Midrange
Carlton Hotel
Very much a standard-issue, slightly older business hotel, but it's clean, comfortable and very well located.
Copthorne King's
. The former King's Hotel, given a thorough renovation when taken over by the Copthorne group and now looks almost brand new. Tower wing rooms are good, main wing less so. The primary downside is the somewhat inconvenient location near the west end of the river, although Mohammed Sultan is within striking distance.
Holiday Inn Atrium
Formerly the Concorde Hotel, the 30-floor inner atrium is indeed impressive, but little else about this hotel is.
There is a large cluster of older mid-range hotels on and near Havelock Rd at the western end of river, not the best location for sightseeing or shopping. SBS bus 51 from Havelock Rd offers a good escape route to Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Orchard. Note that in the center, the bus goes north up Eu Tong Sen Rd/Hill St, but returns south via North/South Bridge Rd.
Top end
Pan Pacific Singapore
A somewhat older hotel renovated in 2005, the most notable features are the 35-story atrium and the great skyline views from the aptly named Panoramic Balcony rooms. The pool and gym were renovated in 2006 and look sharp, but the rooms themselves, however, are nothing out of the ordinary.
Raffles Hotel
A Singaporean icon offering 5-star luxury in an colonial style, known as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling and the final stand of Singapore's last tiger, shot in the Billiards Room. Famed for super-attentive service, with more staff than guests, but needless to say, it's also by far the most expensive hotel in Singapore!
Fullerton Hotel
In the magnificently refurbished former Central Post Office, this is Raffles' closest competitor in price as well with an excellent location facing the Merlion on the south side of the river; the third-floor pool almost certainly has the best views in town. Rooms are modern in style and luxuriously furnished, but for the best views it's worth paying a little extra to avoid the Courtyard rooms and get a Quay or better.
Gallery Hotel
If you've ever wanted to spend the night in an IKEA showroom, this self-proclaimed Highly Individual Property is the place for you. No paintings hanging on the wall here, the name refers to the hotel's own style, all steel, glass, austere modern furniture and breakage-prone fancy electronics. Well located for visits to the 4 bars/clubs on premises and nightspots on Mohammed Sultan, but you'll be taking a taxi anywhere else. Bonus points for free Internet and Singapore's funkiest pool/human aquarium.
Grand Copthorne
The flagship of the Millennium & Copthorne chain and the only luxury hotel at the west end, but unfortunately the pomp of the lobby and exterior are not matched by the spacious but otherwise somewhat dumpy rooms.
Novotel Clarke Quay
Formerly the New Otani, the hotel reopened in late 2005 after a major refurbishment. The hotel now boast of 401 newly renovated rooms each with magnificent and un-obstructed views, and state-of-the-art facilities.
In addition to the hotels below, check out adjacent Marina Bay, which has a major cluster of high-end hotels.
Fairmont Singapore
Formerly Raffles the Plaza and the world's tallest hotel, now neither but still one of Singapore's best hotels: recently refurbished, unbeatable location, good service. The South Tower rooms are newer than the North Tower. Pool shared with the adjacent Swissotel The Stamford and thus crowded at peak times.
There are some luxury hotels of note scattered elsewhere on the river.
Swissotel Merchant Court
This large 476-room hotel has an excellent location on Clarke Quay right next to the MRT station, but the rooms are musty and those facing the river suffer from noise from partygoers whooping it up.
Unless you're a shopping maven intent on maximizing time in Orchard Road's shopping malls, the riverside is probably the best place to stay in Singapore.