Midrange
The Elizabeth
This somewhat tired tourist hotel doesn't have much of the promised "Old World Grandeur", but the location a short stroll off Orchard is good for the price and there's a waterfall to watch as you munch on the insipid breakfast buffet.
Orchard Parade Hotel
This business hotel decorated in modern Mediterranean style is located at the starting end of Orchard Road, next to Forum Galleria. It is also within walking distance to the Botanic Garden and embassy district in Tanglin.
Rendezvous Hotel
Colonial style on the outside, modern facilities including pool on the inside. Lee Kuan Yew has been known to pop into the Straits Cafe upstairs for their famous nasi padang rice buffet.
YWCA Fort Canning Lodge
Hotel-style accommodations at a mid-range price in a good location just off Orchard. Broadband Internet in all rooms, outdoor pool, tennis court. And no, you don't have to be young, female or Christian to stay here. Long-term stay rates also available if staying over a month.
Hotel Bencoolen
Located on the fringe of the main Orchard Road stretch and minutes away from the Central Business District by car. Getting around is easy with access to a network of buses and the MRT train system within walking distance. Leisure travellers will enjoy the proximity to shopping clusters at City Hall and Dhoby Ghaut while culture bugs will enjoy the Singapore Art Museum and bustling Little India down just the street.
Top end
St. Regis Singapore
Singapore's newest superluxury hotel is a rather uncomfortable fusion of replica 1910s style crystal chandeliers and leather sofas with plasma TVs and jet massage showers. Pool, spa, 24-hour butler service, private art collection including works by Botero and Miro.
Four Seasons
Centrally located, but tucked away on a quiet side street. Famed for its level of personal service, and the modern facilities include the only air-conditioned tennis courts in the country.
Fullerton
The former Singapore Post Office, one of the most beautiful buildings in town, and one of the few true 5-star hotels.
Goodwood Park Hotel
The place to stay if you want the Raffles experience without the crowds and with a slightly less breathtaking price tag. Supremely lovely garden pool. Be sure to opt for the older main building, not the modern annex.
Grand Hyatt Singapore
Hyatt's Singapore flagship is Orchard Road's standard-bearer for sleek modern swank.
Concorde
Formerly Le Meridien and long overdue for a renovation, the main selling points here are the central location and the reasonable prices.
Marriott
In the perfect location for shoppers, right at the center of Singapore at the intersection of Orchard and Scotts, and with Tang's department store in the basement and an underground walkway to Orchard MRT. A little older and mustier than the five-star options, but the yum cha dim sum buffet on Sundays is to die for.
Meritus Mandarin
Slightly older but very centrally located hotel popular among businessmen and sightseers alike.
Quincy
Opened 2009, this supermodern boutique hotel is tucked away on a quiet hill 5 min from Orchard Road. Insane 12th floor pool half-suspended in the air. Gym, sauna, spa. Free minibar and all three meals included in most packages.
Shangri-La
One of the world's most luxurious resort hotels. Beautiful grounds and pools. 755 guest rooms and suites. The location is a bit of hike though.
Hilton Singapore
Your standard-issue Hilton with everything you'd expect but not much more. The steep price comes mostly from the excellent location a few minutes walk from Orchard MRT.
Raffles
Singapore's most famous hotel, home of the Long Bar and the Singapore Sling. A true luxury hotel in a must-see colonial structure.
If you want to splurge, there are two major styles to choose from: colonial hotels, harking back to the turn of the century, and modern hotels, firmly in the present.
Accommodation on Orchard Rd incurs a hefty premium for the location and is uniformly expensive at least by Singapore standards. Cheaper rates are usually offered only by older hotels in varying states of decay.
YMCA International House
Forget your preconceived ideas of what a YMCA is - this is a hotel that also has dorm rooms. Air-con, TVs, fridge and attached bathrooms in all rooms, plus gym and rooftop pool. Rooms on the 2008-refurbished floor cost $5 extra, a worthwhile investment. History buffs should note that the previous YMCA building on this site was the headquarters of the notorious Japanese secret police Kempeitai during the Occupation, but the present structure dates from the 1980s.