise, the Marina Bay Sands Resort and the Raffles Place MRT and Downtown MRT are not far away.

Aurealis Suites are beautifully furnished with a well-equipped kitchen with its own laser printer and wireless internet.

Vacation Rental Online

This is definitely perfect for those who are just passing through. You might want to think about this type of accommodation if you like your homely amenities while you are away from home.

Many people find that vacation rentals give them more sense of home. Depending on the vacation rental you booked, you can cut down on eating out and paying to get your clothes washed. This type of accommodation proves cheaper for long-term visitors.

That said, vacation rentals online, usually prove to be quite expensive for short visits. And if you’re with roommates, you need basic security precautions. You also need to  take care of your own housekeeping.

•  AirBnB

  

  The AirBnB website lets you quickly look for residences based on your dates of stay, whether you want a private room or the whole apartment or a house to yourself and where in Singapore you’ll stay.

• Homeaway

  

  Another version of AirBnB, but from a different company, Homeaway is a vacation rental service that is somewhere between an AirBnB and a hotel when it comes to its accommodations. Most of the places listed on the site are run as businesses to be rented out to those looking for short-term accommodations with all the amenities of a hotel.