Destination Review
During our trip to Singapore, we stayed at the Oasia Downtown Hotel in Singapore. A great hotel with awesome service but unfortunately, among all the places in Singapore to explore, we had a difficult time finding reasonably priced halal food in the area. Even when we did find halal options, the portion sizes were quite small and the prices were quite high. We definitely would not recommend eating at Marina Bay Sands, so make sure to go with a full stomach if you do end up there. You can get some decent halal food at McDonald’s located close to the city centre. It is convenient to reach but don’t get your hopes up too much with the food choices. As for places worth visiting in Singapore, Marina Bay Sands and its shops do stand out. However, we also enjoyed visiting the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, Arab Street, Little India, Chinatown, and Sentosa Island.
Overall, we would rate Singapore as a 7/10 destination. If you are flying solo or as a couple, it is nice to keep this location as a stopover or a one-day trip, but do keep in mind the higher price point. We’ll be sharing more information about our stay and experiences in Singapore in our upcoming posts.
Best Hotels In Singapore
Oasia Downtown
Location: 9/10 - The best thing about this hotel had to be the location. Every attraction we visited was no more than a 15-minute drive from our hotel, which meant cheaper fares and less travel fatigue. On our doorstep, we had a park, nice for a stroll in the evening or during the day - whatever takes your fancy. Crossing over from the park is an array of shops and bakeries and behind the hotel are two grocery stores for anything you may need. @mcdsg was also a five-minute walk from our hotel and we ate there for most days since it was Hala, a cheap, and convenient place. You must stay here if you don’t want the travel hassle.
Room Size: 7/10 - When we first arrived we were given a standard room with basic amenities. It wasn’t that spacious but did the job. We arrived at night, were tired, and ready for bed, however, the room was quite cold so we had to wrap up that night. Also, the standard room didn’t give us access to level 21 which is the beautiful pictures that are advertised on the booking pages, with the swimming pools, gym, and café. The next day we had some issues and were upgraded to a club room. This room was a bit bigger, with better amenities, and we could finally access level 21. There was a walk-in shower, bathtub, and bathroom sound system. The rooms don’t have the best views, but if you’re going to stay at this hotel, be sure to book a club room, to get the most out of your stay.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Value for money: 6/10
Other Hotels We Recommend Based On Our Travels
1. Rendezvous Hotel
2. Park Regis
3. The Clan Hotel
4. Parkroyal Collection
Best Things To Do And See In Singapore
1. Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is one of the must-do things in Singapore. It is the skyline jewel of Singapore with breathtaking views. We went up to the top and enjoyed the stunning city view from the balcony area. It was truly mesmerizing!
The shopping mall in Marina Bay Sands was also impressive, offering a variety of luxury branded stores on the upper levels along with some high street stores like @zara, @sephora, @adidas, and @apple. If you enjoy shopping, Marina Bay Sands should stay on ur “top activities Singapore” list. We had a great time shopping and exploring the mall, you will too. Trust Sid and Hawa on this.
Another highlight of our visit to Marina Bay Sands was the Spectra Light & Water Show. It was a magnificent display of lights, music, and water fountain choreography that left us in awe. We highly recommend attending the show, which usually starts at around 8 pm.
In conclusion, Marina Bay Sands is a great destination to explore and spend an evening, especially for couples looking for a romantic outing. Shopping, views, and of course Spectra Light & Water Show will remind you that coming to Singapore was worth it.
2. The Planet
The Planet Floating Baby Artwork dubbed “The Planet” is an infamous art by British visual artist Marc Quinn. The baby sculpture seems to symbolize a form of nature and the 'floating' nature of a baby when inside the womb. All types of nature surround the sculpture, including animals, plants, and human beings. The baby sculpture seems to be hanging in mid-air to those who pass by, however, it is actually balancing on the baby's right hand if you look close enough.
Location: Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
3. Supertree Grove
In Gardens By The Bay, if you wish to take a glimpse into the future then you must visit Supertree Grove. These towering vertical gardens, covered in tropical plants, serve as eco-friendly structures with solar panels and rainwater systems. At night, they light up in a dazzling display during the Garden Rhapsody show. The OCBC Skyway offers a stunning aerial view, making it a must-see blend of nature and innovation.
Location: Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
4. Universal Studios Singapore
There are many popular things to do in Singapore. However, what you must not miss is Universal Studios Singapore. A thrilling themed park on Sentosa Island is not only kids but adults can also enjoy. Numerous adrenaline-pumping rides, immersive movie-themed zones, and live shows would eat up your time in a blink. We went to see the enchanting world of Far Far Away from Shrek, the high-speed Battlestar Galactica roller coasters, and the Transformers ride.
Location: Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore
5. Singapore Zoo
One of the best rainforest zoos is located in Mandai Wildlife Reserve and is renowned for its open-concept design, where animals roam in spacious, naturalistic habitats. Nestled in a lush rainforest, the zoo offers close encounters with wildlife like orangutans, white tigers, and pygmy hippos. For a more immersive experience, Rainforest Lumina and the River Safari should be on your list as well. All in all, Singapore Zoo brings you close to nature. It allows you to open your senses and experience the freedom you would never get in concrete jungles called Cities.
Location: Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Best Halal Food In Singapore
- Konditori Bakery (Rating 15/10) - The Best Bakery Ever!
- Sultan Turkish Restaurant (Rating 6/10)
- Pepero (Rating 10/10)
- BBQ Tonight (Rating 2/10)
- Mcdonalds (Rating 9/10)
