Top five things to see in Singapore and how to find them with a handyphone

The rather stylish new Hotel Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen is located in a really central spot, just down the road from the Bugis Junction Shopping Centre and within easy walking distance to the National Museum, Orchard Road as well as vibrant Little India and the famous Mustafa Centre.

But what makes it an even better place to base yourself for an exploration of this colourful city, is the handy smartphone That Ibis provides for guests.

International guests who stay in a Room with extra Benefits are each provided a handyphone for the duration of their stay, which you can use to phone home, check your email, post to Facebook and (most importantly) find your way around Singapore.

The phone includes a complete city guide to Singapore making it useful both inside and outside the hotel, unlimited 3G Internet, unlimited local calls, and unlimited international calls to 26 countries on both fixed and mobile lines – including Australia and New Zealand.

With the smartphone I was able to use Google maps whenever I felt a little off track, and could arrange meet-ups with people I knew that were holidaying in Singapore.
So what did I manage to find with my handyphone? Here are my top 5 picks for a short break in Singapore.

1. Have breakfast with orang-utans at Singapore Zoo.

This is a fantastic experience, worth getting up early for! You’re served breakfast the same time the neighbouring orangutans are given theirs. Having filled up on breakfast you can then spend the day stolling around the zoo.

2. Check out the views from the cable car to Sentosa Island

There is so much to do on Sentosa Island, from ziplining and rock climbing to electric bikes and Madame Tussauds. The Cable Car is the best way to get there so you can enjoy the city views on the way.

3. Stroll through orchids at the Botanical Gardens.

The Botanic Gardens are like an oasis in the middle of hot bustling Singapore. It’s definitely worth paying an extra couple of dollars to visit the orchid gardens within.

4. Scare yourself silly on the rides and maybe meet Shrek at Universal Studios.

There are some great rides at Universal Studios, including the 3D Transformers experience and Jurassic Park roller coaster, and while you’re waiting in line, there are plenty of photo opps with the characters from Shrek.

5. Watch the sun go down and the music and light show at the Gardens by the Bay.

This futuristic garden has to be seen to be believed – it looks even more amazing in real life as it does in the brochures, and the evening music and light show really is magical.

Another great feature of the Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen is free use of its fleet of bamboo bikes - just one of a few "green" initiatives the hotel has introduced. Guests are also provided with drink bottles so you can avoid using single-use plastic bottled water (the water is safe to drink in Singapore).

Which brings me to my room, filled with so many friendly features for international travellers, including USB chargers and international adaptors. My favourite part of my room was the little office space that sat right in front of the window so I could work with a view.

Unlimited Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, whether you are sitting at the bar for happy hour or enjoying the breakfast buffet in the restaurant. More information: Ibis Hotel

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About Blended Family Travels:

Deborah plays the mother role in a blended family of seven. She's a travel blogger, diver and passionate eco warrior. She has lived in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Edinburgh, London and now resides in Sydney’s northern beaches with her Brady Bunch-style family of 7 - all seasoned travellers.

Follow Deborah on Twitter @where2nextblog or visit her blog, Where to Next?, all about travelling with teens and mid-life style.