By Katie Corcoran
Angled lines, modern architecture, clean streets and shops, shops and more shops - welcome to Singapore! There's plenty to keep the traveller occupied in this contemporary city, from lazing on the beach, discovering the pretty botanical gardens, drinking an iconic Singapore Sling (the Bellini's come a very close second, by the way), to taking a trip on the sky train and of course, eating some great food.
For most, Singapore is a stop-over en route to Australia, New Zealand and other small islands in Asia. Many will just see the inside of the terminal without a second thought to venturing outside of the airport walls. Well, we broke the rules and decided to discover just what the city has to offer... and it's not all about shopping...honest.
Where to stay
Singapore is not short of choice or luxury when it comes to hotels. We love the Shangri-la with its great service, friendly staff, well-equipped facilities and delicious restaurants. It's no wonder this hotel has some committed repeat visitors. There's the Tower Wing - think huge sweeping marble lobbies, a sky-high bar overlooking the city and a huge choice of rooms from standard to deluxe suites. Then there's the Garden Wing with its tropical waterfalls and lush vegetation. These rooms are perfect for families and couples. Finally, the elite can enjoy the Valley Wing, where gigantic plush suites with flat screen TV's, large marble bathrooms and a personalised white fluffy robe embroidered with your initials greet you. Oh and the champagne, cocktails and canapés are on tap. This is the life.
Where to shop
The great thing about Singapore is that you can satisfy every shopping need from browsing the Orchard Street strip (similar to London's Oxford Street) or stumble into the various markets where you can pick up a fantastic bargain.
A good place to start is the Takashimaya Shopping Centre on Orchard Road. This is one of the most famous malls in Singapore and has everything under one roof including Chanel, Tiffany's and beauty emporium Sephora. If you walk through the mall to the connecting shopping centre you will come across shops full of interesting young designers and an endless array of shoes and bags. We loved shopping in Charles and Keith, which has on-trend bags and shoes at great prices. We brought home several!
Bugis market is the place to shop if you are a market lover. It's a hot undercover maze of stalls selling everything from clothes, watches, shoes and bags to fab costume jewellery and fresh fruit smoothies. It's much cheaper than the malls but comes without any return polices, so barter, buy and enjoy.
What to see
There's much more to Singapore than just shopping, such as beaches, museums, the bustle of Chinatown and the mighty sky train. There's also the option of nipping across to Indonesia for several days of spa pampering.
For city dwellers, there's endless choice. Start with Chinatown and take a leisurely afternoon browsing around the historic Chinatown Heritage Centre. What's more, the ‘wet market' in Chinatown is a real eye opener. Make sure you check out the multi-coloured fruits, fish, meats and local delicacies; it's great for picture taking.
Along with discovering the air conditioned metro trains, which are a great way to travel the city coolly, safely and quickly, it's also worth jumping on the sky train. This is Singapore's version of the London Eye, and you can see all of Singapore and its surrounding areas from 165 meters above ground level. It's an impressive way to see the city.
Singapore Botanic Gardens are a tropical oasis in the middle of this modern city. Relax and enjoy the sculptures, gardens, plants and stunning flowers. It's only five minutes from Orchard Road's shopping mecca but it feels like worlds away.
For those that want a few hours of sunshine and relaxation, jump in a taxi to Sentosa Island where the fantastic white sands of the man-made beaches will take the edge off a long flight. Play volleyball or golf, walk along the beach or simply sunbathe while watching the unusual skyline. This is still a working port so expect to see huge tankers and ships littering the distance, making for a fascinating view.
Last, but not least, make sure you go to Raffles for a world famous Singapore Sling. Sit on their '60s style wicker chairs and throw your monkey nut shells on the floor while sipping an ice cool cocktail. Bliss!
Where to eat
Singapore has a lively nightlife and it caters for all ages, with ice cream parlours open till late at Clarke Quay, and hip nightclubs and sophisticated champagne bars. There are also fantastic food markets where you can sample local food in a clean environment, plus plenty of hotel restaurants with top-notch service (although they can be pricy).
The Leu Pa Sat food court has some of the best dim sum we've ever had. It's clean, delicious and dishes start at around £3 - bargain.
Suntec Convention Centre in the Food Republic food court has delicious Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese soups, noodles, broths and local dishes. It has delicious food and you can watch the business people of Singapore enjoy their lunch hour. Dishes start from around £3.
Indochine Waterfront at Clarke Quay is the perfect bustling riverside restaurant to enjoy good Indian food. It's a great spot for dinner before hitting a bar or club nearby.
Il Lido restaurant at the Sentosa Golf Course is the best way to eat some delicious Italian food while visiting beachy Sentosa Island, which is just a short car journey from the centre of town. Sit on the idyllic balcony over looking the golf course and the sea.
The Line at the Shangri-la Hotel is a restaurant for those who want a modern dining experience with a huge choice of cuisines. Sample everything from pizza, dim sum, Indian, Chinese, noodles and more in this slick hotel restaurant and bar. It's oh-so trendy, just watch the price of the beer which can add an unexpected extra cost to your bill.
Oosh is well worth the visit if you are staying centrally. Sit outside in the gardens by candlelight while enjoying a menu of Asian fusion. The cushioned seating area, lanterns and privately mounted decking areas for after dinner drinks are something to look forward to.
Finally, if you want to experience a traditional meal, stop at the Red House on the way to the airport. It's known for its traditional chilli crab which is simply amazing. Crack the shells and gawp at the massive spider crab before you, then wander down to the waterfront after dinner to see the city at night. It's a fun way to wave goodbye to Singapore.
Go that extra mile
If you want a few extra days away from the city then it couldn't be easier to jump onto a ferry and sail one hour over to Indonesia. Enjoy snorkelling, fishing, spa treatments and lazy days on the idyllic beaches of Indonesia's hot tropical islands which boast great wildlife and some five-star service.
Where to stay
The Angsana Bintan Resort has a private beach, large pool, water sports centre, environmental and wildlife educational walks, spacious double rooms and private garden suites.
The Banyan Tree Angsana is a world-class hotel famous for its fabulous spas. This small, discreet resort has beautiful five-star huts on stilts overlooking the sea with a treetop restaurant serving delicious food and a private beach. You pay for what you get here, and honeymooners and couples will be in heaven.
Getting there
Katie Corcoran was a guest at the 5* Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore and the Banyan Tree Angsana, Bintan Island. Emerald Global offers great deals at both properties. Stay three nights at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore from just £295pp (B&B basis) flights not included. Or, stay four nights for the price of three at the Banyan Tree Angsana, on Bintan Island from just £210pp (B&B basis) flights not included. For more information ring Emerald Global on 020 7312 1708 or visit www.emerald.travel.
Escape to Menorca for the weekend
Read our review of the ultimate outback getaway
Read our girls guide to Montreal
