The Best Place to Stay in Singapore & why I loved it:

• Large property with many amenities (notably the unique Orchard Dome)

• Exceptional Service

• Child Friendly: however, doesn’t feel like you’re constantly surrounded by children

• Location: near Orchard Road, Singapore’s hottest district

• Many food options + incredible breakfast selection

Earlier this year I snatched an error fare to Singapore using my secret to cheaper travel for an impressive $350, roundtrip. Despite the 6 hour flight to LA from NY and then 18 hours to Singapore (yes, 18) … for a price like that, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity. Singapore is located on the southern tip of Malaysia. It is the only place in the world that is both a city and a country and is more commonly known as a tropical financial center of Southeast Asia and the world. To me, Singapore is like the Dubai but with [a lot] more nature … meaning it is constantly innovating and evolving with nature in mind. The best way to describe Singapore is as a garden in a city, not a city full of gardens. The best place to stay in Singapore is one that incorporates the nation’s environmental mission, a place full of greenery and thousands and thousands of flowers … a place like the Shangri-La Singapore. In fact, this is where the life of the Shangri-La empire.

I had the pleasure of staying at the Garden Wing and as the name suggests, it is literally just that: a luscious tropical paradise with more greenery than Central Park, a beautiful array of colorful flowers, waterfalls, turtles and Koi fish freely swimming around. Koi fish are a very important part of Asian culture because they demonstrate a powerful life force due to their ability to swim upstream against strong currents. Many people and business cherish them because they are said to bring good fortune and longevity.

The property itself is massive. Besides the Garden Wing, there is also the Tower Wing which has a rather contemporary vibe to it and the Valley Wing . The Valley Wing is an exclusive part of the property which caters to celebrities, politicians, and royalty. It is the absolute epitome of luxury hospitality in Singapore and I was lucky enough to have a peak at some of the rooms (which lived up to the hype!)

There are so many florals at the Shangri-La Singapore that people actually call it Singapore’s Second Botanic Garden. So incredible is the property’s commitment to uphold the natural standards of Singapore, that they even have a huge open-air orchid greenhouse which showcases tropical orchards. You may request to have a private romantic dinner in the greenhouse and there are yoga/meditation sessions held there as well!

The dining options certainly did not disappoint either, in fact there are so many of them that I did not even get to try them all. But I can tell you that the breakfast buffet was so large that after 3 breakfasts (with multiple refills), I was nowhere near to trying everything that was available.

One of my favorite places to dine on the property was the Lobby Lounge which, besides being gorgeous and full of light and surrounded by the incredible gardens, it also served traditional local cuisine such as Lotus Leaf Chicken and and Spicy Crab.

They also serve a selection of incredible tea.

When in Singapore you MUST try Bubur Cha Cha, a sweet potato yam pudding and taro in warm coconut milk. It is simply to die for.