Trip Advice

[Tas]

Hi Forumites

Friend+missus travelling via Singapore with a 2night stayover, lateish arrival one evening so would like to go for a walk check a bar then back to hotel that evening. Asked for a bit of a must do list. I've listed all the usual stuff from my time there, including night safari, the usual Raffles for a sling (Should I suggest stop there for a steak as well?). I said a stop out to East Coast for chilli and pepper crab with fried buns, and whole cooked fish is a must, he's a seafood nut as well, so would suit. But what's the what these days for a good solid 1 dayer in Singas - am, arvo and evening. What is a good drop in bar for Boat or Clarke Q at the moment ? A good representative mid priced central restauarant? Little India and China Town are good walk arounds, but I've forgotten if there is any specific things to look out for in those pockets, like a good eatery or specialist places, local artist drop in locals even. Any more uptodate suggestions would be good (and then I can steal for my next stop over)

Tas

[Lili Von Shtupp]

For friends who only have one day, I normally try to find out what their special interests are and cater to that, since there really is so much to choose from here. If they really have no special interest, then I try to keep it simple, suggesting a morning walk through one of the ethnic neighborhoods (Google Singapore Walks, they do quality half-day walking tours at reasonable rates), an afternoon at a museum (when it's hottest) followed by a cocktail, and evening at the Night Safari. Anything more than that and I find it's too much, given jet lag, the climate, etc.

For seafood lovers, I think your East Coast suggestion is good. For reasonably priced dining experiences closer to town my top picks are: Rendezvous Restaurant (good, authentic nasi padang Indo/Malay cuisine, located at Central Mall Clarke Quay, for visitors who really want to taste Southeast Asia), Jaggi's (Northern Indian coffeeshop, butter chicken to die for) on Race Course Road, or Yum Cha, (dim sum in an atmospheric shophouse in Chinatown).

Drinks, honestly, I try hard to avoid the touristy places like Raffles and Ku De Ta. For an evening cocktail you can send them to places with views like Fullerton Bay Hotel rooftop, Esplanade rooftop, there's also a place in Fullerton Hotel.

Just some thoughts off the top of my head. I know it sounds very touristy, but if they've never been to Singapore before, they might like to keep it simple?

[Tas]

Thanks Lili. This guys asking for list because he is a hopeless tourist, and not big investigator of what to do. He's mainly a wine buff, likes to cook, plays golf, otherwise no special intersests - (so authentic Indo/Malay/Indian all desireable). But wants to have a nice time with the wife and be a little bit organised for her, but wont' be organised enough to book a tour walk - but that's a good idea.

I'd suggest a trip to Changi memorial, which did with another buddie, but it would take too much out of the day. Do any of the more central museaum or historical places have occupation related presentations? (That was a very interesting piece of history that I was so surprised was barely talked about when I lived there, I regret not looking more closely at it whilst had chance)

Which is the hotel with the fabulous view up a squillion stories, is that the Fullerton? I'd forgotten about/which one.

[Lili Von Shtupp]

The most central WWII exhibit you're going to find is the Battle Box at Fort Canning, which can be combined with a walk through the park, spice gardens, an old sacred Malay burial spot, etc. and is all just behind the National Museum, which I think is an OK museum, but not nearly as well curated as the Asian Civilisations Museum or the Peranakan Museum, IMHO.

The squillion story hotel would be Swissotel.

[slinky]

I have to say, the view from the top of Marina Bay Sands (at Ku De Ta or just the sky park in general) is pretty cool. A year or so ago, so long as you got up there around 5-6pm or so, you didn't have to pay the exorbitant cover charge for Ku De Ta, you could just drop in if you wanted and have a drink and it wasn't overly crowded at that time either.

[Fat Bob]

Hmmm....I would say "yes" to Raffles and a sling: yes, it's over priced and it's touristy, but hey, these people are tourists and are coming for one day. Just the relaxed atmosphere in the middle of town, the old colonial setting and feeling of just throwing the nut shells on the floor is an experience that you won't get no matter what view you can get elsewhere.

And it's across the road from the Swissotel (though last time I was there for sunset you could see a lot of building works - nice.)

[Tas]

Bob, you liked the steak house there previously, is it is worth suggesting to go there for a meal as an alternative? (Like if they don't get out to the East Coast for example. Then could do a cocktail hour as Swiss, then pop over to Raffles, after an arvo of walking around). I too like the big white building and had nice enough evenings whilst there. Though I'd be suggesting to go for a Bombay G&T as just as legitimate a drink choice over the sling

(This is a nice chap, and would like to help him show the missus a good day and look all in control like haha)

[Tas]

What about that eye thing????? And is that cable car ride still OK, I quite liked the perspective it gave of ship transfers.

[baloo]

The ferris wheel is average. If they want to try all Singaporean food in one sitting, try Straits Kitchen. If they want all SE Asian then Melt would keep them happy.

[Fat Bob]

The Long Bar Steak House is fantastic, both for evening a la carte and brunches at Christmas. However, coming all the way to Singapore and trying steak....nah!

So many other options, surely they would want something "typically Singapore style", even if not from a hawker centre or food court? East Coast Sea Food, Little India (Banana Leaf is an option), Samy's Curry House on Dempsey, or maybe something Peranakan such as Blue Ginger in Tanjong Pager?

[nev]

I would not recommend that club at the top of Swissotel, it's full of Russian hookers and grabby Korean men. Scary.