Signapore/Japan Recs

It's been a while, but I used to travel to Singapore a ton for work. Maybe 10 trips a year over the course of 3-4 years. Always stayed at the Raffles hotel and would recommend. One of the best meals I've ever had anywhere was a tasting menu at a restaurant that reminded me of a treehouse and was inside the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Looking at the website, I think it may have been the Corner House?

Fewer trips to Tokyo, so I'll let others weigh in who know more. When there, I stayed at the Ritz Carlton, which was of course fine but not a property that I look back on as being particularly memorable.

Just got back from 12 day trip to Singapore. Bring as many clothes as possible. It is the hottest, most humid place I have ever been ( I live in Houston). My clothes were drenched in sweat when I would come home. But the food is delicious and we used "grab" (uber) for all traveling. I know bus is cheaper. Alcohol is extremely expensive but get a Singapore along at the long bar. You can get them cheaper other places but that is the OG

Thanks for the recomendations thus far. Our plan is to stay two nights at Marina Bay Sands and two nights at the Raffles. Never really swithced hotels in one city before during a trip, but this seems to make sense. We do plan on the Zoo. Surprised no one suggested the four floors of whores. Any good restaurant ideas?

We are going to be in Signapore for four nights. Is it crazy to spend two nights at Marina Bay Sands and two nights The Raffles. I really want to experience both properties, and while I never switched hotels in one city mid-stay this makes sense to be for some reason. Any thoughts on this strategy?

We will only by in Singapore for a few days but looking for mainly two things...

1 - any cool lounges or night time venues for my wife and I for one adult night out near the Fort Canning Park area? Not looking for something incredibly Boujie but prefer something more "upscale"...mind goes back to something like the Carousel Bar.

2 - What family day trips would you recommend with young teens? We will be spending plenty of time on the water, canyoneering, etc while in Boracay and Phillippines so were considering the Hop On / Hop Off day but looking for recs for what or where to target

Mandarin Oriental in Singapore

That’s where I would stay when I traveled there for work several years ago. It has the best breakfast spread Ive ever seen in my life.

It’s centrally located with incredible views of the city and the bay.

Eat at “no sign board” for the chili crab… awesome food and experience

I liked the Prince Sakura Tower. It is on the bus route from Narita (Haneda is obviously far closer, IIRC it's only four or five train stops away), and an extremely short walk to Shinagawa train station, where the Shinkansen also departs from. Particularly if your kids are the right age, they may be amused by sitting on a train that flies along at over 100mph to see Mt Fuji, even if you get off and return in the same day.


It's an easy trip from Shinagawa to the Imperial Palace, Ginza, etc (go after dark for the amazing light show.) Akihabara is the toy/video game capital of Tokyo. It's also the only place I've ever been where there were signs warning ladies to hold their skirts to their butts to prevent upskirt shots from being taken on the escalator. Japanese version of neckbeards frequent Akihabara, apparently.

If you go underneath Shinagawa, you can find an absolute crap ton of freshly made food at the combination supermarket/food court. I regularly went there. There is also an entertainment/food neighborhood just to the east of the station.

If you're going to Tokyo at anywhere approaching summer, bring or buy multiple handkerchiefs, even the Japanese use them. My first time going into work, I sweat through my shirt collar, *my tie* and the outside of my shirt collar. It's *bad,* and I also live in Houston, and have lived in the Middle East. Do *not* talk on your phone while you're on public transport, especially on the buses from the airport. Do *not* eat/drink while walking. In Tokyo, stand on the left on escalators, but most of all, get the hell out of the way if you don't know where you're going. An 80 year old mama san will run you the F over, no problem.

Whiskey is much cheaper than beer due to the taxes on malt, and there are some great ones to pick up.

A cool activity I saw outside of Shinagawa was real life "Mario" Kart on the street.

Skip Singapore and spend the whole time in Japan

Spending 2 weeks in Japan starting Friday. If you bump in mid April, I’ll give you my experience

We stayed at the Tokyo park Hyatt. It was great. Awesome rooftop atrium and pool. Stellar service and best breakfast spread I’ve ever had. Whether you stay there or anywhere else the hotel service in Japan is outstanding. Ask them for recs and to help with reservations.

One day you should poke into one of the giant Tokyo department stores and go to the food court for lunch and too look around. It’s legit awesome. A Japanese version of Harrods in London.