Where to Stay in Singapore for a Month: Hotels, Coliving & Serviced Apartments

When I found out that I would be spending a month in Singapore for a research internship, one of the biggest challenges was figuring out where to stay.

Booking a hotel for a few nights is relatively straightforward. But finding accommodation for an entire month is a different story.

Beyond the price, I had to consider my daily commute, access to a kitchen and laundry facilities, security, privacy, and whether the room would actually feel comfortable enough to live in.

As a medical student traveling from Japan for a research internship, I explored several accommodation options, including hotels, coliving spaces, and serviced apartments.

In this article, I’ll share what I learned while searching for one-month accommodation in Singapore, the differences between the main options, and why I eventually chose a coliving-style residence near Orchard.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a qualifying booking through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

1. Why Finding Accommodation for One Month in Singapore Can Be Tricky

Singapore offers plenty of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to longer-term residential properties.

However, staying for approximately one month creates a particular challenge.

Hotels are convenient to book, but the total cost can become substantial over several weeks. Traditional residential rentals, meanwhile, may have minimum lease periods or other requirements that make them unsuitable for a short stay.

It’s also important to check whether a property is legally permitted to offer accommodation for your intended duration. Not every residential listing can be rented for just one month.

During my search, I mainly considered three options:

• Hotels
• Coliving spaces
• Serviced apartments

Each offers a different balance of cost, convenience, privacy, and everyday comfort.

2. Hotels vs. Coliving vs. Serviced Apartments

Hotels: Convenient and Easy to Book

Hotels are probably the most familiar option for visitors to Singapore.

Their biggest advantage is convenience. Booking is usually straightforward, and many properties provide housekeeping, reception services, and other facilities.

For someone visiting Singapore for the first time, that simplicity can be reassuring.

However, staying in a hotel for an entire month can be expensive. Some hotel rooms also lack cooking facilities, which may mean relying on restaurants and takeaway meals throughout your stay.

Hotels may be a good choice if you:

• Prefer a simple booking process
• Don’t plan to cook regularly
• Value housekeeping and hotel services
• Are staying for a relatively short period

Coliving: A Balance Between Privacy and Shared Facilities

Coliving is an accommodation concept where residents typically have their own private rooms while sharing certain facilities, such as kitchens, laundry areas, or lounges.

Depending on the property, rooms may come furnished and include Wi-Fi, making it easier to settle in without buying household essentials.

For students, interns, and young professionals, coliving can offer a practical alternative to hotels.

However, shared facilities also mean sharing space with other residents.

It’s worth checking the kitchen arrangements, laundry access, bathroom facilities, and the exact room type before making a booking.

Coliving may be a good choice if you:

• Are staying for several weeks or months
• Want access to a kitchen and laundry facilities
• Prefer a furnished room
• Don’t mind sharing some common areas

Serviced Apartments: A More Home-Like Experience

Serviced apartments combine some features of hotels with the convenience of apartment-style living.

Depending on the property, they may offer private kitchen facilities, more living space, and housekeeping services.

This can be particularly appealing for people who want a more independent routine during a longer stay.

However, prices, minimum stay requirements, and included services vary significantly.

Serviced apartments may be a good choice if you:

• Prefer to cook your own meals
• Want more private living space
• Expect to spend substantial time in your room
• Are looking for a more home-like environment

Quick Comparison

Feature	Hotels	Coliving	Serviced Apartments
Booking convenience	High	Varies	Varies
Kitchen access	Limited or property-dependent	Often shared	Property-dependent
Laundry facilities	Property-dependent	Often shared	Property-dependent
Privacy	Generally high	Private room, shared areas	Generally high
Suitability for longer stays	Varies	Often good	Often good
Cost for one month	Can be expensive	Wide range	Wide range

Facilities and prices vary by property. Always check the specific room type and booking conditions.

3. Five Things I Prioritized When Choosing Accommodation

Unlike a typical holiday, my month in Singapore would involve commuting to a research facility on weekdays.

That meant I needed somewhere that would work for everyday life, not just somewhere comfortable to sleep.

Here are the five factors that mattered most to me.

1. Location and Daily Commute

The first thing I considered was how easily I could travel to my research facility.

Singapore has an extensive public transport network, including the MRT and buses. Still, when you’re commuting every day, even small differences in travel time and the number of transfers can matter.

I also checked whether there were supermarkets, cafés, and places to eat nearby.

A slightly cheaper room might not be worth it if it means a significantly longer commute every morning.

2. Security and Peace of Mind

As someone staying abroad on my own, feeling comfortable and secure in my accommodation was important.

I looked at building access, room locks, shared-space arrangements, and the surrounding neighborhood.

I was also interested in whether female-only sharing arrangements were available.

For anyone planning a solo stay, I recommend checking the actual access and sharing arrangements rather than relying only on photographs or a general property description.

3. Kitchen and Laundry Facilities

One month is long enough for everyday routines to become important.

I knew I wouldn’t want to eat out for every meal, so access to a kitchen was one of my priorities.

Laundry facilities were another essential consideration.

Before booking, it’s worth checking whether washing machines and dryers are available, whether they cost extra, and whether there are restrictions on when they can be used.

4. Windows, Natural Light, and Room Comfort

One detail I paid particular attention to was whether the room had a window.

Accommodation photographs don’t always make it clear how much natural light a room receives or whether a particular room category has an external window.

Since I would be living there for approximately a month, I wanted a space that felt comfortable beyond just sleeping.

If a feature is important to you, I recommend confirming it directly with the property before paying.

5. The Total Cost, Not Just the Advertised Rate

When comparing accommodation, I learned to look beyond the headline price.

A room that initially appears affordable may involve additional costs.

Before making a decision, check:

• Taxes and service charges
• Security deposits
• Utilities and Wi-Fi
• Cleaning and laundry fees
• Cancellation and refund conditions

Comparing the final amount payable makes it much easier to evaluate different properties fairly.

4. Why I Chose the Orchard Area

After comparing different locations, I decided to stay near Orchard.

Orchard is best known for its shopping malls and central location, but what appealed to me most was the convenience of everyday life.

Having access to supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and public transport makes a difference when you’re living somewhere rather than simply visiting.

During a research internship, free time on weekdays can be limited. Being able to pick up groceries or have dinner after work without a complicated journey was something I valued.

Of course, accommodation around Orchard can be relatively expensive.

For me, the decision came down to finding a balance between location, facilities, and the overall cost.

5. What I Eventually Chose: A Coliving-Style Residence

After exploring several options, I chose a furnished coliving-style residence.

The main reasons were:

• It could accommodate my approximately one-month stay
• The location was convenient for commuting and shopping
• I would have access to a kitchen
• Laundry and drying facilities were available
• I could clarify important room and shared-space details before moving in

One thing I noticed during the search was how much rooms could differ, even within the same property.

Room size, windows, bathroom arrangements, and shared facilities are all worth checking carefully.

My First Impressions After Moving In

Now that I’ve started living in Singapore, I’m getting used to a routine that feels quite different from staying in a hotel.

Grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, and commuting have all become part of everyday life.

Having access to shared facilities is convenient, but their cleanliness, availability, and practicality matter more when you’re using them regularly.

Since I’ve only recently moved in, I’d prefer to spend more time here before writing a full review of the accommodation.

I’ll share more about the experience after I’ve had a chance to understand what day-to-day living is really like.

6. How to Search for Accommodation in Singapore

If you’re planning to stay in Singapore for several weeks, I recommend comparing different types of accommodation before committing to one.

Start by deciding on your priorities:

• Preferred neighborhood
• Maximum total budget
• Required kitchen and laundry facilities
• Commute time
• Privacy and security preferences
• Minimum and maximum stay requirements

For hotels, booking platforms such as Trip.com can be useful for comparing properties in different areas.

Explore Hotels in Singapore on Trip.com

When searching, enter your actual travel dates and compare the total price rather than relying on the nightly rate alone.

For coliving spaces and serviced apartments, it’s also worth checking official property websites, as not every option will appear on general hotel booking platforms.

Before booking, make sure the accommodation is suitable for your intended length of stay and that the provider can legally offer it.

7. What I Learned From Searching for One-Month Accommodation

The biggest lesson from this experience was that the cheapest accommodation isn’t always the best choice for a longer stay.

For a short holiday, a few inconveniences might not matter much.

But when you’re staying somewhere for a month, small things can affect your everyday routine: a long commute, limited laundry access, a poorly equipped kitchen, or a room that doesn’t feel comfortable.

I found it helpful to identify my non-negotiable requirements first and then compare properties based on those priorities.

For me, the goal was to find somewhere that would allow me to focus on my research internship while also enjoying the experience of living abroad.

Final Thoughts: Choose Somewhere You Can Actually Live

If you’re planning a one-month stay in Singapore, hotels, coliving spaces, and serviced apartments are all worth considering.

Hotels offer convenience, coliving can provide access to practical shared facilities, and serviced apartments may offer a more independent living environment.

My own decision was based on a combination of location, security, kitchen access, laundry facilities, and overall comfort.

I hope this guide is helpful for other students, research interns, and professionals planning a short-term stay in Singapore.

I’ll continue sharing what I learn about living in Singapore, including everyday expenses and my experiences during a research internship abroad.

Related article:Medical Student Research Internship in Singapore | Visa, Budget & Housing | Choco Med Journal

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