Singapore Vs. Dubai Honeymoon
If you’re struggling to decide whether to jet off to Dubai or Singapore for your upcoming honeymoon and want a little more information to help you make your choice, then read on! Honeymoon Dreams helps you find out which city is the best when it comes to finding the perfect accommodation, dining experiences, shopping venues and nightclubs so all you have to do is book your tickets and catch your flight!
HOTELS
Singapore: The cosmopolitan island city of Singapore boasts an exceptional variety of accommodation options, ranging from cheap and cheerful guesthouses through to the finest high-end resorts and such iconic establishments as the historic Raffles, the Shangri-La, St. Regis or the Westin. Raffles is – unsurprisingly – always a popular choice, thanks to its amazing legacy and lavish services, which include your very own personal butler, but other 5 star getaways are also very highly rated, such as the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore or AMOY By Far East Hospitality, a boutique hotel with an enviable central location and friendly, efficient staff. However, if you’re on a budget, never fear: Singapore is home to such value-for-money options such as the colourful and quirky Wanderlust Hotel on the edge of Little India and the Dorsett Singapore, nestled in the heart of Chinatown.
Dubai: The dynamic desert city of Dubai is renowned for its luxury hotels, more of which seem to be appearing on an almost daily basis. Like Singapore it has its own iconic getaway – the Burj Al Arab, an all-suite sail-shaped hotel situated right on the coast. But there are many other majestic establishments to choose from, ranging from the likes of the Madinat Jumeirah (which features its own air-conditioned souk and tranquil waterways) to the opulent Grosvenor House and Dubai’s own pyramid-shaped Raffles. If you are on a budget, why not check out such reasonably-priced gems as The Courtyard by Marriott and the ultra-modern 3 star Arabian Park Hotel, which can be found near the Business Bay bridge.
Verdict: If you’re looking purely for a luxury hotel experience with all of the must-have modern appurtenances, within easy reach of some pristine golden beaches and vast stretches of desert, then you can’t beat Dubai. But if you fancy your accommodation with an added dollop of history and character then Singapore is the place for you!
FOOD
Singapore: A vibrant gastronomic melting pot of flavours and traditional dishes from varying cultures and religions, Singapore offers a smorgasbord of delicacies guaranteed to intoxicate the most jaded of taste buds. Whether you’re picking up a tasty snack from a hawker’s stall or sitting down to a romantic meal in a gourmet restaurant, you are sure to be tempted and titillated by the diversity of flavours available. Some of the city’s mouthwatering signature dishes include the likes of Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chilli Crab and Char Kway Teow, a flavourful noodle dish. Singapore’s most famous drink is, of course, the Singapore Sling, invented by the Raffles’ Long Bar.
When it comes to dining out you won’t know where to go first in Singapore. At the upscale end of the spectrum you have places such as Waku Ghin, specializing in sumptuous Japanese cuisine, French hotspot Brasserie Gavroche, or tapas bar Esquina, helmed by Michelin-starred Jason Atherton. But to get a true taste of Singapore you can’t beat the food off the street – tuck into tasty noodle soup at Sungai Road Laksa stall on Jalan Berseh, sample Heng Heng’s bah kut teh on Owen Road and test your taste buds on curried fish head from Chye Lye, located on Jalan Legundi Singapore.
Dubai: If you have a penchant for Middle Eastern cuisine then Dubai is the ideal place to be, as in this fast-paced city you can sample authentic Emirati, Iranian and Lebanese specialties, to name a few. From well-known favourites such as falafel and hummus, to Emirati offerings such as Al Harees, and the delicious dessert called mahalabiya, your palate is sure to enjoy going on a Middle Eastern adventure during your sojourn in Dubai. Of course, Dubai also boasts a plethora of restaurants specializing in other global cuisines, from Japanese to Thai, Indian and gourmet French fare, so if you weary of Arabian delights you will have plenty of other options.
Like Singapore, Dubai is home to a wide variety of dining spots ranging from reasonably priced restaurants, pubs and cafes through to more up-market venues with crisp white linen and gleaming glassware. For a decadent afternoon tea with your new spouse why not grab a table at Al Fayrooz Lounge, in Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah. With its sea views, stylish setting and tempting food – including a chocolate fountain – this is the perfect romantic treat. Even more romantic still is a dinner at Pierchic, also at Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah. Perched on a pier overlooking the Dubai coast, this intimate and sophisticated eatery is ideal for honeymooners.
Verdict: While both cities are gastronomically blessed, Singapore has to emerge on top in this category; not for nothing has it gained its reputation as manna from heaven for foodies. Wherever you turn in this island nation you are never far from a truly delectable dining experience, whether it’s in an upscale eatery or just on the nearest street corner.
SHOPPING
Singapore: If you’re keen to indulge in some retail therapy while on your honeymoon then Singapore will surely not disappoint. From air-conditioned super malls to trendy boutiques and stalls, there are so many places to shop you will find yourself in a retail feeding frenzy. Orchard Road is the obvious place to begin, with its glittering collection of brand names and high street venues, but you’ll also want to check out the pre-war shophouses of Chinatown and the colourful chaos of Little India. Then there’s Holland Village, and Holland Road Shopping Centre, where you can pick up all kinds of vibrant ethnic arts and crafts guaranteed to brighten up your marital home.
Dubai: Dubai is another shopper’s paradise, with its big brand names, high street stores and high-end boutiques, as well as a colourful assortment of souqs and budget venues where you can buy a cute top for just 10 dirhams. The most infamous retail temple in the city is the record-breaking Dubai Mall, which contains enough different stores to satisfy the most insatiable shopaholic. Then there are other similarly sophisticated malls like Ibn Battuta and Mall of the Emirates – where you can go skiing in between bouts of shopping, if you so desire – and souqs located in Bur Dubai and Deira. Then there’s the Madinat Jumeirah hotel complex, which also boasts its very own air-conditioned souq if you want to beat the oppressive desert heat.
Verdict: When it comes to shopping, Dubai and Singapore seem to be equally placed, or very nearly so. In both cities you can trawl for authentic ethnic products or splurge on a chic designer item, and both are home to a variety of art galleries, markets and jewelers. It all boils down to what you’d like to buy and where you would most prefer to be while you’re shopping.
NIGHTLIFE
Singapore: Once the sun sets and night descends on this vibrant cosmopolitan city, Singapore’s buzzing nightlife kicks into gear, offering tourists an impressive range of pubbing and clubbing opportunities. Start the night off with sleek and sophisticated cocktails with a view in the Marina area then head into the likes of Clarke Quay for ‘dance-until-you-drop’ fun into the wee hours. Some of the city’s top nightspots include Marina Bay Sands, with its 24-hour casino and swanky CE LA VI bar, and the gargantuan converted warehouse that is Zouk, which is actually 3 nightspots rolled into one and features the deck-spinning talents of international DJs. Alternatively you may want to head to Sentosa for fun on the sand courtesy of the various beach bars and their weekend parties.
Dubai: Despite the fact that Dubai is a Muslim country, and therefore drinking alcohol is frowned upon here, there is still a dynamic nightlife and plenty of opportunity to sample creative cocktails and let your hair down with the city’s trendy and glamorous. Head to sophisticated Neos for tempting cocktails and amazing views of the Burj Khalifa, enjoy the rooftop setting and sumptuous Middle-Eastern décor of – where else? – The Rooftop and party the night away at nightclubs such as Club 360, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, or super-fun Polynesian-themed Mahiki.
Verdict: Dubai and Singapore are both in possession of many world-class nightspots so finding somewhere to go clubbing and partying in either city is never going to be a problem. However when you go to Dubai you have to be aware of the strictly enforced legal drinking age of 21, and other factors such as Ramadan and the fact that public displays of affection on a night out – or at any time – can land you in serious trouble. For a more relaxed night out on the town on your honeymoon, it’s best to go to Singapore.