Doing business
Singapore is formal,
polite and thoroughly businesslike. Familiar Asian mannerisms like deferring to authority, respecting elders and proffering business cards with both hands are in evidence here. You should be courteous, punctual and smart. If complimented, modest denials will reflect well on you.

Cool hotel
The M Hotel (www.mhotel.com.sg) on the southern edge of the CBD is the place for flash business travel. Flat-screen TV and neon-lit rooms makes this a place to impress. Doubles from £105.

Hip restaurant
Equinox, on level 70 of the Swissotel, has food as good as the views, and more friendly staff than you usually find in such iconic locations. Reservations are essential.

Happening bar
The Chihuly Lounge on the third floor of the Ritz-Carlton has amazing glass sculptures by the artist of the same name. Go in your smarts for an early-evening loosener or a late-night wind-down cocktail. If you fancy a taste of Colonial Singapore you’ll head to Raffle’s – eschew the famous Long Bar for the less touristy Bar & Billiard Room. This, however, is definitely one entertainment option for those with generous expense accounts.

Must-see sights
Raffle’s itself is an unmissable icon, but a stroll around the Padang is a must to admire the city’s Colonial architecture. Balance this view of old-school Singapore with a visit to Chinatown and Little India’s seething street scenes. Fort Canning Park is a hilltop oasis that makes the perfect getaway from the crowds.

Getting downtown
Singapore’s magnificent Changi Airport should be the prototype for every other airport in the world. Getting into town from here is no exception. The central business district is a 26 minute metro train journey from the airport and costs less than £1, or you can get a cab to your door for about £7.

The details
Singapore is hot and humid outdoors and frosty cool inside air conditioned buildings, so dress for the tropics and the poles. Singapore is eight hours ahead of GMT. Exchange rate: £1 = S$2.7. Bring some extra funds with you – Singapore is a great place to pick up good value electronics and traders tend to be ethically sound.

Getting there
Singapore is the bounce in the kangaroo route to Australia as well as being a major Asian hub, so there are lots of flights coming in at all times, with the likes of Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic all serving the city. The popularity of Changi and the volume of onward traffic to Australia can mean that availability is tight at peak times (August, December and January especially). At peak times fares can top £700, at other times fares of £550 are more common.

The carbon cost
A return flight from London Heathrow to Singapore will cover 23,712km and emit 2.5tonnes of CO2. Offset this with The CarbonNeutral Company starting from £18.75

INSIDER’S TIP
“Food is the top of everyone’s agenda in Singapore and the variety of cuisines and surroundings you can eat in is incredible. But if you're after more traditional fare then head down to one of Singapore’s best-loved hawker centres, Maxwell Food Centre in Chinatown. Here you can try wanton noodles, fried carrot cake or barbecued stingray with fresh sugar-cane juice.”
Divya Panickar, Area Director, North and West Europe, Singapore Tourism Board

Compiled by Tom Hall on behalf of Lonely Planet. www.lonelyplanet.com

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