Our Best Holiday Tips For Singapore

Ask anyone who’s visited Singapore for more than a short stopover, and they’ll tell you that you won’t be short of finding things to keep you busy and fill your days. No matter how long you’re in the country, in spite of its modest size, it probably won’t be long enough to tick every single “must do” off your list, so here’s our best Singapore holiday tips to help make your decisions easier. 

Stay

A place to call home is a priority when visiting Singapore, and you can’t get more dramatic and luxurious than Marina Bay Sands. An icon of the country, this futuristic, 55-storey high rise resort hotel truly has it all, from accommodation with jaw-dropping views to a lineup of fine dining. Not to mention “that” rooftop infinity pool everyone has seen. Marina Bay Sands’ design and multi-dimensional offerings have transformed the Singapore city skyline; the hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the CBD, and just 20 minutes from Changi Airport. What else is on offer for guests who choose to stay there is a choice of 2,561 luxury rooms and suites across three towers, each one topped by the famous SkyPark. This playground in the sky is home to restaurants, lush gardens, an infinity edged swimming pool, and the world’s largest public cantilever housing an observation deck. Down below, the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has hundreds of luxury and premium brands from bespoke menswear, women’s collections, and luxury children’s labels, to luxury watch and jewellery brands. But the fun doesn’t stop there. In case you’re in need of a break, there’s a collection of dining venues including an impressive lineup of celebrity chef restaurants such as Mario Batali and Daniel Boulud from New York, Wolfgang Puck from Los Angeles, Tetsuya Wakuda from Sydney, local Justin Quek from Singapore, David Thompson from Sydney by way of Bangkok, and London’s Gordon Ramsay (www.marinabaysands.com). 

Eat And Drink

Visitors to Singapore are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dining out, whether you enjoy the hustle and bustle of hawker markets, or you’re looking for the calibre of fine dining the likes of which other major cities can only dream of. One to put your on your “don’t miss” list is David Thompson’s Long Chim at Marina Bay Sands. The brain child of the Australian chef and restaurateur, the name translates to “come and taste” in Thai, and what’s on offer is a highly affordable dining venue where you’ll often have the pleasure of seeing David in the kitchen cooking up a storm. The restaurant enjoys a decor of dimly lit interiors with lashings of wood and a gentle colour palate of golds and blacks. There’s also a lovely bar, and seats next to the open kitchen stations if you have to wait for your table, or you just want to see what’s cooking. On the menu is an impressive lineup of Thai dishes which range from classics, to classics with a modern twist; simple pork and prawn Spring Rolls, Cured Pork Fritters with peanuts and ginger, Pad Thai with prawns, and local seafood delicacies including scallops, and baby squid and soft shell crab are just a few of the offerings. The staff is always happy to make recommendations to suit your tastes, but watch out for Long Chim’s notorious standout Larp Chiang Mai, which is a northern take on the Thai classic and super spicy.

See

If you don’t have much time for sightseeing, put a ride on the Singapore Flyer on the top of your list. Along with jaw-dropping views of Marina Bay Sands, the Marina District, and the rest of the island city as far as the eye can see, it's also a great way to get your bearings as a new arrival as you can see where everything is located. If you’ve been on any other huge, enclosed Ferris wheels such as the London Eye you’ll know what to expect. There is a basic ride, called the Singapore Flight, which has you safely enclosed in a capsule and rising 165 metres above ground level. As the wheel rotates a full 360 degrees, you’ll see landmarks including the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park and Empress Place. It takes about 30 minutes to complete a full rotation, affording you plenty of time to put your camera or smartphone to work, with the first flight departing at 8.30am, and the last at 10.30pm. Other options available ideal for anyone on a romantic getaway, or if you just want to splash out and indulge, range from a Premium Champagne flight accompanied by the finest champagne, to a Private Premium Sky Dining Capsule, which combines fine food with constantly moving views (www.singaporeflyer.com). 

Do 

Singapore is currently one of the world’s most expensive cities, packed with five-star-plus hotels and resorts, and a great many featuring top notch spas. If you’re weary from a long haul flight, however, and in the mood for straightforward experience like a local would, look no further than Healing Touch. Voted as one of Singapore’s best value spas, it has seven locations, all of which are close to MRT stations, and that means there’s bound to be one near your hotel. On offer at Healing Touch is a comprehensive lineup of treatments which includes deep tissue oil massage and acupressure massage without oil, and a detoxifying ginger scrub or a relaxing lavender scrub - both of which are ideal after a long flight. There’s also a range of simple facials if your skin needs a boost after flying, and anti-ageing skin care products from Korea to purchase which you probably can’t get back home. The Asian fusion oil massage combines styles including the stretching of Thai, the robust kneading of Chinese, deep tissue and Swedish, using a light, fragrant oil at times. All treatments are carried out in your own private room, and the therapists are local experts who work intuitively. You can also book online at the outlet of your choice before you leave home (www.healingtouchspa.com). 

Don’t Miss

Gardens by the Bay has to be seen to be believed and if you run short on time in Singapore, you can organise a ride on the Singapore Flyer with a visit to this urban haven afterwards. The gardens nestle in the shadow of the imposing triple towers of Marina Bay Sands, a collection of distinctive gardens dominated by futuristic Supertrees; giant steel towers with vines and orchids trained up the outside, and linked by a walkway. There is a combination of free areas and areas for which you pay an entry fee, including the high level OCBC Skyway which offers lovely views across the facility and the Supertrees from a height of 22 metres. The garden is also dotted with more than 40 sculptures from around the world, featuring some unique pieces including a Mama Gaya Crocodile, Lion Doors and a Bottle Baby. The gardens also hosts events such as the free entry, Garden Rhapsody - Garden Waltz, a music and light show like no other (www.gardensbythebay.com.sg).