Curator’s statement
When I think about Singapore, one word comes to mind - food. To quote the late, great Anthony Bourdain: "What you do in Singapore is eat." Food is not just at the heart of Singaporean culture - it is the culture. Singapore is an intriguing paradox. The over-the-top indulgence and glamour of Singapore's downtown core and Marina Bay quite literally towers in contrast to its much more understated neighborhood hubs that are still destinations in their own right. My advice? Indulge in the over-the-top grandeur. Immerse yourself in Singapore's diverse Asian culture. And most importantly: eat.
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Where to stay in Singapore
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
With its stunning glass facade illuminated by the sun, and spellbinding interiors of design wunderkind André Fu, this hotel — built entirely over water — sparkles on the Marina Bay waterfront.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Warehouse Hotel
A playground for design lovers, housed in three restored warehouses on Robertson Quay, with a rooftop pool lounge and modern Singaporean restaurant, Po.
Fora Perks
- ★
VIP welcome & amenity.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Capella Singapore
Luxury hotel in a restored 19th-century British Colonial building with upscale quarters in the heart of Singapore.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Andaz Singapore
Based in the centre of Singapore, this Andaz property boasts 360-degree city views via infinity pool and offers a taste of rich Singaporean culture.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in whenever possible.
The St. Regis Singapore
The exclusivity of the hotel is hard to beat, thanks to a lineup of thoughtful and luxurious amenities, including a variety of restaurants and bars featuring epicurean excellence from around the world, bespoke service from St. Regis Butlers, and the award-winning Remède Spa.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
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Things to do in Singapore
Changi Airport - The world's best airport is a destination in and of itself. There's an indoor waterfall, two movie theaters post-security, two hedge mazes, art installations, and a rooftop lap pool with a jacuzzi that you can literally use on a layover.
Marina Bay Sands - The crown jewel of Singapore's Marina Bay. Affectionately known as "MBS", Marina Bay Sands hotel is a world of its own. Luxury shopping, dining, nightlife await. Evening water and light shows in the bay are great for the whole family.
Gardens by the Bay - A feature of MBS, Gardens by the Bay is a mostly free, sprawling futuristic garden. Think Jurassic Park meets Avatar.
Chinatown - Singapore is home to many diverse neighborhoods, but few are as vibrant as Chinatown. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Sri Mariamman Temple are not to be missed.
Kampong Glam - Spend an afternoon in the Arab Quarter, and enjoy a Turkish coffee or smoke some hookah at the end of Muscat Street with views of Sultan Mosque. Look for stickers in shop windows that signify if the business is Arab owned.
Treetop Walk - Singapore is very urban. If a break from the concrete jungle sounds nice, look no further than a hike that includes a 250m long freestanding suspension bridge between Bukit Peirce + Bukit Kalang.
Sentosa Island - Singapore is made up of 63 islands, one of which is Sentosa, a beach resort island away from the glamour of Marina Bay. Take a day trip from the city or spend a few days at a 5-star resort.
New Years Eve at Star Island - There may be no better place in the world to ring in a new year than Marina Bay. Join half of a million people for a spectacular fireworks and culture displays with the backdrop of Singapore's downtown skyline. It is absolutely over the top.
Day Trips
Grab a bus or take a taxi and head north to the Singapore/Malaysia border. Once you've crossed into Johor Bahru, enjoy sites like visit the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple or if you're traveling with kids, burn some energy at Legoland Malaysia.
Places to eat & drink in Singapore
Eat
Hawker Centers - A hawker center or stand is essentially an open air food court with small stalls that serve everything from snacks to full on meal from cuisines all over the world. They are sprawling, busy, and a feast for all senses. Lau Pa Sat near Raffles Quay has a Victorian vibe to it and serves as a great introduction to Hawker Centers.
Anju - Reservations are essential at Anju, where modern Korean food meets an interesting selection of rice, clear, and grain liquors.
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice - Located in Maxwell Food Center in Chinatown, this is one of the most famous Hainanese chicken rice stalls in Singapore with a spot in the Michelin Guide. Expect a long queue. This is classic Singaporean comfort food.
Birds of a Feather - Western comfort food meets Sichuan flavors on Amoy Street in Chinatown.
2am: dessertbar - It's a colorful world of sugar at this dessert bar. Vegan and keto options available.
Drink
Stay Gold Flamingo - Coffee service starts at 8am most days, and "golden hour" features discounted cocktails and small bites. Try the Aperol Kombu Spritz made with strawberry kombucha.
Level33 - The world's highest urban microbrewery. Craft beers and craft beer cocktails are crowd pleasers. Reservations cane be made on their website.
Native - Unusual cocktail ingredients (spoiler alert: its ants!) in a design forward mostly recycled bar will make an experience to tell your friends back home about.
Ce La Vi Singapore Skybar - Make a reservation well in advance because access is exclusive. Expect to pay a premium for incredible views of the city that you won't find elsewhere.
Travel Advisor
Ashtin Robison
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For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Angela Ong's guide, A Local's Ultimate 5-Day Singapore Itinerary.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Asia & Southeast Asia.