My Singapore Fling

For years I flew long-haul to Asia with Singapore Airways. It's fabulous, more than fabulous - their economy is pretty special, to start with, but their business class is like having your front room in the skies. These seats are big enough for two, you know the kind for canoodling in the back row of the cinema? ( ....do people canoodle anymore?)

Anyway, fly with Singapore Airlines, then prepare to relish in the joy of Changi Airport. Every cinema surround sound, sunflower garden, coy karp, designer shopping, helter-skelter slided square inch of it. It's insanely good. So, if this is the airport, surely the city is something else?

Everybody should visit Singapore. It's like the Gattaca of airport hub destinations. Clean streets bustling with a palette of fast moving, everyone from everywhere people. For the tourist, there's a dabble of history but a wealth (I really mean wealthy) of new, shiny, designer everything. You don't need long to explore it, but it's a weekend trip really worth doing.

All the big hotels are there, of course, but I went with my heart, for boutique. An all-inclusive boutique, a relatively new concept, well located at the start of the shopping Mecca of Orchard Road. The Quincy is qool - rooms are tiny, but only at the compromise of a free minibar, sky high infinity pool, all inclusive meals and bar service, and a decor full of bling, even in the bathrooms. Being honest, a weekend in Singapore is not designed for bed time.

The core of the modern sight-seeing is by the Marina - you must take the ride to the top of Marina Bay Sands Hotel, these are the best views over the city to lunch in awe. Even better if you swim life on the edge at their incredible infinity pool.

On the ground - Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari...take your pick, four-wheeled affluence topped only by the F1 pits beside it.

Connected to the Marina Bay Sands is an infinity of illustrious designer shopping with waterfalls and waterways, and you must explore the amazing Louis Vuitton Island Maison - whether you go there by bridge, boat to the jetty, or travelator, is up to you. Just practise your Wow face.

From the other side of the bay, the stunning Fullerton Hotel is great for cocktails or tea, and you can catch the original Merlion statue. Stay to 8pm, you even get the Marina Sands music and light show (it's no Hong Kong harbour, but it's cool).

By now, it's time for some serious history making. Pull up a stool, these are the chic seats. Action your best raised eyebrow and indulge, and it is a wonderful indulgence, in the real thing Singapore Sling, at Raffles Hotel. There are select places around the world where I have a moment...this was one, a moment you will savour forever.

By night, make 2 stops - chinese street food on Smith Street, and hunt down the fried stingray. Seriously, where have you been all my life? Then hit Clarke Quay - clubs, pubs, music, shops....it's a bit ex-pat, but it's where the night is.

I'm not a lover of theme parks, but if it's your thing then a trip to Sentosa is short and you get a full on fix of proper built up American fun-time, with proper flinstone-esque rebuilds of the Merlion and beach huts.....I did it, I'm not proud of it, but at least I can pass it on.

So, my 48 hour Singapore fling is a secret, no more. Tourist adultery, shopping adultery...trust me, you'll find how the sin got into Singapore.

'Til next time, Pandora

Quincy Hotel, 22 Mt Elizabeth, Singapore
Photos: Pandora Skies, www.stayfareast.com