If you are in Singapore as a tourist or on a short-term professional assignment, a serviced apartment accommodation can be a practical alternative to a standard apartment or hotel.

If you are in Singapore as a tourist or on a short-term professional assignment, a serviced apartment accommodation can be a practical alternative to a standard apartment or hotel. Most service apartments can be rented for as short as one day to a length of two years. A furnished full-sized apartment frees you from committing to a lease, furniture purchases, utility connections, as well as searching and hiring maid services.

There is a wide choice of serviced apartments in Singapore. There are high-end units on the pricey side and with more luxurious setting and services. Mid-range and budget service apartments are also available all throughout the island. Whatever your financial capability is, a serviced apartment pertinent to your needs, preferences, and budget is likely to be available for you.

Most of the serviced apartments in Singapore prefer to rent for a minimum period of 1 week. Discounts are normally available when renting for longer periods of time. For durations of a month or longer, serviced apartments can be a more affordable alternative to a hotel.

Serviced Apartments in Singapore can be categorized into two groups:

Luxury Serviced apartments are similar in quality to 4-5 star hotels. They are usually provided with laundry, housekeeping, gym, swimming pool, and concierge services. Monthly rates at such places can range from S$7000 S$25000 depending on the location, facilities, and the size of the unit.

Budget Serviced Apartments cater to budget conscious expatriates. They still provide all the essential serviced so you can live their maintenance free, however they might lack some of the facilities provided by the ones in luxury category and are usually not as centrally located. Monthly rates at budget serviced apartments can range from S$3500 S$7000 depending on the location, facilities, and the size of the unit.

Wide tree-lined boulevard of Orchard Road is the heart of Singapore and is a corridor of big hotels and busy shopping centres. Being the most centrally located, Orchard area offers convenient access to most of the business offices, shopping and entertainment hubs, and local and international schools.

Orchard Parksuites the upscale and prestigious 26-storey 225-unit serviced apartments building is located at the heart of the Orchard Road shopping and entertainment area in Singapore. It has a beautifully-landscaped rooftop garden terrace for guests to relax and admire the city views, making it a winner of the Garden City Award in 2001. Next to the Orchard Subway and Takashimaya Shopping Centre, it is a 5-minute walk to the Overseas Family School, 10-minute walk to the American Club, and a 5-minute drive to Embassy Row.

Inside every serviced apartment are an attached bathroom and king-sized bed in the master bedroom, an IDD telephone, fax, airconditioning, cable TV, video-on-demand, hi-fi system with CD player, hot range cooking equipment, refrigerator, microwave oven, glassware, cutlery, crockery, safety deposit box, hair dryer, and steam iron with ironing board. Facilities at Orchard Parksuites include a big landscaped swimming pool with underwater music, jacuzzi, gym, tennis court, complimentary basement parking (one lot per apartment), steam and sauna rooms, barbecue pits, and a small children s playground. There are daily maid and linen change services except on Sundays and public holidays, 24-hour security service, and complimentary continental breakfast except Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Minimum length of stay at these serviced apartments is 7 days at a range of S$3,500 to S$7,000 weekly rate depending on the size of the unit. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

Shangri-La Apartments the 127 serviced apartments, nestling on 15 acres of lush exotic greenery in the heart of the city, are composed of fully-furnished 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom units. The place is a stroll away from Orchard Road the heart of Singapore. Facilities at these serviced apartments include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, tennis court, sheltered carpark, barbecue facilities, launderette, and a business center that has a private meeting room. Services include complimentary shuttle service to the city, round-the-clock security surveillance, concierge service, daily housekeeping service except Sundays and public holidays, round-the-clock room service, and personal grocery delivery. The weekly rate at Shangri-La Apartments ranges from S$3000 S$6000 depending on the unit size. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

Orange Regency the 15-unit furnished, fully air-conditioned, and maintenance-included serviced apartments are located about 10-minute walk away from Orchard Road in Singapore. The American Club, Tanglin Club, Pine Tree Club, and Botanical Gardens are all found in the vicinity. The facilities include a swimming pool, gym, Japanese-style furo bath, barbecue pits, 24-hour security, and carpark. The monthly rent for a 4-bedroom unit on a built-in area of 1,765 square feet rents out at a monthly rate of about S$14,000. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

Somerset Compass located within walking distance to bustling Orchard Road in Singapore, the serviced apartments are 5 minutes away from the Somerset MRT station and only a 15-minute drive from the Central Business District. Each of the 72 residences has a fully-equipped kitchen, cable home entertainment system, airconditioning, direct dial telephone, voice mail, private bathroom, safety deposit box, broadband Internet access, washing machine, iron and ironing board, alarm clock, and hair dryer. Facilities include 24-hour security, shuttle bus service, and laundry and dry cleaning services. The establishment has a sauna, gym, outdoor jacuzzi, children s playground, outdoor swimming pool, and a business center. Minimum length of stay at these serviced apartment is 7 days at a range of S$250 to S$550 daily rate. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

The Regency House these serviced apartments are located between Fort Canning and Orchard Road in Singapore. Being located in the city centre area, they are close to the commercial district around Raffles Place, the trendy Clarke Quay, and the shopping centers on Orchard Road. The place is a short walk to Somerset or Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations. Each serviced apartment has spacious living and dining areas, a large fully-equipped kitchen, airconditioning, cable TV, multi-system VCR, free wireless Internet access, and a personal safe. Facilities include a rooftop pool, indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, 24-hour concierge service, daily housekeeping except on Sundays and public holidays, a business center, fax and voice mail services, fitness center, free parking, laundry facilities, barbecue area, complimentary one-way airport transfer, and free continental breakfast from Monday to Friday. Typical monthly studio rate is about S$9000. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

River Valley area in Singapore is just a short walk away from the city centre Orchard Road. This area is very popular rental choice among expatriates since it s close to the city centre, has some of the hottest restaurant and nightlife entertainment, and close to many of the international schools for children.

Great World Apartments located in the prime River Valley residential district of Singapore, the 302-unit apartment building is found in the Great World City, an extensive multi-use complex with private serviced apartments, offices, and a shopping mall with retail and other commercial services. The Orchard and Outram MRT stations are within close proximity. Changi International Airport is only a half hour drive away. In-house services include housekeeping thrice a week and grocery delivery. Occupants have complimentary shuttle bus services to Orchard, Tiong Bahru, and Chinatown MRT stations, as well as to the Central Business District and Alexandra Road. Special discounts and privileges at over 150 shops and retail outlets at the Great World City Shopping Center are also given. Recreational facilities include a huge swimming pool, pool lounge, tennis court, basketball half-court, residents’ bar, kids’ lounge, children’s outdoor playground with wading pool, gym, sauna, and barbecue pits. Minimum length of stay at these serviced apartments is 7 days with daily rates above S$500. Monthly rent ranges from around S$10,000 for the 2-bedroom deluxe unit to S$25,000 for the 4-bedroom penthouse. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

Fort Canning Residence serviced apartments are found in the recently developed UE Square complex close to Singapore’s city center, next to the Singapore River and the historic Fort Canning Park. They are close to the commercial areas of Raffles Place, Shenton Way, Orchard Road, Robertson Quay, and Clarke Quay. The Dhoby Ghaut and City Hall MRT stations are nearby. Each serviced apartment has a spacious living area, fully-equipped kitchen, and laundry facility. Facilities include a 24-hour concierge service, daily housekeeping except on Sundays and public holidays, and limousine service. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court, and spa services. The minimum stay required is one week at the average weekly rate of S$2000. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

Meadow Lodge these low-rise serviced apartments are located close to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The apartments are close to schools such as Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Canadian International School, and Singapore Institute of Management. Within close proximity are the King Albert Park Cold Storage Supermarket, Bukit Timah Plaza and Shopping Centre, and McDonalds. Facilities include swimming and spa pools, gym, outdoor fitness area, putting green, barbecue pits, and children’s playground. Monthly rental rates range from S$5000 S$7000. Category: Budget Service Apartments

Wilby Bukit Timah serviced apartment complex is located in the upscale Bukit Timah residential area of Singapore. The establishment is minutes away from the city center. Each serviced apartment has its own airconditioning, cable TV, CD/VCR player, refrigerator, electric/microwave oven, crockery and cutlery, personal safe, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, washing machine and dryer, and fax machine. Average monthly rental rate for Wilby Bukit Timah is S$4500 to S$6000. Category: Budget Service Apartments

Bugis Plaza located close to the Bugis Junction retail complex, these serviced apartments are not too far from commercial hubs such as Shenton Way, Raffles Place, and Marina Centre. For accessibility, the establishment is a short walk to Bugis Junction and City Hall Subway. The modern style accommodations include separate living and dining areas, a fully-equipped kitchenette, 1 or 2 separate bedrooms, and skyline views of Singapore. On-site leisure facilities include a rooftop pool and sun deck. Average monthly rates range from S$5000 S$8000. Category: Budget Service Apartments

Wilby Central this 20-storey 60-unit high-rise is located close to the Bugis and City Hall MRT stations and major expressways. The studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom serviced apartments, as well as the suites, each have a fully-equipped kitchen, television with cable channels, IDD/DID access, Internet connection, DVD/VCR/VCD player, iron and ironing board, and in-room personal safe. Guest services include housekeeping thrice a week, laundry and dry clean services, free shuttle bus service, maintenance on 24-hour standby, and round-the-clock security. Facilities include an indoor gym, outdoor jacuzzi, steam bath, resident s lounge, broadband Internet access, garden terrace with barbecue facilities, a 24-hour business center, and basement carpark. Monthly rental rates range from S$4000 to S$7000. Category: Budget Service Apartments

Dunman View located on the east coast of Singapore, these serviced apartments apartments are a short distance to the Paya Lebar MRT station, Victoria Junior College, Tanjong Katong Girls Secondary School, CHIJ Katong Convent, Chung Cheng High School, and the Korean School. Found in the vicinity are the Parkway Parade Shopping Centre, Chinese Swimming Club, and the East Coast Park. These 2-tower high-rise serviced apartments feature an infinity-edged pool on the third floor. Other facilities include a children’s pool, jacuzzi, barbecue pavilions, children’s play area, outdoor fitness area, gym, and a multi-purpose hall. The monthly rent for Dunman View ranges from S$4000 S$6000. Category: Budget Service Apartments

Lotus at Joo Chiat located on the east coast in Singapore’s Peranakan community, these 32 boutique apartments and 17 conservation shophouses are a short distance to the East Coast Park and 15-minute drive to the northern and eastern industrial and business areas. The establishment has close proximity to the PIE, ECP, and Nicoll Highway that gives easy access to Pasir Ris, Tampines, Loyang, Chai Chee, and the Central Business District. Each serviced apartment has fully-furnished kitchen and laundry areas, aside from the usual amenities. Guest services include 24-hour security, swimming pool, sun deck, barbecue corner, gym, children’s playground, and basement carpark. The monthly rent for Lotus at Joo Chiat serviced apartments ranges from S$4000 S$6000. Category: Budget Service Apartments

Redwood West this 4-story serviced apartments complex is located on Singapore’s central west coast. There are a total of 106 units of one to three bedrooms, with sizes of over 700 square feet to 1,500 square feet. Each unit is furnished with ethnic and Asian furniture to create a typical holiday resort atmosphere. Some of the master baths feature a personal long-bath jacuzzi. Aside from the standard amenities, the kitchen and laundry areas are well-appointed. Facilities at this serviced apartment complex include swimming pool, kiddie pool, outdoor jacuzzi pool, sun deck, poolside barbecue pits, steam rooms, gym, children’s playground, and basement carpark. Guest services include 24-hour security, laundry services, and morning shuttle services to National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore`s Science Park I II, Alexandra Techno Park, HarbourFront, MRT station, and Biopolis. Monthly rental rates range from S$4000 S$6000. Category: Luxury Service Apartments

Singapore offers a wide variety of serviced apartments, with a long list of choices, sizes, designs, and rental costs. The menu is extensive to meet the different needs, preferences, and budgets of a wide variety of nationalities that come and stay in the country. The melting pot of international cultures has mastered the skill to be able to offer something to everyone. The expatriate will not run out of options in Singapore, especially in the area of serviced apartments.