What would you do in Singapore if you just had 4 hours

[Lan]

Hi all

This is my first post and I'm pretty much brand new to the site as well. I have a meeting on Friday morning in Singapore and then approx 4 hours to spend at my leisure.

Would you be able to suggest places to go, places to eat, what to do?

What would you do in Singapore if you had a few hours to kill?

Many thanks!!!

 

[samh004]

Welcome to AFF!

Personally, I’d have a swim in that infinity/surface tension pool on top of that new hotel, but only because it looks really cool to me, it probably scares most people

 

[equus]

Welcome to AFF!

Personally, I’d have a swim in that infinity/surface tension pool on top of that new hotel, but only because it looks really cool to me, it probably scares most people

Unfortunately, you only get to the pool and garden area if actually staying at the hotel - the observation deck is screened off separately, but you can go up there.

A different time of day, but the OP might like to check out this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....estions-please-few-hours-singapore-24505.html which gave me some good suggestions (and our eventual activity) earlier in the year.

 

[kamchatsky]

Go to the bars at Clarke Quay, or walk around Chinatown district for food. Or if you like shopping go to Orchard Road.

 

[Alanslegal]

Personally, I’d have a swim in that infinity/surface tension pool on top of that new hotel, but only because it looks really cool to me, it probably scares most people

I went up there during SIN F1 weekend and have to say that pool is the MOST spectacular I have ever seen. The view from that pool is AMAZING, period!

Here is a photo, courtesy of my friend TT.

 

[k_sheep]

:shock: that photo looks suspiciously like a nightmare I had a few months ago. Think me and my height-phobic self will stay away!

For 4 hours, I'd just stick around the airport SIN has so much to do.

 

[Mal]

Does tempt me a little to have one night there to check out the pool ... and considering the rates (through Amex) aren't much higher than the Holiday Inn ......

 

[munitalP]

I wouldn't bother with just 4 hours...

Head back to Changi and experience the worlds best airport - theres a lot to see and do within them walls



munitalP

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I wouldn't bother with just 4 hours...

Head back to Changi and experience the worlds best airport - theres a lot to see and do within them walls

munitalP

I agree. I think that Singapore Airport is great. One of my favorites.

 

[haydensydney]

If I only had 4 hours I would go to the F lounge and drink champagne!

 

[DTM1]

Seriously, those people who suggest going back to the lounge have either spent so much time in singapore that there's nothing new to see, or they travel so rarely that they are still excited by sitting in an F lounge drinking champagne (no offence intended).

If you're already in SIN, then I would recommend a trip to the top of the Marina Bay Sands, to the sky garden, to check out the view, and listen to some of the audio on singapore. If the weather is nice, then you could head down to chinatown for a wander around and something to eat, before heading back to the airport.

Alternatively, take the tourist boat from boat quay up to clarke quay, get off and wander around clarke quay and perhaps fort canning park. Then make your way back to marina bay and have a drink at the rooftop bar of the marina bay fullerton (as opposed to the older fullerton). You can also check out the merlion.

If you like nature, it's worth spending the time at the botanical gardens, particularly the orchid garden (one of the best in the world).

If the weather is no good, then take a lift to the 72nd floor of the Stamford hotel and check out the views from City Space or New Asia Bar. Then, just for the vibe of the place, catch a cab to orchard road (get the driver to drop you at Ion) and wander around taking in the shops and the feel of orchard road.

All of these options are way better than staying at the airport.

 

[munitalP]

Seriously, those people who suggest going back to the lounge have either spent so much time in singapore that there's nothing new to see....

The idea of going back to Changi was floated, not necessarily the lounge! The Qantas clubs J & F at Changi are as boring as bat cough and after 4 hours there, I would be wanting to slash my wrists, but... there is a lot to see and do in Changi. Your suggestions of going up there or walking here and there are fine if you have a day to kill, but 4 hours - I don't think its anywhere near enough time to consider trekking around an unknown city looking for 3 minute tourist fixes.

I am one who has spent a bit of time in Singapore, and it would take a month of holidaying to see all the tourist spots and do the "must do's", but as a seasoned traveler, who knows the ins and outs and the traps not to fall into, 4 hours is too little time.

We are making the assumption of course that the OP is traveling out of Singapore sometime after the 4 hour period, and this does not include traveling to and checking in...

Changi to do's...

1. Take a swim at the only air side swimming pool I know of
2. Have a foot massage followed by
3. fish micro-massage therapy
4. Try out a restaurant, have a meal or drink (or both)

Home - Changi Airport

there's a link

munitalP

 

[Lan]

Thanks everyone! This has been so very helpful!!

I should clarify... I fly in tonight and I have a meeting at 9am - 1pm on Alexander Road on the south side of the island. My flight heads off at 8pm so I want to head back to the airport around 5pm (for some last minute shopping and to make use of the First Lounge c/of BA/QP??)

I'm thinking that the following might be good:
Meeting to Singapore Flyer (taxi)
then lunch at Gluttons Bay (Hawker Centre)
wander (?) or taxi to a place to take pics of the Merlion
taxi to Chinatown
taxi to hotel to pick up my bag then onto the airport
What do you guys think? I'd love to fit a boat ride in but I have no idea how long they go for (or from where - I have a lot of googling to do!)

 

[markis10]

Thanks everyone! This has been so very helpful!!

I should clarify... I fly in tonight and I have a meeting at 9am - 1pm on Alexander Road on the south side of the island. My flight heads off at 8pm so I want to head back to the airport around 5pm (for some last minute shopping and to make use of the First Lounge c/of BA/QP??)

I'm thinking that the following might be good:
Meeting to Singapore Flyer (taxi)
then lunch at Gluttons Bay (Hawker Centre)
wander (?) or taxi to a place to take pics of the Merlion
taxi to Chinatown
taxi to hotel to pick up my bag then onto the airport
What do you guys think? I'd love to fit a boat ride in but I have no idea how long they go for (or from where - I have a lot of googling to do!)

Sounds like you have the right idea, I would give the boat ride a miss but if you feel the need they often depart from "Boat Quay" or the Raffles Landing Site if you want to do just the cruise:

Singapore River Cruises & Leisure

Try not to fit too much in, the last thing you want to do is arrive at Changi hot and bothered after such a tight schedule, another option is to leave early and grab the MTR out to Changi rather than the cab, you will get to see a bit of Singapore that many miss, that is, how the locals live, and in aircon!

 

[haydensydney]

Seriously, those people who suggest going back to the lounge have either spent so much time in singapore that there's nothing new to see, or they travel so rarely that they are still excited by sitting in an F lounge drinking champagne (no offence intended).

None of the above, actually.

4 hours is a very short amount of time irrespective of the city: if there are delays this four hours can rapdily disintegrate into much less of a stopover. There are a number of various scenarios that could take place during the excursion that could make getting back to the airport in time difficult (traffic jam anyone?).

I would probably be more inclined to take an actual one night stopover in SIN which would allow the pax to visit the town without stress or anxiety about a missing connection.

 

[DTM1]

funnily enough, Sinagpore is probably one of the few places in the world where you can do that. The pax has left plenty of time to get back to the airport (at that time of the day it would be a 30 min taxi ride max). Pax has left 1 hour to get back. I have never seen a traffic jam that turned the trip from town to the airport into a 1 hr trip. As long as cab is booked in advance and ready to leave hotel on time, then no problem. Also, check-in for QF is pretty quick at T1, particularly if in J or F. Even faster from T3 if flying SQ.

 

[tim irvin]

Changi airport is good, the pool is excellent, can chill out, have a drink, with planes moving in the background.

If you want to get away from the airport, and the weather is OK, there's a windsurfing
club on East Coast Parkway about 10 minutes from airport. Place is called MANAMANA,
they have a website.

Nice environment to sit and chill, eat something, look out on the busy shipping lanes.

 

[Curly]

I would grab a taxi directly to the Singapore Botanic Gardens and take the 10 minute walk to the National Orchid/Ginger Gardens. They are simply stunning - I guarantee the four hours will just fly (please excuse the pun) even if you don't like gardens.

 

[docjames]

I read the OP as already in the city (meeting) with 4hrs to kill. Not travelling for the airport and then back in that 4 hrs.

I'd add go for some lunch at a hawker market, and / or peruse Orchard Rd.

 

[Flashback]

The idea of going back to Changi was floated, not necessarily the lounge! The Qantas clubs J & F at Changi are as boring as bat cough and after 4 hours there, I would be wanting to slash my wrists, but... there is a lot to see and do in Changi. Your suggestions of going up there or walking here and there are fine if you have a day to kill, but 4 hours - I don't think its anywhere near enough time to consider trekking around an unknown city looking for 3 minute tourist fixes.

I am one who has spent a bit of time in Singapore, and it would take a month of holidaying to see all the tourist spots and do the "must do's", but as a seasoned traveler, who knows the ins and outs and the traps not to fall into, 4 hours is too little time.

We are making the assumption of course that the OP is traveling out of Singapore sometime after the 4 hour period, and this does not include traveling to and checking in...

Changi to do's...

1. Take a swim at the only air side swimming pool I know of
2. Have a foot massage followed by
3. fish micro-massage therapy
4. Try out a restaurant, have a meal or drink (or both)

Home - Changi Airport

there's a link

munitalP

Don't forget the big slide that has only recently opened! :mrgreen: