Singapore

We did a similar thing on the way to a recent trip in Thailand. We loved our stay at the Hotel Fullerton. It is a historic property right on the lagoon and you can see the drone and fireworks show from the rooftop bar at their sister hotel across the street. It also provides easy access to the major sights. It is expensive but they often offer value package deals (ours came with a voucher that could be used at the several restaurants and bars at the two hotels and the dim sum resturant was amazing!)

Can you share your budget in SGD so that we can make some recommendations? The Fullerton is indeed a lovely hotel, but there are lots of good options. Area wise, I normally recommend City Hall/Bugis as being a good central spot.

Without any budget guidance - for luxury, The Fullerton Bay (opposite The Fullerton), The Raffles (historic hotel in city hall), or the Mandarin Oriental (Marina Bay). Midrange range - the Swissotel The Stamford (city hall), or budget - Furama City Centre (Chiantown). But there are literally hundreds of options. The Furama is about SGD150 a night, ranging up to The Raffles at about SGD1,500 a night.

If you want to spend more time at the airport most airlines allow early checkin, either at the terminals or Jewel (up to 24hrs prior for some airlines), so you won't have to use paid luggage storage. Having said that I would normally arrive 2hrs prior. Boarding gates open 1hr prior and close 20 mins prior to departure.

It depends on what you want to do during your time there. If it is shopping, somewhere near Orchard Road, for a more relaxed, resorty, theme park vibe, Sentosa, or somewhere near the Gardens by the Bay, in the Marina Bay area.
Have a look at some tourist brochures on line to see what interests you. Also, Singapore is not cheap and popular areas are more expensive.
We have done many stopovers in Singapore as well as spending weeks at a time when our son lived there. We have stayed at many hotels and were not disappointed by any. Our favourite was Raffles which is a bucket list item. Another time we stayed at Goodwood Park Hotel which was wonderful but a little far away from attractions.
There is a lot to do in Singapore so with only a short time there try to find somewhere you can get the most value tourist-wise.
Once when we stayed on Sentosa, there was a traffic hold up on the bridge (Sentosa is an Island) on the way back to the airport, so something to think about with only a short timeframe.

We did a cruise from Singapore in 2015 and stayed five days there prior to the cruise.

There is a lot so see in that wonderful city. Hotels are expensive. Don't remember ours, but use TripAdvisor.com

Hi, the hotel Fullerton I think would be in our budget but sadly not Raffles...
As we arrive at 2pm and the next night at 7pm. I thought I'd do a night tour the first night and do another tour the next day; love seeing cities all lit up at night. So any recommendations for accommodations i.e. tour company, etc. is appreciated.
Thanks all,

Jean

I used a company called Monster Day Tours when I was in Singapore - an evening food tour and a daytime tour of Little India. They offer many other tours as well.

https://www.monsterdaytours.com/destination/singapore

The city is truly wonderful with endless sights to see! Just be prepared for the high cost of hotels. I can't recall our specific lodging, but for anyone planning a visit, I highly recommend using booking platform to find the best options.

If you can afford The Fullerton, then definitely go for it, just don't pick the lowest category of rooms - they have windows facing the indoor lobby. Pay a bit more for the next category up. It's a good location, walkable across the river to City Hall, and along to Marina Bay Sands in one direction, and Boat Quay and Clarke Quay in the other.

Singapore is a DIY rather than tour destination, but if you do want to do a tour, I'd agree with Renee's recommendation of Monster Day Tours.

If it were me, I would go for afternoon in Kampong Glam, the historic Malay district with the Sultan Mosque, fabric shops, food etc, evening at Marina Bay watching the Spectra light show, followed by dinner at Lau Pa Sat (hawker centre in Raffles Place near The Fullerton) and next morning visit Little India. Shops open later (10.30-11) but temples are open early. Lots of places to eat - you could do South Indian at Tekka Centre (hawker centre).

We did a night Safari at Singapore zoo. I think you can combine that with dinner, check Viator for options. If you can find something with a Hawker market for dinner, that would be ideal.
If you choose the Fullerton, even though it is a destination in itself, at least visit the Long Bar at Raffles or maybe breakfast buffet in the Tiffin room. Similarly, Marina Bay Sands, cocktails in one of the rooftop bars is an experience.

Can anyone recommend a motorized rickshaw tour company to see most of Singapore; only there from 2pm day 1 and 6pm day 2 sooo 2 - 4 hour tours, first day, I'd like to do a nighttime tour and next daytime.

Also which sites should I request to see?

Many thanks,

Jean

I stayed at the Clan right beside an MRT station and loved it.

I didn't think the Raffles was well located. I had to walk a distance to get to it from the MRT station. I went to see it mainly.

I loved Singapore in general.

"Can anyone recommend a motorized rickshaw tour company to see most of Singapore"

I think you're thinking of trishaws, and as far as I'm aware they don't operate anymore. I certainly haven't seem them around lately. And even before they were restricted to very limited areas - they haven't been allowed to operate on major roads for many years. There's just no market for them with good public transport and cheap taxis.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/no-trishaw-uncle-singapore-stb-albert-mall-tourism-4252911

You really don't need a tour - if you share your interests we can make some suggestions of sites to see.

KB - The Raffles is right opposite City Hall MRT (entry in Raffles City mall) and Esplanade MRT (entry in South Beach). That's pretty close by my definition, albeit it's a pain if it's raining and you haven't brought an umbrella. The Clan is indeed a lovely hotel.

Just to add that I also really enjoyed the night safari at the zoo- I think that's a great suggestion for the time you have.

I haven't been back to Singapore since Covid, but I am pretty sure that last time I was at the airport, I saw free tours of the city for travellers with long layovers or stopovers. You could enquire via your airline or check the Singapore tourism site

Unfortunately the free tours are for passengers on layover only, not for those staying in Singapore like jeanhol is. But yes still operating.