Singapore Reasons to Stay | Dream by Luxury Escapes

Even a short stayover in Singapore can be rich in discovery. A global metropolis, this is a city brimming with lush green spaces and a rich tapestry of cultures. It’s a destination worth lingering in – but even a long weekend stayover has its rewards.

Read on to discover our pick of Singaporean experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

The best part? For a limited time, stay three nights or more at select properties and you’ll earn triple Société points. Click here for more details.

Dine and sail aboard the Royal Albatross

Asia’s only luxury tall ship, the Royal Albatross, is known for its handcrafted woodwork, gourmet dining and 360-degree panoramic views over the Port of Singapore. 

An evening onboard the unique, 22-sail yacht makes for the perfect experience for couples, families or groups looking to take in Singapore at its most spectacular. Savour the City Lights Cruise – a 2.5-hour sailing experience from sunset to moonlight with free-flow drinks, or embark on the magnificent Sunset Cruise, with specially curated multi-course dining. 

Seek a wild day out at Mandai Wildlife Reserve

You’re in for a fun day out at Asia’s first wildlife adventure park, Mandai Wildlife Reserve. With eight zones of open‑concept rainforest habitats and elevated walkways, it’s the place to catch elephants, manatees, penguins, lions, African painted dogs and more.

From leisurely strolls along rugged rainforest trails to ranger talks, canopy jumps and ziplines through jungle caves, this is a magical way to see Singapore’s wild side.  

Explore the magic of Gardens by the Bay

Overlooking the Singapore Strait, Gardens by the Bay has already become one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Discover unique plant species at the Flower Dome, stand in awe before one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls in the Cloud Forest and walk the OCBC Skyway, set between lush trees 22 metres above the ground.  

Head to the Supertree Observatory for unparalleled views of the lush surroundings and greater Marina Bay area, with nightly light and sound shows in the Supertree Grove that dazzle in their technological artistry.

Feast at Singapore’s famous hawker stalls 

No stay in Singapore is complete without experiencing its legendary hawker centres, an essential part of the city’s culture (and one of the cheapest places in the world to experience a Michelin-starred meal). 

First time? Maxwell Food Centre is lauded as the place to try by locals and tourists alike, with specialties including red oil spicy dumplings and oyster cakes (fried rice fritters stuffed with prawns, minced pork and coriander, topped with chopped peanuts).

There’s no wrong way to eat in Singapore, but the city’s most-awarded hawker market, Lau Pa Sat, is another must-visit. Despite being over a century old, the culinary makeup is always changing: among the centre’s stalls you’ll find Korean burgers, chicken biryani or smoky-savoury char kway teow.

Singapore’s biggest hawker centre, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, is a foodie paradise with more than 200 stalls and a staggering variety of Chinese dishes, including the legendary soy sauce chicken from the world’s first-ever Michelin-starred hawker stall, Hawker Chan.  

An aquarium like no other: Singapore Oceanarium

One of the most expansive and immersive aquariums in the world (with 22 zones and more than 100,000 marine animals), Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa reimagines what an aquarium can be. It deftly blends cutting-edge digital wizardry with a passion for conservation. Meet some of the ocean’s oldest residents, sea jellies, and step back in time and see life-sized animatronics and replicas of extinct creatures such as the Dunkleosteus, Rhizodus and Xiphactinus. 

Discover new art at National Gallery Singapore  

Situated in the heart of the city’s Civic District, the National Gallery is housed in the iconic twin buildings of Singapore’s Former City Hall and Supreme Court. With more than 8,000 pieces of Southeast Asian art that date from the 19th century to the present day, this is the largest visual arts venue in Singapore – and one of the most highly regarded in Asia.

Learn about Singapore’s history on a Peranakan Heritage Tour  

Uncover the rich culture of the Peranakans, descendants of early Chinese immigrants and local Malay communities. Blending history and architectural beauty, a Peranakan Heritage Tour offers unique insight into the culture’s colourful shophouses, unique craftsmanship and fascinating heritage. 

Make chocolate at Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie Dempsey Factory

Chocolate lovers rejoice: Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie Dempsey Factory offers experiences to meet the demands of any sweet tooth. Curate your own chocolate slab at The Creation Station, visit The Dispensary to take home all the chocolate your heart desires, or sign up for a tasting session and become acquainted with the bean-to-bar journey.  

Go go-karting at HyperDrive

Got the need for speed? HyperDrive, Asia’s first indoor gamified electric go-kart circuit, is the perfect adventure for a day out in Singapore. This three‑level indoor circuit blends real-life racing with gamified turns, designed by former karting world champion David Terrien (and with karts for all skill levels).  

See Singapore’s iconic street art and murals on Tiong Bahru & Haji Lane

Singapore’s street art scene is steeped in multiculturalism and is world-recognised for its creative expression. Chinatown is one of the best neighbourhoods for finding murals in Singapore, with artwork like the Letter Writer Mural, three-storey Tea Shop Mural and the Mid-Autumn Festival Mural.  

To experience old-world charm and modernity at the same time, venture to Tiong Bahru. One of Singapore’s oldest residential neighbourhoods, the district has an Art Deco feel to it, with artwork including the Piano Mural and Home Mural. 

Little India is home to artwork such as the Cattleland Mural and A Scent of Lights Mural. Street art is everywhere in Haji Lane, where works such as the El Vuelo del Cálao Mural colours bars, restaurants, bakeries and shops.