Listly by Joanna James
A tremendous number of malls, shopping streets, boutiques and stores lie heavily concentrated within the tiny island of Singapore. Here are some of the hottest destinations.
Those who visited Singapore thirty years ago would tell you how they spent an entire day walking between the shelves, undecided and overwhelmed. Today, if you step into the Mustafa Centre which has more than doubled in size, you will face the same dilemma. There is literally nothing you cannot find here and the products are generally very reasonable. Fondly referred to as Mustafas; this is more of a landmark and must go to place than even a shopping destination. It has been the catalyst of creating multiple shopping streets in the area known as Little India.
For a tiny island that is often considered to be the size of an average capital city, Singapore has really outdone itself when building Suntec City. To say it is massive is an understatement; the entire complex consists of a conference centre, office buildings, an exhibition hall and of course the mall itself. Many 5 and 4 star hotels in Singapore are located in proximity and the hallways of these buildings are constantly full.
It is possible that Orchard Road first started to become popular during the month of Christmas due to the tasteful decorations and generous lighting up. Around the same time, it gained attention due to the extensive shopping opportunities and today with multiple complexes including the ION Orchard in place, the neighbourhood is ever popular among shopaholics.
Conveniently in the middle of almost everything that is going on is Bugis Junction mall with its prim courtyards, tall glass roof, splendid eateries and limitless shopping opportunities. The Bugis junction MRT stop is located within the premises itself, making it seamless for commuters to shop, eat, hang out and resume their journey.
In the glamorous southern end of Singapore, overlooking the Keppel Harbour stand not just malls as vivacious as Vivo City, but also splendid hotels such as the Travelodge Harbourfront. Take a ride on the Singapore cable car while you are in the neighbourhood and don't forget the world-famous Sentosa Island adventures which are just across the water from this area.
There is no shortage of opulence, magnificence or options when it comes to shopping in Singapore. Needless to say, people fly in from around the world to indulge in hi-fashion, chic and sophisticated style, branded items and bespoke creations. The Paragon mall is popular among such a discerning clientele and the multiplex is never at a shortage of customers. Even kids get to enjoy high-end brands such as Armani and Guess while sports enthusiasts have multiple dedicated stores run by internationally acclaimed sporting brands to choose from.
Probably less flamboyant in appearance when compared to some of its peers, but unique in terms of the experience it offers, Ngee Ann City is located in a populous part of Orchard Road. There are several beauty salons, nail bars and haircutting stations run by experienced stylists who do a fine job in bringing out the best in their clients. A new look could really get heads turning after a holiday.