Exploring Singapore: A Perfect Blend of Culture, Luxury, and Adventure - Southeast Asia Trip Part 2
Relaxing in the infinity pool of the Marina Bay Sands, overlooking downtown Singapore
In our last post, we shared the details of our incredible two weeks in Bali, from luxury stays to tips on using points and miles to travel in style. Now, we're diving into the second leg of our Southeast Asia adventure – our four nights in the vibrant city of Singapore and our journey back home using points and miles.
Arriving in Singapore
After an unforgettable stay in Bali, we headed to Singapore, a bustling city-state known for its skyscrapers, diverse culture, and world-class amenities. The flight from Bali was smooth and uneventful on Jetstar, a budget airline similar to EasyJet. We landed in Singapore in just two and a half hours, paid $30 for a taxi, and made our way to our first accommodation, The Clan Hotel.
Staying at The Clan Hotel
Our choice to stay at The Clan Hotel wasn't by chance. Though we could have opted for points redemption at other properties, we strategically booked through American Airlines Advantage Hotels. The two-night stay cost us $932, but we earned a whopping 12,000 American Airlines loyalty points due to our Platinum Pro status (It would have been around 10,000 points without status). For reference, you need just 40,000 points to hit American Airlines' Gold status, so this was a smart play toward our goal to get back to Platinum Pro.
The hotel itself was stunning, with a unique "Kingsman" vibe (if you’ve seen those movies). Its location near Chinatown made it a perfect base for exploring Singapore's cultural and culinary offerings.
Our view of Chinatown from The Clan Hotel
Day 1: Chinatown and the World's Best Bars
Chinatown was our first stop after getting settled into our hotel. It’s a food lover's paradise with a wide range of options from hot pot to Korean barbecue. However, our initial attempt to dine at one of the famous hawker centers was cut short by the sweltering heat and high humidity. Instead, we opted for an air-conditioned restaurant nearby and found a hidden gem.
In the evening, we visited Off Track, a bar recently added to the World’s 50 Best Bars list. The vibe was incredible, with live EDM and house music creating a lively atmosphere. Taryn’s personal favorite was their Milk Tea Punch, a perfect blend of matcha and alcohol topped with light foam.
Day 2: Gardens by the Bay, Cultural Exploration, and a Surprise Rooftop Pool Party
We kicked off our second day in Singapore with a visit to the iconic Gardens by the Bay. The towering Supertree Grove is one of the city’s most recognizable sights, blending nature and technology in a futuristic display. Walking beneath these giant, tree-like structures was surreal, and we explored the Skywalk, a suspended bridge offering incredible views of the gardens and skyline. While much of the gardens are free to explore, we found the small fee for the Skywalk to be well worth it.
Next, we headed to Arab Street and Haji Lane, vibrant cultural hubs filled with eclectic street art, boutique shops, and Turkish-inspired goods. The beautiful Sultan Mosque, with its golden dome, dominated the skyline in this part of town. After wandering the streets and grabbing some unique souvenirs, and my usual magnets and shirts, we made our way back to Chinatown for dinner.
That evening, we visited Jigger & Pony, one of the World’s 50 Best Bars. The vibe was refined and cozy, a nice contrast to the high-energy feel of Off Track the night before. They even provided blankets for guests who might feel cold in the air-conditioned space, which was a thoughtful touch. The cocktails were exceptional, and it was the perfect spot to relax after a busy day.
But the night wasn’t over yet. After leaving Jigger & Pony, we decided to check out the Sentosa Sensory Experience on a whim. Sentosa is a nearby island known for its attractions, including Universal Studios and a world famous aquarium. We took a monorail over, expecting to find a sensory light show. However, when we arrived around 11 PM, we found Sentosa almost completely deserted—the show had ended much earlier. With the streets eerily empty, we suddenly heard the distant sound of music.
Following the music, we ended up at a hidden rooftop pool party. It was the last place we expected to be, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip. The DJ was going strong, and the energy was high as we danced with a small group of partygoers. It was the perfect, unexpected end to our second day in Singapore, turning what could’ve been a quiet night into an unforgettable adventure.
In just one day, we experienced the futuristic beauty of the Gardens by the Bay, the cultural richness of Arab Street, a world-class bar, and an impromptu rooftop pool party—proving that Singapore never ceases to surprise..
The "Supertrees" of Gardens by the Bay
Day 3: Marina Bay Sands - A Foodie Paradise
Day three was all about luxury as we checked into the iconic Marina Bay Sands. This architectural wonder is probably what most people imagine when they think of Singapore, with its boat-shaped rooftop and jaw-dropping views. While there were no points options for this stay, we decided to splurge on the experience, paying around $1,000 per night for two nights. The hotel is known for its famous infinity pool, which offers incredible views of the city from the rooftop. We spent the afternoon there, lounging and soaking in the surreal surroundings.
After some time relaxing at the pool, we headed out to explore Singapore’s culinary side. We grabbed lunch at Spago, Wolfgang Puck’s rooftop restaurant at Marina Bay Sands. The food was as impressive as the view, and the meal was the perfect way to fuel up for the rest of the day.
In the evening, we ventured to Native, a unique entry on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Native is all about experimenting with local flavors and sustainable ingredients, creating a bar experience unlike any other. They use everything from carrot scraps to local rice in their drinks, emphasizing a zero-waste philosophy. We even got a tour of their fermentation process, which added an educational twist to the visit. It was one of the most unique bars we’ve ever been to, and a definite highlight of the trip.
After enjoying Native, we made our way back to Marina Bay Sands for the famous Spectra Light and Water Show. The hotel overlooks Marina Bay, where the light show takes place every night. A helpful tip from the hotel staff led us to watch the show from the Louis Vuitton flagship store, located on its own island in the bay. The light show was spectacular, and the entire Marina Bay Sands building lights up in sync with the performance, adding another layer to the visual experience.
We capped off the night with a Japanese dinner at KOMA, a beautifully designed restaurant within Marina Bay Sands. The highlight of the meal was the Wagyu sashimi with truffle—one of the best dishes we had in Singapore.
Day 4: Relaxing at Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool, Gardens by the Bay at Night, and a Memorable Farewell Dinner
Our final day in Singapore was all about soaking up the last moments of luxury before the long journey home. We spent most of the morning at the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool, enjoying the breathtaking views one last time. It’s easy to see why this rooftop pool is famous—floating at the edge of the city skyline, it felt like we were on top of the world. After a relaxing swim, we had another great lunch at Spago, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant that we had enjoyed the day before.
The weather was perfect for a day of unwinding, and we made sure to take full advantage of the pool’s exclusivity before packing up for the next leg of our trip. As the sun set, we headed back to Gardens by the Bay, but this time for the nighttime light show. The transformation of the Supertree Grove at night is stunning, with the trees lighting up in sync to music. It’s a free show, and we highly recommend it as a must-do in Singapore. The energy of the crowd and the beauty of the lights against the night sky made it one of our favorite experiences in the city. People gathered on the ground to look up and take in the full spectacle, and it was an entirely different vibe compared to our daytime visit.
For our final dinner, we went to Mott 32, an upscale Chinese restaurant that completely redefined our expectations of Chinese cuisine. The food was next level, with dishes like Wagyu beef with truffle that had us in awe. Taryn, the foodie expert, hit it out of the park with this choice. It was the perfect way to close out our trip in Singapore, leaving us with a meal to remember.
The Journey Home - Using Points and Miles
Our journey back home was an adventure in itself, with five flights spanning 50 hours of travel from door (of the hotel) to door (home). We leveraged our points and miles to maximize comfort and minimize costs.
Singapore to Mumbai: We used 60,000 Chase points per person transferred to Air Canada for Singapore Airlines business class, which was fantastic.
Mumbai to Doha: A decent experience on Vistara Airlines, but Mumbai airport was chaotic with stringent security protocols. However, the Vistara lounge made up for it with foot massages and a nice atmosphere. However we will try to avoid a future layover in the airport.
Doha to London to JFK: We redeemed 70,000 American Airlines points for British Airways business class, with a $320 surcharge. We got access to the world-renowned Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha, which was an oasis of luxury with a restaurant, gaming rooms, and even nap pods.
JFK to Norfolk: A delayed flight from Heathrow forced us to rebook on Delta. Despite the hiccup, we relaxed at the Delta Sky Club before finally making our way home.
Tips to Avoid Jet Lag
Traveling for 50 hours can take a toll, but I managed to avoid jet lag using two key strategies:
No Jet Lag Pills: Available on Amazon, these worked wonders.
TimeShifter App: This app provides a customized schedule for caffeine, sleep, and light exposure, helping you adjust to new time zones seamlessly.
Final Thoughts
Singapore was an unforgettable mix of culture, luxury, and adventure. Whether it was enjoying street food in Chinatown or sipping cocktails at the Marina Bay Sands rooftop, this city has something for everyone. Combined with our seamless use of points and miles, it made for a truly memorable experience.
If you’re planning your next Southeast Asia adventure, consider pairing Bali with Singapore. It’s the perfect combination of relaxation and urban excitement. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel tips, hacks, and insider stories. See you in our next adventure!