Singapore Tourism Board
Singapore is a dynamic destination. It is finally gaining worldwide attention for its diverse cuisine, burgeoning cultural scene, luxury shopping and architecture, a fusion of traditional shophouses and colonial architecture with futuristic architecture.
For an update on what’s happening in the Southeast Asian hub, we turned to Roszel Marop, Director of Guest Services and Concierge at the Forbes Travel Guide four-star The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and five-star The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore.
Marop is an authority in the city-state: the native Singaporean is a member and honorary secretary of the prestigious concierge association Les Clefs d’Or Singapore.
He shares with Forbes Travel Guide the new art spots you need to see, the restaurants people are flocking to and how to survive the notorious heat.
What’s new in Singapore?
The beautifully restored National Gallery Singapore – comprising two national monuments, the former Supreme Court and City Hall – is a new destination for the visual arts. It houses the most extensive public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia, and is located in the heart of the Civic District, just a 7-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.
Singapore Tourism Board
What is the most underrated attraction in your city?
Gillman Barracks offers a charming and unconventional stop for art lovers, collectors and those who are looking for a unique, lush, wooded area a little away from the urban, concrete jungle of central Singapore.
And the Fort Canning battle box. In The Battlebox Tour, they will unravel the story of strategy and surrender. The hour-long tour takes you inside the eponymous underground command center where the decision to surrender was made and re-tells the story of how Malaya and Singapore fell to the Japanese Empire in just 70 days.
Your guide will also explain the bunker’s role during the war and show you replicas and real rooms used by the army from that era.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
What are the hottest restaurants right now?
There are many great restaurants in Singapore, but here are three of my personal favourites.
The Lighthouse Restaurant and Rooftop Bar at The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. Chef Carlo Marengoni serves the best of Southern Italian cuisine in the very spot where a 20th-century lighthouse once guided sailors into the safe port of Singapore. Now, the restaurant has one of the amazing views of the Singapore skyline and the Marina Bay waterfront.
And if you want a modern and stylish Japanese restaurant, Neon Pigeon on Kung Seok Road will be an ideal choice. People who go to this restaurant are sure to love the funky combination of grunge concrete walls and traditional Japanese plates.Diners tired of cookie cutter Japanese Izakaya The bold recipes concocted by the chef will satisfy the dishes.
If you’re looking for a local, modern twist on Singapore, look no further than Labyrinth Restaurant. Chef LG Han describes his food as Singapore cuisine that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity. He focuses on creating dishes that evoke the five basic taste sensations: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. Modern, inventive cuisine ensures diners can look forward to a culinary journey like no other.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
What are some great bars?
I will definitely go to the Lantern Bar at the Fullerton Bay Hotel in Singapore. The Lantern Bar has a prime location among the skyscrapers of the CBD overlooking the Bay Area.
Surrounded by a whirlpool, faux rattan cabanas and a five meter wide lantern bar, the 25 meter swimming pool is sure to catch your eye. The atmosphere at this former Clifford Dock site is vibrant without being intrusive, and it’s not difficult to strike up a conversation while listening to background music.
Give us the inside scoop on your favorite Singapore.
Singapore is hot and humid year-round, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (or 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
A casual tee and denim shorts will quickly become your best friends. Wear as few layers as possible, and try to stick to fabrics like cotton blends, polyester/spandex, linen, and silk—these are lightweight, breathable, wick sweat, and allow body heat to escape.
