Singapore Stopover: Why It Deserves More Than a Night at the Airport
A lot of my clients fly through Singapore without ever leaving the airport. It's the natural halfway point on the way to Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and plenty of South East Asia, and it's easy to treat it as nothing more than a place to stretch your legs. I'd push back on that. Two or three nights here breaks up a very long journey, takes the edge off the jet lag, and gives you a city that's easy, safe and genuinely good fun. It also has a reputation for being a bit sterile, which I don't think is fair once you get out of the shopping malls. Here's how I'd spend a short stay.
Where to stay
For most people I'd suggest either Orchard Road or Marina Bay.
Orchard Road suits anyone who wants a proper base with some breathing space. The Grand Hyatt Singapore has recently been refreshed and works well for this, especially the Terrace Wing, which is set around tropical gardens, koi ponds and a waterfall. It feels much calmer than you'd expect for somewhere on the city's main shopping street. There's a good spa and gym (including a HYROX training club, if that's your thing) and enough restaurants on site that you don't have to go out every night.
Marina Bay is the one for views, and Sentosa works well if you've got children in tow. Tell me who's travelling and what you want from the stop and I'll point you in the right direction.
See the city from a Vespa sidecar
If you only book one thing, make it this. A vintage Vespa sidecar tour takes you through Chinatown's old shophouses and the tree-lined streets of the Colonial District, and you see a side of Singapore that most visitors walk straight past. It's a bit silly in the best way, and it's a great ice breaker if you've arrived tired after a long-haul flight.
Gardens by the Bay
This is the one everyone's seen photos of, and it still manages to impress in person. The Supertrees are best in the evening when they light up, and the Cloud Forest dome is worth the ticket on its own, especially if the heat outside is getting to you. It works for pretty much everyone: couples, families, grandparents, solo travellers.
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Two or three nights here turns dead travel time into part of the holiday. |
Make your own Singapore Sling at Raffles
The Singapore Sling was invented at Raffles Hotel, and the building itself is worth seeing even if you're not staying there. Rather than just ordering one at the bar, you can book a class and learn to make it yourself. It's a nice way to spend an hour, you get a bit of the hotel's history along the way, and you come home with a party trick.
Sundowners at CÉ LA VI
CÉ LA VI sits on the roof of Marina Bay Sands and has one of the best views of the skyline you'll find. Go around sunset, get a drink and watch the city lights come on. It's a bit of a splurge, but it's a very good way to spend your last evening.
Dinner aboard the Royal Albatross
If you're celebrating something, I'd look at the Royal Albatross. It's a tall ship that sails from Sentosa, and you have dinner on board while the skyline goes by. Anniversaries, honeymoons, big birthdays: this is the one I'd book.
How long do you need?
Two nights gives you the highlights. Three lets you slow down, and after a 13-hour flight you'll probably be glad of it. Singapore pairs really well with:
• A longer trip to Australia or New Zealand
• Island hopping in the Philippines
• A multi-centre trip through Vietnam or Thailand
If you're already planning a long-haul trip east, ask me about adding a few nights in Singapore. It's often a small change to the flights and it makes a big difference to how you feel when you arrive at the main event.
