Synonymous with luxury and an exceptionally pristine atmosphere, Singapore is a design lover’s dream: This island nation with four official languages (English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil) promises—and delivers—a cultural melting pot of things to experience and be enlightened by. The Lion City expects to see between 4 and 6 million visitors in 2022, from just about every corner of the globe. With a constellation of hotspots that includes 52 Michelin-starred restaurants and Jewel Changi Airport, a nature-themed entertainment complex that boasts the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, there’s no shortage of marvels in every corner of this country.
Singapore Style
A tour of the jewel of Southeast Asia.
By Charu Suri - November 15th 2022
See
Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore flourished as a confluence of sea routes, which is why Singapore is now hailed as the superyacht hub of Asia. Cruise the Tara M speedboat through to Lazarus island. Stroll past historic monuments scattered throughout the city, from Fort Siloso to Fort Canning Park, a green space off Orchard Road. Visit Thian Hock Keng, one of the country’s oldest Hokkien temples, to marvel at traditional and storied southern Chinese architecture. Discover the Gardens by the Bay, an equisitedly lush nature park near the Marina Bay Waterfront, which houses more than 1.5 million plants from all seven continents as well as the largest glass greenhouse in the world.
Indulge
The humble coconut is a revered staple of South Asian and Singaporean cuisine. It is found across the city in classic Singaporean dishes like nasi lemak (or “rich rice,” for the silky texture the coconut cream gives the dish) and is also the star ingredient at the Bib Gourmand Michelin-rated restaurant, the Coconut Club, housed in a three-story shophouse. Here, explore the many gourmet possibilities of the coconut, in dishes like gula melaka chiffon cake, coconut sorbet, charcoal-grilled kaya toast (with homemade coconut jam, butter, and soft-boiled eggs) and kerabu udang kacang botol (a prawn salad with wing bean, shredded chicken, peanut brittle, sambal belacan, and lime). On the premises is a cold-press machine—custom built by a Formula 1 engineer. Another top tier dining option is Analogue—entirely plant-based with sustainable dishes like jackfruit tacos and celeriac ratatouille. End the night with the best cocktail in the city at Vijay Mudaliar’s Native, known for celebrating all things local (drinks and playlists). Ingredients ranging from nature’s bounty—think mango, turmeric, cinnamon and tapioca—to Sri Lankan arrack (a distilled alcoholic drink) are the toast of town.
Stay
Nestled in 30 extraordinary acres of greenery on Sentosa Island is Capella Singapore, consistently rated one of the best hotels in Singapore. High design (by Foster + Partners) meets lush landscapes in this modern Asian colonial complex which includes two heritage buildings whose exteriors gleam in the sun. A paradise for nature-lovers, the property overlooks the South China Sea and is flanked by rain forests. A stunning 61 rooms, 11 suites, 38 villas, and two manors are yours for the indulgence. The hotel also boasts a new restaurant, Fiamma, which offers authentic Italian cuisine by Chef Mauro Colagreco whose dishes draw from his Italian roots and childhood memories.
Located 20 minutes from the city center, the new Jetex FBO at Seletar airport is the perfect place to land your aircraft. Part of the Seletar Aerospace Park, it is also the designated FBO for Bombardier's newly expanded service centre, and has been hailed as the next business aviation hub of Southeast Asia.
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