Singapore Introduction

Once little more than a concrete jungle famed around the globe for its financial prowess, Singapore has rapidly become one of Asia's bucket-list destinations. Travelers delight in the city's gorgeous green spaces, not least the colorful Gardens by the Bay and the UNESCO-tagged Singapore Botanic Gardens. Elsewhere, the city boasts impressive shopping credentials, with retail therapy found in abundance along bustling Orchard Road and sprawling VivoCity, as well as in the atmospheric Chinatown Street Market. For foodies, Singapore's eclectic dining scene puts everything from street food to fine dining on the menu.

Hotels in Singapore

This is a city that's no stranger to a spot of luxury, so you won't be left disappointed if you're hoping to indulge. Indeed, you'll find many Singapore hotels have the definite wow factor, with sleek suites, soothing spas, and butler-like service coming as a firm part of the deal. For budget travelers, accommodation options include discount hotels with convenient locations and family-friendly atmospheres, as well as simple pod-style getups for backpackers. Somewhere in the middle, a medley of mid-range hotels in Singapore offers just the right balance of comfort and cost savings.

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Where to stay in Singapore

The Colonial District, stretching along the banks of the Singapore River, and counting easy access to the National Museum of Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum among its highlights, is a favorite haunt of history buffs. To the north, the Konfrontasi Memorial marks the start of Orchard Road, an almost 2-mile stretch of shops, restaurants, and glitzy hotels. Elsewhere, there's no place like Sentosa for family fun. This island, off Singapore's south coast, is widely thought of as the city's playground, thanks largely to its beachfront resorts, but also because of world-class visitor attractions, like Universal Studios and Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Things to see in Singapore

In a city filled with exciting things to see and do, it can be tricky to know where to start. Gardens by the Bay is always a good bet. This sprawling waterfront park boasts a Supertree Skyway, oodles of seashell-shaped greenhouses, and a futuristic vibe. Adjacent to the gardens, and arguably serving up the best view of this 250-acre park, is the plush Marina Bay Sands resort, itself home to a tempting line-up of upscale restaurants and the world's largest rooftop pool. Still more impressive vistas are served up onboard the capsules of the nearby Singapore Flyer, a towering observation wheel that also stakes a claim as the world's largest structure of its kind. Find a different side to Singapore by heading to neighborhoods like Little India and Chinatown, the latter boasting traditional Peranakan shophouses and, perhaps unsurprisingly, generous helpings of kitsch souvenirs and ethnic eats.

How to get to Singapore

The easiest and most convenient way to arrive in Singapore is to fly into Changi Airport. United Airlines fly direct from San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the flight time is around 18 hours. Flights from elsewhere might include stopovers, and so take longer. Once there, a taxi to your hotel will take around 20 minutes, if you've opted for one of the hotels in and around the city's downtown core. Once you're all settled in, getting around the city couldn't be simpler, thanks to the well-organized MRT subway system, which operates daily from the early hours of the morning. For something different, you might also jump into one of the city's cute trishaws. Drivers are mainly found plying the city's tourist routes.