Singapore with family, suggestions
Discussion
I will be staying with the family (wife + 8/5 year old) in Singapore for 5 nights. Wondered if anyone has any recommendations for places to see, restaurants/bars to visit?
We will be staying at the Mandarin Oriental to fairly central.
Guess the usual Orchard Road, Santosa Island? But any advice/experience gratefully received!
We will be staying at the Mandarin Oriental to fairly central.
Guess the usual Orchard Road, Santosa Island? But any advice/experience gratefully received!
belleair302 said:
Fullerton Hotel does a great spread for breakfast or dinner. For a Blade Runner experience dine way up at the Skai at the Swisshotel. Wanderlust lounge is fun for a family too. Spago at the Marina Bay Sands. Artemis Grill and Sky bar is good value.
Thank you- this is just what I was after!- had a look at these online and they look great! The SEA aquarium on Sentosa would be good for your kids I think (ours really liked it at their ages). Ditto night safari and gardens by the bay as well, as mentioned above. Definitely look to eat in the hawker markets a bit too.
ETA look at brunches as well - think we did the Fullerton and another - ridiculous selection of great food. Afternoon sleep required though
ETA look at brunches as well - think we did the Fullerton and another - ridiculous selection of great food. Afternoon sleep required though
There is a free light show at Gardens by the bay each evening which kids might enjoy (we did and we're retirees ). There were a number of child friendly sections at the Gardens too, which might keep them occupied. We tried to buy the tickets online, but had some technical issues, so just bought at the kiosk in the end and I don't think it was any more expensive, but might be worth looking in advance, just so you understand all the ticket options as you might not have time/desire to see all of it.
Raffles long bar isn't the original bar that the Singapore Sling was created in as they moved it from another area in the hotel many years ago. Therefore I viewed it as a tourist trap and didn't bother: I think my wife said it was something like $70 for two SS. We had them elsewhere and ironically the best ones on that particular holiday were in Thailand on the leg home.
You can wander around the mall attached to it and even some areas of the hotel; we made regular use of the covered walkway alongside it a few times when it was raining on the way back to our hotel.
The Singapore Flyer was very quiet the day we went and we had a cabin to ourselves which was nice. Had a walk around that area of the F1 track too.
The Metro is great to get you around, but be aware that you need cash to top up the card unless you bank with a Singapore bank they won't accept UK cards. They are like an underground city with shops and cafes, which we would use to walk from place to place and keep out of the heat as some run underneath the outside pavements, or get a coffee on our way to the next bit of sightseeing.
We had some great meals in food courts and similar which were very reasonable, lots of choice too if you (or kids) need something more familiar among the more local food on offer which is what we ate.
We had 5 nights there, but still didn't fit everything in. Hoping to go again (rather than just changing planes as we will next year) so we can see more as we'd like to get to the botanical gardens and some other places.
). There were a number of child friendly sections at the Gardens too, which might keep them occupied. We tried to buy the tickets online, but had some technical issues, so just bought at the kiosk in the end and I don't think it was any more expensive, but might be worth looking in advance, just so you understand all the ticket options as you might not have time/desire to see all of it.Raffles long bar isn't the original bar that the Singapore Sling was created in as they moved it from another area in the hotel many years ago. Therefore I viewed it as a tourist trap and didn't bother: I think my wife said it was something like $70 for two SS. We had them elsewhere and ironically the best ones on that particular holiday were in Thailand on the leg home.
You can wander around the mall attached to it and even some areas of the hotel; we made regular use of the covered walkway alongside it a few times when it was raining on the way back to our hotel. The Singapore Flyer was very quiet the day we went and we had a cabin to ourselves which was nice. Had a walk around that area of the F1 track too.
The Metro is great to get you around, but be aware that you need cash to top up the card unless you bank with a Singapore bank they won't accept UK cards. They are like an underground city with shops and cafes, which we would use to walk from place to place and keep out of the heat as some run underneath the outside pavements, or get a coffee on our way to the next bit of sightseeing.
We had some great meals in food courts and similar which were very reasonable, lots of choice too if you (or kids) need something more familiar among the more local food on offer which is what we ate.
We had 5 nights there, but still didn't fit everything in. Hoping to go again (rather than just changing planes as we will next year) so we can see more as we'd like to get to the botanical gardens and some other places.
Outside the usual tourist stuff already mentioned, Singapore is mostly about the food. Try Chinese, Malay and Indian food, it's some of the best you will find anywhere in the world.
Don't be scared of hawker centres, they look rough round the edges but they are deeply a part of the local culture. Look on michelin guide for the good spots, there is a place called Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice which is excellent, one you must try.
Don't be scared of hawker centres, they look rough round the edges but they are deeply a part of the local culture. Look on michelin guide for the good spots, there is a place called Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice which is excellent, one you must try.
Jiebo said:
Don't be scared of hawker centres, they look rough round the edges but they are deeply a part of the local culture. Look on michelin guide for the good spots, there is a place called Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice which is excellent, one you must try.
Absolutely and the hawker centres and other street food places are excellent value as well. Also my understanding is that Singapore has very strict food hygiene laws so eating at any of these places will be "safe" even if they look rough around the edges. _Neal_ said:
Jiebo said:
Don't be scared of hawker centres, they look rough round the edges but they are deeply a part of the local culture. Look on michelin guide for the good spots, there is a place called Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice which is excellent, one you must try.
Absolutely and the hawker centres and other street food places are excellent value as well. Also my understanding is that Singapore has very strict food hygiene laws so eating at any of these places will be "safe" even if they look rough around the edges. OP I'd defnitely have a wander around the botanic gardens and the Sentosa aquarium thing as mentioned above as well..
isaldiri said:
That chicken rice stall would be at maxwell road hawker centre around town although the one just across the road (amoy st hawker centre) probably overall has more good food. The main issue with these though (and I'd include the 'famous' one at old airport road) is that it is awfully warm and humid in singapore and it does take a bit of getting used to eating outdoors for someone not used to it.
OP I'd defnitely have a wander around the botanic gardens and the Sentosa aquarium thing as mentioned above as well..
Eating a spicy curry with your hands in the Tekka Centre, in 32 degrees and 85% humidity, sweating from head to toe is a part of the experience. The key to SG is to wear sports gear at all times to avoid showing the body sweat.OP I'd defnitely have a wander around the botanic gardens and the Sentosa aquarium thing as mentioned above as well..
I'd give it swerve if possible. Being right on the equator ,it's too hot for running around sight seeing. Apart from Marina Bay Sands I wasn't really impressed. Too new and glitzy. Much prefer geography, culture of HK. Great transport, ferries, underground, trams, busses. Day trip to Macau on hyrdrofoil. Penninsula hotel for the bond experience, buy a vodka martini in the top bar. Spend a whole day in Chungking Mansions shopping and eating.Victoria Peak cable car ride. Happy Valley racecourse. Back alleys for great chinese street food.
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