Cheryl Sekkappan

Whether you’re a visitor planning your very first visit to Singapore, or a Singaporean mapping out a special occasion in the city, choosing a hotel in Singapore is an important (and sometimes overwhelming) task. With so many spectacular stays to choose between – from the world-famous Raffles to new boutique stays like 21 Carpenter – it can be challenging to decide which is best for you. To help you determine which hotel to book for your next visit or staycation, our team of local editors (including Time Out Singapore Editor Cheryl Sekkappan, Regional Content Director for Time Out APAC Nicole-Marie Ng and local writer Dewi Nurjuwita) have tried and tested the city’s top-ranking hotels to determine which are worth your time.The list has been overseen by Winnie Stubbs, Travel and Hotels Editor APAC and self-confessed hotel obsessive. Each hotel has been chosen based on amenities, design and proximity to the city’s highlights – with many hotels on the list within walking distance of the best restaurants and bars in Singapore.Read on for our guide to the very best hotels in Singapore right now. RECOMMENDED: The best Singapore attractions to visitThe best rooftop bars in SingaporeAirport hotels in SingaporeThe best luxury hotels in Singapore At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on to

The September school holidays might be over, but there’s still plenty to keep you and the fam busy this weekend. Check out Japanese artist Daisuke Kondo’s whimsical exhibition, or mingle at a free laundromat social mixer. Pet lovers can swing by a camping-themed market at The Star Vista, while flower enthusiasts can visit Gardens by the Bay’s latest Swiss-inspired floral display. Read on for the best things to do in Singapore this weekend. RECOMMENDED: New openings and attractions in Singapore in 2025 and The 50 best restaurants in Singapore

‘Overtourism’. It’s more than a buzzword – in the world’s most popular destinations, it’s a problem that affects almost every aspect of local life, from the environment to the cost of renting, transport and eating out. And when a place is overwhelmed by people, it’s not only locals’ quality of life that suffers; the quality of your trip does, too. But it’s not all bad. Destinations are coming up with ways to redistribute tourism from densely crowded hotspots to lesser-visited regions. Travellers are seeking cooler climes and embracing slow travel, allowing space to discover somewhere new. And they’re still riding the ‘destination dupes’ trend, where overrun holiday destinations are swapped out for less crowded, less expensive, but just-as-good alternatives. On our newly updated list of the world’s most underrated travel destinations, you won’t find your Bangkoks or your Balis, your Amalfis or your Amsterdams. What you will find is the hidden side of Yosemite, the French Riviera’s overlooked twin, a place where penguins outnumber people, and plenty more travel inspo where that came from.Why trust us? Because we’ve been to them all. Every spot on this list was picked by one of our expert editors and globetrotting travel writers, recommended because they offer great (or quiet) alternatives to the classics – and in many cases, because they’re places that actually want tourism. In other words, travelling to any of these 33 criminally overlooked destinations is a win-win situation.

No matter the occasion, gifting a beautiful bouquet to your loved one is always a great idea – you get to choose a design that best suits your recipient, and fresh blooms look (and smell) great when displayed on one’s dining table. To make your gift-giving easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best flower delivery services in Singapore that’ll safely deliver your precious bouquet to your giftee. You won’t even have to leave the house to pick the bouquet. All you have to do is select your posy and cart out.   RECOMMENDED: The most romantic restaurants in Singapore and The most romantic hotels in Singapore

Grilled meats, salads, flatbreads, spices, hummus, grains and legumes. These are quintessential elements of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. And while it's often hard to distinguish where one ends and the other begins, we can all concur that you can't ever go wrong with either. If you're craving the vibrancy and textures that these cuisines have to offer, here's our guide on where to dine for outstanding Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food in Singapore. RECOMMENDED: The best Peruvian restaurants in Singapore and The best Greek restaurants in Singapore

Sure, home-cooked dinners are great but if you've got an upcoming party for ten and more, leave it to the pros and get some catering pronto. There's no mess, your guests are happy, and you get to enjoy the food in peace. From pretty charcuterie and cheese platters to laksa live stations, here's who to call for your next big bash.  RECOMMENDED: The best communal dining restaurants for big groups and the best buffets in Singapore

Anniversaries are meant to be celebrated with gusto, and Singapore knows just how to party when it comes to National Day. Observed on August 9, the yearly affair marks Singapore’s independence from Malaysia. The city dresses for the occasion with flags lining the buildings, patriotic songs pervading the airwaves, people kitted out in red and white, and of course, the National Day Parade (NDP). Here’s the NDP in a nutshell: impressive aerial displays, military parades, and multicultural performances – all wrapped up with stunning fireworks. This year's parade returns to the historic Padang, alongside Marina Bay and heartland celebrations, so that every Singaporean can join in the festivities.  Whether you're planning to pop the poppers outdoors or join in the fun from home, here's everything you need to know about NDP2025.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Singapore newsletter for the best of the city straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: The best places to watch NDP fireworks in Singapore for 2024 and The best things to do in Singapore this August

It's that time of year when we hang up our national flags and brush up on classic National Day songs like Home and Where I Belong. On August 9, the nation will congregate at the historic Padang to celebrate how far we've come together and pledge to unite on the path ahead. It's an extra special year too, as Singapore celebrates its 60th anniversary. Besides the state flag flypast, flashy 'Salute-to-the-Nation' bomb burst flown by fighter aircraft and dizzying aerial displays by the RSAF, the most highly-anticipated aspect of the National Day Parade has got to be the fireworks display. This year, you can expect dazzling fireworks show at the Padang and Marina Bay as well as more fireworks taking place on August 10 in the heartlands. Keen to catch the spectacular display? Here are the best places to catch the NDP 2025 fireworks in Singapore.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Singapore newsletter for the best of the city straight to your inbox. RECOMMENDED: NDP Rehearsal Fireworks 2025: Dates and schedules and The best National Day songs of all time

Need a change of scenery from your usual work setup? Whether your home office is less than inspiring or you just can’t stand another hour in a stuffy library, we’ve got you covered. Ditch the usual crowded coffee chains and check out these alternative spots instead. These cosy cafés offer free Wi-Fi, ample power points to charge your devices, and of course, great coffee to keep you fueled while you power through your to-do list.  RECOMMENDED: Your ultimate guide to the best cafés in Singapore and the best cafés in the CBD Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Gone are the days when cafés mostly offered the same eggs benny or tired rainbow cakes. Singapore’s café scene today is bursting with creativity, character, and caffeine-fulled ambition. Whether you’re after a quiet café for remote work, an aesthetic brunch spot for the ‘gram, or an under-the-radar coffee hideout, this city delivers, and more.  This guide isn’t just for the coffee snobs (though we love you, too). It’s for anyone who loves discovering great food, thoughtful design, warm service, maybe even a surprise or two – like a latte made with cereal milk or excellent sourdoughs right beside a lake in Yishun. From minimalist nooks in the heartlands to buzzing bakeries in the city, these 50 cafés have all been handpicked by our editors and contributors, and are places we’d happily revisit any day of the week.  We’ve included everything from enduring favourites and cult-status cornerstones, to low-key gems you’ll wish you found out about sooner. And if you’re after a more specific vibe – say, pet-friendly spots or dessert-first cafés, we’ve got separate guides for those too. May 2025: This list has been updated with new favourites like Dearborn and Caffe Pralet, as well as well-deserved inclusions like Elijah Pies and Tiong Hoe Specialty Coffee, while bidding farewell to a few that have shuttered or slipped in standards.  Find out more about how Time Out makes recommendations and reviews restaurants. Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. En

Yearly, several prominent music festivals light up Asia's calendar. Don't hesitate – catch that flight, as there's nothing quite like joining a pulsating crowd of fellow revellers, dancing and shouting your heart out to the tunes you love alongside beloved international artists. RECOMMENDED: The best concerts and tours in Asia in 2025 and The absolute best hotels in Asia right now 

Da Nang is one of our top spots for a summer break in Asia right now, thanks to its broad golden beaches, buzzing city sights, and refreshing local cuisine. As the heat cranks up from July through August, so does the fun, with electrifying music festivals on the beach and spectacular fireworks shows over the Han River. Make no mistake, though: it gets hot. Like sweat-beading-before-breakfast hot. But Tin Le, Head of Marketing Vietnam & Cambodia at Coca-Cola ASEAN & South Pacific, has a point: the youth these days feel the heat, but that’s not stopping them from stepping out and having fun. They certainly showed up with energy at zesty events like the Sprite Summer Playhouse beach party in Boracay and a McSpicy x Sprite pop-up in Singapore. Nothing like a ton of Sprite-fuelled fun to make the most of the summer sizzle, we say.   We reckon you should take a leaf from the Gen-Z book. So, grab your shades, portable fan, and a can of ice-cold Sprite for these refreshing summer activities in Da Nang.

If you find yourself endlessly scrolling, refreshing, and swiping, it might be time to hit pause. StarHub invites everyone to step away from the screen and Find Their Digital Balance at the StarHub 5G Wellness Festival, happening on September 13 and 14, from 10am to 9pm at Capital Outdoor Plaza.  The journey begins with the Digital BMI (Balanced Media Index) Quiz, a quick and eye-opening check-in on your digital habits. Find out if you’re Digitally Detached, Balanced, Overstimulated, or Burnt Out, and get a personalised digital wellbeing prescription matched to StarHub’s five grounding pillars: Gather, Grow, Ground, Glide, and Glow – which will tell you if it's connection, mental enrichment, physical presence, relaxation, or self-care that you need to feel centred again. Get exactly what you need at the festival, which comes alive with activities designed around these pillars to help you find your balance. Journal mindfully with mindful art and positive journaling coach Steph T, flow through silent disco yoga with The Hush Retreats founder Mandi Cheung, or try your hand at leather crafting with Hides & Thread. Need something more social? Gather with friends over free-flow coconut water and all-day DJ beats, or glide into the chillout zone with oversized board games and old-school fun.  Admission is free, but workshop slots are limited – so sign up early, take the Digital BMI Quiz, and get ready to reconnect with what really matters. Show us your quiz results to redeem a free

POP Mart's iconic Mega Space Molly character is getting her time to shine at ION Art Gallery. Mega Space Molly: Hello, Moon exhibition is a whimsical look into the adorable toy's world of exploration and imagination – and an opportunity for die-hard fans to cop some event-exclusive merch too. Some standouts: a 1000% Hello, Moon figurine complete with a glowing moon orb, and a ball-jointed Molly Hello, Moon 1/8 Action Figure wrapped in a furry spacesuit. There are also lifestyle items like lamps, rugs and multi-functional lanyards, all available for pre-order. Don't forget to check out the Space Molly wall art and archival pieces, featuring beloved series like Smitten Love, Jon Burgerman, and Pantone. Of course, buy a blind box home and keep your fingers crossed for a secret figurine. Besides the blind boxes, look forward to a Singapore-exclusive: a Vanda Miss Joaquim-themed Mega Space Molly doll in honour of our national flower. This goes on sale on July 30 at ION Art Gallery. There's also a special anniversary collection dropping on August 1 at ION Art Gallery called the Mega Space Molly 100% Anniversary Series 4 – take a sneak peek here.  See the Hello, Moon exhibition in other parts of Asia  The MEGA SPACE MOLLY: Hello, Moon Exhibition is free and open to walk-ins at ION Art Gallery on Level 4 of ION Orchard. It runs from July 30 until August 24, from 10am to 9pm daily. This same exhibition will also be running in other parts of Asia – here are the dates and locations

Perhaps the cosiest event happening this weekend is A "House Warming" at Chin Swee Neighbourhood Club. Run by the folks at Common Man Coffee Roasters, the weekend pop-up market returns in its third iteration in collaboration with Of Wonder Wander. The space is styled like a home, complete with a living room and kitchen, and filled with brands and activities that invite you to slow down. Craft a sling bag from repurposed fabrics with beckynrosie, or settle into the community living room with Stranger Conversations for some heartfelt sharing. There'll be delicious bites to fill you up as you go: think old-school buns from Eat My Curry Bun and handcrafted pizzas from Pizza Keenway. Roots, a Bangkok-based café, has also made it all the way down to share their crowd-favourite brews, such as Orange Tonic Cold Brew and Cacao Nibs Cold Brew. If this housewarming inspires you to spruce up your own home, then you're in luck – you can shop tastefully picked, secondhand vintage by objects.re or gorgeous flower arrangements by FIBRE.  A "House Warming" at Chin Swee Neighbourhood Club is taking place at CMCR Barista Academy on August 2 and 3, from 10am to 6pm. Entry is free. 

Bali has always had two distinct draws: the sun-drenched coasts with its buzzing beach clubs and the enchanting forests and rice paddies in its interior. If you’re a diehard beach bum, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort will convince you to spare a few days up north. This five-star resort in a quieter neighbourhood of Ubud is the definition of tranquillity, transporting guests back to “Bali as it was 40 years ago”, as a world-weary traveller might say with no little amount of nostalgia. Anantara Ubud cascades down a hillside facing the lush Payangan rainforest in a design that will remind you of the terraced rice fields that Ubud is so famous for. It all originates from the impressive main building, its massive columns holding up the lobby and four dining venues. Every feature of the place calls attention to the outdoors – slatted folding doors in the lobby frame green, waving fronds; floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the excellent signature restaurant Amerta; and alfresco bar Sulang Lounge leads out to one of the hotel’s two heated pools, which itself seems to hang suspended over the treetops. On a clear day, you can even see the conical peaks of Mount Agung and Mount Batur from the afternoon tea spot, Lobby Lounge.  The suites are carved stepwise into the hillside, accessible by an inclined elevator. Connected by an intricate network of stairs are the private villas – ours a one-bedroom abode with a private pool. The villa is spacious yet charmingly cosy: a neutral palette of bei

No need for a scuba diving license to enjoy the treasures of the sea at Koral Restaurants. It’s Bali’s first aquarium restaurant, tucked away in the luxurious Apurve Kempinski Bali. Request for a table under the arched plexiglass of the aquarium to make the most of the unusual setting. It gives you front-row seats to the dance of colourful marine life while you tuck into artistic multi-course menus with Indonesian-inspired dishes like wagyu beef with Maranggi sauce and silken tofu with Kintamani tangerine. 

Bouldering – it's like rock climbing, but scarier since you're scaling the wall sans rope. But the sport has found quite the following in Singapore because it's a true challenge for both the mind and body. Strength, technique, and strategy are a must to excel. It's also just a great bonding activity to have with friends and other enthusiasts.  Lovers of the sport now have a playground at Project Send, a swanky facility that's housed on the second floor of Esplanade Mall. Founded by climbers Kenneth Ng and Sarah Chua, Project Send stands out for its holistic approach to the sport – combining bouldering, strength training, and a dining concept at Beta Café.  Let's talk about the space. Project Send occupies over 5,200 square feet of space at The Esplanade Mall comprising more than 70 routes covering 12 climbing grades. The 14 bouldering walls overlook cityscape and riverfront views for times you need a breather from – quite literally – staring at the wall. Bouldering nerds will also be happy to know that the walls themselves were designed by seasoned Swiss climber Patrick Andrey, who has taken into account the unique features of the space to create an enjoyable spatial flow.  Besides a world-class bouldering wall to climb, gym-goers can also look forward to a holistic set of classes. Expect strength training and mobility sessions to help you conquer that gnarly overhang while protecting your muscles and joints. It all depends on your climbing goals, which Project Send's coaches

There's a new bookstore in the heart of town, and it's a haven for lovers of Chinese culture, literature and art. Taking over the space in Wheelock Place where the Borders flagship used to be is the ZALL Bookstore. It stocks more than 30,000 Chinese literary works for adults and children across two storeys, and has a café and art gallery to boot. Enter on the first floor and be greeted by black and white calligraphic elements that immediately whisk you away to the Jiangnan Watertown. Here is where you'll find childrens' literature, as well as a spacious multi-functional reading and event space. Head to the café on this floor for some quiet reading time with a hot cuppa – they have a variety of coffee blends, Chinese Chu tea and Taiwan tea on the menu.  Adults will want to head up the spiral staircase to do some book hunting. Expect a comprehensive collection across literature, humanities, history and philosophy from China and Taiwan. If that's not enough culture for you, there's always the art gallery on the same floor. ZALL Bookstore will be featuring creative pieces from both local and international talent, as well as stationery collections you can shop from. 

Taiwan-born Draft Land Singapore turns one, and it's throwing an anniversary bash for the ages. From October 10 to 13, its inviting one and all down for a celebration featuring great food, lively music, and of course, its drafted cocktails.  You'll want to swing by on October 10 (4pm till late), when 20 cocktails-on-tap will be going for the absurdly good price of $10. Dance to a diverse selection of R&B, hip hop, top 40s, and disco tunes by DJ Chuin as you sip on cocktail favourites like oolong tea collins and yuzu whisky sour, alongside new concoctions like Red & Stormy and Pornstar bellini. Draft Land is known for its Sample Service – so do ask the friendly 'draft tenders' to recommend a few cocktails to try before you commit.  The next two nights are all about the music, with multiple DJs on rotation. DJ Val starts the party at 6pm on October 11 with house, R&B and party anthems; followed by DJ Dyna with an energetic hip hop set. DJ Zack C, a big name credited for driving Singapore's top LGBT clubs in the 2010s, takes over with DJ Chuin from 10pm to midnight. If you're in your Mandopop era, swing by on October 12 instead, where DJ Pin will be soundtracking the night with beloved Mandarin ballads and jazz-influenced tracks. Draft Land has a satisfying menu of Taiwanese delights to go with its tipples, but October 13 brings something a little different. Chooby Pizza is set to pop-up with its Naples-style pizza, characterised by naturally leavened, light and thin crust overl

If you can’t race a car, why not hop around town on a GPSS pub crawl instead? For $50, join Pints and Pitstops on a boozy trip to four top bars around Singapore. At each, you’ll get a locally-inspired cocktail: think alcohol-spiked chendol and ice milo drinks, with the night wrapping at one of Singapore’s hottest nightclubs. Come prepared with your F1 knowledge though – the pub crawl includes race-themed trivia and games, with prizes up for grabs, of course.

The Projector has long been a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. It runs regular queer parties and events, the crown jewel of which is the annual film festival, Pink Screen. With Pride Month just around the corner, The Projector has now opened ticket sales for this year's festival. It presents a tight curation of indie flicks from Singapore and around the world, which collectively spotlight queer inclusion, transgender experiences, and diverse voices from the community.  From May 31 to June 15, catch romantic comedies, noir flicks, and touching dramas on the big screen. A hotly anticipated film is a re-run of Bugis Street (1995), which paints an evocative portrait of queer Singapore in the 1960s. It's told through the eyes of a young cleaner employed at Bugis Street's Sin Sin Hotel – also a regular haunt for transvestites and transgender sex workers. This film was banned in Singapore for a good 20 years – an important reminder of how far we've come and how much there is left to go.  On the roster are Femme (2023), a seductive erotic thriller about a drag queen on a revenge quest after a traumatic homophobic attack; Love Is Strange (2024), a Women Film Critics Circle Award favourite about a married gay couple who lose their New York City apartment after one of them is unjustly fired from their job; and Peafowl (2022), an award-winning Korean drama that follows Shin-myung, whose dreams of winning a waacking dance competition (and the prize money for gender reaffirming surge

Lazarus Island is undoubtedly one of Singapore's most beautiful islands, and is rightfully beloved for its laidback, rustic charm and idyllic shores. The island has seen some development in recent times, with the addition of Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island cabins, a convenience store called Sol by BDC, and the water sports centre Camelot. The latest addition? Into The Woods, a new glamping experience laying claim to Lazarus Island's most beautiful beach.  Founded in 2022 by Ray and Sam, who were inspired by camping trips they had enjoyed overseas with their young children, Into The Woods is all about "experiencing a life unhurried". The idea is to book one of three family tents (sleeps four) or six couple tents (sleeps two), where you can slow down, disconnect from the bustle of city life, and immerse in nature.  What is it like living at Into The Woods? Where the 'glam' part of the vacation comes into play is in these rooms. On a one-night stay with Into The Woods, we checked into a family tent and found a whole lot to love. It's spacious and fully air-conditioned, with a king bed and a sofa bed to accommodate a family of four. Full-length glass sliding doors offers views of the beach – the glass is tinted so you can look out at the waves from the inside while staying shielded from anyone outside who might be looking in (in any case, there are curtains that you can draw for extra privacy). The room has a snack bar stocked with cereals, biscuits, coffee, and tea, a small f

Grounded is a riveting story of an ace Air Force fighter pilot, whose career in the sky is brought to an abrupt end by an unexpected pregnancy. Recommissioned to the Nevada desert to pilot military drones, she remains physically safe away from the action during combat shifts – but struggles with the disorienting clockwork of motherly duties blended with the psychological toll of war. Based on an award-winning script by George Brant and featuring actress Oon Shu An, Singapore Theatre Company’s Grounded is an empathetic study of both the personal and geopolitical costs of modern warfare.  Oon Shu An’s stellar performance as the protagonist kept us on the edge of our seats for the full 90 minutes, commanding the stage with an unwavering intensity. The script for Grounded is a demanding one, as the pilot slowly descends into madness as the line between her work and personal life begins to blur, a challenge that Oon navigates flawlessly. Despite the character’s disturbing joy in bombing “the guilty”, we found ourselves rooting for her, glad that she found some semblance of happiness in the “chair-force” – a job that she initially despised. The themes of Grounded resonate deeply in today’s context, where one side remains shielded from the threat of death while callously imposing a relentless demise upon others. Grab some friends and book the Watch With Friends package (minimum of four tickets) to enjoy 15 percent off. Interested in a theatre marathon? Grounded is also part of The S

Singapore’s west has its fair share of chill cafés, but it’s fair to say that options are limited compared to hotspots like Joo Chiat. That’s why we’re always glad when a solid one pops up in the area to join favourites like Atlas Coffeehouse and Suzuki Gourmet Coffee.  Wheathead is not new by any means, having operated out of a Tampines house before making the great migration west to a cosy space in leafy One-North in December 2024. Open just four days a week, this self-proclaimed “drug addiction treatment centre” draws consistent crowds, all hungry for a morsel of its damn delicious sweet and savoury bakes. Photograph: Wheathead If there’s one thing that we love above all else at Wheathead, it’s this: the banana cream pie ($14.50). A crisp shell admirably holds up thick vanilla bean pastry cream, chunky and perfectly ripe bananas, a generous ooze of caramel, and a crown of whipped cream. It’s a wonderful medley of textures – crumbly, dense, yet cloud-like – best eaten chilled on the spot. But, we’ve ordered this pie as a takeaway and it’s just as good as long as you stick it in the fridge within the hour.  Photograph: Wheathead Don’t sleep on the other bakes available at Wheathead. There are some you’ll see fairly regularly, like the banana bread ($6), rye chocolate cookie ($6.50), caramel apple turnover ($7.50), and the wonderfully flaky and satisfying croque monsieur turnover ($9). A total standout: the juicy pork roll spiced with fennel and sage wrapped in a light, b

Singapore Design Week (SDW) is back – and it's a special one this year with the addition of a new district. In 2025, the sprawling event is taking place across four locations in Singapore: Orchard, Bras Basah.Bugis, Marina, and Singapore Science Park, with tons of other workshops, talks, and activities happening on the fringes. The theme this year is 'Nation by Design', and it's all about celebrating the vibrant design innovations that have made Singapore such a great place to live, work, and play.  There is something for everyone, and we highly encourage you to crawl through the list of SDW events to find one up your alley here. Us? We were lucky enough to join a mini tour through some of the highlights – here's what we enjoyed (and think you should definitely check out).  Photograph: Time Out Singapore 1. The Unnatural History Museum of Singapore We've all seen the Merlion, but have you seen a Merlion fossil? That's just one of the oddities sure to stop you in your tracks at the Unnatural History Museum of Singapore. Located at National Design Centre, it's a super-fun parody of London's Natural History Museum, with weird and wonderful exhibits exploring the cool inventions that have shaped (and will likely come to shape) Singapore.  During our tour, representatives from curator Kinetic introduced us to the exhibits: one was a manta-droid now in development at the National University of Singapore that could one day glide along Singapore's coasts to monitor water quality, a

Vietnam's south-central coast is stepping into the spotlight with the opening of JW Marriott Cam Ranh Bay Resort & Spa. It officially opens its doors on September 15, putting Bai Dai Beach on the map as more than just a laid-back seaside escape. This 203-room beachfront beauty is JW Marriott's first in Cam Ranh, and it leans hard into the area's culture and history. Think design details inspired by the ancient Champa Kingdom and an in-house Pottery Club harking to the region's history as a ceramic art hub. Here's where you can dabble in a bit of that history and throw your own ceramic keepsake.  Photograph: JW Marriott Cam Ranh Wellness is a big deal here – no surprise given Vietnam's rise as a top spa destination. The resort's Spa by JW blends Vietnamese healing traditions with modern therapies, and the property itself is built around a "forest by the ocean" concept. That means lush tropical greenery with sweeping sea views, plus a lazy river winding through the grounds, family pools, and even a teens-only hangout spot. Foodies, take note: there are seven different dining spaces, each themed around one of nature's elements. Expect plenty of fresh, local seafood, vibrant Vietnamese flavours, and international plates for when you're craving variety. Photograph: JW Marriott Cam Ranh To kick things off, JW Marriott Cam Ranh Bay Resort & Spa is rolling out a special welcome package called Serene Stay & Clay. This features a minimum one-night stay inclusive of breakfast for th

Singapore's food scene is about to get a serious dose of Tex-Mex swagger. Come 2026, Chipotle Mexican Grill – the American chain that's practically synonymous with burritos and bowls – will be making its long-awaited Singapore debut. Sweet, especially knowing that popular Korean fast food chain Lotteria and American chicken sandwich chain Chick-fil-A will also be opening here soon.  If you've ever had it in the US, you'll know that Chipotle isn't just another fast-casual joint. Starting out as a single restaurant in Denver in 1993, it now has more than 3,800 restaurants dishing out endlessly customisable, Mission-style burritos, bowls, and tacos. This build-your-own-meal concept coupled with a wide array of super fresh ingredients (think rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, and even organic tofu) has earned it chain cult status abroad, too.  For Singaporeans, this will be an interesting stack-up against familiar brands like local chain Stuff'd and Australian chain Guzman Y Gomez. We'll also be interested to see if localised twists will make it into Chipotle's menu – perhaps a nod to chicken rice or chilli crab? We're crossing our fingers.  There's no word yet on where Chipotle will land, but wherever it pops up, we're expecting long queues and plenty of Instagram burrito-wrap shots. In the meantime, stay tuned to our page for a confirmed opening date, location, and menu items.  Chipotle's debut in Singapore is headed by SPC Group, which also runs South Korean bakery chain Paris Ba

UPDATE: Great news – National Gallery Singapore has partially reopened to the public today after a fire broke out within the premises yesterday morning (September 9). The City Hall Wing and Padang Atrium were declared safe after thorough checks by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and reopened to the public at 12pm today. The former Supreme Court Wing reopens tomorrow.  What that means? Go ahead and visit ongoing exhibitions like Painting With Light and The Gallery Children's Biennale. And yes, there are also events and workshops eligible for SG Culture Pass, like a back-of-the-house guided tour of the former Supreme Court, GalleryToddlers! play activities, and an immersive murder mystery game through the museum.  September 9: If you were planning a visit to the National Gallery Singapore today, hold your horses – the museum is closed until further notice due to a fire this morning (September 9). National Gallery Singapore announced the incident and subsequent closure on its official Facebook page at around 10.30am this morning. In an earlier media statement, it said that the Singapore Civil Defence Force was immediately activated upon the detection of the fire. All gallery staff and visitors were also promptly evacuated and a spokesperson for National Gallery Singapore told CNA that no artworks have been damaged.  Investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of the outbreak. While the National Gallery Singapore works to reopen, you can check for any updates about

We love a good city exploration as much as the next person – there are cool urban centres all over the world where the most exciting stuff happens: new restaurants and bars, vibrant festivals and events, and cutting-edge art and culture. But when the bustle gets too much, it's under-the-radar towns and tranquil villages that we turn to. As it turns out, Asia has its fair share of lovely villages to visit. Forbes magazine just published a list by Unforgettable Travel Company rounding up the 50 most beautiful villages in the world. 11 idyllic towns in Asia earned a spot, topped by a fairytale-like hamlet in Japan's Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture.  Called Shirakawa-go, this UNESCO World Heritage Site hugs the banks of the Shogawa River Valley. It's calling card are the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, with steep thatched roofs that resemble hands pressed together in prayer. What's fascinating about these houses is that they are constructed entirely without nails – built in a technique developed over generations, the beams slot together perfectly and are strong enough to the withstand heavy snowfall in winter.  If you're keen to visit, we recommend staying at Takayama, which is just a 90-minute bus ride away from Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go's largest village (2,400 yen one way). You can also stay overnight at one of the family-run farmhouses in the village to experience life in these traditional homes. These stays can cost anywhere between 8,000 to 20,000 yen per person and often

The freedom to live and work without the threat of war, the peace of mind to walk alone late at night, and the benefits of having strong international relations – peace is something we enjoy in many parts of Asia, but it's not something to ever take for granted. According to the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), global peacefulness has continued to decline. More countries around the world are muscling up their militaries in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, increasing conflict, the breakup of long-standing alliances, and rising economic uncertainty.  Amidst this, we're thankful to note that Asia-Pacific remains the second most peaceful region in the world, though it is offset by South Asia, now the second least peaceful region in the world due to tensions in Bangladesh and Pakistan. There are some shining beacons though: Singapore remains Asia's most peaceful country and the sixth-most peaceful in the world. It's joined by Japan (#12) and Malaysia (#13) in the global top 20. And although Indonesia just falls off Asia's top 10 list, it boasts the largest improvement in overall peacefulness in the region. Its peacefulness score improved by 2.9 percent over the past year, with progress on 11 indicators including the UN peacekeeping funding, weapons exports, and political terror scales.  Here are the most peaceful countries in Asia in 2025: Singapore (#6) Japan (#12) Malaysia (#13) Bhutan (#21) Mongolia (#37) Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur's skyline just got a serious upgrade. Remember the Merdeka 118? Yes, the very same one that Florence Pugh jumped off of for Marvel's Thunderbolts movie. It's also Asia Pacific's tallest skyscraper – and as if that's not enough – it's not home to Malaysia's very first Park Hyatt hotel. Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is no ordinary hotel check-in. With 252 rooms and suites perched between levels 75 and 114 of Merdeka 118, it's a literal home in the clouds. The inside promises to be just as spectacular, with nods to Malaysia's cultural roots seen in kampong-inspired timber and textures, batik-etched brass screens, and curated artworks inspired by the country's natural landscapes.  Photograph: Park Hyatt The dining is a showstopper, too. Merdeka Grill presents a modern grill experience, with premium cuts, sustainable seafood, and locally-sourced produce complete with some tableside theatrics. Park Lounge revives forgotten local recipes like Botok Ikan alongside an elegant afternoon tea. And for the chocolate lovers out there, there's Cacao Mixology & Chocolate, the city's first chocolate-themed bar. Sip on chocolate laced cocktails, small-batch spirits, and zero-proof drinks while enjoying skyline views and live Bossa nova melodies.  Photograph: Park Hyatt Any respectable luxury hotel nowadays will offer a wellness experience to die for, and Park Hyatt is no different. The 99th-floor spa offers Himalayan salt alcoves, circadian therapy, and an infinity pool that seems t

The Projector's sudden closure yesterday (August 19) triggered a huge outpouring of dismay and grief. It's been a cornerstone of Singapore's art and culture scene for over a decade – our only local independent cinema and the home of alternative, eclectic events and voices. Since 2014, it's blessed us with a vibrant programme of award-winning indie flicks, film festivals, edgy parties, drag shows, fundraisers...the list goes on. Now, it's $1.2 million dollars in debt with its iconic Golden Mile Tower space already up for rent.  Perhaps The Projector's closure is hitting especially hard because of the slew of hawker, restaurant, and bar shutdowns making headlines in 2025, fuelling the sense that Singapore is losing everything that makes it special, alive, ours. In the months to come, we'll all be picking at many threads of the discussion: Do these indie projects need more governmental support (like this what this petition is fighting for), or does that erode their essence? Is it for us to lament these losses if – as the numbers show – we increasingly prefer to have house parties, stream movies, and shop online? And more importantly, where do we go from here?  For now, though, we want to marinate in our feels for a bit and reminisce all the good times we had at The Projector. And as you'll see, the good times for the Time Out team were many.  Our best memories at The Projector:  Photograph: Mingli Seet   I remember the early days of The Projector as a cultural hotspot during m

Colour us shocked. In a bit of depressing news, beloved indie cinema The Projector has announced that it's closing for good – with immediate effect, no less. The news comes less than a month after it said it was returning to its original home at Golden Mile Tower, just in time for its 11th anniversary.  The Projector announced its closure in an emotional post on Instagram today (August 19). There, it said that The Projector was entering "voluntary liquidation", citing "rising operational costs, shifting audience habits, and the global decline in cinema attendance". Challenging headwinds for any independent art and film venue, perhaps all the more so in Singapore.  With its exit, The Projector leaves a huge hole in the local art and culture scene. Besides regular programming of award-winning indie and alternative flicks that you'd be hard-pressed to find in mainstream cinemas, the venue has organised and played host to a myriad of inclusive, sometimes off-beat, events. Adding colour to the local events calendar include film festivals like the Singapore International Film Festival, Animation Nation, Pink Screen, drag shows, vintage markets, and charity fundraisers.  "The Projector was also built and shaped in all forms by our fans and collaborators, and we're incredibly proud of what we've created together – a home for the creatives, misfits, and dreamers," says Karen Tan, founder of The Projector. "The Projector may be closing, but we hope its spirit will live on in the conver

Some travel destinations just beg for a repeat visit. Whether it's one, two, or five visits, there are cities that seem to offer something new with every visit: a vibrant rotation of events, fresh openings, endless shopping, and under-the-radar neighbourhoods.  If you're wondering which cities in Asia fit the bill, then digital travel platform Agoda might have an answer. Looking at booking data from the first half of the year, it discovered ten regional destinations with the highest number of repeat visitors. Some travellers returned to these spots multiple times within the first six months of the year, a testament to their irresistibility.  Topping the list is Bangkok, Thailand's energetic capital. It's a favourite among Time Out readers too: it was crowned 2025's best city for Gen-Z and the second-best city in the world. There are endless reasons to love (and repeatedly return to) Bangkok: it's delicious and affordable street food, a flourishing fine dining scene, a growing Thai pop and entertainment scene, as well as cultural landmarks alongside new scenic parks.  The following cities are no-brainers, too. Japan's ever-popular capital, Tokyo, comes in second, which Agoda attributes to its eclectic neighbourhoods, world-class dining scene, and seasonal attractions like cherry blossoms and summer festivals. Seoul takes third place, proving the enduring appeal of all things K-culture: K-pop, K-entertainment, K-beauty.  Bali and Osaka round out the top five. The Indonesian "Is

It's Indonesia's second-highest mountain and offers one of its most breathtaking treks. If you're planning to climb Mount Rinjani in Lombok anytime soon, here's a heads-up – The Forestry Ministry will soon make it mandatory for climbers to use a real-time tracking application. According to Jakarta Globe, this requirement will come into effect in late August, though an exact date hasn't been provided yet. The tracking application is being developed together with the Indonesian Mountaineering Federation, and will be able to monitor hikers' locations via mobile phones.  The ministry says that this measure is meant to boost hiker safety and aid rescue operations. It will also be used to prevent littering along the trail.  The Forestry Minister has said that Mount Rinjani will serve as a test bed for the tracking application – so, you can expect the same initiative to be rolled out to other mountains in Indonesia soon. The ministry is also preparing additional safety procedures, such as mandatory health checks, proof of hiking experience, mandatory licensed guides, and premium insurance coverage.  These moves come after a series of accidents on Mount Rinjani, the most recent being the death of Brazilian hiker Juliana Marins in June this year. She fell from a steep cliff while on the trail, and tragically died before rescue teams could reach her.  In light of that, the new safety measures are certainly welcome, so you can enjoy one of Indonesia's most beautiful and challenging tre