Singapore Favorites
I had the great pleasure of accompanying my boyfriend in 2022 to visit his parents in Singapore. His mom had a huge career opportunity to go to Singapore to head up her company’s APAC practices right before her retirement, so they packed up and went. Unfortunately this was January 2020, and so we didn’t get to visit or explore as much as we wanted to, but hey neither did they. When we were finally able to visit we were so excited, we spent 3 weeks exploring Southeast Asia with 8 full days to settle in and get to know Singapore through his parents eyes as expats with 2 years under their belts. We were lucky enough to get to stay with them which is the biggest barrier to traveling in Singapore for a good price, but we did end up staying in a cute room at the end of the trip on our way home so I’ll go ahead and break down the trip in its entirety and my recommendations.
If you’re able to score a good price for a direct flight to Singapore, it can be a great landing pad for western travelers to all that SE Asia has to offer, but with potable water straight from the tap, plentiful AC, English everywhere, and more familiar sights and smells packaged in to a place full of optimistic futurism and wonder. As first-time travelers in SE Asia, I found it a great way to ease in to more adventurous travels. I hope to go back one day.
Haji Ln & Arab Street
ATLAS
One of the best bars in the world. An insane collection of gins and a very cool old world atmosphere. You need reservations.
Black Sheep & Co
Cute and fun little Irish Pub, I always think euro-vibes businesses in Asian countries are fun to see as it is distilled through multiple lenses, super cute and cozy bar
The Coconut Club Beach Road
Delicious Singaporean and Malaysian food, cute and modern take with the sweetest ladies working here. Get dessert!
% Arabica Singapore Arab Street
Fantastic coffee in a beautiful space, a real operation
Sultan Turkish Restaurant
Huge platters of delicious kebabs and snacks, fun meal to share
Goodluck Bunch
Really cute little shoppy-shop with home goods and women’s clothing. Special and sweet little souvenirs of Singapore-specific goods
Ootori Club Produced by Waka
We didn’t come here, but my favorite little restaurant called Box n Sticks closed! There are some sweet Japanese Izakayas hidden back here
Grand Bazaar
Beautiful shop full of Turkish goods, little jewel box of a store. Stop in to Ottoman Turkish Delights next door.
Al-Rehmat Trading
I bought a beautiful Turkish rug here for a great price. Shipping it home is the issue. I was lucky to have room in my MIL’s shipping container, but I know they do offer shipping all over the world.
Orchard Shopping
Merci Marcel Orchard
Cute frenchy spot for coffee before a day of shopping
Muji
Nothing beats a Muji in Asia. There was at least 2 in Orchard, the one with the pens and home goods is the best
Uniqlo
A giant Uniqlo, and one of the only places for me as a tall 5’10” XL lady with a size 10 shoe to buy clothes in Asia
Decathlon
Really cool and reasonably priced outdoor gear shop. Great for travel needs like mini microfiber towels or googles for swimming or socks you forgot to pack
Marina
Boozy Brunch at LAVO
My MIL splurged and took us to LAVO. Although I wouldn’t have initially done it based on the price, it is now a must see if you’re visiting. It is the iconic restaurant on top of the hotel from Crazy Rich Asians final scene, the views are 360 degrees and it might be the tallest building I’ve ever been in. The food was incredible, such a fun buffet full of lobster, steak, breakfast, deserts, everything. The mimosas kept flowing and everything was great. It was such an indulgent experience that felt so Singapore
Raffles Singapore
Beautiful hotel, worth it to stop in and get a Singapore Sling at the lobby bar
Supertree Grove
Wonderful and free to visit, although I’m sure the canopy is cool it was worth the visit from the ground. They have a slightly cheesy light show every night, if you like light shows set to music from movies it would be cool to visit, but I think it was a little OTT and more of a kid thing. Still very cool, it felt like an experience from a solarpunk future
Lau Pa Sat
Huge food market in the style of parisian art nouveau. Incredible prices. Hot and sweaty. Cold frosty beer and small plastic chairs. Bring your own hand wipes.
Merlion
Worth a visit to this iconic symbol of Singapore as you walk around the bay. Take public transit, it is so easy in Singapore and lets out in beautifully air conditioned malls and underground pathways.
Chinatown
Chinatown Seafood Restaurant
Awesome no-frills Chinese restaurant on the main strip of chinatown, right after the metro exit
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Beautiful old temple in the Tang Dynasty style. Even if you don’t go in, it is beautiful to walk by
Shops
Shops line the alleyways between the visitor centre and buddha tooth relic temple
Hotels
$$$ Andaz
Gorgeous property at reasonable rates (for Singapore) with well-appointed small rooms. The restaurants and bars in this property are beautiful and delicious, and the rooftop pool is serene and gorgeous. If you’re not staying here I’d still recommend 5 ON 25, the in-house splurge of a Cantonese restaurant.
$$$$ The Standard
The Standard was not yet open when we visited Singapore, but when I go back I’m staying here. It is in the same neighborhood as my in-laws’ apartment, it is a lush and garden-y area with lovely walking, easy to catch Grabs, and metro access. When we were in Bangkok we stayed in a newly opened Standard property and I couldn’t recommend the brand enough, this property looks beautiful and the location is great. Here’s some photos of the neighborhood.
$$ InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay by IHG
We didn’t stay here, but I’ve loved InterContinental properties every time I’ve stayed at one. It is a little out of the way of main tourist attractions, but transit is so easy in Singapore I don’t think it would be an issue. Over here Common Man Coffee Roasters - Martin Road looks cute, and so does the antique store Tan Boon Liat Building.