Sky‑High Singapore: Rooftop Pools, Hawker Feasts & Gardens of Light

Our first big adventure of 2026 began at Birmingham Airport as we boarded the iconic Emirates A380 to Singapore, via a short stop in Dubai. We were seated on the upper deck in the last row of economy and, from the moment we settled in, everything felt reassuringly comfortable. The crew on our aisle were warm, attentive and always on hand, and tasty inflight meals with regular drinks helped the hours pass quickly.

After a smooth landing and a swift 2‑hour connection in Dubai, we were back on board another A380 for the overnight sector to Singapore. The flight was fairly quiet, and we had an exit row to ourselves which made a huge difference. Drinks and a very welcome late‑night pizza arrived not long after take‑off, then we tried to maximise sleep. Breakfast came around quickly, and a lovely touch was the Purser personally coming through the cabin during the night offering drinks and snacks to anyone who was awake.

Arriving into Singapore felt calm and seamless. Changi Airport is incredibly well organised: immigration was straightforward, our bags were already on the belt, and within minutes we were on the MRT heading downtown. At 2.90 Singapore dollars each for the journey, it felt like excellent value and a very easy introduction to the city. One of the first things that really stood out: just how immaculately clean Singapore is.

Our base for the trip was The Clan Hotel, just a short walk from the MRT. After a warm welcome from the concierge and a detailed check‑in, we made it up to our room on the 26th floor. The waterfall shower was heavenly after such a long journey and the bed looked incredibly inviting, but determined not to give in to jet lag too early, we headed straight back out.

We took a gentle wander around Chinatown, found a local food court for a light noodle dinner and then a nearby bar for a couple of drinks before sleep finally won. Within minutes of getting back to the hotel we were fast asleep, travel day complete and first impressions of Singapore: outstanding.

The next morning, refreshed and grateful for a super‑comfortable bed, we set off slowly towards Marina Bay Sands. On the way we passed The Fullerton Hotel, its grand colonial architecture and beautifully kept grounds standing proudly among the modern skyscrapers. It is a striking blend of old and new that really sums up Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands is every bit as impressive in real life as it looks in photos. We explored the vast shopping mall beneath it, which is a designer‑lover’s dream, complete with its own little indoor river where you can even take a boat ride. Our budget did not stretch to a big shopping spree, but it was fun to window shop and soak in the atmosphere.

For lunch we headed to Lau Pa Sat hawker centre. The number of food options is slightly overwhelming in the best possible way. Gurv started with samosa chaat while I ordered chana masala, vegetable biryani and a fresh garlic naan. Each dish was around £5 and the quality and flavour were fantastic. If you enjoy authentic, great‑value food, hawker centres are an absolute must in Singapore.

That set the tone for much of our time in the city: sightseeing balanced with slow moments, and plenty of incredibly good food.

Gardens by the Bay was a real highlight. We chose tickets for the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest first. The Flower Dome is vast and beautifully curated, full of colour, scent and creative planting. It is one of those places where you constantly stop for “just one more” photo. The Cloud Forest, complete with its cascading waterfall and Jurassic Park‑themed exhibit, was just as impressive. Walking close enough to the waterfall to feel the cool spray was a welcome break from the humidity, and following the paths through different levels gave wonderful views back over the gardens.

Food featured heavily that day too. We headed to Maxwell Hawker Centre in Chinatown, where I opted for prawn and chicken gyoza with noodles and Gurv chose a veggie thali with fresh chapatis straight from the tandoor. The total was around £10 for both of us and the quality was superb. Evenings often ended around Boat Quay or Clarke Quay, where we would sit with drinks by the water, watching the skyline light up and the boats glide past, sometimes sharing a few unplanned snacks when temptation got the better of us.

Not every experience quite hit the mark, and that is all part of honest travel. One morning we took a river boat trip from Clarke Quay, looping past Boat Quay, the Merlion, the Fullerton and Marina Bay Sands. It was a pleasant 40‑minute ride, but at 56 SGD for two it is something we probably would not repeat.

By contrast, our evening back at Gardens by the Bay was worth every penny. The OCBC Skyway, at 14 SGD each, is a suspended walkway through the Supertree Grove. I absolutely loved it, although Gurv’s fear of heights kicked in and he came straight back down. The walkway does move a little underfoot, so it is worth bearing that in mind if heights are not your thing. We then found a spot to watch the Garden Rhapsody light show: the Supertrees glowing and changing colour in time to the music against the night sky. The atmosphere was brilliant and, for me, this is a must‑do in Singapore.

We also made plenty of time to slow down. One morning was simply spent by the rooftop pool at the hotel, 30 floors up, with the city spread below. With hardly anyone else around, it felt like a private oasis in the sky. Later that day we walked to Raffles, admiring its elegant façade and beautifully preserved sense of history. The doorman in traditional attire and the gravel driveway really add to the old‑world charm. We skipped the famous Singapore Sling at the Long Bar this time due to queues (and the time of day), but it is easy to see why it is on so many people’s lists.

From there we carried on to Little India. Long before we checked the map, the colours, sounds and aromas told us we had arrived. We stopped at Khansama Tandoori Restaurant for icy drinks and shared snacks: chana samosa chaat for me and aloo paratha for Gurv, both full of flavour. The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering through Little India’s streets and shops, soaking up the vibrant, slightly chaotic energy.

We also took the MRT out to Jewel at Changi Airport to see it properly before our flight home. I had seen endless photos and videos, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing that vast indoor waterfall in person, surrounded by lush greenery and so many levels of shops and restaurants. It really is a destination in its own right.

Another day was dedicated to Singapore’s greener side. We started with iced coffee and an excellent hazelnut pastry, then made our way to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once you are among the lakes, palm trees and shaded paths, it is hard to believe you are still in the city. Gurv got a bit of a shock when a large lizard casually crossed the path in front of us, entirely unbothered by people.

Inside the gardens, the National Orchid Garden was a clear highlight. Tickets were 15 SGD and felt very good value. The orchids are displayed beautifully, in every colour you can imagine, with themed sections and the wonderfully cool Sembcorp Cool House, filled with rare high‑altitude orchids and lush planting. It was both visually stunning and a refreshing escape from the heat.

In the afternoon we headed to Orchard Road, Singapore’s famous shopping boulevard. It is a continuous stretch of glossy malls and designer brands. We stuck mostly to browsing and window shopping, joking about resisting the many Louis Vuitton stores, but it is a fantastic area for people‑watching and getting a feel for modern Singapore.

Of course, we found our way back to hawker food again at Lau Pa Sat. In the early evening the satay stalls outside start firing up, and the atmosphere becomes wonderfully lively. I finally tried Singapore’s famous chicken rice, which absolutely lived up to the hype, and added chicken and pork belly satay for good measure. Gurv went for chana masala with biryani rice and naan. Great value, full of flavour and exactly what you want after a day of exploring. We finished the evening with drinks at Boat Quay, spotting four otters swimming past as the historic Fullerton Hotel glowed across the river.

All too soon, it was time to head home. On our final morning we stayed local, wandering through Chinatown as the city slowly woke up, shutters rolling up and stallholders setting out their goods. After a light breakfast in a cosy café and a look at the colourful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple from the outside, we browsed the market stalls for last‑minute souvenirs and had our first close encounter with durian. One stall had what felt like hundreds piled high, and the smell is certainly… unforgettable.

From there it was back to the hotel to pack and then on to Changi by MRT. Changi makes departures feel as enjoyable as arrivals, especially with Jewel and its waterfall to explore if you have time. You can even check bags in early at Jewel, which makes wandering around much easier.

After a bit of shopping and some time catching up on emails, we boarded our Emirates flights back via Dubai. The ICE entertainment system kept us well occupied until we were eventually descending through thick British cloud on approach to Birmingham, already reminiscing about Singapore’s gardens, hawker food, rooftop pools and that incredible skyline.