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There are two things that stand out about Singapore – the shopping and the cocktails. Shopping is a national pastime and for such a small place, the amount of malls is quite astounding. When in Singapore HolidayGoddess.com recommends keeping it simple!
Sometimes life just needs to be simple. Hop on the train to Orchard on the easy-peasy Singapore MRT train system, and hop off for great shopping, fast Asian food, internet access and more.
As soon as you exit the train station you'll find yourself in a typical Singapore mall, which in turn feeds a second mall. The best of British and American shopping is on offer here (from Borders to Marks & Spencer) along with truly convenient options, like quick sushi upstairs and a classic Asian noodle hall downstairs.
If you haven't shopped at Zara before, then see why women from Madrid to London are addicted. These inexpensive, beautifully cut and sewn copies of catwalk looks are stacked from floor to ceiling. It's hard to emerge without at least a belt, and you may come out with an entire wardrobe.
Orchard MRT fronts Orchard Road which is a whole day's shopping experience. So don't go there. Just switch from mall to mall, then hop back on the train. You'll feel like you've done Singapore without doing a single thing. Promise.
Singapore is famous for its Singapore Sling, and when visiting there is only one place to go to sample this – The Long bar at Raffles hotel – Walking into the hotel is like stepping back into colonial times, and you might feel slightly under-dressed even in an evening gown. The far more casual Long Bar itself is strangely pub-like, and as they give you free monkey nuts, the shells also decorate the floor (warning to anyone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it is rather messy)!
Highly recommended is the New Asia Bar at Swiss Hotel at The Stamford. Not for those with vertigo, it's on the seventy-first floor, with amazing views of the city, and a pretty extensive cocktail list. Its decor is modern, and sleek, and they offer Sundowners (half price wine, champagne and cocktails) from 3pm until 9pm daily. Genius. However, it's normally pretty busy and service can be slow. You have been warned.
Our hands-down favourite place is the Martini Bar at Mezza 9, in Singapore's Grand Hyatt. This glass-encased bar has the best martini list in the whole of Singapore (and to be honest anywhere else I've been). Fabulous bar, great central location, friendly service, it really is the perfect place for the perfect cocktail. My recommendation is the watermelon martini, which is mouth-wateringly good. As in many Singapore bars they often crank the air-conditioning up quite high, remember you can ask for a wrap and a pashmina will be provided.
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