Singapore has a well-established reputation as one of the Asian business capitals, but then the movie Crazy Rich Asians showed how the residents of this little country can party as hard as anyone else in the world. Although same-sex relations between men are illegal, that law has not been enforced since the early 2000s, thanks to pleas from business executives who bring international talent to work in Singapore.
Now Singapore is one of Asia’s top nightlife spots, with a fun scene at nightclubs like Taboo (photo above) and 1 Altitude. Cocktails should be enjoyed with friends at Dorothy’s.
Check out these pics, which show some of the great reasons to visit Singapore:
1. The ‘green spaces’
Almost half of Singapore is “green space,” including the parks, beaches, and stunning gardens that keep the air clean in this highly industrialized country. Check out Gardens By The Bay, with its landmark metal SuperTrees, and domes filled with exotic plants from climatic zones around the world. Singapore is a tropical country, just north of the equator, and Sentosa Island has resorts and beaches that are great for soaking in some sun.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
2. The luxurious hotels
Raffles originated in Singapore, a brand that is regarded as one of the finest in the world, and the original Raffles hotel made several appearances in the film Crazy Rich Asians. Other luxury brands in the country include St. Regis, which apparently has amazing room service.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
3. The rooftop pools
With a skyline like Singapore’s, what better place to enjoy the view than floating in a pool up in the sky? Rooftop pools are all over the city, including the iconic Marina Bay Sands complex with its rooftop infinity pool that is as long as a football field. Do those buildings look familiar? The Marina Bay Sands pool also made several appearances in the movie Crazy Rich Asians.
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
4. The airport
Changi Airport Singapore is often ranked as “the best airport in the world” by magazines and web sites that rank such things. That is not hollow praise. Changi, like Singapore itself, is really nice, and Singaporeans go to the airport just to hang out and eat or go to the movie theater that shows first-run movies for free. The airport also includes a 24-hour spa, orchid gardens, bamboo gardens, and butterfly gardens, as well as the ponds filled with koi fish. Inside the terminals past security, duty-free shops have bartenders who serve sample cocktails, for free, using the alcohol they sell, and at The Whiskey House in Terminal 2, that includes all 100+varieties of their whiskey.
On April 17, Changi opened a new attraction: Jewel Changi Airport, a $125 million shopping and restaurant hub with an indoor “rain vortex” waterfall, a four-story forest, multi-story slides, a “hedge maze” which will be interesting for anyone with jet lag, and a trail of trampolines that allow thrillseekers to bounce their way to the top of the atrium, above the trees. Come to the airport, check in, and then have a couple of shots of whiskey and bounce around on the trampolines for a while. Maybe go chase butterflies around the garden. If you have a long layover, take a swim in the rooftop swimming pool. Singapore has a lot of rooftop swimming pools.
View this post on Instagram
Do you have a suggestion for a great hotel, a fun party, or an amazing location? Want to share your pics? Email Wanderlust’s editor, danrenzi@gaycities.com!
