Singapore ?

[ratty]

Hello

Does anyone here live in or visit Singapore, who can tell me about it with a view to going there on holiday?

Thanks

[rootbeer7]

Haven’t been for a few years, but used to visit for work very regularly. Incredible place, beautiful hotels and close to some lovely Island resorts in Malaysia.

[Soarer]

How long you going to be there?

Check out Orchard road strip, Vivo city, Sands casino. If you have time, take the cable car ride to Sentosa island from Faber hills.

Lots of things you can do there. Question is how long you gonna spend there.

The hotels and food are marvelous.
Changi airport is one of the best in the World so don't forget to check that out when you arrive/depart.

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[ratty]

Thanks for these replies.

My wife and I have been watching the build up to the F1 Grand Prix and we both thought it looked an interesting place. If we go, it would probably go for about five nights or so.

Obviously having seen the hotel with the pool on the top I would like to go there, but there was a feature on UK television where a reporter showed different areas of the city and it's made us think about paying a visit.

Any other comments would be very welcome.

[Beckster]

Hi Graham.

It depends on what you are looking for in a holiday. Geographically very small. Only app about 42km by 26km. Getting around is very easy with reasonably cheap and convenient public transport. Plenty of attractions. Theme parks etc. It’s also known as a shopping and food haven. The hotel you mentioned is Marina Bay Sands hotel. It is a fairly new landmark with a casino there as well. But be prepared to shell out a fair bit to stay there. But it is one of the top hotels here. If you give us more specifics in terms of what you’re looking for then maybe some of us who are from Singapore could maybe give you more info. But I would say definitely worth a visit!

[enjoythemusic]

Lived there a few months, visited three times.... love it! Just go, have fun, and very safe unlike Europe.

Great entertainment, food, and friends. You can take hopper flight to KL, or Koh Phi Phi, or....

[bayerische]

I'm in the minority here, but I actually didn't like Singapore so much.

Enjoyed the Hawker centers though.

[Soarer]

It's okay. Singapore probably doesn't like you either.

Originally Posted by bayerische

I'm in the minority here, but I actually didn't like Singapore so much.

Enjoyed the Hawker centers though.

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[ratty]

It would just be a city break for my wife and I.

We would like to stay in a nice hotel, see the city generally, have a look in the various shops and have some walks alone the sea front.

Again thanks for the replies and I look forward to hearing more about the city.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Soarer

It's okay. Singapore probably doesn't like you either.


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I’ll tell you she liked my money. I haven’t been anywhere more expensive.

[ratty]

Is Singapore generally an expensive city ?

[ratty]

Originally Posted by ratty

Is Singapore generally an expensive city ?

With hindsight I suppose that's a daft question without something to compare it too, but I hope you get the idea.

[Soarer]

Originally Posted by ratty

Is Singapore generally an expensive city ?

Generally no compared to other bigger cities like NYC or Toronto.

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[Old Geezer]

I visit routinely for business. It’s geographically small but plenty of things to do if you are spending a few days. Is it expensive ? IMO...yes and no. Hotels and nice restaurants can be expensive. Side streets shopping, local restaurants and transportation are reasonable.
Incredibly safe place !

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by Soarer

Generally no compared to other bigger cities like NYC or Toronto.

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I'd say it's much more expensive than both of those.

Alcohol is taxed crazy there.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by bayerische

I'd say it's much more expensive than both of those.

Alcohol is taxed crazy there.

Booze is expensive but food is cheap.

I've been visiting Singapore on and off for 30+ years and really like it (though I stick to the older areas). The only thing I don't like is the year-round heat and humidity. At least in HK we get 3-4 cool months a year.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by ratty

Is Singapore generally an expensive city ?

A beer is easily 10+ euro, A whiskey (1oz!) 15-20 euros.

Food at nice restaurants much more expensive than Scandinavia (and that's saying something)

Wine is ridiculously expensive, you'll get it at around 100 USD upward, unless you want something undrinkable.

[Lol-x]

Singapore is one of the safest, most relaxing places to visit. It is a shopping paradise.

Reasonable hotel rooms(2 people) range from $100 to $300 per night.

Its a shopping paradise, taxi's are very cheap and accessible.

Weather is always very warm but pleasant even when it rains.

Food can be 5 star gourmet or cheap and delicious from the many hawker centres all over the place (less than $5), so it caters for all ranges.

Definitely a country near the top of my list!

[bayerische]

Steve, I didn't do much shopping, but isn't most ie European brands much more expensive than in Europe over there? That's what I remembered.

I was in a SuperDry store at a mall, quite near to the bridge over to Sentosa island, and I was looking at a pair of shorts. They didn't have my size, so I didn't buy them. The price was something in the range of 150 SGD. Bought them a few months later in Florida for 50 USD.

[HK Islandboy]

Singapore is ok. I travel there a lot and spent two years living there

And, sure, given that I live in Hong Kong, I’d do a four hour flight to spend a long weekend there... but it comes nowhere near the top of the list of cities In Asia that I would fly 13 hours to visit

[ratty]

Originally Posted by HK Islandboy

Singapore is ok. I travel there a lot and spent two years living there

And, sure, given that I live in Hong Kong, I’d do a four hour flight to spend a long weekend there... but it comes nowhere near the top of the list of cities In Asia that I would fly 13 hours to visit

Where else would you suggest?

[swatty]

Singapore is a fun place to visit , lots of things to do and see, I was there last year, it’s not a cheap place to visit like some places in Asia but well worth a visit.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by ratty

Is Singapore generally an expensive city ?

That depends, do you want to eat, drink and sleep at Raffles or ???

Stalls have great food for less than McDonalds. Some things can be pricey, yet smart thinking helps. If you plan to save $$$ to go cheap, how about Thailand or Vietnam?

It's like asking of you can do Monaco or Venice cheaply. Perhaps, yet it all depends on your choices.

[ratty]

Having seen the Marina Bay Sands hotel on the TV I could quite fancy staying there.

I like the idea of nice meals and I don't drink alcohol so I'm not bothered about how much alcoholic drinks cost.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by ratty

I like the idea of nice meals and I don't drink alcohol so I'm not bothered about how much alcoholic drinks cost.

Don't drink either. Food is exceptional! Generally, gain at least a kilo a month in Singapore.

[ratty]

Does anyone have any information / experience of the Marina Bay Sands hotel ?

[imperio]

Originally Posted by ratty

Having seen the Marina Bay Sands hotel on the TV I could quite fancy staying there.

I like the idea of nice meals and I don't drink alcohol so I'm not bothered about how much alcoholic drinks cost.

Stay at MBS. It's nice and the infinity pool on the roof will make for very nice photo backdrops.

Walks along the beach - you can catch an Uber (probably $10 or less) to East Coast Park, rent a bicycle or just walk. Grab a seafood dinner at the hawker center (probably $30 or less for a feast for 2 people) or something more fancy at a restaurant (look to spend $100-$150 for 2). Note that if you look and speak like a foreigner, they will probably try to charge you an exorbitant price so if you can make friends with a local or get one of the local members there to bring you around, you'll save a bit.

Shopping - catch an Uber to Orchard road (short ride, $10-$20 depending on peak surcharges). Or you can take the MRT (subway train) for less than $3 (10 min walk to the station and 15 minute ride). Lots of Rolex ADs lining the street of Orchard Rd. RSC is in Tong Building along Orchard Rd if you find yourself in need of adding/removing a link.

It's a great place to walk about and explore. Pretty safe, no need to be worried about getting mugged on the street even in the middle of the night.

Feel free to PM if/when you're there and have any other questions.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by ratty

Where else would you suggest?

Singapore is worth a couple of days visit - and if you are an F1 fan (even a little bit), I’d suggest making to SG for the night race...it is an awesome event. You can watch some racing, pop out for dinner, come back for more racing, see a concert, then walk to the bars outside. Bring your wallet....but it’s worth it!!

Outside of the F1, I’d rank Hong Kong, Bangkok and Tokyo above SG for a city break. If you take a 7-10 day trip, you could hit a couple of them.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by ratty

Does anyone have any information / experience of the Marina Bay Sands hotel ?

I haven’t stayed at MBS, but have greatly enjoyed my visits to the AP boutique at the mall there (the Rolex AD, not so much)

[FiftyTwoEighty]

We love SG and have business and family there. For me, it’s nice blending in as a local.

As a tourist, It’s easily one of the safest places to visit. I’ve been going back and forth from the States since the 1970s.

She has really flourished (nightlife) as a City on the last 10 years.




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