Hi darling,

We lived in Singapore as a family for nearly four years, and they were some of our happiest times — although perhaps a little less so for my husband, who’s more at home in gumboots than high-rise living. I’m often asked what to do with 48 hours in Singapore, especially on a stopover, so I’ve pulled together my favourite tips to help you make the most of it. I’ll be sharing more guides like this soon, so if you’re planning a trip (or just dreaming of one), make sure you’re signed up to stay in the loop.

Singapore by night it something to behold

If you’ve only got 48 hours, make them count. In Singapore’s tropical heat, the wise woman approach is about comfort, clarity, and considered choices. You don’t need more things to do — you need somewhere to land, stretch out, and recalibrate.

This is your two-day edit for escaping the rush, soaking up the quiet, and remembering what rest can feel like.

Before You Go

It’s hot. Really hot. On my last trip I was still wearing jeans and long sleeves out of habit — don’t. Stay inside during the day, take advantage of excellent air-conditioning, and schedule pool time after 4pm when the light is golden and forgiving. Light linens, good sandals, and a wide hat are non-negotiable.

If you’re a member of a club back home, check for reciprocal privileges in Singapore — it’s often overlooked but well worth it. Many offer pool access, spa services, and serene corners away from the crowds.

1: Capella Sentosa

A legendary stop-off near Singapore, perfect for a touch of storybook glamour. Capella offers tropical architecture redefined: stone villas, rainforest calm, and a riverside spa — ideal for that post-flight reset. They offer stunning Capella Rooms and standalone villas, so you can wake up to forest views while the kids splash at the Kids’ Club — and you get slowness in style. https://capellahotels.com/en/capella-singapore

2: Bawah Reserve

Just a canvas short flight away, this hidden island sanctuary is a wellness whisper beyond words. Think stilted villas over water, serene spa pagodas, and no crowds. There’s no town, no bars, and that’s exactly the point. You come for hammock naps, ocean dips, and spa treatments that seem to last for days. https://www.bawahreserve.com/

3. Raffles Singapore — For Old-World Poise With Modern Ease

If I could stay anywhere next, it would be here. Raffles is all heritage glamour — white shutters, whirring fans, polished floors — but with a serenity that feels surprisingly contemporary. The rooms are vast, the service intuitive, and the courtyard pool feels like a secret you’ve been let in on. If you can stretch to it, this is a pause you’ll never regret. https://www.raffles.com/singapore/

Morning: Heat Hacks and Hidden Sanctuaries

Start slow. The humidity is real — go early or stay inside. A spa morning is never a cliché here. Try a traditional Javanese Lulur treatment or Korean-inspired hanjeongmak sauna ritual, both rooted in centuries of wellness practice but delivered with contemporary calm. You’ll come out soft, scrubbed, and reset.

Too early for treatments? A solo breakfast with great air-con will do the trick. Think cold tofu with soy dressing, soybean porridge, or a perfectly steamed kaya toast set at a local-favourite kopitiam. (It’s the slow carbohydrate energy we didn’t know we needed.)

Midday: Cool Rooms & Culinary Rituals

Book lunch somewhere indulgent — this is not the time for salad. Singapore’s restaurant scene is global, sharp, and fast-moving. If you’re booking ahead, try:

Cloudstreet – Modern Sri Lankan-leaning fine dining that feels more like a narrative than a meal.
Euphoria – Where vegetables are treated like royalty, and plating is closer to sculpture.
The Coconut Club – Nasi lemak, redefined, and possibly the most flavourful rice you'll eat all year.

Too hot to move after? Retreat to your hotel room, order chilled barley water or a pressed juice, and disappear for a while. The in-room robe is your afternoon uniform.

Evening: Soft Glamour and Singapore at Her Coolest

As golden hour hits, Singapore softens. This is your time for a perfect drink. Wise Woman favourites include:

Odette - One of the top 50 restaurants in the world, and I have only been once, because it’s very hard to get into - so think we’ll ahead and book.

Burnt Ends - Another award winner, nearly opened just before we left Singapore, and hard to get into even then. It’s a must for meat lovers, like our daugher.

Atlas – Art Deco elegance, world-famous gin library, and the feeling that you’ve walked into another era.
Jigger & Pony – Warm, confident, and consistently ranked one of Asia’s best bars.
Fura – For those easing off alcohol but not style, this new zero-proof bar serves complexity and cool in equal measure.

Skip the rooftop queues. Opt instead for smart tailoring, slick service, and something surprising on the menu.

Night: Reset the Rituals

By 9pm, retreat. Magnesium, skincare, one more cold towel. If you’re staying somewhere well-chosen (Capella, Raffles, or a club stay if you’ve got reciprocity), the turn-down ritual is as lovely as anything on the itinerary.

If you wake early — or jet lag finds you — wander the Botanic Gardens before the sun climbs, this is a must if you can make it. It's a breath of green in a city of glass and steel.

A Wise Woman Note

There’s no need to prove anything in Singapore. The city’s done the work — all you have to do is show up, stay cool, and enjoy it. Walk slowly, book the good table, spend the money (it’s a oncer), and let yourself be looked after for a change. You’ll leave better than you came — a little more rested, a little more inspired, and probably with a new favourite drink in the mix. My final thoughts: book very early for restaurants - up to four months, the best places can be booked out, look for specials on hotels, dress light but carry a scarf because the air con is on inside, wear flatties, locals do unless they’re out on a glam evening. Get in touch if you want any more tips.

https://www.visitsingapore.com/

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