When the movie Crazy Rich Asians hit cinemas in 2018, the romantic comedy transformed Singapore’s image in the eyes of the world from a stuffy, insufferably well-manicured garden city into a lavish playground for the ultra-wealthy.
There were jet-setting shopping sprees, over-the-top parties, and sprawling mansions filled with affluent tycoons draped in designer clothes, interspersed with shots of glittering national icons like the Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands, and the Esplanade.
While that certainly isn’t the daily reality for most of the regular folks who live in Singapore, there’s no denying that the tiny metropolis indeed packs more than its fair share of opulent experiences for those with the means to partake. Read on to find out how you, too, can live out your Crazy Rich Asians dream.
EAT
Though popular tourist food spots like Newton Circus Food Centre feature in the hit movie (or, as per the book the film was based on, Lau Pa Sat), those don’t quite fit the Crazy Rich Asians vibe we’re looking for. The next spots on our list, however, feel like a far more appropriate fit for the Youngs, Henry Golding’s super-rich family in the film.
Photo: Les Amis
Go for a Three-MICHELIN-Starred Experience
While Singapore’s 2024 MICHELIN Guide selection comprises a staggering 283 locations, only three have made it to the very apex of the restaurant guide: Les Amis, Odette, and Zén, representing the acme of haute fine dining in the Lion City.
Expect enchantingly woven prix-fixe menus heavy with elevated French classics (or, in the case of Zén, contemporary Nordic with a hint of Japanese) hewn from premium ingredients at their peak of seasonality. A meal at any one of these three-MICHELIN-Starred establishments — denoting exceptional cuisine worth a special journey to dine at — would be worthy of the film. But a meal at all three? Simply divine.
Splurge on Exquisite Spirits
Besides exceptional cuisine, attentive service and an alluring ambience, restaurants know that consummate beverage programmes are one of the key ingredients keeping guests — and high rollers — coming back for more.
Establishments like MICHELIN-Starred Chaleur, Ma Cuisine, and Iggy’s offer diners exquisite cuisine befitting of their extensive wine cellars, plus the sommeliers with the nose and knowledge to pair them.
(Left Image: Boërl & Kroff Champagne from Chaleur)
These restaurants stock wines primarily from the French vino capital of Burgundy, though they’ve taken pains to ensure that regions and appellations both lesser-known and under-appreciated — but equally deserving of representation — find a space on their wine lists.
Okay, so it won’t be possible to get a rocket launcher (or Ken Jeong to fire it off during a raucous party on a container ship). That doesn’t mean Singapore is a boring place for the well-heeled — far from it. Here are some family-friendly entertainment options for some excitement in the Lion City.
Designer bags, luxury timepieces, high-end fashion brands, and cutting-edge gadgets can all be found in many of Singapore’s glittering shopping malls. But for the most efficient shopping trip possible, you’ll want to head to the island’s retail therapy mecca — the vibrant shopping district of Orchard Road, where every mall is bursting with flagship outlets of luxe overseas brands. If your credit card and swiping hand still have the stamina, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands cannot be missed for a second round of non-stop shopping.
PLAY
Okay, so it won’t be possible to get a rocket launcher (or Ken Jeong to fire it off during a raucous party on a container ship). That doesn’t mean Singapore is a boring place for the well-heeled — far from it. Here are some family-friendly entertainment options for some excitement in the Lion City.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Designer bags, luxury timepieces, high-end fashion brands, and cutting-edge gadgets can all be found in many of Singapore’s glittering shopping malls. But for the most efficient shopping trip possible, you’ll want to head to the island’s retail therapy mecca — the vibrant shopping district of Orchard Road, where every mall is bursting with flagship outlets of luxe overseas brands. If your credit card and swiping hand still have the stamina, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands cannot be missed for a second round of non-stop shopping.
Singapore is a mecca for luxury shoppers.
Recreate That Party Scene (Sort-of)
After all that shopping, it’s time to rest those weary arms and legs with a break from the bustle of the city. Why not rent a superyacht and zip off to quieter waters and the bijou offshore islands surrounding the Singapore mainland? With the right craft, champagne, and company, you’ll even be able to recreate that infamous party scene from the movie (sans the totally unrealistic container ship, of course).
STAY
As enchanting as it might be to live in the same sort of mega-mansion as the film’s titular crazy rich Asians, these aren’t exactly easy to get a hold of. So, why not replicate an earlier scene from the film instead by finding board in a posh hotel? Keep reading for some of Singapore’s most glamorous hotels — and priciest suites — to kick back and relax in.
The world-famous infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands.
Infinite Luxury
The distinct silhouette of Marina Bay Sands features prominently in Crazy Rich Asians, and for good reason. The hotel epitomises Singaporean luxury, beginning from its jaw-dropping lobby and suite of high-end restaurants — which include the likes of MICHELIN-Starred CUT and Waku Ghin — heading upwards to its sumptuously appointed suites, and ending with a bang at its world-famous infinity pool.
Cost of Stay: Prices available on request. Book your stay here.
Live out your romantic Nick and Rachel dreams at this historic and timeless Raffles Hotel Singapore.
Old-world Charm in the Heart of the City
Fun fact: Raffles Hotel, the grande dame of Singaporean hospitality first established in 1887, made an appearance in Crazy Rich Asians as the fictional Kingsford Hotel, where starring couple Nick and Rachel stay when they first land in Singapore. Therefore, there’s no better place to live out your own ultra-luxe fantasy by booking one of the resplendent suites and experiencing its famed colonial-style glamour for yourself.
Cost of Stay: Prices start at S$1,462 for its lead-in State Room Suite King category. Book your stay here.
Luxury island resorts vibes await at Capella Singapore.
An Island Sanctuary
Sometimes, luxury simply means the freedom to get away from it all. In the case of Capella Singapore, that comes by way of 112 rooms, suites and villas tucked within 30 acres of private greenery on Sentosa. From this hidden sanctuary, you’ll get unfettered access to the beautiful Palawan Beach (with the option of the other two nearby ones) along with a peerless panorama of the South China Sea. What’s not to like?
Cost of Stay: Prices start at S$1,319 for its lead-in Premier Garden Room category. Book your stay here.
