My first experience in Singapore was a six-hour stopover.
I spent all that time wandering around the otherworldly airport, Changi.
As far as airports go, it’s incredible. Movies, food, massages and almost more Duty Free shops than people.
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But I was left wondering about the city beyond the glass walls of Changi.
And that’s not an uncommon experience. For many Australians, Singapore is often regarded as a mere stopover on the way to the next destination.
Or, it’s a home for expats working in finance or at global companies.
But Singapore really is a vibrant and diverse tourism hotspot.
From its eclectic mix of cultural experiences to its cutting-edge attractions and luxurious accommodations, Singapore offers experiences that go beyond the typical stopover visit.
For Australian tourists accustomed to vacationing in Bali, Thailand, and Vietnam, Singapore presents a refreshing alternative that combines urban sophistication with unique cultural charm. And some of the best food in the world.
The unique charm of Singapore: A first impression
Arriving in Singapore at peak hour, one is immediately struck by the city’s juxtaposition of luxury and simplicity.
The streets are a blend of extremely expensive cars and humble mopeds, creating a fascinating contrast that is uniquely Singaporean.
The city’s infrastructure is reminiscent of Canberra, yet it is deeply rooted in Southeast Asian culture, making it a familiar yet novel experience for Australians.
The omnipresent air conditioning units and the lingering threat of rain add to the city’s character, while its nearly six million residents contribute to its bustling energy.
Walking through the city, the diverse architectural styles tell the story of Singapore’s rich history and rapid modernisation.
The plan is to spend eight days in this city, to really understand the vibe, and what makes it tick.
We’ve partnered up with Far East Hospitality, who run a number of hotels in Singapore.
And unlike the global conglomerate chain hotels where every room looks the same, no matter where in the world you are, Far East pride themselves on their range of unique offerings, with options for all tastes and budgets.
Shopping and Swifties
Singapore’s Orchard Road is like a High Street on steroids. Every brand has a flagship store there, some have two or three. It is one of the world’s most renowned shopping strips, and it does not disappoint (although it comes perilously close to overwhelming).
The Quincy Hotel is a wonderful boutique offering, just off Orchard Road. It’s the perfect location to base yourself, and a haven for post-shopping recovery.
It also happens to be close to Singapore’s National Stadium, which has recently hosted a number of high-profile tours, including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Bruno Mars.
But the biggest win they had was exclusively booking Taylor Swift, in her only Southeast Asian performances.
Landing those gigs was something of a coup for the Singaporean government, who are keen to make their National Stadium the go-to venue for the world’s biggest stars.
And I’m told that a number of Australians who missed out on domestic tickets to the Eras tour were lucky enough to nab some for her Singapore run.
A short flight to see an unforgettable show in Singapore. There certainly are worse ways to spend a few nights.
Fun fact: Swift is actually something of an unofficial ambassador for Singapore, as her mother used to live there when she was growing up.
The Quincy is built for those kinds of tourists.
Designed for the ‘non-conformist traveller’, Quincy offers a break from the conventional hotel experience. Its philosophy of ‘no cookie-cutter rules’ means guests can enjoy brekky at 3pm and have access to a 24-hour pool, gym, and lounge.
The hotel boasts two types of rooms: the Deluxe (26 sqm) and the Premier (32 sqm), each equipped with luxe amenities such as Nespresso machines, Kevin Murphy toiletries, and a combination of bath and standing shower.
The hotel’s facilities are top-notch, with a steam and sauna area open from 7am to 10pm, and guests are allowed to use these facilities even after checkout.
The lounge is a highlight, offering 24-hour drinks and snacks, and foods. And full marks for the breakfast spread that caters to the Australian palate, complete with high-quality coffee and Australian milk. Loved it.
Cue the chaos
Singapore is a beautiful city, but I was craving a bit of chaos. It was time for Hawker markets, street food, fresh produce and some history. It was time to go to Chinatown.
One of the newest offerings from Far East is The Clan Hotel.
Situated at the crossroads of culture and commerce within the Far East Square heritage precinct and Telok Ayer district, The Clan Hotel is mere minutes away from commercial buildings in Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar; cultural sites around Chinatown; as well as uniquely Singaporean sights such as Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay.
The building itself is stunning. And it gets better inside.
The Clan Hotel offers an immersive cultural experience with its meticulously designed interiors and personalised services.
The rooms are luxurious and equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Everything is so considered, a melding of cultural heritage and modern luxe.
Given the hotel is in the middle of one of the most culturally significant areas, surrounded by numerous Hawker Markets and historic landmarks, it’s easy for a first-time visitor to Singapore to be overwhelmed.
But The Clan has considered this too, and offers exclusive access to their ‘Clan Keepers’ — who provide personalised recommendations and insights into the city’s hidden gems.
It’s a really nice touch, and helped us learn about the origins of Singapore (and where to find the best Char Kway Teow!)
After a day traipsing through the Hawker Markets eating all the things, it was a true delight to take a dip in one of the best pools in Singapore.
The hotel’s stunning rooftop Sky Pool has panoramic city views, the perfect venue for one of the hotel’s signature cocktails.
And add in the fully equipped Sky Gym (one of the best I’ve seen in a hotel), and a variety of dining options that celebrate Singapore’s rich culinary heritage, and you have a winner. The hotel’s marquee restaurant is QĪN, headed up by acclaimed Executive Chef Maksym Chukanov, whose menu was a brilliantly executed blend of Western fine dining treated with an Asian flair.
The Clan Hotel is an ideal choice for travellers seeking a unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Holiday within a holiday
After a few days in the bustling city, it was time to relax. Sentosa Island is known as Singapore’s resort island.
It was originally a fishing village that became a military fort, which it was up until the 70s.
After that, Singapore redeveloped Sentosa as holiday haven.Sentosa offers a wide range of attractions and activities suitable for all ages. Theme parks, beaches, bars and clubs are the main draw cards here.
Far East Hospitality has four accommodation options on the island,across one sprawling site.
First stop in Sentosa, we headed to the site where Far East Hospitality runs four hotels, each very different, across one large and sprawling site: The Barracks Hotel, Village, Oasia and The Outpost.
The Village is aimed at families travelling with kids, Oasia is a wellness and spa retreat (looks amazing!),The Outpost is an adults-only hotel, exclusively for travellers aged 16 and up, and The Barracks Hotel is the luxury five-star offering.
Travelling as a couple, we choose to stay at two: The Outpost and The Barracks.
The Outpost Hotel offers a chic and sophisticated retreat for adults.
Designed with the modern traveller in mind, the hotel features stylish, monochromatic rooms that exude elegance and comfort.
Each room has a customised complimentary minibar, toiletries kit by Australian beauty brand APPELLES Apothecary & Lab, Nespresso Machine with complimentary capsules and an extensive pillow menu.
Add to that a giant smart TV and free wifi, and it’s tempting to just stay in the room. But one look out the window to the pool, and it’s clear that swimming is a priority.
The Outpost has Sentosa’s only Rooftop Sky Pool, which has a bar, sun lounges, and awesome music.
From the infinity pool, you can look at the beaches and the coast, and down to the best pool deck on Sentosa.
There are four themed pools, which guests of all three hotels can access. It’s easily Sentosa’s most Instagrammable pool! But if you want to steer clear of kids, the Sky Pool is the go.
The Outpost breakfast is at Sol restaurant, which serves Mediterranean-style fare as well as delicious local delicacies. Perfect if you want shakshuka eggs one day and laksa the next.
Guests are also treated to the ‘Outpost Xperience’ — which is a selection of unique and interactive experiences designed for couples and friends to have fun and see a different side of the island.
There’s everything from specialised workout sessions to cocktail making classes.
My partner and I decided on two which we thought were the most unique: a ride on a tandem giant swing… and Partner Yoga.
The Outpost Xperience says Partner Yoga is “designed to bring two individuals closer through assisted poses, with an aim to produce a positive effect on relationships and communication”.
Safe to say they succeeded, as my partner and I have not laughed as hard as we did when trying to do intertwined yoga poses together and falling over. Hilarious and fun.
The Outpost Hotel is perfect for couples and solo travellers seeking a serene and luxurious getaway.
The best of the best
The crown jewel in Far East Hotel’s portfolio has to be The Barracks Hotel.
It is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed in. And that’s not just my opinion.
The Barracks was voted the Number 1 Hotel in Singapore by Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Best of the Best 2023.
The Barracks is a 40-room bespoke luxury hotel housed within two conserved colonial buildings, which were once a British artillery outpost, built in 1904.
The entire hotel is breathtaking and draped in history. Colonial charm and modern luxury are seamlessly blended at The Barracks.
Two impeccably restored colonial buildings house the rooms and suites. Running along the facade of each building is a pool. It’s an incredible site to see, and just reinforces the extreme levels of elegance in the hotel.
The hotel has Premier Rooms on the second level, and Premier Rooms on the ground level with pool access.
Also on the ground level are the Suite Rooms, which each have direct pool access and a semi-private spa, the Duplex Suite, which is a two-level suite aimed at families, and the Garden Suite, the top tier offering at The Barracks.
Boasting nearly 90sqm of space, a super king bed, giant freestanding bath and a private pool and jacuzzi, it is the best of the best. It cannot be faulted.
The service is exceptional, from the moment you arrive, check-in, dine and go to bed, any and all requests are dealt with in the most professional and personalised way.
Every piece of furniture in the hotel and its rooms is custom built for The Barracks.
There are historic trinkets in every corner, reminding visitors of the rich history of the hotel’s site. And the icing on the cake is a wonderful experience offered by the hotel — a meeting with retired soldiers who lived and worked at the barracks up until the site was decommissioned in the 70s.
The two former soldiers were fascinating, spending hours with us regaling us with stories of life in the barracks, history of Sentosa and Singapore, answering all of our questions and cracking jokes at each other’s expense. It was an unforgettable experience.
It is the priciest of the four hotels run by Far East on Sentosa, but it is worth every single penny. A truly unique and memorable experience, and a must-do for those who want serenity, history and luxury.
Why Singapore?
While destinations like Bali, Thailand, and Vietnam have long been popular with Australian tourists, Singapore offers a different kind of experience.
Its blend of modernity and tradition, coupled with its world-class attractions and events, makes it an ideal destination for those looking to explore beyond the usual tourist spots.
The city’s efficient public transportation system, clean streets, and friendly locals make it easy to navigate and enjoy.
Whether you’re a foodie, a culture enthusiast, a music lover, or simply looking for a luxurious getaway, Singapore has something for everyone.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip, consider making Singapore your main destination rather than just a stopover. You’ll love what this vibrant city has to offer.
Stefan Mitchell stayed at the reviewed properties as a guest of Far East Hospitality.
