Singapore Neighbourhood Guide | Dream by Luxury Escapes

While Singapore is rightfully famed for its dazzling Marina Bay glamour, its diversity extends well beyond this iconic spot. For families, there are the laid-back beachside resorts of Sentosa Island; foodies will love stays around Chinatown, and lovers of art and culture can discover boutique gems around Tiong Bahru or Little India.

Scroll on to find your perfect hotel, no matter how you want to stayover in Singapore.

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If it’s your first stayover in Singapore: Marina Bay

Marina Bay should absolutely be at the top of every traveller’s Singapore bucket list. Its futuristic skyline is world famous with its cloud-skimming skyscrapers, river views and buzzing promenade that bursts into life at night with dazzling light shows.

From the waterfront promenade, gaze up at one of Singapore’s most famous landmarks, Marina Bay Sands. Inside, you’ll find high-end shopping, a casino and the ArtScience Museum, a hub for technology-focused contemporary art. Venture up to level 56 to get a bird’s eye view of the city at the SkyPark Observation Deck or sample top-notch bites from legendary chefs, including Chef Wolfgang Puck at Spago Dining Room.

Don’t forget to visit Gardens By The Bay, an awe-inspiring botanical garden with an indoor conservatories, sky-high walkways, and outdoor spaces.

You’ll stay… Pan Pacific Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay.

If you’re looking for adventure: Sentosa Island 

Get your adrenaline pumping at Sentosa Island, a tropical paradise off the south coast of Singapore. Nothing screams adventure like Universal Studios Singapore, with its soaring rides and thrilling performances. But this isn’t the only theme park on the island: zipline over the jungle canopy at Mega Adventure Park, speed down the trails on a luge at Skyline Luge and put pedal to the metal with go-karting at HyperDrive.

Once you’ve had enough heart-racing action for one day, it’s time to enjoy Sentosa Island’s other drawcard: the beach. Get a resort stay with half the crowds at the uber-stylish +Twelve and vibrant Tipsy Unicorn beach clubs with cabanas, infinity pools, live music acts and inspired signature cocktail menus.

When you need a break from the action, stop by the Singapore Oceanarium, a haven for manta rays, zebra sharks and all manner of vivid sea creatures.

You’ll stay… Capella Hotel Singapore, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa.

If you’re a shopaholic: Orchard Road 

Wallet full and suitcases empty? Orchard Road is for you, where sleek shopping malls house a concentration of luxury brands. Wander this bustling boulevard, famous for its shiny malls, designer boutiques and local haunts, for a retail therapy experience like no other. ION Orchard is an eight-storey hub for international names like Tommy Hilfiger, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Rolex. For those seeking the finer things in life, the monumental Paragon is where you’ll find your next designer bag or art piece for your collection. DORS at Design Orchard is a go-to for local pieces.

Perfect for post-shopping recovery, trendy cafes are in abundance here. Savour Parisian treats and silky coffees at Merci Marcel and every bite of your mouthwatering bagel at FYP (For You People) Café. Once the sun sets, dine on fresh pasta at the rooftop Il Cielo, lobster at JUMBO Seafood, or Japanese-inspired rice bowls at Komyuniti Bar & Restaurant.

You’ll stay… Pullman Singapore Orchard, COMO Metropolitan Singapore, Pan Pacific Orchard.

If you’re a history buff or foodie: Chinatown

Chinatown is your gateway to Singapore’s illustrious past. Hop on a walking tour to explore the area on foot, then head to Chinatown Street Market to find a unique souvenir to take home.

An essential stop is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum, which houses sacred relics, including what Buddhists believe to be Buddha’s left canine tooth. The building itself is a work of art inspired by architecture and design that was popularised by the Chinese Tang Dynasty. Later, stop by one of Singapore’s oldest Chinese temples, Thian Hock Keng Temple, that’s still a thriving place of worship today.

While you’re here, stop at Maxwell Food Centre for creamy Cantonese-style porridge, crispy oyster omelettes and laksa. And don’t forgo the Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice, a favourite of Anthony Bourdain and Gordon Ramsay. Chinatown Complex Food Centre is another essential stop for steamed xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and super sweet chendol (green jelly made from rice flour).

You’ll stay… Amara Singapore, QT Singapore, Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Maxwell Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection.

If you’re looking for a unique cultural experience: Little India

Thriving, vibrant and picturesque: this is Little India. Walking down the streets, you’ll see colourful street art, fragrant spice markets and ornate temples that will have your jaw hitting the floor. You can’t go to Little India without seeing Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, a 19th-century Hindu temple that is a kaleidoscope of colour and adorned with hundreds of tiny figures depicting Hindu deities.

Get your Indian food fix at the Tekka Centre with mouthwatering chapati, briyani, qeema and tikka masala. When you’re done eating, stop by the wet market, the largest in Singapore.

Little India is a hub of fine fabrics, and you can’t go past the bustling Mustafa Centre for luxurious saree silks and trims. Looking for something a little extra special? You’ll find stores with expertly crafted gold jewellery in abundance.

You’ll stay… The Vagabond Club Singapore, The Serangoon House Little India.

If you’re looking for incredible architecture: Kampong Gelam

An experience like no other awaits in Kampong Gelam, a melting pot of Malay and Arabic cultures. This neighbourhood is home to some truly majestic architecture like the Sultan Mosque, a colossal gold-domed structure that was originally built by Singapore’s first Sultan Hussain Shah of Johor in the 19th century.

Arab Street is where you’ll find a one-of-a-kind souvenir to take home – think Persian carpets, ornate Turkish lamps, luxurious fabrics, premium handbags and everything in between.

Transport from the past back to modern times at Haji Lane, a vivid hub of colourful houses, bold street art and uber-chic cafes. At night, it comes alive with brewhouses, cocktail bars, beloved restaurants and rooftop haunts heaving with customers. Check out Blu Jaz Cafe for laid-back drinks with live jazz humming in the background.

You’ll stay… Andaz Singapore by Hyatt, InterContinental Singapore, PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

If you’re looking for somewhere a little quirky: Tiong Bahru 

Art Deco architecture, trendy cafes, modern galleries – you’ll find all this and more at Tiong Bahru, one of Singapore’s oldest residential areas. The streets are lined with hidden street art, green spaces, art galleries and indie bookshops. Take part in a walking tour through backstreets to learn more about the 1930s-era curved apartment buildings and the community that lived in them.

Where a youthful crowd goes, notable coffee and brunch options follow. Flock Cafe and Micro Bakery are the ultimate lazy day coffee stops, serving up expert brews and breakfast classics like eggs benedict and shakshuka. For baked goods, Tiong Bahru Bakery is an institution with freshly baked French-inspired croissants, eclairs and tarts.

You’ll stay… Furama RiverFront, Four Points by Sheraton Singapore.

If you’re looking for a riverside break: Clarke Quay

When you say ‘Singapore’, Clarke Quay immediately comes to mind (and for good reason). Perched on the banks of the winding Singapore River, this is the spot for those who want to do everything with a view, from shopping at the ultra-modern Clarke Quay Central to dining at a riverside restaurant like Tsui Wah Singapore with its signature wontons.

If you want to see it all, walk or cycle down the riverside trail (bike tours are a great way to explore the area). For a more upscale exploration, zip along the Singapore River in a traditional bumboat to see the sights in style.

Nightlife is the lifeblood of Clark Quay. Inhale Greek classics at Zorba The Greek Taverna, Korean barbeque at Hanjip Korean Grill House, or Bollywood-inspired flavours at Gabbar Bistro & Bar, and finish up the night at Attica, one of Asia’s leading clubs that’s hosted DJs such as Pete Tong and Paul Oakenfold.

You’ll stay… Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay, Park Regis by Prince Singapore.

If you’re looking for arts and culture: Bugis and Bras Basah 

Want a sophisticated escape perusing art galleries and browsing street stalls? Bras Basah is for you (you’ll also find the legendary Raffles Hotel Singapore here, where a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar is a rite of passage). Visit local galleries like Cape of Good Hope Art Gallery and artcommune to see thought-provoking pieces by local and international artists, then wander through the National Museum of Singapore to learn about the country’s history through digital installations, paintings, fossils and photography. In the Once Upon a Tide exhibition there’s even an interactive boat simulator charting a virtual journey down the Singapore River. Other historic sites to add to your itinerary include the National Gallery of Singapore and CHIJMES. The latter is a buzzing food district that has been converted from a Catholic convent.

When critiquing art has worked up your appetite, Keen’s Bagelry is the ultimate trendy pitstop for truffle salmon and garlic chicken bagels, while Narrative Coffee Stand is a sleek hole-in-the-wall spot for a single-origin brew.

Also nearby is Bugis Street Market, considered one of the best shopping nooks in the city with its clothing, souvenirs and accessories at incredibly reasonable prices.

You’ll stay… Raffles Singapore, Naumi Hotel Singapore, Fairmont Singapore, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore.