Singapore

Central Singapore

Hotels in central Singapore are the most popular and therefore budget deals are harder to find. There is an abundance of attractions here ranging from the Raffles Palace and the Botanical Gardens to Sentosa Island and the Singapore Flyer at the Marina. Chinatown and Little India are also unmissable and there are plenty of smaller areas with a more quaint and villagey feel such as Holland Village and Changi Village. For the best of the colonial past head to the riverside area.

East Singapore

Home to Singapore Airport, the east of Singapore has plenty of hotels to suit all budgets whether staying for a quick stopover or a longer holiday. East Coast Park is a favourite local getaway with a beach and plenty of space for exercise and relaxation. The best-kept secret of the area is Chek Jawa, a mangrove swamp so protected that you can't even cycle through it, only pedestrians are allowed.

North-East Singapore

This area of Singapore is crammed full of golf courses, with five courses within a short distance as well as several country clubs too. It is also known for Tampines, an award-winning housing development complete with its own shopping mall. The north-east of Singapore is very much a residential area; hotels here tend to be quieter, but with the disadvantage of being slightly away from the action.

North Singapore

North Singapore is taken up primarily by the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve that sits in the centre of the island. You may be lucky enough to spot some of the native mammals. Even if you don't the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari nestle on the edge of the greenery offering a wealth of exotic species. The Mandai Orchid Garden is the largest orchid garden on the island and if you want to shop and eat like the locals then the district of Toa Payoh has what you're after.

West Singapore

The area of Jurong in the west of Singapore boasts both the Science Center and the Jurong Bird Park, but venturing a little further will reveal some cultural delights as well as snow city, an indoor snow centre. Haw Par Villa is a theme park based on Chinese mythology whilst the National University of Singapore (NUS) museum boasts an impressive collection of ancient and modern art from China and the Far East. For a bit of time out, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens in the middle of Jurong Lake provide a tranquil respite from the city.