Tell me about Singapore

[ImInStealthMode]

DP and I are looking to book a week or so away at the end of the year, which is the most we can spare off work.

We're thinking of Singapore because a) Green list and B) I've never been to Asia and would like to try somewhere totally new.

I know it's a long way for a week but at this stage don't care, we just want to be somewhere that's not here. We'll have 7 nights and won't leave until almost midnight on the last day, so 7 and a bit full days.

So, Singapore aficionados, where should we stay? What should we do? Anything not to miss? Anything to absolutely miss? It's intended as a city break really but a day or two of laying down relaxing would be good too. I've seen pictures of nice beaches?

Just us by the way, no kids (although with any luck I'll be pregnant)

[Cantchooseaname]

I have been- for a short break it was nice- we stopped off on the way to NZ. Some fabulous food, nice gardens, incredible culture.
But, it’s really hot, and I’m not sure I would want to fly that far when pregnant.
We stayed at a hotel called the wanderlust, it was incredible- probably one of my very favourite hotels.
Raffles is fun, but I couldn’t throw peanut casings on the floor.
I’d hang on and see what happens with lists and permitted travel- there may be better/ different options by then.

[twiggytwoo]

It's very very expensive! Make sure you book a hotel brunch (also £££) at Raffles or the Fullerton or a similar hotel - and then get your money's worth.

Also chilli crab on the east coast and satay at Lau Pa Sat.

Singaporeans are massive foodies so I would make food a big feature!

[Zodlebud]

Just because it’s on the green list doesn’t mean they will let you in!!!! I honestly wouldn’t book any trip there until the borders are properly open again. They have some of the strictest rules around quarantine etc. It may well be the middle of next year before they let tourists in again (as advised by my travel agent as we have a trip to Singapore booked for July - obviously not happening)

[Ulelia]

So it's greenlist when going into the UK but UK is on Singapores red list, so you need both an entry permit (hard to get, need a valid reason) and 21 days quarantine when you arrive. Obviously (hopefully?) This will have reduced by the end of the year but no one in Singapore is expecting borders to open normally by then, as the government is super cautious and going for a zero covid approach. I'd be very careful booking anything that isn't 100% cancellable and refundable. Sorry!

[MrsTerryPratchett]

As far as I'm concerned it's the worst bit of Asia! Too expensive, soulless and shiny. I had a terrible time! The rest of Asia (the bits I've seen) is absolutely amazing. Loved China, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam. Thailand would be incredible without the widespread sex trade issues.

Some people absolutely love it though. The food's good.

[Ulelia]

Cross post, soz.

[Smeds]

I've been a few times, relatives used to live there and we loved it.

If you want beaches then look at Sentosa, its an island but really easy transport links to mainland. The MRT system (underground) is perfect for getting around. Definitely do the Zoo, a drink in raffles long bar, Chinatown is good for a nosy and Clarke Quay was great for bars. Botanic gardens are beautiful too.

It is hot, but when you're inside everywhere has amazing air conditioning which is wonderful relief when pregnant I was 19-21 weeks pregnant when out there. I wouldn't have travelled any later than that.

[emptyplinth]

It's nice for a visit, very safe and clean, lovely for strolling round. The food market at Lau Pa Sat is a must.
The Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay are beautiful.
But it is so hot. And expensive.
For a 1 week break I'd probably look at Malaysia or Indonesia instead if those travel options opened up by then.

[eurochick]

What @Ulelia said.

I love Singapore. Great food, very clean, very welcoming. Expensive yes, and the taxis disappear when it rains but still great. I wanted to move there for a couple of years but the opportunity went away.

[user1460377741]

I lived there for a couple of years and think it's a great holiday destination.
Sentosa Island has a beach, check out Tanjong beach club for brunch and cocktails by the beach.
The best sights are Gardens by the Bay, The Botanical Gardens, The National Museum and the night safari.
I'd definitely recommend brunch at The Fullerton and lunch or dinner and one of the many hawker centres.

[AgentProvocateur]

Singapore is fine for a weekend or a work visit, but it’s not really Asia. It’s a hotter, more humid London or NY. Go to Malaysia, Vietnam or Laos if you want to experience Asia - they’re all much more interesting.

[Honeyroar]

I used to go frequently as cabin crew. It’s a safe, clean place with lots of things to do, but it doesn’t feel like it’s got half as much character as most other places in Asia. Plus it’s stiflingly hot, really humid. It rains a lot too, albeit warm rain. But it’s still a nice place. Very high tech ans everything seems well planned.

[murbblurb]

Been a long time and Singapore changes massively, but I went there several times and loved it. It is a dictatorship but clean, safe ( fierce laws) and the populace are all properly housed. Yes there are social issues like anywhere : watch yourself in geylang among other places. Pre covid -

Take it slowly, but just wandering round the waterfront and seeing the buildings is a good start. My itinerary used to include the fountain of wealth, raffles for tea, the wonderful botanic gardens , the merlion. All interspersed with dives into the shopping malls to cool off. No actual shopping, that's boring and unless you are small nothing will fit anyway.

Changi museum (just reopened) and the zoo are great days out- see the zoo in the day at your own pace rather than being trucked around the night Safari. Marina bay sands pool would be fabulous but isn't know if you can use it unless a guest.

Food food food - hawker centres, chicken rice , all the stir fries and curries anyone could ever eat. Not posh restaurants, street food! No hygiene issues, you can drink the tap water. Even the airport is fantastic if you have to wait airside.

No nice beaches unless you like murky water with a view of tankers- don't bother with sentosa and certainly never at weekends/holidays. if you want lovely beaches, go to the Med. Heat and humidity is something else as in much of Asia.

[ShanghaiDiva]

I lived in China for 12 years and visited Singapore several times. It’s great for food, some interesting museums, gardens by the bay is lovely, night safari is great, easy to navigate, Chinatown and little India are great to stroll around and there is an interesting museum about the Japanese occupation on sentosa island.
Downside- very humid and it’s the land of the plus plus by the time all of the taxes have been added to your bill.
It’s very different from other countries in Asia but it’s still a very interesting holiday destination.

[shallIswim]

It's a good place for a break. Loads of food! Different ethnic areas to sample all that lovely food too.
Follow the Botany Geek on Instagram... he is Singaporean and always posts wonderful shots of foliage and wild-ish places -
MacCritchie Reservoir, Fort Canning and Botanic Gardens for a jungle experience.

[Namenic]

Check Singapore entry and quarantine requirements before booking!

[Bananacocks]

We are also planning a trip to Singapore, so watching with interest, although we will be taking kids with us too, including one fussy eater that I am a bit worried about.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I love Singapore.
I'm not sure it's holiday though for most people, more a city break.
The food is amazing, go to the hawker centers and just eat.
Also good shopping, the Zoo and Night Safari are also worth visiting, as is Changi museum.
If you want a a beach then I'd couple it up with somewhere else.

[AgeLikeWine]

Singapore is a mixture of authentic Asia and Western consumerism gone mad. It’s expensive, and the people are lovely, but the climate is absolutely horrendous. A very efficient place - everything just works. Amazing food : the durian fruit is a prized local speciality which just has to be tried.

[shallIswim]

I found Gardens by the Bay overrated. I realise I'm probably in a club of one. But I'd rather not have bothered!

[OverTheRubicon]

Love the food, found everything else incredibly dull compared with rest of Asia.
Locals says Sentosa stands for 'So Expensive Nothing To See Actually', which seemed pretty accurate to me. Like a big shopping mall, safe, pricey, and all manufactured.

Also very likely to refuse UK visitors, green list or no.

There are so many parts of Asia that are still gentle for people new to the region but so much more authentic and beautiful. Thailand is incredible and (opening pending) has an easy to access airport, Vietnam too. Or Bali in Indonesia.

I wouldn't spend all my money on Asia on a trip to Singapore, if it's sun then go to Greece or if not then wait until you can go further afield.

[MrsArchchancellorRidcully]

Zoo. Day zoo incredible. Night zoo even better. Loads of easy safe buses etc. Take the boat over to the island and cable car back. Have a drink at raffles. Eat out anywhere. Markets are cheap, clean and safe.

[TakeYourFinalPosition]

I really liked it, but it was hot and it’s very City-like, and I wouldn’t go while pregnant. I also wouldn’t only go for 7 days. We spent 10 days there and then went on to other countries, which was lovely, but I didn’t feel like we got to do everything we wanted to - we left shattered!

I work with a Singaporean company and they’re not expecting anyone from the U.K. to be able to visit until next Spring. I have no idea why they think that, but they’ve been spot on with their predictions so far, so I’d doubt being able to go this year.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I saw a python having a poo at the night zoo

[RubaiyatOfAnyone]

My dh works over there every 6 weeks or so (obv not during covid) and likes it but does say that minus the heat/humidity/monsoon rain showers, you could holiday in central london for much the same effect and more to do.

I haven’t been because i have small children to wrangle, and hate the heat, but also because of the zika risk when i was pregnant, although that might have changed since. It’s worth looking at the up to date advice if you might be pregnant when going.