So my wife and I are heading out to Singapore for a little over 2 weeks, we are terrible at actually locking down all the details as we get distracted so we just booked the flights and figured now that we are locked in we can figure out the other details later. The idea is to spend a bit of time in Singapore and then use it as a hub to shoot over to a couple of places around there.
So does anyone have recommendations, where have you stayed / what have you done that you loved.
Depends on your budget but I would stay on the Orchard Rd belt. You can find hotels there from 3.5 stars (Holiday Inn), to of course 5 stars (take your pick, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt etc). You are quite central and there are plenty of food options and easy transport via taxis or MRT to other parts of the island. A popular spot is the Marina Bay area as well, but those are mostly 5 star. You have the Marina Bay Sands, Conrad, Ritz etc in that area.
For touring most people enjoy the Night Safari at the zoo. I like Little India and Arab St to walk around. There is a 24 hour shopping center in Little India called Mustafa. People from all walks of life seem to like the place. It's a fire hazard and has zero customer service but it sells all manners of things.
Chinatown is touristy and cheesy but I guess can be interesting if you have never been.
There are a couple of nature walks if that is your thing.
Sentosa is pretty expensive and touristy but still popular.
Some WW2 type sites, including one on Sentosa.
Ferry rides to Bintan or Batam, both Indonesian islands so you will need passports, these are resort type islands with spas etc. Ferry to Pulau Ubin which is part of Singapore, this is a car free island and is a bit of a "rustic" getaway.
Chilli crab and satay are a must. But just make sure your check the price of the crab before you order. Some unscrupulous restaurants have been known to slaughter tourists with crab prices.
I agree with the above defintely recommend a stay around the Orchard Rd area. My Partner and I stayed at the Holiday Inn City central in Feb and i would highly recommend it. Recommend including lounge/club access and take 'full' advantage of the twilight service before heading out to dinner.
As for dining you cant go past the hawker markets for authentic food such as Chicken Rice and Chilli crab. given they are a staple of Singapore they're quite strictly regulated and display their overall rating in the stall (A,B etc). Another great place to check out for nightlife would be Duxton Hill, lots of bars and retaurants, highly recommend Lucha Loco if you're feeling Mexican.
As for attractions i would highly recommend gardens by the bay just behind Marina Bay sands.
if you're looking to get away from S'pore for a couple of days, I'd try nd duck up to KL. im not sure if there's a land option but its a $50 and 30min flight form changi (keep in mind its International so arriving enough time to get thorugh customs). KL is great especially for cheap knock-off shopping and street food. Accomodation is super cheap, Hilton KL sentral was approx. <$100 per night.
Orchard Road is overrated and overpriced. Yes it is accessible but I don't think you truly get the sense of Singapore (if that's what you're after).
I'd venture out to places like Novena or Bishan instead, just outside the Orchard area. Although hotels around Novena is rubbish, except perhaps the Oasia Hotel.
The Kampung Glam area is also quite charming. I believe the Park Royal hotel's there.
We also found Adventure Cove at Sentosa quite nice. It's Singapore Wet 'n Wild without the bogans.
If you intend to spend some time at Sentosa, I'd suggest the Bay Hotel, opposite Harbour Front MRT station. From here you'll be able to walk across to Sentosa, via the Sentosa Broadwalk and not pay the entrance fee.
A visit to the zoo is a must. For a very densely populated city, it's quite amazing how they've reserved the Mandai area, where the zoo is located, as a nature precinct.
The Singapore Eye (or is it Singapore Flyer?) is also worth going - go in the evening.
I think it really boils down to what kind of tourist you are :)
The Katong area is quite happening now in Singers if you're a foodie. Also Geylang has a lot of food late to the night. Yes it's the red light district but you wouldn't know if you walked down Geylang Road.
Everyone else has pretty much covered the usual tourist stuff.
Check out eng seng pepper crab if that's your thing. They close at 8:30pm though.
You could also checkout hotels in the Bugis area.
Mount Faber via cable car (if you're in the sentosa area).
As for what's close to scoot around, you have plenty of flights 2hrs and under.
Depends on your budget but I would stay on the Orchard Rd belt. You can find hotels there from 3.5 stars (Holiday Inn), to of course 5 stars (take your pick, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt etc). You are quite central and there are plenty of food options and easy transport via taxis or MRT to other parts of the island. A popular spot is the Marina Bay area as well, but those are mostly 5 star. You have the Marina Bay Sands, Conrad, Ritz etc in that area.
For touring most people enjoy the Night Safari at the zoo. I like Little India and Arab St to walk around. There is a 24 hour shopping center in Little India called Mustafa. People from all walks of life seem to like the place. It's a fire hazard and has zero customer service but it sells all manners of things.
Chinatown is touristy and cheesy but I guess can be interesting if you have never been.
There are a couple of nature walks if that is your thing.
Sentosa is pretty expensive and touristy but still popular.
Some WW2 type sites, including one on Sentosa.
Ferry rides to Bintan or Batam, both Indonesian islands so you will need passports, these are resort type islands with spas etc. Ferry to Pulau Ubin which is part of Singapore, this is a car free island and is a bit of a "rustic" getaway.
Chilli crab and satay are a must. But just make sure your check the price of the crab before you order. Some unscrupulous restaurants have been known to slaughter tourists with crab prices.
Can't agree with the others about staying on Orchard Road - it's very crowded, touristy and retail. I preferred the Mandarin Oriental before the Sands was finished, the Fairmont also is good. For eating, you can't leave Singapore without going to a good Nyonya restaurant and having the fish head curry. The rest of the advice above is good.
In Singapore, Tiong Bahru is my current favourite neighbourhood. It's relaxed, authentic and pretty central. A few boutique hotels, esp the new Wangz, some great cafes, local markets incl upstairs food hall, several good spas. Tiong Bahru seems to be popular with expats, not as much with tourists.
Peranakan museum at the foot of Canning hill is worth a visit, a great, informative way to soak up this unique culture composite. Currently they showcase embroidery - breathtaking exhibits. Also, really recommend to visit Baba house in Chinatown, a real Peranakan house of the past maintained by the local uni. You'll need to book in a tour on uni website, approx a week in advance, a hassle but a candidate for a real highlight.
As for a food, apart from the hawker experience, check out The Tippling Club for something unusual. You'll need to book ahead and It's not cheap but, by all means worth it if you enjoy an occasional gastronomic adventure ride.
Recently spent a week at So Sofitel Robinson Rd a really funky hotel with top service. Well situated where it is an easy walk to MBS , Gardens by the Bay , Clarke Quay, Chinatown etc. It is in the CBD so very peaceful on weekends.
Take a maxi taxi, from the airport direct to your hotel, while you do share your ride with a number of people from the airport to the city, its still cheap. I have done it, also done the #36 bus and the MRT too. Yes, its more pricey than the MRT, but the MRT sees you needing to change train at Tanah Merah MRT, then another train to the city. The Changi to Tanah Merah MRT train is a feeder, the main one comes from Pasir Ris to the city. While the ride is amazing, it can be long, and you could find yourself standing all the way, as its a regular train that everyone catches. Its always busy, but there are times during the day when its a bit easier to handle the MRT ride. Maybe do it without baggage once you have gotten to your hotel to "freshen up". They have a tourist MRT ticket, so you can buy the days to suit. Don't get the regular traveller one (no harm in that, but you will have a bit of a hard time getting the unused funds refunded as refunds only happen part of the day at the airport/other MRT stations). The tourist one, while no refund, but you do get to keep the tourist public transport ticket as a souvenir). If you do go up to Malaysia, and especially Thailand, just be aware of the possibility of scams/tricks. The food is cheap, the travel can be cheap, and the drinks can be cheap, remember: enjoy in moderation. Keep up fluid intake, its hot and humid up there!
Thanks for the recommendations everyone, got a lot to go research now. Probably going to finish up the trip with a stay in a Raffles suite, I know it's a bit tired now but can't ignore that history.
So far I have just been finding bars and restaurants to visit :)
If it's bars you are after, have a look at some websites and find out when the happy hours are - drinks can be very expensive in Singapore! Make sure you get up to One Altitude at Raffles Place - the view is fantastic and you can see the entire island.
At the moment here there is a big street event called Geylang Bizaar. It runs for the whole month of Ramadan (finishes 25th June so you'll just make it) and lines a couple of streets around the Paya Lebar/Geylang area. Pretty happening and has a great selection of Malay style street food, markets etc. Easy access from the east-west MRT line at Paya Lebar station (green line). Follow the crowds!
_lee_
_lee_
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jun 2017
Total posts 5
So my wife and I are heading out to Singapore for a little over 2 weeks, we are terrible at actually locking down all the details as we get distracted so we just booked the flights and figured now that we are locked in we can figure out the other details later. The idea is to spend a bit of time in Singapore and then use it as a hub to shoot over to a couple of places around there.
Tancho
Tancho
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 31 Jan 2013
Total posts 38
Depends on your budget but I would stay on the Orchard Rd belt. You can find hotels there from 3.5 stars (Holiday Inn), to of course 5 stars (take your pick, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt etc). You are quite central and there are plenty of food options and easy transport via taxis or MRT to other parts of the island. A popular spot is the Marina Bay area as well, but those are mostly 5 star. You have the Marina Bay Sands, Conrad, Ritz etc in that area.
Lps988
Lps988
Member since 20 Jan 2017
Total posts 33
I agree with the above defintely recommend a stay around the Orchard Rd area. My Partner and I stayed at the Holiday Inn City central in Feb and i would highly recommend it. Recommend including lounge/club access and take 'full' advantage of the twilight service before heading out to dinner.
As for dining you cant go past the hawker markets for authentic food such as Chicken Rice and Chilli crab. given they are a staple of Singapore they're quite strictly regulated and display their overall rating in the stall (A,B etc). Another great place to check out for nightlife would be Duxton Hill, lots of bars and retaurants, highly recommend Lucha Loco if you're feeling Mexican.
As for attractions i would highly recommend gardens by the bay just behind Marina Bay sands.
if you're looking to get away from S'pore for a couple of days, I'd try nd duck up to KL. im not sure if there's a land option but its a $50 and 30min flight form changi (keep in mind its International so arriving enough time to get thorugh customs). KL is great especially for cheap knock-off shopping and street food. Accomodation is super cheap, Hilton KL sentral was approx. <$100 per night.
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
Orchard Road is overrated and overpriced. Yes it is accessible but I don't think you truly get the sense of Singapore (if that's what you're after).
I'd venture out to places like Novena or Bishan instead, just outside the Orchard area. Although hotels around Novena is rubbish, except perhaps the Oasia Hotel.
The Kampung Glam area is also quite charming. I believe the Park Royal hotel's there.
We also found Adventure Cove at Sentosa quite nice. It's Singapore Wet 'n Wild without the bogans.
If you intend to spend some time at Sentosa, I'd suggest the Bay Hotel, opposite Harbour Front MRT station. From here you'll be able to walk across to Sentosa, via the Sentosa Broadwalk and not pay the entrance fee.
A visit to the zoo is a must. For a very densely populated city, it's quite amazing how they've reserved the Mandai area, where the zoo is located, as a nature precinct.
The Singapore Eye (or is it Singapore Flyer?) is also worth going - go in the evening.
CB42
CB42
Member since 25 Nov 2016
Total posts 14
Recommend Novotel on Clarke Quay. Very close to eateries, and shopping complexes. Taxis or public transport abundant.
edwardhor
edwardhor
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
Member since 03 Oct 2013
Total posts 1
I think it really boils down to what kind of tourist you are :)
parishiltons
parishiltons
Member since 18 Sep 2015
Total posts 27
rich2002
rich2002
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Feb 2016
Total posts 1
In Singapore, Tiong Bahru is my current favourite neighbourhood. It's relaxed, authentic and pretty central. A few boutique hotels, esp the new Wangz, some great cafes, local markets incl upstairs food hall, several good spas. Tiong Bahru seems to be popular with expats, not as much with tourists.
mickchang
mickchang
Member since 02 May 2017
Total posts 1
Recently spent a week at So Sofitel Robinson Rd a really funky hotel with top service. Well situated where it is an easy walk to MBS , Gardens by the Bay , Clarke Quay, Chinatown etc. It is in the CBD so very peaceful on weekends.
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Take a maxi taxi, from the airport direct to your hotel, while you do share your ride with a number of people from the airport to the city, its still cheap.
I have done it, also done the #36 bus and the MRT too.
Yes, its more pricey than the MRT, but the MRT sees you needing to change train at Tanah Merah MRT, then another train to the city.
The Changi to Tanah Merah MRT train is a feeder, the main one comes from Pasir Ris to the city.
While the ride is amazing, it can be long, and you could find yourself standing all the way, as its a regular train that everyone catches.
Its always busy, but there are times during the day when its a bit easier to handle the MRT ride. Maybe do it without baggage once you have gotten to your hotel to "freshen up".
They have a tourist MRT ticket, so you can buy the days to suit.
Don't get the regular traveller one (no harm in that, but you will have a bit of a hard time getting the unused funds refunded as refunds only happen part of the day at the airport/other MRT stations).
The tourist one, while no refund, but you do get to keep the tourist public transport ticket as a souvenir).
If you do go up to Malaysia, and especially Thailand, just be aware of the possibility of scams/tricks.
The food is cheap, the travel can be cheap, and the drinks can be cheap, remember: enjoy in moderation.
Keep up fluid intake, its hot and humid up there!
trevorsmith1966
trevorsmith1966
CX
Member since 23 Sep 2014
Total posts 2
Try staying in Katong. It is out of the ity but opposite Parkway and there is a decent shopping centre and lots of food.
_lee_
_lee_
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jun 2017
Total posts 5
Thanks for the recommendations everyone, got a lot to go research now. Probably going to finish up the trip with a stay in a Raffles suite, I know it's a bit tired now but can't ignore that history.
rob01
rob01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Nov 2011
Total posts 110
If it's bars you are after, have a look at some websites and find out when the happy hours are - drinks can be very expensive in Singapore! Make sure you get up to One Altitude at Raffles Place - the view is fantastic and you can see the entire island.
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
For bars, walk the Singapore River in the evenings, the place is practically booming.
twkgill
twkgill
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Jul 2015
Total posts 18
At the moment here there is a big street event called Geylang Bizaar. It runs for the whole month of Ramadan (finishes 25th June so you'll just make it) and lines a couple of streets around the Paya Lebar/Geylang area. Pretty happening and has a great selection of Malay style street food, markets etc. Easy access from the east-west MRT line at Paya Lebar station (green line). Follow the crowds!