Business Travel-Friendly Hotels in Singapore
Singapore plays a significant role in global business, attracting around two million visitors a year on business and professional trips, according to recent data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). It is only natural then that the city is home to many business travel-friendly hotels that will cater to your every need, whether attending an event or hosting one. This guide will give you some background on Singapore’s business reputation and list six of the best business travel-friendly hotels in Singapore.
A Global Business Hub
Though small, Singapore is well-known for its huge international business presence, with the Global Ease of Doing Business index ranking this city-state 2nd out of 189 economies worldwide.
Here are three key aspects that have shaped Singapore’s position in business.
- Strategic Location: Singapore sits at the crossroads of major shipping and air routes, making it one of the world’s busiest ports and a central global aviation hub. Whether you’re travelling by on a private plane or commercial flight, this international hub is accessible to all business travellers.
- Pro-Business Environment: The Singaporean government has created an environment for businesses to thrive, boasting transparent and efficient regulatory frameworks, low corporate tax rates, and robust intellectual property protection.
- International Trade and Investment: Singapore’s trade policies are renowned for their commitment and openness to free trade. The country’s extensive network of trade agreements facilitates easy access to global markets.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the hotels in Singapore provide such excellent facilities for business travellers. But it’s not all work and no play; spas, rooftop pools, and upscale eateries make it easy to unwind after a day of meetings. Let’s dive into six of the best business hotels in Singapore.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is a vast integrated resort with impressive accolades, including Singapore’s largest hotel with over 1,800 rooms and suites, the renowned SkyPark Observation Deck, and the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool.
Getting down to business, however, this hotel has extensive modern meeting facilities, all accommodated in its very own business centre. Marina Bay Sands has covered everything from low-key group meetings to large-scale events and conferences.
It has 250 meeting rooms with all the technology needed for Zoom calls and presentations, including broadcast-quality live streaming and hologram functionalities.
The venue has hosted dinner and dance events for several prominent clients, including Facebook and Google, in its vast (and carbon-neutral!) Sands Expo and Convention Centre — one of Asia’s leading sustainable venues.
Raffles Singapore
The oldest hotel in Singapore, having opened in 1887, Raffles’ reputation is one of class and elegance. In its own words, Raffles was historically “a place of exquisite inspiration for the literary community.” In 2024, the hotel welcomes business travellers of all varieties with state-of-the-art meeting facilities and seamless service.
The Palm Ballroom, with a capacity of 200 guests, has been recently restored and now offers guests the latest audiovisual technology, perfect for a theatre-style presentation or gala dinner.
Raffles’ business guests can also enjoy the well-connected location in the centre of Singapore’s Central Business District. It is only 20 minutes from Changi Airport and within walking distance of the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre — the largest in the city.
With its historic charm and modern business amenities, Raffles makes the perfect choice for the sophisticated traveller.
Swissôtel The Stamford
Swissôtel The Stamford stands as one of Southeast Asia’s tallest hotels, at a whopping 741 feet, offering 1,252 rooms and suites with panoramic views of Singapore. A dedicated team provides support throughout every stage of the planning process, with 108,000 square feet of meeting space over 27 meeting rooms.
Furthermore, the hotel has several executive meeting rooms equipped with satellite conference systems, having teamed up with technology partner Encore to help business guests connect globally. Moreover, Stamford is located in Raffles City. It is only a short distance from The Raffles City Convention Centre, which facilitates 34 meeting rooms with more than 104,000 square feet of function space.
Have a three-martini lunch at the hotel’s Michelin-starred JAAN By Kirk Westaway for a more casual work meeting. Relax after a hard day’s work at the nearby Willow Stream Spa, one of the largest spas on the continent.
Shangri-La Hotel
When it comes to events, Shangri-La is the perfect spot. Nestled amidst 15 acres of tropical gardens, this hotel offers a peaceful retreat just a 15 drive from the city’s hustle and bustle. Not only does the Shangri-La offer 5,500 square metres of versatile event space, including ballrooms and function rooms, but guests can also take advantage of bespoke meeting packages.
This is where experienced catering specialists work closely with each client to guide them through planning their event, from music to floral arrangements. They also offer the Shangri-La Hybrid Events service, where guests from different locations can experience the same event or conference for your worldwide clientele.
For a more individual service, The Horizon Club floors offer exclusive perks such as a private check-in/out process and a lounge designated for business gatherings catering to the needs of senior executives. You even have the option to book a hotel limousine transfer, where, upon your arrival, a hotel representative will greet you right at the terminal for the ultimate luxury service.
Andaz Singapore
The Andaz reflects the city’s innovative culture throughout the building’s design and facilities.
It offers more than 1,400 square feet of event space across multiple venues.
These include The Glasshouse, a unique space for meetings and events so named for its glass box design with 6-metre-tall floor-to-ceiling windows framed and complemented by stylish Asian-inspired rose-gold metal partitions. Three of the four event spaces are naturally lit, with the Garden Studio connected to its private garden terrace.
The hotel offers 347 rooms in the Kampong Glam area with direct access to Bugis MRT station, offering excellent ease of access. Moreover, Andaz focuses on wellness, offering Mindful Meetings “to ensure each event is enriching and successful.”
Sofitel Singapore City Centre
Housed in the Guoco Tower, Singapore’s tallest building, the Sofitel offers 223 rooms and suites. The hotel demonstrates a real commitment to business travel with its “Magnifique Meetings” services. Spread over eight venues, the Sofitel offers all the latest technology for efficient business events. Here’s a breakdown of all the different spaces available.
- Wallich Ballroom: At 600 square metres, this ballroom is perfect for significant corporate events, from conferences and seminars to product launches.
- Angsana: Designed for medium-sized meetings and events, Angsana accommodates 60 people for banquets and 120 people for cocktail gatherings. Its name comes from the Angsana, one of Singapore’s National Heritage trees.
- Kapur, Ketapang, and Saga: Also named for Singapore’s National Heritage trees, these are separate function rooms that can be combined to form a bigger space. Saga features an exclusively designed boardroom table for private meetings, whereas Kapur and Ketapang are fit for functions of up to 300 people, with huge windows overlooking the Business District.
- Buni and Tembusu: With views over Tanjong Pagar Centre Park and plenty of natural light, these two rooms form a sophisticated venue for medium-sized meetings.
- The Lawn: A verdant al fresco venue that has previously hosted various events, including themed corporate and social occasions, product launches, and musical performances.
Business Meets Leisure
This selection of Singapore’s hotels understands the needs of business travellers, offering venues of all sizes, kitted out with all the technology to ensure all your business meetings and events run smoothly. Choosing suitable accommodations and the right venues for your trip can help eliminate the stress and hassle of business travel. Remember, taking the time to enjoy the journey is just as important as the work you’re there to do; these hotels provide an excellent work base and make it easy to get some much-needed downtime after hours.
