With the Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble in talks to resume once it is safe to do so, the pent-up demand for travel is high in Hong Kong.
When looking at searches per nationality during the month of February 2021, Booking.com’s data found Singapore rising in rank for searches made by Hong Kong travellers, increasing three places, while searches for Hong Kong by Singapore travellers rose an incredible 19 destinations higher on the list compared to last year during the same period, making Hong Kong one of the top 10 destinations searched for by travellers from Singapore. Despite their eagerness, Hong Kongers are also keeping safety as a key priority, with 83%* planning to take more health and safety related precautions when traveling in the future.
“We’ve seen that there is pent-up travel demand from Hong Kong travellers even with an unpredictable environment. As a result, local and intra-regional trips are rising to the fore as they are an easier, safer and more often sustainable alternative to long-haul trips,” says Justine Lim, Area Manager Korea, Hong Kong and Macau of Booking.com. “While travel plans may have had to change, this has also given travellers the opportunity to become ‘familiarists’ in their region. With Booking.com’s mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, we recognise how important it is to provide customers with enhanced health and safety during this sensitive period while we all adjust to the new normal.”
With becoming ‘familiarists’ at the forefront of travel agendas, Booking.com proudly presents 6 hidden gems worth visiting in Singapore that might not be in your guidebooks to help you avoid the crowds, along with accommodation options to suit your trip. All options below are SG Clean certified, meaning that they follow strict safety and health measures. Dive in and see if you recognise any of these destinations or properties!
The Southern Ridges
Steeped in history, the Southern Ridges is one of the best spots in Singapore to enjoy panoramic views of the city, harbour and Southern Islands. It encompasses quite a few parks and walks to try, including the Forest Walk and Canopy Walk, making it a fantastic getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. For great views, head to Faber Walk and the famous Henderson Waves. For more nature walks, check out Labrador Park and Kent Ridge Park.
Where to Stay: Restored from the Capitol Building and Stamford House by Pritzker Prize laureate, Richard Meier, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore offers accommodations within the hustle and bustle of Singapore’s civic district. Providing direct access to Capitol Theatre, the property is 350 meters away from Raffles City Convention Centre, Raffles City Shopping Mall and City Hall MRT Station, while National Gallery Singapore is 450 m away. Victoria Theatre and Asian Civilisations Museum are within 750 m of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore.
Bukit Merah View Market
If you are up for more exploration, take a quick bus ride over to Bukit Merah View Market, where you can try the Michelin recognised mutton soup at Chai Chuan Tou Yang Rou Tang and many more delicacies. For something a little nearer, Telok Blangah Food Centre is your best bet with great food options. Both locations are local hawker centres with food options that draw Singaporeans from all over the city.
Where to Stay:
Situated at the heart of Singapore, Fullerton Hotel is an all-time favorite of guests who visit Singapore, with a fantastic rating of 9.1 and over 2000 reviews. Whilst it’s located a considerable distance away from the Bukit Merah View Market, a plenitude of transportation options will take you there easily within 30 minutes. The hotel is also only 5 minutes away from the Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, making it easier for you to plan your entire trip.
West Coast Park
Why not continue going westward and away from the city to indulge in even more nature at the waterfront West Coast Park. There are plenty of active things to do at the park, including cycling, go-karting and a child-friendly adventure playground that comprises obstacle courses and play sets. If you’re looking to escape the heat, why not explore the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum or the Science Centre?
Where to Stay: 5-star hotel Pan Pacific Singapore is your dream accommodation when it comes to luxury stays. Located right in the heart of the CBD district, the hotel is directly connected to the Marina Square Mall and Suntec Convention. Though there is no direct mode of transport to West Coast Park, you can book a Grab directly from your Booking app. The hotel boasts fantastic gourmet and cafes that will delight you at the end of the day.
After a long day of sightseeing, you may consider taking a comfortable and affordable Grab ride back to your accommodation through the Booking.com app. Just one click and your ride may be hailed instantly! The ability to connect the various elements of a trip through a single app, will alleviate some of the many pain points you could possibly encounter, especially during this sensitive period.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 markets were polled (including from 999 USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.
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