We just came back from our most recent trip to Singapore and South Malaysia and we had a fantastic time. So many of our friends, family and viewers have been asking where we stayed and what we did, so here is our Holiday Guide to Singapore and Malaysia of all the places we personally visited. If you have any further recommendations that we could visit next time, please leave them in the comments box below. Thank you.
SINGAPORE
Singapore is roughly an 8-hour flight from Melbourne, Australia and is known as the Lion City which is spotlessly clean and refreshingly green unlike any other city we have ever visited. There are so many restaurants, hip bars, luxury shopping centres and excellent attractions that will keep your family entertained for days on end. Singapore also has many luxurious hotels and spas so be ready to be entertained and pampered. My main tip for Singapore is don’t forget to bring your $$$, because this city is expensive.
ACCOMMODATION
D’Resort @ Downtown East, Singapore
D’Resort @ Downtown East, Singapore is located approximately 10 minutes from Changi International Airport and is one of Singapore’s first nature inspired resorts. The resort sits against the longest stretch of beach on Pasir Ris Beach.
The resort hosts 387 rooms and is located in Pasir Ris. If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life, then D’Resort is perfect for you and your family.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore is located approximately 20 minutes from Changi International Airport and is described as a must do when in Singapore. Towering 57 stories over the city, with a length totalling more than 3 Olympic sized swimming pools, it is the largest in the world with that height.
The Marina Bay Sands is a huge hotel with more than 2500 rooms, a casino, multiple restaurants and bars and an incredible infinity swimming pool. With a large shopping centre attached to the resort, you don’t have to venture too far for some of Singapore’s finest shopping brands and culinary delights.
The Hotel complex is conveniently located within walking distance to many city attractions like the Waterfront Promenade, Gardens of the Bay, Cloud Forest, the Merlion and Helix Bridge.
The Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
The Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is located approximately 25 minutes from Changi International Airport and is described as one of the premier luxury hotels In Singapore. The Five Star Hotel is conveniently located within Singapore’s main shopping, business and entertainment district, which makes this hotel perfect for business, luxury and family travellers.
The Four Seasons believe that their purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime, so we were ready to create some wonderful memories and experience a stay at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore.
The Mandarin Oriental Singapore
The Mandarin Oriental Singapore is located approximately 25 minutes from Changi International Airport and is described as one of the best 5-star Marina Bay Singapore hotels with a central location close to the dining and entertainment district. The Five Star Hotel which is shaped like their iconic fan is conveniently located on the edge of Marina Bay and offers stunning, unrestricted view across the bay.
The Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Hotel
The Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Hotel is located approximately 30 minutes from Changi International Airport and is situated clifftop above the Tanjong Beach, with panoramic views of the South China Sea. The five-star luxury resort hosts 215 rooms and suites, 4 dining locations and an award-winning spa.
The resort located on Sentosa Island caters complimentary shuttle bus services to VivoCity shopping mall (Harbour Front MRT) and Paragon shopping mall located in the heart of Orchard Road and is ideal for business or family travellers.
ATTRACTIONS
Adventure Cove Water Park Singapore
The Adventure Cove Waterpark Singapore is one of the top family attractions in Singapore and is located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island. The water park features a combination of an adventure filled waterpark and encounters with marine life.
Far East Organisation Children’s Garden
The Far East Organisation Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay is a fun filled
playground with interactive play, water play features and educational programs set in a lush natural setting and better yet, there’s no cost to get in.
Gardens by the Bay Singapore
Gardens by The Bay is not only one of the most Instragrammable places in Singapore, but also one of the most famous and visited attractions of the City. Gardens by the Bay is a nature park in the centre of Singapore, right next to Marina Reservoir. The most famous spot in Gardens by the Bay is the Supertree Grove.
Haji Lane Singapore
Haji Lane in Singapore is located close to the downtown area of the city and the nearest MRT station is Bugis, which brings you just 500m from the entrance to the Lane. Haji Lane is one of the hottest spots in the city and is home to some great wall art, funky cafes, and hipster shops. Be sure to bring your camera for some fantastic photos.
The Helix Bridge Singapore
The Helix Bridge Singapore is a pedestrian bridge linking Marina Centre with Marina South in the Marina Bay area. The stainless steel structure is incredible and the length is 280 metres,
KidZania is one of the fastest growing kid’s hands-on entertainment brands in the world. It is an interactive indoor theme park combining inspiration, fun and learning through realistic role-play for children aged 4 to 17. At KidZania Singapore, kids can independently explore an 81,000 square feet kid-sized city, complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles and a functioning economy, just like in a real world! Through realistic role-play, they learn about different careers, the inner-workings of a city and the concept of managing money.
KidZania is designed to educate through experience, fostering the development of life skills, giving kids the confidence and inspiration to be great global citizens. KidZania has become a global phenomenon with numerous locations throughout the world.
Little India, Singapore
Little India is known for its traditional Indian restaurants especially along Serangoon Road and Race Course Road. The busy streets are filled with shops, jewellery stores and tailor shops.
OCBC Skywalk
The OCBC Skywalk is a 128 metre aerial walkway offering close up views of the 12 vertical gardens at Supertree Grove.
Palawan Pirate Ship Singapore
The Palawan Pirate Ship is located on Sentosa Island and is a water play area designed for children aged 3 to 10 years. The area is FREE and a great spot for kids to keep cool under the hot Singapore Sun.
Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo is one of the top family attractions in Singapore and is located approximately 30 minutes from Changi International Airport. The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens or Mandai Zoo, occupies 28 hectares on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore’s heavily forested central catchment area.
Home to more than 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, 34 per cent of which are threatened, the Zoo has attained a strong reputation internationally for its conservation initiatives and breeding programs.
The Art Science Museum Singapore
The Art Science Museum in Singapore is an enchanting exhibition amongst art, science, technology and culture. Depending on when you visit, they will have different exhibitions. Please check their website for more information.
The Merlion
The Merlion is the official mascot of Singapore, depicted as a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of a fish. It is widely used to represent both the city state and its people.
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has over 170 Luxury Brands and makes shopping here a day out for the whole family. With restaurants, cafes, attractions and a casino, you can see why this is the number 1 spot for shopping and fun. Don’t forget to bring your $$$.
The Southernmost Point of Continental Asia
The Southernmost Point of Continental Asia is at Palawan beach which has a suspension bridge across to a little island that has two view point towers, Its worth a visit.
Universal Studios Singapore is one of the top family attractions in Singapore and is located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island. The theme park features 28 rides and includes movie-themed rollercoasters, rides and attractions and meet and greets with some of your favourite cartoon movie characters.
There are seven different zones to explore at the Sentosa Island Universal Studios: Hollywood, Far Far Away, Madagascar, The Lost World, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, and New York. Each zone features its own themed rides, shows, shops, restaurants and street entertainment. This a great day out for children and adults alike.
Wild Wild Wet Waterpark Singapore
Wild Wild Wet is a water theme Park in Singapore. It is located at NTUC Downtown East in Pasir Ris. It was opened in 2004 and is one of Singapore’s largest water parks. From adrenalin pumping rides to relaxing rides, you are sure to have a wonderful time here at the water park.
RESTAURANTS / BARS
The Colony at Ritz Carlton Singapore
The Colony at The Ritz-Carlton Singapore is one of the most beautiful restaurants we have visited and the buffet at the Colony is said to be one of the best in Singapore. It’s the reason why I chose it for my 40th Birthday Dinner and let’s just say it didn’t disappoint.
The choices of main items at the buffet of Colony is extensive. There are Western carvings, grill, pastas and Indian tandoori. There are Chinese delicacies including roast duck, rice wine chicken and steamed fish. And the desserts, wow, so many choices. If you’re visiting Singapore, I highly recommend The Colony. You can thank me later.
Wonderland Savour
Wonderland Savour is an Alice in Wonderland themed restaurant in Vivo City Shopping Centre, Singapore. The room décor is fantastic and the food even better. Don’t forget to bring your camera for some fun photos.
INSTAGRAMABLE PHOTO SPOTS
Singapore is absolutely an “Instagramable Photo Heaven” and we did our best to find a few spots that were really “Instagramable”.
Old Hill Street Police Station
The Old Hill Street Police Station is a historic building and former police station in Singapore and is located at Hill Street in the Museum Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore’s central business district.
Selfie Coffee in Haji Lane
We had to check this place out. A café that lets you take a picture and then prints it on the top of your coffee or beer. Yes interesting, that’s why we visited.
The Jewel at Changi Airport
Jewel Changi Airport, commonly known as Jewel, is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex on the landside of Changi Airport, Singapore. Linked to three of its passenger terminals, the centrepiece is the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, named the Rain Vortex, which is surrounded by a terraced forest setting. This place absolutely blew our minds. Make sure you come here on a day that you are NOT travelling so that you are not rushed and can spend a lot of time here.
MALAYSIA
We hired a transfer from Singapore to the South of Malaysia (specifically to the Legoland Resort) which was roughly a 1-hour drive crossing the border and going through customs and immigration. Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country occupying parts of the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo. It’s known for its beaches, rainforests and mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European cultural influences. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is home to colonial buildings, busy shopping districts such as Bukit Bintang and skyscrapers such as the iconic, 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers. We have visited Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi before but this time we were here just to visit Legoland and its surroundings.
ACCOMMODATION
The LEGOLAND Hotel in Malaysia is located 1 hour drive north of Singapore and is the ultimate destination for your next family holiday. When you drive into The LEGOLAND Hotel you will be greeted by the spectacular dragon-guarded entrance and the lobby stands complete with LEGO pirate ship and LEGO castle.
The LEGOLAND Hotel is full of children friendly features including a pirate ship and castle playground to quirky themed lifts, exploding toy boxes, and dragons. There is a special wall with 12,528 LEGO mini figures, children’s play area with LEGO bricks and Xbox 360 Kinect, Interactive LEGO features and activities for children every day.
ATTRACTIONS
Legoland Theme Park Malaysia
Legoland Malaysia is Malaysia’s first International theme park which was opened in September 2012 and is located in the area of Johor Bahru, just north of Singapore. Legoland Malaysia is the first of its kind in Asia and is the 6th Legoland themed park in the world. With over 70 rides, attractions and shows, its no wonder why this attraction is a sure winner with families
Legoland theme park is split into 8 different zones. The Beginning, Lego Ninjago World, Miniland, Imagination, Lego Technic, Lego Kingdom, Land of Adventure and Lego City.
Legoland Water Park Malaysia
Legoland Waterpark is located just next to Legoland Theme Park and is a great waterpark for the whole family.
SHOPPING
JPO Premium Outlets
Johor Premium Outlets is located about 40 minutes from Legoland Hotel and is a great place for premium brand shopping at discounted prices. With over 150 outlet stores including brands like Coach, Furla, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Swatch, Nike, Adidas, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Gucci, Prada and Tory Burch to name a few.
I would like to Thank the following sponsors for making this holiday special and memorable.
Adventure Cove Water Park Singapore
D’Resort @ Downtown East, Singapore
The Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa Hotel
Note: These are suggestions only and the team at Christine King has personally visited all the above-mentioned places.
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