Singapore accommodation from NZ$176

Let the colourful lights of Singapore’s iconic skyline draw you to its welcoming shores. This island city makes for the perfect holiday, full of lazy-day beaches and big-city sights. Scope out the main island from the Singapore Flyer, a giant observation wheel near the harbour. Sniff flowers (and take heaps of selfies) in gorgeous gardens, then satisfy your inner anthropologist by exploring the many cultures that call this country home.

Singapore hotels reflect the good vibes you’ll encounter as soon as you touch down in this tropical paradise. Stay in the middle of high-rises and nightlife by the downtown waterfront, or find some peace and quiet among the palm trees on Pulau Ubin. Buckle up, traveller; your adventure is about to begin.

What to Do in Singapore

Singapore vacations can take many forms. Party ’til dawn in world-class clubs in Zouk and Geylang, commune with nature at the Singapore Botanic Gardens or catch some golden rays on the beach.

You can refuel after busy days at Telok Ayer Market, a huge food court with family-style tables and tons of local flavour. If you feel up to trying a bunch of restaurants, head to Holland Village for additional dining options. But don’t think you’ll easily find the famous durian fruit here—most places have banned this foul-smelling delicacy because it can clear out a dining room faster than a stink bomb.

To immerse yourself in all things Singapore, learn about “The Lion City’s” heritage at Peranakan Museum and enjoy bird-watching at Jurong Bird Park, a local habitat for 400 species of feathered friends. When you’ve tired yourself out, rest up in Singapore accommodation near your favourite hot spots.

Getting To & Around Singapore

How do you want to get around? The quickest way from Changi Airport Singapore (SIN) to your hotel in Singapore might just be a taxi, but Singapore has stellar public transport. The subway, bus system and the trolley all make it easy to explore, but one of Wotif’s great car hire deals might also be the way to go.

Upcoming Events

The beginning of July is a great time to visit this city. Why, you ask? Because that’s when the Dragon Boat Festival goes down. The Singapore Dragon Boat Association (SDBA) holds a two-day boat racing event to celebrate the search for a Chinese patriot and poet. Watch from the shoreline while clutching an ice-cold Tiger Beer in one hand and a har cheong gai burger in the other.

When you find yourself here in the middle of July, you better bring your appetite, because that’s when the Singapore Food Festival is held. The chefs hail from some of the finest restaurants in the country to street food stalls and everything in between. Some of the dishes you should definitely sample are chicken rice, chilli crab cake, fishball noodles and laksa pesto. To say that you’ll find the best food in Singapore here is a massive understatement.

If you’re planning to visit during early August, more specifically on the 9th, be sure to check out the National Day Parade and the fireworks show at the National Stadium. One of the coolest parts of the entire event is the NDP fun pack you’ll get upon entering. Food, drinks, vouchers for various products and a small Singaporean flag are just some of the goodies you’ll get your hands on.

Get Outside!

The places to stay in Singapore are great, but for the love of God, get your backside off the couch and go outside. Venture into the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve near the city centre and climb to the summit of Bukit Timah Hill. On your way to the top, keep an eye out for the quick hands of the crab-eating macaques who roam the slopes. They’ll steal anything not nailed down.

Have you ever dreamed of enjoying a meal with flying feathered creatures? Eat lunch with parrots at Jurong Bird Park, but before that, head over to Pelican Cove and feast your eyes on the rare Dalmatian pelican. This oceanic bird is about the size of a small child, and looks like it wears a funny toupee.

Anyways, back to lunch. You’ll chow down on delicious Singapore cuisine in front of the flamingo lake while a parrot show takes place. Seriously, brightly coloured macaws and cockatoos fly around and squawk into microphones. It’s strange, but very cool.

Must-See Spots

If your travels include only spending one day in Singapore, don’t worry—there’s still time to do cool stuff. Make your way down to Clarke Quay in the Singapore River Planning Area. There are all sorts of restaurants and pubs where you can kill time before your flight back to wherever. If you want to scare yourself half to death, hop aboard the G-MAX reverse bungee, which will launch you into the air at a million miles an hour.

Speaking of getting high in the sky, go for a spin on the Singapore Flyer, a giant Ferris wheel taller than the London Eye. This isn’t any normal Ferris wheel; instead of sitting on a sketchy bench, you’ll step into an air-conditioned capsule for a comfortable ride. The views from up here are spectacular to say the least, especially when you’re throwing back Singapore Slings. Look, there’s Indonesia!

Last but not least, check out what’s going on in Marina Bay. The ArtScience Museum is pretty rad, with its three galleries of Curiosity, Inspiration and Expression. Then go for a walk along the skybridge in the Gardens by the Bay. There are these things called Supertrees that look like they came straight out of the movie Avatar. If you’re feeling lucky, head into the Marina Bay Sands Casino and place a couple of bets before boarding your flight out of town.

Singapore has much to see, so at Wotif we’re all about multitasking. Save for decadent nights and shopping through Chinatown while you book flights to Singapore for your next adventure. Well done, you.