Singapore Trip - Ideas

[preiffer]

OK,

I'm pretty sure this is a first on this board - someone going to Singapore NOT to do a TP run [ii];).

Anyway, I've decided to stop half-way on my way down to NZ for 3 days - with absolutely no intention of going to any other place by plane at all until it's time to leave to CHC in October. I've seen this thread, and this one, too - but here's the thing:

I have 3 days, no hotel booking, no plans. What to see? Where to stay? (for 3 days, rather than 1 night ) and what to do...[?]


Ideas, anyone?

[HighFlyer]

Glad to see you found the searchy feature Paul Natch!

Im trying to think of things you'd enjoy ... id say to avoid Arab St and the night markets, while they are always touted as 'must do's' i wouldnt agree that being hassled to buy some fake Gucci watch is what i'd fly to Asia to spend my free time doing.

You should go to the Long Bar in Raffles and have a Singapore Sling, yes its cliche but the bar is good fun - and popular with the crew and most travellers.

Id also vote for Sentosa, get down to the beaches for a spot of exploring!

Where to stay? The Oriental of course ...

Oh, and your taking me along as well, right?

Thanks,
Sarah

[preiffer]

I was going to say - while they sound like great suggestions, surely I'm getting a live tour where you're concerned...?


PS - Why the Oriental over the other options? (I also saw there's an IC in the city centre...?)

[honey lamb]

If you scroll down on this thread you will see that the Shangri-la in Singapore was also highly recommended

[preiffer]

Oooh - cheers HL [y]. Hmm. They also do VS miles... [:w]

[RichardMannion]

Paul - I stayed at the Oriental and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again when I go back to SIN. It is part of the MO group, so you earn miles.

I really liked SIN, let me put together a few suggestions for you.

Thanks,
Richard

[mcmbenjamin]

Well I suggest you take the Shuttle to KL and see the Petronas Towers....

Hiking the highest point in Singapore. Seamed that many people do this daily. About a 3 mile hike round trip and was an easy climb - Bukit Timah Summit

Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. They have a package where you can keep the glass. - Me and Sing Sling

Little India
Orchard Road

Tour the Singapore Airport - They offer free guided tours at 4PM IIRC

I would stay at the Conrad. It is nice with easy access to Sun City mall, there is a HSBC ATM about 20 feet from the hotel next to a Starbucks and an Outback. The cab to the airport was SGD13 or so.

Paul

Check out

Jurong Bird Park
and another vote for Sentosa Island (cable car from WT centre)

Robert

[preiffer]

OK - Cool. (Ben, did you get ID'd?!?). Someone also mentioned a "night zoo" earlier today... [?]

[mcmbenjamin]

Night Zoo equals Night Safari - Sorta cool

I add my highest possible recommendation for the Night Safari as mentioned; it represents the single best experience I have yet had at a zoo or similar wildlife park. Great staff and a lovely environment when I visited in 2000.

Orchard Road is well worth a wander if you're not ideologically opposed to shopping malls as there are many (at least eight?) in little over half a mile, many of which are at least five floors tall, attractively designed or both.

Everything else (Sentosa, Jurong Bird Park, Long Bar etc.) I considered pleasant but missable rather than obviously world-leading.

Singapore is one of my favourite places - I was there for a couple of days only last week.

On business I usually stay at the Raffles Plaza. Excellent value and a really nice hotel. Rooms in the South Tower are better than the North Tower. On holiday, the Shangri-La on Orchard Rd (don't touch the Sentosa one with a bargepole) is almost impossible to beat and is well situated.

The Night Safari is really and truly not to be missed. I believe it to be unique worldwide. It's some way out of the city but the easiest way there is by taxi and it won't cost very much.

Jurong Bird Park is world class. Also the Botanic Gardens - free entry and a lovely place just to walk. The only part you have to pay to get into is the Orchid Garden which is well worth visiting. It's a world famous orchid breeding centre and is truly beautiful. My wife is also addicted to the orchid perfume which you can buy in the Ginger Garden gift shop just outside the orchid garden! You can't get it anywhere else so I have to keep going back to replenish supplies - such hardship!

Sentosa is fun but tacky in places. The musical fountain is worth watching in the evening if you can stay that late but get there early as it fills up quickly. Fort Siloso and the Aquarium are the other bits worth doing. And, as someone has mentioned elsewhere, getting there via the cablecar is a lovely way to arrive. Just get in a taxi and ask for the Sentosa cable car station.

I second Sarah's recommendation to have a sling in the Long Bar. You just have to do it. It's also worth eating in the Raffles Courtyard restaurant. They do an excellent satay selection there and it's not as expensive as you'd think.

Clarke Quay and Boat Quay are fun in the evening but avoid the restaurants with touts outside. They are touristy and expensive. Harry's Bar on Boat Quay is a good place for a drink and has live jazz on many nights. Brewerkz on Clarke Quay brew their own beer and cook good steaks.

Around Boat Quay and the Marina area you can get boat trips up and down the river which are relaxing and enjoyable.
I could go on!

Enjoy yourself.

Chris

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Night Zoo equals Night Safari - Sorta cool

Wow that looks very cool...mmmmm maybe...

Go to Attica in Clark Quay. Really cool club