With travel restrictions still in place due to the raging global pandemic, this holiday season is shaping up to be a bit different than others in recent memory. Singaporeans, who are the biggest travellers in Asia, will have to make do with exploring their own island. From the swamps of Sungei Buloh to the futuristic mega malls and skyscrapers of Marina Bay, there is much to see and do.
What is SingapoRediscovers?
For its part, the government has made it easier for Singaporeans to sightsee their own country. On 1 December 2020, it has credited S$100 worth of tourism vouchers to every Singaporean aged 18 and over. The SingapoRediscovers vouchers – as they are called – can be used on staycations, attractions and local tours.
It is hoped that these vouchers, together with supplementary spending from individuals, can help support and sustain the badly-hit tourism sector.
How do I use the vouchers?
You won’t need to wait in line as the vouchers are digital and are tied to Singaporeans’ SingPass.
There are three steps to using these vouchers.
Step 1: Choosing your products
The Singapore Tourism Board has partnered up with five online platforms for the SingapoRediscovers campaign:
You can browse these websites and look for eligible products marked with the SingapoRediscovers icon.
Step 2: Log-in using SingPass
Once you’ve selected a product or a service, click on the ‘Use SingapoRediscovers’ button at checkout and log into SingPass.
Here, you can declare the details of family members below 18 to receive S$10 subsidies for youth tickets.
Step 3: Copy and paste the code
The page will allow you to select the amount of vouchers that you would like to withdraw. It will then generate a code for the vouchers redeemed. Copy this code and paste it onto the checkout screen – and that’s it.
The process is complete.
There are a few things to note, however:
- A group of people cannot stack their vouchers on one purchase. A family of four, for example, cannot use their S$400 together to buy a staycation. This is to ensure that a wider amount of businesses can benefit from the scheme.
- You have to be Singaporean: the vouchers are not avaible for Permanent Residents (PRs) and other long term residents.
- The vouchers will be vaild for seven months, until end June 2021.
- If you cannot redeem your SingapoRediscovers vouchers online for some reason, you can visit the 69 physical counters set-up at locations across Singapore. These counters will help you with the online transactions.
What are the best deals available?
To coincide with the SingapoRediscovers scheme, hotels and vedors have been offering substantial discounts.
We scoured through the internet to find you 30 of the best deals available.
Hotels
Carlton Hotel Deluxe Room for Two
After voucher: $160; Original price: $636
Located in Bras Basah, the four-star hotel can serve as a good starting point for the exploration of the Civic District or the nightlife lining the Singapore River. Breakfast is included.
Fullerton Hotel Premier Courtyard Room for Two
After voucher: $268; Original price: $700
The historic Fullerton Hotel needs no introduction. Set in a former post office building, the five-star hotel overlooks the glimmering Marina Bay. S$120 worth of F&B dinning credits also sweetens the deal.
Oakwood Premier One-Bedroom Apartment for Two
After voucher: $210; Original price: $625
Nestled among the skyscrapers of Tanjong Pagar, this luxury apartment and (now) hotel is literally about minutes away from anything inside the Central Business District. $60 worth of F&B dinning credits is provided.
Amara Singapore Executive Room for Two
After voucher: $121; Original price: $520
The Amara’s Balanese-style spa and ten award-winning restuarents will lead you to forget that you are still in the middle of bustling metropolis. $25 worth of F&B dinning credits is provided.
Sofitel Luxury Room for 2 Adults, 1 Child
After voucher: $193; Original price: $586
This family-friendly staycation in the heart of Singapore’s CBD provides an afternoon tea experince for the adults and a themed room to keep the kids entertained. Breakfast is included as well.
Orchard Hotel Grand Deluxe Room for Two
After voucher: $88; Original price: $473.15
Located on Orchard Road, this four-star hotel is perfect for people who want to spend some time shopping. Breakdfast is included.
Crockfords Towers (Resort World Sentosa) Suite for Two
After voucher: $733.32; Original price: $1111.09
Set in Resorts World Sentosa, this luxury, all-suites hotel is minutes away from Universal Studios and the beaches of southern Singapore. Expect highly personalised service with a dedicated butler at your call 24/7.
Mandarin Oriental Premier Room for Three
After voucher: $334.35; Original price: $709
Overlooking Marina Bay, this five-star hotel can serve as your starting point for the exploration of the district. Breakfast for three is provided.
Fullerton Bay Hotel Premier Room for Two
After voucher: $568; Original price: $891
Literally located on the shores of Marina Bay, most rooms offer views of the Sands towers or the skyline. It was also ranked 6th on the Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards (2018). Breakfast is included as well.
Fairmont Singapore Room with City Views for Two
After voucher: $259; Original price: $589
Located above Raffles City, the hotel sits at the crossroads of the Central Business District, the civic and entertainment district. $100 worth of F&B dinning credits is provided.
The Warehouse Hotel Loft for Two
After voucher: $285; Original price: $601
Housed in an 1895 building on the banks of Singapore River, this five-star hotel has been meticulously restored to combine old-world glamour with modern comforts. Breakfast and $50 worth of F&B dinning credits are provided.
Hotel Michael (Resort World Sentosa) Deluxe Room for Two
After voucher: $380.22; Original price: $640.29
Designed by Michael Graves, a renowned postmodernist architect, this fun hotel is minutes away from the attractions such as Universal Studios and the S.E.A. Aquarium.
Hotel Soloha Standard Room for Two
After voucher: $19.20; Original price: $284
Located next to Keong Saik Road, this affordable hotel is perfect for people who want to bar or café hop.
Hotel NuVe Heritage Queen Room for Two
After voucher: $65; Original price: $277
Housed in a pre-war conservation shop house, Hotel NuVe is an affordable option for those who want to rediscover Kampong Glam or Arab Street. Breakfast is included.
YOTEL Singapore Premium Queen for Two
After voucher: $52.52; Original price: $254.23
Inspired by first class airline travel, YOTEL Singapore features 610 cabins in a building located within walking distance to malls around Orchard. Breakfast is included.
Tours
Explore a Vegetable Farm and a Hot Spring
After voucher: $299.90; Original price: $570
Learn how to do paddy planting in the Kranji Countryside and soak your feet in water from a Hot Spring. This tour for two includes a professional guide, lunch and transportation.
Explore a Goat and Turtle Farm
After voucher: $184.50; Original price: $405
Visit the Hay Dairies Goat Farm to learn how farmers milk and feed their goats. Then, explore the world’s largest collection of turtles and tortoises at the Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum. This tour for two includes a professional guide and transportation.
Learn about the Different Races and Religions in Singapore
After voucher: $0; Original price: $100
After meeting your guide at Chinatown MRT station, start exploring this lively neighbourhood on foot. Brush up on your Social Studies knowledge by visiting various racial and religious points of interest. The tour is conducted by a professional guide for private groups.
Rediscover the Singapore River
After voucher: $0; Original price: $80
Take the evening off to learn more about the Singapore River’s past and present. Along the way, try dishes and drinks in the restaurants and pubs that line the river. The tour is conducted by a professional guide, on foot.
Attractions
After voucher: $0; Original price: $159
Experience Singapore’s one and only Bungy Jump site at Siloso Beach. As a reward for your bravery, you will receive Bungy Jump certificate and a lifetime AJ Hackett membership.
Madame Tussauds Skip-the-Line Ticket
After voucher: $0; Original price: $62
Cap a day off at Sentosa by taking pictures with rock stars, actors and politicians at Madame Tussauds. Well, the wax-figure versions of them at least.
After voucher: $0; Original price: $60
Spend a fun-filled day in one of Southeast Asia’s biggest Virtual Reality theme parks. The package includes three attractions and a selfie photo printout.
