Recommendation for Singapore hotel

Hey norwooda, this is more of a Europe newsboard. The cruise ship area is far from anything, except maybe the Gardens by the Bay and the famous but expensive Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino. AFAIR there is a taxi/road toll surcharge for Marina Bay Sands, and even more for the cruise port!

Like many big cities of the world, you need either a taxi or the subway to explore Singapore. Without knowing your home country or your ethnicity (because of Singapore's big Little India and general melting-pot-of-asia culture) it's impossible to tell you where you should stay. Many visitors' top item is shopping, which we didn't even want to see the impressive mall architecture of (but it's near the famous and wonderful botanical gardens, and the largest outdoor orchid collection in the world.)

In November, 2018 it was humid and sweltering every minute. Long walks were difficult, and the downtown is not what I consider "pedestrian-friendly" - too few crosswalks, too many subterranean and overhead crossings with tedious steps. Note that the tourist multiday transit pass you want is NOT sold at every single station.

We stayed at the Conrad Centennial for the Hilton points, but I'm sure it's not the cheapest in a very expensive city. It was near a subway stop. Note that the famous Raffles Hotel had failed to reopen by the time we got to town. (They have a second one which is open.) We walked to St. Andrews Cathedral, the National Museum, the Anderson Bridge, and the Lau Pa Hawker Court from the Conrad, but it was way too far and hot for the average suburban SUV driver (sorry!) We took the train back.

We managed to walk to the Bay Esplanade from the Conrad (not so far) in the evening, for the nightly laser/fountain show across by the Marina Bay Sands. But it was (ho hum) older technology and to me, underwhelming. But it's free! I suggest you load up Google Maps and pan across this area of the city, noting hotels, and then go to Trip Advisor for reviews.

Taxis are cheap and plentiful and will take you anywhere you want to go, and the metro is world class. You needn't restrict yourself to somewhere near the cruise ship terminal. I'd suggest looking on Orchard Road or in the Marina District if you'd like to be in the center of things. The ethnic neighborhoods are fun too and have great deals for accommodations a little further off the beaten path.
It'll be hot and humid no matter when you go. The only real variation in the weather, since it's only about 50 miles from the equator, is the amount of rain you're likely to see depending upon whether you're there during the monsoon season.

We spend five days at the Royal Plaza on Scotts. It is a 4.5 star hotel, very nice, near the Orchard Road station. Price is great.
You will same many $$ here over staying downtown.

Taxis are cheap in Singapore and you can save more taking transit.

There are many good restaurants near this hotel. We found several where lunch was about $6 US per person.

I lived in Singapore and always recommended visitors stay at the Rendezvous Hotel because of its central location. My parents and in-laws both loved it there. It’s right near Dhoby Ghaut MRT (subway) station which a main interchange and Fort Canning Park. You can walk to the Orchard Rd shopping strip, Marina Bay, Little India, or Raffles Hotel in about 15mins. Chinatown is just a couple of stops on the MRT. Taxis are also relatively cheap.

I have a recommendation on where NOT to stay!!! The Village Changi hotel. Don’t even think about it!