The 2018 romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” was a certified smash hit that grossed 238.5 million dollars worldwide and introduced global audiences to the glitzy, glamorous lives of the Singaporean elite. It was successful enough to have fueled a desire in travelers to book tour packages to Singapore to see the country’s dazzling locales for themselves. Thankfully, you don’t have to be crazy or rich to have some first-class experiences in this enchanting island-state. Check out our list below for luxury pursuits you can indulge in that won’t burn a hole through your bank account.
Have a Michelin-starred meal
There are 44 Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore, firmly cementing its place in the culinary firmament as one of the most exciting destinations in Asia when it comes to food. The great news is that you don’t have to pay fine-dining prices for a fine meal in the city, as the Michelin Guide has awarded two humble hawker stalls with one star each: a star for the Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, and another for Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle.
Hawker Chan’s Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle stall at the Chinatown Complex Food Centre holds the honor of being one of the first ever hawker stalls to have been awarded a Michelin star and of having the cheapest Michelin-starred meal on the planet. It was given its first star in July of 2016 and has managed to keep it every year since. Its signature meal, the Soya Sauce Chicken Rice, goes for a mere SGD 2 or THB 44.
Meanwhile, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle has been serving their signature bak chor mee out of their stall in Crawford Lane since 1932. In 2016, it was also awarded one Michelin star. Like Hawker Chan, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle has maintained that one-star rating ever since. Even if the 30-minute wait in the queue has now extended to two hours, a bowl of their savory minced pork noodles starts at only SGD 6 or THB 133.
Have a spot of afternoon high tea
Remnants of Singapore’s history as a British colony can be found perfectly preserved all over the city, from the architectural grandeur of the Old Supreme Court building to the old-style shophouses that line the streets of Chinatown. You can relive those long-past days at any number of fine establishments that serve afternoon high tea in Singapore, a distinctly British ritual that is still observed by many locals today.
The historic Raffles Hotel serves an excellent afternoon tea at their Grand Lobby for SGD 68 or THB 1,506 per person from noon to 6 PM. It includes teas from Mariage Freres, warm scones served with clotted cream, and an assortment of savory sandwiches and pastries. If that’s a little too expensive for your budget, you can head to The Lobby Lounge at the Shangri-La instead for the same decadent experience at only SGD 38 or THB 842. Here, the hotel puts a distinctly local spin on afternoon high tea, as you can choose whether to have tea, coffee, kopi Tarik, or teh Tarik. Your beverage will be served with a selection of local delicacies presented in a three-tier tray. They include chili crab and curry puffs, a selection of bite-sized desserts called kueh, and scones made with local ingredients such as palm sugar and pandan.
Drive (or be driven) around in a supercar
Admit it, you’ve fantasized about driving an exotic supercar at least once. With Ultimate Drive Singapore, you can finally live the dream of experiencing life in the driver’s seat of a vehicle you’ve likely only seen in the movies. They operate a fleet of rentals that include supercars, limousines, convertibles, and even yachts.
Ever wanted to take a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder or Huracan for a spin? Perhaps you’ve always wondered what it would be like to drive a Porsche 911 with the top down, or experience the sheer power of a McLaren MP4-12C firsthand. These are only a few of the vehicles available at Ultimate Drive. You can choose to drive one yourself or be driven by an experienced chauffeur for 15 minutes, a half-hour, 45 minutes or an hour around the Marina Bay Sands area and beyond. No international driver’s license is required, and each and every ride is fully insured for your entire journey.
Ultimate Drive is also a popular choice for weddings and special events should you wish to arrive in style. They also operate a fleet of Rolls Royce Ghosts in various colors that can be at your disposal for anywhere between an hour up to an entire day. The fees could be steep, though; you’re looking at SGD 280 or THB 6,200 for 15 minutes in the McLaren, for example, but you must admit that’s a fraction of the price of buying the car yourself!
Soak in the longest rooftop infinity pool in the world
It’s hard to feel anything but high at the Marina Bay Sands’ infinity pool. It’s 57 levels up on the rooftop and is undisputedly the best view in Singapore. Access is exclusive to checked-in guests, but MBS regularly launches irresistible promotions so that you can book a stay at a steal. Packages can sometimes include tickets to amazing shows like CATS or Sweeney Todd, access to a scrumptious breakfast buffet at the Marina Bay Sands’ premier restaurants, or dinner at Club55, MBS’s signature Asian dining destination on the 55th floor. If that’s not getting a whole lot of bang for your buck, we don’t know what is!
Beyond the sheer size of the infinity pool, you can opt to have drinks and snacks poolside on a luxurious lounger. Have a refreshing glass of Tiger beer or champagne from the nearby bar, or choose from a selection of Wolfgang Puck Signature cocktails to sip on between laps. You can also have breakfast by the pool if you arrive between 7 and 11 AM for a truly indulgent way to start your day.
Try out cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a treatment procedure that celebrities and athletes alike have been raving about, thanks to its ability to relieve aches and pains, reduce inflammation, and even stop the clock on aging. It does all of this by exposing the body to temperatures as low as -300°F (-184.4°C) using liquid nitrogen. Just a couple of minutes is enough to feel the effects. Famous personalities such as Will Smith, Daniel Craig, Cristiano Ronaldo and Floyd Mayweather swear by cryotherapy as a more convenient alternative to loading up on ice packs after a grueling workout or film shoot.
You too can try the treatment out yourself at a facility in Singapore, such as Cryo Fit or Absolute Zero. Having cryotherapy done on your face can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and makes your pores look smaller while stimulating the production of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin looking plump and healthy. Meanwhile, people who suffer from body pains may benefit from localized or whole-body cryotherapy.
In Singapore, you can live the high life without paying high prices! Keep a lookout for deals and promotions that can help drive costs down on some of the best experiences and attractions in the city. You may also wish to take advantage of Singapore’s tax refund to save money when you shop.
