Dubai, Singapore, KL or other stop off onto Asia

[BookwormButNoTime]

We are looking at travelling to a beach destination in Asia for Christmas next year (Phuket, Langkawi etc) and will invariably need to stop off somewhere due to no direct flights.

We have been to Bangkok recently so not looking to return there, and the main purpose of the holiday is to relax on the beach so we’re only looking at a night or two stopover.

Dubai or any of the other UAE have never appealed but we’ve never been and a quick stopover means we can tick it off the list?

We were booked to go to Singapore and Bali in 2020 which obviously never happened, but would two / three nights in Singapore actually be enough bearing in mind the kids (14 and 11) want to go to Sentosa Island for a day?

Don’t really know much about KL to be honest.

Or should we just have a short connection and hang around an airport for a couple of hours?

Meant to say I wouldn't go back to Penang. (I went when I was 9 and was keen to go back to see what I'd remember) but it's very basic and I hate the hacker stalls. I'd go back to KL and I would definitely go back to Langkawi

Oh and I haven't been to Singapore but my brother worked there for a while and my parents went too and it sounded great so I'd probably choose Singapore over KL.

Singapore can be a bit sterile, but it’s definitely great for kids. Mine love the zoo - monkeys wandering about freely in places and an amazing water feature/water park in the centre. The Shangri La hotel is our favourite, gorgeous pool, amazing high teas and they offer loads of fantastic kids activities

I think all the places are a bit like somewhere to spend a couple of nights, tick it off the list and then never go back.

Hong Kong would have been my first choice but as I posted above, not going to consider for another couple of years until their covid restrictions have been relaxed.

I think we have narrowed it down to either Singapore or Muscat. Thanks for all your help!!!!

Just remember Singapore is very expensive, so a few days will add up quickly. It is nice for a few days though!

I live in Singapore. I'd say 3 days is enough to see the things kids like. Feel free to ask for travel tips.

Spent a fair bit of time travelling in south east Asia and KL is my least fav place and spent a bit of time using KL as a base as there was a cheap airline operating from there (air Asia)

Singapore is fab though. Their zoo alone is worth the trip

Been to Singapore and Dubai both are great destinations with kids.
There is actually so much to do with kids in Dubai that people seem completely unaware of. All people see is the flashy Instagram side full of influencers. Last time we went (my brother lives there) we visited Motiongate (dreamworld theme park) , Dubai gardens, Dubai green planet, miracle gardens. There is also another bigger theme park forgot its name and a few great water parks.
Abu Dhabi's another option they have Ferrari world. Warner bros studio and the mosque so is nice for a couple of days.

Agree with PP Oman looks great and probably better if your looking for more culture.

Singapore is amazing, went early December 2019, BA reward flights return, we then flew to Penang and then Langkawi ( which was wonderful - the trip to the nature reserve by boat is a must) Singapore was dry for the 3 nights we spent on the way out however on return we had another 2 days in Singapore to do Sentosa and it rained and rained and rained, so bad you couldn't go out at all. It is rainy season in December so beware.

Another thought - something I recently learned (the hard way) is that if you decide not to do a stopover trip at all, it's better to fly the whole way into Langkawi or Phuket with one airline on one ticket.

If not you'll probably have to do the full airport arrival palaver - i.e. go through customs and immigration, get bags, check in and do security again (throw out your drinks) etc, etc etc. Possibly transferring to a new terminal or entirely different airport depending on who you fly with. Your whole trip will be limited by lower baggage/hand luggage limits and extortionate add-on costs if using low-cost tourist airlines for the last hop from KL/Bangkok.

I can guarantee partway through that process you'll wish you'd just got off and enjoyed yourselves for a few days!

I currently live in KL - no need to dress modestly here. This is is coming from Kuwait where we had to. If you are only here for two days there is plenty to do. Jalan Alor is good for street food , Petaling street is good (Chinatown), Petronas Towers are impressive too. It's rainy season here so it's a bit cooler than normal but still quite humid.

I’ve done four days in Dubai and was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the afternoon we spent in The indoor ski park. I’ve also done KL too and didn’t like it, it was ten years ago so may have changed, but I felt uncomfortable and uneasy throughout unless DH was with me.

i would definitely pick Singapore.

@S0upertrooper can I pick your brain please? We’ve visited Singapore a couple of times but it was a while ago - they were in the early stages of building the MBS last time we were there.
We have 50th birthdays coming up in the next 18 months and an 11 year old who I’d love to take there, so we’re planning a return.
MBS is on the list for the rooftop pool, but where else should we stay? Sentosa looks to have expanded massively (the Shangri-La was the only hotel there from what I remember). Is Raffles worth a look Post-renos? We’ve stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, Swissotel, both Shangri-Las. Anything new on Orchard Road?

Hong Kong has now relaxed pretty much all their Covid restrictions so you are good to go!

I never had any interest in Dubai either but I ended up having a two night stop over there on my way to Hong Kong for my friends wedding and I actually really enjoyed it. I was on my own, so can't comment on kids but I had a great time. I did a jeep safari into the desert which was amazing, went for a boat ride down the creek, had a wander through the souk, they had one of the hop on hop off buses so I had a tour round some of the newer bits of Dubai using that (places like the palm etc which were interesting to see even if just from the bus!) and went up the Burj Kalifa tower. Oh and they have dancing water fountains like the Bellagio in Las Vegas. And of course there's the big shopping malls and plenty of beaches to chill out on-even with the ocadsiinal camel trotting past! . I really surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it. It's not a place I ever wanted to go but I'm glad I gave it a try.

(You currently still need to wear masks in public but (a) that wouldn’t put me off and (b) I’d surprised if that is still a requirement by Xmas 23.

@MooseBeTimeForSnow because I live here I haven't stayed in many of the hotels but I have stayed in Raffles and it's beautiful and a very special experience, so if that's in your budget i'd definately try it. You can only use the pool at MBS if you are resident. I've heard the hotel is fairly average but it's popular because of the pool and the iconic design.

You might want to consider a beach hotel on Sentosa for the 11 year old but it's very easy to get a taxi over to Sentosa and you can get day packages where you can eat at the hotel and use their facilities.

Have you considered a Sunday brunch for your special meal? Most of the big hotels do them, set price for eat/drink all you can.

@MooseBeTimeForSnow the Capella on Sentosa is lovely but it's not on the beach. I like the brunch at Colony at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. If you stay there, the view of the marina and MBS is great.

@MooseBeTimeForSnow mbs pool is very very cold - I lasted 5 mins - it's to keep it empty ish so everyone gets their Instagram picture! Was a bit disappointed tbh.

I booked MBS earlier this year, for the pool, and they emailed to advise I'd have to log in within 24 hours of check in and book my 1 hour of pool time, subject to availability of course. I cancelled the booking!

We were in Phuket this year, stayed in Karon beach which was great.
Have done both KL and Singapore, would recommend both but Singapore would be slightly more teen friendly. The price however ..... we bought 3 beers at the airport this year (didn't stop over) and they were $75.... (£13.60 per beer), that adds up quick if your eating and drinking in the touristy parts like Sentosa or in hotels.
Phuket was good bang for your buck tho, and great to see if busy !
We considered doing a stop over this year but once we took into account paying for 2 hotel rooms, dinners etc when we were chasing a beach hotel. We decided to head straight there, with a quick 2 hour break at Changi.

Stop off in Singapore for 2 or 3 nights before you head off to Bali. There is so much to see and do there, and it's a totally different feel from a beach holiday, you'll be wowed.

I love Singapore, that would always be my choice. Is three days enough? I’ve been on several holidays there (ex-pat father) and still have lots that I haven’t seen.