Melo Villareal
Together with Jan Shim and Jonel Uy, We were recently invited by the Singapore Tourism Board for a 4D3N tour to witness and experience Singapore’s newest hotels and tourist attractions. Singapore has always been a wonderful place to visit and as such, there has always been an abundance of beautiful things to see, exciting cultural places to go, and no shortage of great and exciting wonders to catch your imagination and make you truly enjoy the marvelous city-state of Singapore.
Marina Bay Sands at Night
Since my last visit in Singapore last Zoukout Party in 2009, things have been changing in Singapore. Some people would even say that the city has been transformed. Yes its true, in fact, new amusement parks, Museums and Design Hotels were opened recently. Just look at Orchard Road, previously the home of nutmeg orchards and no shortage of country stretches during the colonial period and then as the city grew, it became the poshest residential district for the wealthy. Of course, from there it became something else and developed a bit of a reputation as the place to go for some illicit fun or a place for shopaholics.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
This was at the same time as it was also becoming the most fashionable place to shop in the Republic. Then came the first cold storage supermarket and the now famous C.K. Tang Department Store (Yes, Tangs!). Finally in 1974 it was home to the first of the big Singapore malls. So what has happened to it? Well, to start with the government put in a whopping forty million dollars to clean it up. In turn, that has brought hundreds of millions in investments and once again, we are seeing the Rodeo Drive of the Far East where we used to see nothing but streetwalkers and old shophouses.
ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands
In other parts of the cities the changes are just as stunning. Take for example Marina Bay Sands. This incredible fully integrated hotel is a one stop vacation paradise with the casino, top chef restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and of course the ArtScience Museum – one of Singapore’s newest and most beloved educational attractions.
Foot Bridge at Marina Bay Sands
Offering world class exhibitions from some of the most preeminent historical organizations around the globe, recent exhibitions have included the artifacts of Genghis Khan, the Silk Road and Tang Dynasty Shipwrecks. These aren’t just dry exhibits. These are hands on, living exhibits complete with interactive components and even live period music by performers in attendance.
Inside The Shoppes
With it’s inspiring lotus-inspired shape, the ArtScience Museum is something worth looking at, even from the outside. The mission statement of the ArtScience Museum states “ What unites Art and Science is the instinct to observe, connect, take risks and explore new ideas and ways of understanding nature’s wisdom and experiences that shape our culture. Visitors to the ArtScience Gallery will explore these mysterious connections between the arts and the sciences through three galleries – Curiosity, Inspiration and Expression – thus undergoing their own journey of creativity.”
Dumplings at Rasapura Masters
Once you’ve delved into the past, it might be time to delve into your bank account by visiting the many shoppes at the Marina Bay Sands. If you are looking for a premiere luxury experience, you may well find it by browsing among the top brands in the world. Over 800,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, makes this the number one luxury shopping destination in Singapore. The many luxury and emerging shoppes include Alfred Dunhill, BALLY, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Cartier, CHANEL, Dior, ESCADA, FENDI, Gucci, Hermès, MIU MIU, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stefano Ricci, Yves Saint Laurent and also many of the latest emerging trend shoppes on the planet.
Infinity Pool at MBS
Now, if you happen to wonder what the big thing longer than the Eiffel Tower is that sits atop the three towers of the Marina Bay Sands, you are about to find out. The Marina Bay Sands Skypark is a new world wonder designed by Moshe Safdie, the Skypark is more than 12,400 square meters. That’s big enough to hold you and 3900 of your closest friends. More than just being a place to see the view, there is also an infinity pool and gardens holding more than 900 species of plants and trees.
Infinity Pool at Fullerton Bay Hotel
In response to the increasing number of tourist visiting Singapore, new hotels were recently opened. During our recent trip, we stayed in two of the newest hotels in Singapore. We spent our first two nights in Little India’s Wanderlust Hotel (hotel details). I’ve seen a blogpost about this hotel before and since then I have included this hotel in my bucket list. I totally enjoyed my stay and I will definitely go back to tryout the other uniquely designed rooms.
Deluxe Garden Room at Hotel Fort Canning
If you love heritage, luxury and great hospitality combined, Hotel Fort Canning (hotel details) should be on top of your list to visit. It was the best hotel I had stayed in Singapore so far. I love their 24 hour free coffee in their lobby with the use of their huge Nespresso Machine. The rooms are clean, and it has good location. Whats good is they can still manage the place to become green with their Garden rooms and eco-friendly ways of preserving the beauty of the place.
Singapore Laksa
The filipina staff in the frontdesk was very helpful and friendly and best of all, I think the price is very reasonable for a Boutique Hotel with five star services and amenities. It’s not just Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands that have changed the skyline and life of Singaporeans though. In addition, there have been some major changes around Sentosa. Sure, you’ve seen the boardwalk, but have you been to Resorts World Sentosa yet?
Resorts World Sentosa
Out on Sentosa Island is the 49 hectare integrated resort where the world can enjoy the holiday garden island of Sentosa. Costing a staggering $6.59 billion, the resort has been open since 2010 and consists of four hotels and of course the Universal Studios Singapore theme park. In addition, there are casinos, celebrity chef restaurants and more than a little bit of shopping on the aptly named FestiveWalk.
Ancient Egypt at the Universal Studios Singapore
Last but not least, the five star Fullerton Bay Hotel deserves a mention in this city-states’ transformation. Offering wonderful views of the Singapore Skyline and the Marina Bay Waterfront, this hotel aims to give the best service of them all and does so with a legendary staff focused on luxury and elegance.
Singapore has been transformed into a tourism haven complete with entertaining attractions for all ages. I just love Singapore and everyone is loving it more than ever.
