# What ++ means on Singapore hotel prices

Checked 29 October 2026. Source: https://fostay.com/singapore/service-charge-and-gst

Many Singapore hotels advertise a rate followed by "++". It means the price is plus service charge and plus GST. The total you pay is typically about 20% higher than the advertised rate.

Every price on Fostay is the all-in total, with the service charge and GST counted, so the figure you compare is the one you pay.

| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Advertised rate (++) | S$100.00 |
| 10% service charge | S$10.00 |
| 9% GST on S$110 | S$9.90 |
| What you pay | S$119.90 |

## What each part is

GST is the national goods and services tax. It is 9%, the rate since 1 January 2024. The service charge, typically 10%, is a business practice, not a government levy, and the rate is set by each hotel.

GST is charged on the total including the service charge, which is why the extra on S$100 is S$19.90 and not S$19.00.

## Why hotels show prices with ++

Under IRAS's rules, hotels that charge a service charge may display prices without GST if they show a prominent notice that GST and service charge are added. So ++ pricing is lawful and common.

Parliament has discussed whether hotels and restaurants should show GST-inclusive prices, and we found no change to the rule as of October 2026.

## What to check before you book

The service charge rate is hotel-specific, so confirm it if a hotel does not state it. Some charge none. If a price is not marked ++, check at checkout whether the service charge and GST are listed as separate lines.

We found no hotel tourist levy in Singapore in official sources. The all-in totals on Fostay count the taxes and charges the hotel adds to the room.

## Questions

**What does ++ mean on a Singapore hotel price?**
It means the price is plus service charge and plus GST. With a 10% service charge and 9% GST, a S$100++ rate costs S$119.90.

**How much is GST in Singapore in 2026?**
GST is 9%, the rate since 1 January 2024, according to IRAS.

**Is the service charge mandatory in Singapore hotels?**
It is a business practice, not a government levy. Most hotels add 10%, but the rate is set by each hotel and some charge none, so check the hotel's terms.

**Are Fostay's Singapore hotel prices inclusive of GST and service charge?**
Yes. The total shown for each hotel counts the service charge and GST, including any part the hotel collects at check-in.

## Sources

- [IRAS: current GST rates](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/basics-of-gst/current-gst-rates)
- [IRAS: GST for the hotel and food and beverage sector (service charge, price display, worked example)](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/specific-business-sectors/hotel-and-food-beverage)
- [IRAS: GST rate change for consumers (9% from 1 January 2024)](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-(gst)/gst-rate-change/gst-rate-change-for-consumers1)
- [Workers' Party: parliamentary speech on GST price display for hotels and restaurants](https://www.wp.sg/parliament/speech-by-kenneth-tiong-on-mof-gst-price-display---hotels-and-restaurants)