From glitzy malls to fragrant spice stalls: why Singapore packs a travel punch

For such a small country – the smallest in south-east Asia – Singapore sure packs in a lot. In the 59 years since independence, it has gone from post-colonial minnow to roaring Asian powerhouse where gleaming skyscrapers and sprawling malls rub up against heritage-listed shophouses and leafy neighbourhoods.

Predominantly Chinese, Indian and Malay populations share this spotlessly clean, lush and green multicultural melting pot of a tropical island. Your visit starts when you land at Changi airport, frequently voted the world’s best , from where it’s a quick cab ride to the city centre. The island’s compact size (and amazing public transport system) means it’s a breeze to get around, and visitors can fit in plenty in just a few days.

Delicious food is everywhere, from affordable hawker stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants – with prices to match. The thriving bar scene has a slew of establishments on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list , and shopping here could rank as a sport. A world class zoo , futuristic gardens, interactive museums, and swathes of parkland and waterfront make Singapore a perfect travel destination, no matter how old, or young, you are.

Shop until you drop
Orchard Road is to Singapore what Fifth Avenue is to New York and the Champs-Élysées to Paris – retail heaven. All the big luxury brands plus plenty of local labels can be found along this 2.2km strip of glitzy malls, flagship stores and specialist medical facilities. Bang in the centre is Hilton Singapore Orchard , a freshly renovated 1,080-room landmark spread across two towers, with contemporary, botanical-inspired interiors that nod to Orchard Road’s past as a plantation and orchard.

As the largest Hilton property in the Asia Pacific region, the brand’s flagship draws visitors from around the globe. Families can look forward to a kids’ corner in the check-in lobby, a host of amenities for children across the hotel, and kids under five dining free. Spacious connecting rooms ensure families and friends can stay together, while the stylish presidential suite has been lavished with design awards.

Many of Singapore’s best restaurants and bars are on the hotel’s doorstep, with five of them located within the hotel grounds: Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro for Michelin-starred Sichuan cuisine; Chatterbox for local fare, including its renowned Hainan chicken rice; Osteria Mozza , the Asian offshoot of celebrity chef Nancy Silverton’s Los Angeles original; Ginger.Lily for afternoon tea and cocktails; and Estate for all-day buffets.

Enjoy local culture and flavour
Streets thronging with locals and visitors, colourful shophouses filled with jewel-hued textiles, fragrant flower and spice stalls, and sparkling gem stores – Little India wins the award for Singapore’s buzziest and brightest neighbourhood. The bustling Tekka Centre houses the city’s largest indoor wet market as well as mouthwatering Indian food stalls. Nearby, there’s the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple , an ornate 19th-century place of worship dedicated to the goddess Kali, known as the destroyer of evil.

In the thick of the action is the Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon . Casual yet comfortable, modern and welcoming, the hotel is ideal for travellers seeking affordable accommodation. Families have access to interconnecting rooms and a weekly Saturday family buffet with a dedicated kids’ corner, while couples and solo travellers can opt for king rooms with a balcony and expansive city views.

More views can be enjoyed from the all-day restaurant Together & Co. , by the outdoor pool, where diners will find local and international favourites. For out-of-hours refuelling, &To Go is a 24-hour retail concept with a Starbucks coffee machine and local snacks. Also open around the clock is the hotel’s fully equipped fitness centre.

Make the most of romance
Set just a block back from Tanglin Road, the newly refurbished Conrad Singapore Orchard hotel is an oasis of calm, and within walking distance from Orchard Road. Designed by American architect John Portman, renowned for his stunning skylit atriums, the 12-storey property embraced biophilic design long before it became fashionable.

It’s tempting to stay cocooned within the hotel’s tranquil surrounds, where newly refurbished contemporary rooms and suites function as urban retreats ideal for romantic getaways. Think neutral tones, floor-to-ceiling windows, sofas, and Nespresso machines. An executive lounge provides even greater exclusivity.

With 10 restaurants and bars on site, guests are in for a gourmet treat. Michelin-starred Summer Palace has been a beacon of Cantonese cuisine since 1982, while Italian diner Basilico features a signature cheese room housing more than 50 artisanal cheeses, and offers cheese and wine tastings. Don’t miss the celebrated bar Manhattan , which channels old New York glamour and features a rickhouse stacked high with barrel-aged specialty cocktails – don’t forget to sign up for a tour to see it all.

Other curated experiences include an edible garden walk , where arborists and botanists lead guests on a tour around the nearby Unesco world heritage site Singapore Botanic Gardens , and a sleep-to-wake ritual to ensure a good night’s rest. Guests can also explore the hotel’s impressive art collection, with knowledgeable staff on hand to assist or answer queries.

Delight in sights and attractions
Marina Bay , Gardens by the Bay , Singapore Flyer , Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay , National Gallery Singapore , Asian Civilisations Museum , St Andrew’s Cathedral , the Merlion park – a roll call of the city’s most popular and important museums and attractions are within walking distance from Conrad Centennial Singapore .

What’s more, the 31-storey hotel designed by architectural duo Philip Johnson and John Burgee is itself a postmodernist landmark. A grand feng shui-inspired lobby features a spiralling chandelier to symbolise water, and a Rafael Barrios sculpture represents fire. It’s one of 3,400 original artworks to be discovered around the property.

This is a sanctuary where sophistication and luxury are accompanied by the warmest of Asian hospitality, where families, couples and business travellers are all welcome.

A comprehensive array of top-notch facilities make it the perfect place to spend your holiday or return to after a long day of exploring. These include a sublime spa, 20-metre lap pool overlooking the Singapore Flyer, a 24-hour fitness centre offering wellness classes, and an executive lounge with generous refreshments and cocktail services.

And don’t forget to make some time for Oscar’s , the all-day international restaurant with charcoal barbecue and seafood bar, Golden Peony for Cantonese and Chinese classics such as peking duck, and the Lobby Lounge , with its dazzling 24-carat gold leaf ceiling.

Just as Singapore offers a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy, there’s a Hilton property to suit every type of traveller. No matter which one you pick, heartfelt service and gracious hospitality is a constant.

Start your Singapore adventure here