Since its independence, Singapore has become one of the most prosperous countries and one of the world’s busiest ports. At the center of the city, modern skyscrapers mingle with Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences, to create a little microcosm of Asia worth visiting. As one of the most accessible cities, and home to several first-class convention centers and over 150 hotels, Singapore is a global hub for business and pleasure.
The Singapore experience starts as soon as you arrive at the Singapore Changi Airport – one of the best-ranked in the world. Miles of shopping are to be fond on Orchard Road, from high fashion to antiques and plenty of bargains in between. You can immerse yourself in Chinese heritage in Chinatown, and then head over to Little India to spice it up. Dozens of city parks bring nature to the city, and if that isn’t enough, the Bukit Timah Nature reserve has a rainforest where you can even look for monkeys in the wild. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is another nature site not to be missed, with over 20,000 orchid plants on display, and for those hoping to discover the art of Singapore, the National Gallery will be opening in 2015.
The nightlife of Singapore is legendary, as is the food. Hawkers sell delicious meals all over the city and a trip to a hawker center will fill you right up! Live music can be found in clubs and bars and there is never a shortage of entertainment options. On of the biggest attractions in the city is the Marina Bay Sands, a resort that includes a hotel, casino, shopping mall convention center, and museum. Special social venues for groups can include the Gardens by the Bay, which houses over 300,000 plants, the Singapore Sports Hub, the S.E.A. Aquarium, and the River Safari.
The Singapore EXPO is another major convention center, with 123,000 square feet of MICE space, and large-scale theaters and classrooms. The Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Center also provides plenty of meeting space, and most hotels also offer fully-equipped business centers and meeting rooms.
The first Shangri-La Hotel is found in Singapore, as well as a Marriott Hotel, the St. Regis Singapore, and the Grand Hyatt Singapore, all found near Orchard Road. The Suntec Joint Marketing Alliance is made up of the Mandarin Oriental Singapore, the Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel, the Marina Mandarin Singapore, the Conrad Centennial Singapore, the Ritz Carlton Millennia Singapore, the Swissotel the Stamford, and the Fairmont Singapore, making up over 5,200 hotel rooms. Fifteen minutes away from the city center is Sentosa Island, which holds 15 properties and over 3,000 hotel rooms.