Singapore's appetite for more

Luxury experiences, cultural attractions and culinary innovation are playing a central role in Singapore's growing appeal as a destination in its own right

- CHRISTIAN BARKER

Until quite recently, Singapore tended to be viewed as a nice place to stop over for a day or two en route to another destination. With the city-state’s main attractions just 30 minutes’ drive from the dreamily efficient Changi airport, you didn’t even have to spend the night – travellers could land, pop out for a quick chilli crab, and be back at the airport in time to catch their connecting flight.

In the years since the 2008 arrival of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix night race, the opening of the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa casino, and integrated hotel complexes not long afterwards, visitors have come to rethink a stay in Singapore. Today, the “Little Red Dot” is considered a legitimate destination in its own right, a tropical metropolis worthy of spending a week, maybe more.

Without doubt the best week of the year to visit Singapore occurs during September, when the F1 Grand Prix rolls into town. Though the event was put on hold during the pandemic, when Singapore instituted some of the strictest border measures seen globally, it returned with great fanfare last year, and in 2023 looks set to be bigger and better than ever.

The Paddock Club is the ideal vantage point from which to view the three evenings of on-track action. Here, in air-conditioned and sound-dampened hospitality suites situated directly above the pits, guests enjoy an unlimited flow of fine wines and spirits along with cuisine from celebrity chefs such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Nobu Matsuhisa and Neil Perry. Priced from S$2,808 (US$2,088) to S$7,236 (US$5,380), single-day Paddock tickets for the 2023 race have already sold out. However, at time of press, waiting list availability remains for three-day passes at S$11,016 (US$8,190) per person.