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Luxury Singapore Travel
Singapore sits at the base of the Malay peninsula at the meeting of the Malacca Straits and the South China Sea. A little over two hundred years ago this small tropical island was not much more than fishing villages and dense jungle, but today stands proudly as one the world’s wealthiest, glitziest, and most dynamic cities.
The arrival of the British in 1819 saw Singapore established as a major colonial trading post; following the island’s eventual independence in 1965 it continued its remarkable modernisation into the thriving global financial hub one finds today. In the process the island became a magnet for ambitious migrant workers: Singaporean nationals today are a melting pot of Malay, Indian, Chinese, Arab and Western cultures, with large expatriate communities – drawn by high-paying jobs in finance, law, property, IT and education – filling out an eclectic international population.
Singapore’s diversity is manifested in a full calendar of colourful festivals, a mouth-watering gastronomic scene, and a friendly, open, highly welcoming attitude. The modern city boasts outstanding infrastructure which, coupled with island-wide fluency in English, make it easy to enjoy the island’s many attractions in a clean, safe, green environment. Visitors are mesmerized by glittering skyscrapers, world-class shopping, and vibrant nightlife while the numerous parks and green spaces have seen Singapore earn the nickname, the ‘Garden City’.
The island state is a major hub for both regional and worldwide travel, with Singapore’s world-famous Changi airport one of the busiest and best in the world. Like many travellers from Europe, North America, and Australasia you may find yourself flying through Singapore en route to parts elsewhere in Asia; for those considering a stopover, we hope these pages serve as strong encouragement to do so – we know you won’t be disappointed!
Glittering, multicultural Singapore has plenty to offer visitors with its world-beating shopping, dining, and outdoor attractions, but as a tiny city-state it will never warrant a tour in its own right. The pull of a visit to Singapore is pairing with one of the many enticing destinations on its’ doorstep such as Malaysia, Borneo, Bali and wider Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam. We typically see clients’ staying in the city for a few days, a week at most, either before or after their time elsewhere in the region.
A combination trip to Singapore and Bali is a classic pairing, especially popular during the summer months for adventurous families or ambitious honeymooners. The jungles of Malaysian Borneo, also ideal from June through to September, are equally enticing and would provide a thrilling contrast between ancient rainforests and a thrusting, modern cityscape. For others, Singapore may fall as a convenient transit point for travel to and from wider Asian destinations, and very sensibly choose to pause and explore here for a night or two.
In the below itineraries you’ll see how easily and effectively Singapore can be folded into a wider trip through the region. As the region’s premier international flight hub, especially for flights from North America and Europe, we see Singapore combinations come up with all kinds of Asia trips; when looking at your flight options please don’t hesitate to contact our specialists to help make the most of your short time in this compelling destination.
Singapore is an island of contrasts. The downtown core may have a sci-fi cityscape of gleaming skyscrapers and glistening, sparkling-clean streets, but tucked away amongst the towers you’ll find enticing green spaces, atmospheric multi-ethnic religious centres, and historic shophouses.
A major centre of regional migration over the last two hundred years, Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, resulting in a diverse food scene and an intriguing array of ethnic enclaves. The downtown area has a thriving Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Quarter, with further cultural influences from the British, Straits Chinese, and regional communities such as Bugis, Malay, and Tamil clearly evident throughout various colourful neighbourhoods. A happy few days can be spent wandering the city centre streets, revelling in the varying flavours and atmospheres found around each corner.
Thanks to a highly efficient public transport system visitors can be transported just about anywhere in minutes. Singapore’s subway system (MRT, or Mass Rapid Transit) is cheap, quick, spotlessly clean, and a doddle to use. Buses are equally efficient and taxis can be found anywhere and anytime.
For a completely different side to the city, you’ll find Sentosa lying just off Singapore’s southern coast. A former British military fortress, it’s now a popular recreational island known for its theme parks, golf courses, award-winning spas, resort hotels and excellent beaches. History buffs will enjoy Fort Siloso, where the British made a stand against the Japanese in 1942, complete with tunnels and cannons. Nature lovers will appreciate Sentosa Natura Discovery which includes a showcase of wildlife and heritage trees native to Singapore and the entire region.
We’ve put together a guide to Singapore’s neighbourhoods and districts. Please speak to our specialists if you’d like more information on any of these locations.
Bugis, in the heart of downtown Singapore and once right on the island’s waterfront, offers a glimpse of historic Singapore with its’ low-rise buildings and traditional shophouses. It’s a microcosm of diverse Singapore with no dominant cultural community, but plenty of great hotels, restaurants, and shops, and highly convenient location in between Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Orchard, and the Quays. The name ‘Bugis’ relates to a Sulawesi ethnic group, known for the shipbuilding prowess, who made villages in this area way back in the early 1800s.
Just north of Bugis is Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Islamic centre. It’s Arab influences are clear to see with the impressive Sultan Mosque sitting adjacent to carpet shops, spice traders, and shisha bars. Recent gentrification has seen a spray of funky new restaurants and boutique cocktail bars opening in recent years, but you’ll still find great bargain shopping and street art along the highly photogenic Haji Lane. The Malay Heritage Centre is also an interesting visit for those keen to learn more about regional culture.
Designated by Stamford Raffles as a district specifically for Singapore’s migrant Chinese population, the Chinatown area is now an exciting mix of old and new, with medicinal centres and tea traders sharing space with upmarket offices and galleries. Chinatown Food Street is among the island’s best food destinations – check out the Char Kway Teow or oyster omelette! Confusingly, it’s within Chinatown where you’ll find the colourful Sri Mariamman Temple, built by Singapore’s Hindu Tamil population.
As you’d expect, Little India is colourful, vibrantly commercial, and a little bit chaotic. Situated to the west of Kampong Glam and north of Bugis, it’s a centre for jewellery, fabrics, and Indian snacks and sweets. You’ll also find colourful Hindu and Buddhist temples, banana leaf meals, and fortune-telling parakeets. Typically for Singapore there’s a notable mix of both Indian and Chinese communities living and trading within the historic neighourhood.
Moving out of the historic neighbourhoods, Marina Bay is the face of glitzy, modern, Singapore. Sitting on reclaimed land which was open sea just a generation ago, the are now houses a dizzying area of skyscrapers and luxury malls. Two of Singapore’s most iconic sights – the ‘supertrees’ of the Gardens by the Bay, and the instantly-recognisable three-towered Marina Bay Sands Hotel – are located here, along with much of Singapore’s financial district.
Moving up the Singapore River from Marina Bay, you’ll come across historic Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. Once the epicentre of Singapore’s trading and commerce, the two Quay’s have now long lost working status – superceded by super ports in Jurong and Pasir Panjang – but have transformed themselves into nightlife hubs, housing upmarket restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Both have a full range of international dining options which evolve into rowdy drinking dens as the night progresses.
With a wealth of things to see and do, some say a visit to Sentosa is like a rollercoaster ride without any stops, experiencing one high after another on an enchanting island just minutes from the mainland, accessed by bridge. Enjoy everything from lounging on picture-perfect beaches to witnessing the Wings of Time laser show and experiencing thrilling adventure parks.
The island state of Singapore has an outstanding hotel scene. As you’d expect from this aspirational and outward-looking city, visitors are given the full red-carpet treatment with a huge variety of excellent hotels to choose from all across the island.
Which such depth of quality the question is not only which accommodation, but where. The overwhelming majority of visitors will find themselves staying somewhere in the ‘downtown core’: Singapore’s busiest and most commercial districts packed together in the southern tip of the island, stretching from the Botanic Gardens and Orchard down to Marina Bay and the Harbourfront Area. In between you’ll find a medley of both historic and modern neighbourhoods, many of which catering to a specific migrant community – Bugis, Chinatown, Little India, the Arab Quarter – and each with their own selection of first-class hotels.
The whole spectrum of hotel styles is also covered. Recent years have seen a proliferation of new ‘boutique’ hotels, such as converted shophouse The Scarlet, leafy retreat Villa Samadhi, or trendy modernist waterfront conversion The Warehouse. Alternatively, if you’re looking for glitz and glamour on the grandest scale look to the iconic Marina Bay Sands, or luxury stalwarts Four Seasons, Shangri-La, or Intercontinental. If high-class heritage is your preference then there’s the gorgeous Fullerton or of course the world-famous Raffles, now back to its brilliant best after a top-to-toe renovation.
Wherever you choose to stay you’ll have excellent public transport at hand, and all of Singapore’s outstanding shopping, dining, and entertainment at your doorstep. Speak to our specialists for inspiration on how to make the absolute best of your stopover, regardless of how much time you have in the city.
No matter how long you spend in Singapore, you won’t ever be short of things to do. In Singapore’s downtown neighbourhoods you’ll find bustling markets, art galleries, and independent designers. Shopping is known as the national sport of Singaporeans, with shopping districts and dedicated malls for all budgets and interests. With all of these districts linked by high-speed (and low cost) public transport you really can pack a lot into one day.
Singapore has well-earned the nickname of ‘Garden City’. In recent years a trend of ‘green’ skyscrapers has seen glass and steel give way to towering living ecosystems. Beyond the city centre you’ll find protected reserves with canopy walkways, scenic nature trails, and abundant flora and fauna, as well as a wealth of public parks and reserves island-wide. The crown jewel of Singapore’s green scene is the Singapore Botanic Gardens – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with the iconic Gardens by the Bay, and smaller Chinese and Japanese Gardens also warranting a dedicated visit.
The food scene needs no introduction. Singapore’s legendary hawker centres can be found in every neighbourhood, serving up the world’s best cheap eats 24/7. For contrast, enjoy one of the city’s many high-class dining destinations, with some 44 Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from across the island. First-hand food experiences include an array of cooking classes and passionately guided food walks.
No matter when you plan to come the tropical heat means it is often best to get out early to avoid long queues and the highest temperatures of the day. A good plan is to start by visiting outdoor attractions like Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo or Botanic Gardens, and then head indoors, perhaps an air-conditioned mall such as Ngee Ann City, until temperatures are more tolerable.
Although your visit to Singapore will likely be fairly short we guarantee that you’ll never run out exhilarating things to do. We’ve picked our just a few of our favourites below.
As one of the world’s wealthiest cities you’ll find no shortage of high-end and fine dining options. Those staying in the best hotels will find a plethora of restaurants onsite, usually covering the full spectrum of international cuisines. The Mandarin Orchard and Marina Bay Sands alone have two Michelin-starred restaurants apiece. A total of 44 restaurants in the city-state carry Michelin stars, with Odette (in the National Gallery) and Les Amis (in the Shaw Centre) both carrying three stars.
Singapore’s biggest selling point however is that you don’t need to be a high-end diner to experience the world’s best cuisines. The city is renowned as one of the world’s great budget dining destinations. Hawker centres – food courts with a wide array of stalls catering to the city’s pan-Asian tastes – are a foodie paradise. Some of our specialists’ happiest travel memories have been spent in these places – just ask your consultant for recommendations! Cafes, convenience stores, bars, and neighbourhood restaurants are also great places to pick up exotic cuisine at bargain prices.
A ‘shopper’s paradise’ doesn’t really do it justice. Whatever you’re looking for – fashion, electronics, fabrics, food, furniture – Singapore has it and has it in abundance! The variety of shopping on offer here – from Orchard Road’s luxury malls catering to the island’s uber-wealthy, down to the bustling markets of Bugis, Chinatown, and Kampong Glam – is what really sets Singapore apart. If you’ve a particular gift or souvenir in mind please let our specialists know and they can advise on where best to start.
Among Singapore’s many attractions are excellent wildlife parks and zoos. The famous Singapore Night Safari is a nocturnal zoo that opens only after dark, offering a unique glimpse of over 100 species of elusive nocturnal animals, including the endangered Malayan tiger. The neighbouring Singapore Zoo, and Jurong Bird Park out on the west coast wetlands, are also both well worth a visit. The island’s numerous nature reserves provide opportunities to see endemic flora and fauna in an untouched environment.
The best way to discover downtown Singapore’s myriad neighbourhoods is on a guided walking tour. A range of immersive tours are available covering diverse topics such as markets, colonialism, or war history, or focusing on distinct districts such as Chinatown, Little India, or Arab Street. Walks are on a shared basis as standard but can be arranged on a private basis, and thus tailored specifically to your interests, if so wished.
Get beyond Singapore’s ‘main island’ to explore its outlying islets, some home to tiny fishing village populations, while others are totally uninhabited and offer a glimpse of Singapore’s natural state just a century or two ago. These tours can be arranged by exclusive and elegant yacht, and include visits to marine parks, jungle walks, and isolated island temples.
Singapore’s top attraction, and now an icon of the city, Gardens by the Bay is home to the famous Supertrees, where science meets nature. The up to 16 stories high structures feature over 160,000 species of flora and fauna and after dark they come to life with incredible sound and light displays. The park also hosts massive seashell-shaped glasshouses, hundreds of plants and trees, and a skywalk.
Located inside the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the National Orchid Garden houses more than 60,000 orchid plants with over 1,000 species and more than 2,000 hybrids. The fauna is magnificently displayed in four separate seasonal zones; winter featuring whites and blues, spring filled with bright yellows, golds and creams; vibrant reds and pinks in the summer zone; and autumn showcasing earthy hues.
S.Srinivasan
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