City, Island & Country all in one: Singapore in a Nutshell (And what a Chic Shell!)

Singapore—city, island, and country all rolled into one—is a dazzling blend of modern marvels and rich heritage. Often called the “New York of the East,” this dynamic destination manages to merge futuristic skylines with cultural depth, world-class cuisine, and impeccable cleanliness. My four-night visit was short but unforgettable—and yes, let’s get this out of the way early: it’s not cheap. But for a first timer, it was worth every cent. Most people arrive to Singapore as a layover on the way to other Asia destinations, but having experienced it now, I do believe it has a right to stand on its own. In my case I did combine the trip with Thailand, but the true purpose was to feed my curiosity! What is Singapore all about?

Before diving into the details, a quick detour into history: Singapore’s strategic location made it a vital trading post in the 19th century. Founded as a British colony in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, it rapidly grew into a melting pot of cultures—Chinese, Malay, Indian, and European influences all shaping its unique identity. It became fully independent in 1965 and, in just a few decades, transformed into a global financial and transport hub. Today, it’s a city where futuristic architecture coexists with preserved shophouses and temples.

When in Singapore, especially for the first time, you might as well do it right. Our home base was the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, nestled in the heart of Marina Bay. It’s not a budget-friendly pick by any means, but it ticked every box: ideal location, refined style, and amenities that turned our stay into an experience. Our spacious room overlooked Marina Bay, and yes—we could see the iconic Marina Bay Sands from our bathroom window. Talk about a room with a view! The breakfast buffet deserves its own spotlight: massive, beautifully arranged, and offering everything from local delicacies to international comfort food. It felt like a culinary world tour each morning, and with four breakfasts, we just managed to sample most of it. The service? Flawless. Possibly the best I’ve ever encountered at a hotel—attentive without being intrusive, and always with a smile.

We didn’t shy away from the “touristy” hits, and honestly, they’re popular for a reason. Gardens by the Bay was breathtaking, especially at night when the Super trees lit up against the skyline. We also joined a walking tour that took us through Singapore’s diverse neighborhoods—each one telling its own story, from the colorful streets of Little India to the peaceful temples of Chinatown. Afternoon tea is practically a sport in Singapore, and we rose to the occasion. Our favorite? Raffles Hotel Grand Lobby, a beautifully restored colonial landmark, where the elegant setting and traditional tea service were as timeless as the building itself. For a modern twist, we also tried a Japanese-style high tea at SKAI, perched high above the city. The minimalist bites paired perfectly with the panoramic views.

We though it was worthwhile to visit Sentosa Island, Singapore’s resort playground. Getting there via the monorail was fun, but the island itself felt a bit dated—likely a side effect of pandemic-era slowdowns. In case you are pressed with time I would skip this one.

While I am not exactly what you call a “foodie”, Singapore is a feast for food lovers. We didn’t have a bad meal, and the variety was astounding. It’s a place where you can go from $5 chicken rice to Michelin-starred modern fusion, all in one day.

Final Thoughts? Singapore isn’t a place you come to pinch pennies—but for a luxurious, culture-rich, and visually stunning experience, it delivers on every front. Whether you’re gazing at skyline views from a hotel bathtub, strolling through futuristic gardens, or sipping tea in colonial elegance, this island-city-country hybrid leaves an indelible mark. Would I go back? In a heartbeat.

Accommodation Tip: It really depends on your budget but there are multiple great choices to pick from that are high Singaporean standards (as our mine). Some people go all the way with the famous “Marina Bay Sands” and it does look attractive especially with the infinity pool accessed by hotel guests only. However, having visited the rooftop bar, we did get to see what the fuss was all about and its fuss. The amount of people in the lobby and restaurants was ridiculous. Not sure I would have liked to sleep in a “city” like hotel. In that sense I still think staying at the bay area was a good choice. As mentioned, the Ritz was not cheap but had an intimate luxury feeling to it which made it just perfect. We of course chose the “Deluxe Marina” with the view to the Marina Bay. Might as well if you are at this price range! The hotel was tastefully designed in every corner, and it was a fine home to come back to every evening.

Excursion Tips: Singapore is rich with many things to see and explore therefore my first tip is to do your homework. The one touristy activity that I would not miss if I were you, is “Gardens by the bay”. There is quite a lot of ground to cover beyond the beautiful super trees such as the “Cloud Forest” or the “Flower Dome” so depending on your interest, plan your time accordingly. Whatever you do, don’t miss the “Garden Rhapsody”, a sound and light show where the Super trees come alive. Its either at 7:45PM or 8:45PM. Singapore is also rich with history and culture and for me I really wanted to get a taste of its diverse neighborhoods and decided to take a private guide to maximize my visit. This turned out to be a great idea! We took public transport from one spot to another and managed to visit the iconic: Little India, China Town, The Buddha Toothrelic Temple, Sri Mariamman Temple and the VERY photogenic Kampong Glam. As a lover of photography, the colorful streets, houses and people were just eye candy. Finally, and most probably you will anyway pass through, is the Jewel at the Changi Airport. It really lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful terminal in the world. Worth coming to the airport early just to walk around, shop or sit under the striking glass and steel dome with a waterfall cascading through the centre of its roof. 

Gastronomy Tips: The Singaporean High tea is quite a famous colonial tradition that should not be missed. I mentioned our personal favorite was at the iconic “Raffles Hotel”. While the main occasion is the high tea itself, walking around the beautiful historic grounds of the hotel was a bonus. This high tea experience was the closest I have experienced to the traditional British afternoon tea and it was really tasty. Another culinary experience was a tribute to the famous and traditional Chinese Duck dish. We opt to eat it in style, at the “Four Seasons” hotel restaurant, Jiang-Nan Chun, and it was not a disappointment. Beyond the yummy food the presentation was almost theater like and the setting nothing less than luxurious. Lastly it is recommended to try one of the many rooftop bars in the city. As we were curious to visit “Marina Bay” hotel, we chose the iconic “CELAVI” at sunset- a sky-high experience indeed. Not budget friendly but super fun and worth a drink as the sun goes down.