A convenient online Singapore transportation and travel guide is the TransitLink eGuide website. It provides one-stop point-to-point information on how to travel around in Singapore, the MRT and bus travel time and routes.

If you are using an iPhone, you can download a free app, SG NextBus from the iTunes Store that provides estimated arrival time at the bus stops you are waiting at. For Android phones, SG Buses is a popular app available for free on Google Play (formerly known as Android Market).

Free Hotel Shuttle Bus Service

You can hop on the hotel’s free shuttle bus service if you want to travel to Orchard Road and Chinatown. The bus departs the hotel at 10.03 am, 11.03 am, 12.03 pm, 1.03 pm, 4.03 pm, 7.03 pm and 8.03 pm. It will go to Orchard Road first before heading to Chinatown (near the entrance to Clarke Quay MRT Station).

Public Buses

There is a bus-stop just outside Riverview Hotel with the following bus service numbers:

• 51 – To Chinatown, Clarke Quay MRT Station, Funan Digital Mall and Bugis
• 64 – To Plaza Singapura shopping mall, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, Little India and Mustafa Centre
• 123 – To 313@somerset, Somerset MRT Station, ION Orchard, Orchard Boulevard (next to Orchard Road), Orchard MRT Station and Singapore Botanic Gardens
• 186 – To Chinatown, Raffles Place MRT Station and Shenton Way

Singapore has one of the most efficient, comprehensive and affordable bus transportation services in the world.

The buses run on most routes between 6 am and 12 midnight and you can pay in cash or use an ez-link card, which is an electronic cash card that can be purchased in all Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations and bus interchanges.

If you are paying by cash, please ensure you have the exact amount as you will not be given change. You can check with the bus driver on the correct fare to your destination. It is advisable to pay in coins, which you can exchange for at our Front Office cashier.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

The MRT stations nearest to Riverview Hotel are:

• Clarke Quay – 4th bus-stop on bus 51 or 3rd bus-stop on 186
• Chinatown – 3rd bus-stop on 186 (cross the road and walk to Chinatown Point)
• Dhoby Ghaut – 5th bus-stop on bus 64
• Orchard – 8th bus-stop on bus 123
• Raffles (at Raffles Place) – 4th bus-stop on bus 186 (follow signage to MRT station)
• Somerset – 6th bus-stop on bus 123
• Tiong Bahru – from bus-stop opposite the hotel, 5th bus-stop on bus 123

The MRT (subway or metro rail system as known in some countries) is seen as one of the most modern and efficient in the world. It is a fast and inexpensive way mode of transportation and the train service runs from 5.30 am to 12.30 am daily. You can pay by cash or ez-link card.

If you are using an iPhone, you can download the free app, SMRTConnect from the iTunes Store. Created by SMRT, a main public transport company that runs most of Singapore’s train network, you can access all bus and train services’ information across its network while keeping up-to-date with any train service updates. You can even check train arrival times, search bus stop location or book an SMRT taxi through the application.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available in Singapore. Depending on the types of taxis, the basic flag-down fare is S$3.00 to S$3.20, inclusive of the first 1 km or less. For a limousine, it is S$3.90.

There are additional surcharges during peak hours, from midnight to 5.59 am or alighting at selected prime locations, including the airport. There are a number of Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries in designated restricted zones and you will have to bear the ERP charges.

You can also call for a taxi at the following numbers:

• Dial-A-Cab – (65) 6342 5222
• CityCab and Comfort Taxi – (65) 6552 1111
• SMRT Taxis – (65) 6555 8888
• SMART Cabs – (65) 6485 7777
• TransCab – (65) 6555 3333
• Premier Taxis – (65) 6363 8888
• Prime Taxi – (65) 6778 0808
• Yellow-Top Taxi – (65) 6293 5545

You will have to pay a booking fee when calling for a taxi.

Please click here for more details about the taxi fares and other information.

Click here to view our 2012 Singapore Hotel Deals and Packages for your stay.

About Riverview Hotel Singapore (www.riverview.com.sg)

About Riverview Hotel Singapore (www.riverview.com.sg)

With an efficient public transportation system here, it is very convenient to travel to these destinations from the hotel. 

Gardens by the Bay

18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore 018953.
Tel: (65) 6420 6848. Website: www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
Open daily: 5.00 am to 2.00 am

Gardens by the bay is Singapore’s hottest new and features cooled flower domes, multiple heritage-themed outdoor gardens and two lakes.

Its two glass biomes – “Cloud Forest” and “Flower Dome” – were designed to replicate the cool-moist climate of the tropical montane region, the Mediterranean and semi-arid sub-tropical regions. They feature plants and trees from these areas, which are among the most threatened habitats in the world, say Gardens officials.

In addition to the permanent display of plant life and tree species, there will be seasonal changing floral displays in the Flower Dome. Ranging in height from 25 to 50m, the Gardens’ 18 Supertrees are basically vertical gardens covered in bromeliads, ferns and tropical flowering climbers. Two of the trees are connected via an aerial walkway.

How to get there –

• Take bus 64 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station), take the train to Marina Bay station on the North-South (red) Line, transfer to the Circle (yellow) Line and take to Bayfront station, alight and follow signage to take lift to Gardens by the Bay.

Universal Studios Singapore®

8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269.
Tel: (65) 6577 8888. Website: www.sentosa.com.sg
Open daily: 10.00 am to 9.00 pm, Ticket sales: 9.00 am to 9.00 pm

Universal Studios Singapore® is South-East Asia’s first Hollywood movie theme park. You can experience 24 movie-themed rides and attractions, 18 of which are unique to Singapore.

The young and young at heart will be entertained by Shrek® and gang on an incredible 4-D adventure in the world’s first Far Far Away Castle. Thrill seekers can face warrior mummies on Revenge of the Mummy™, a psychological thrill ride in total darkness. Other highlights include Transformers: The Ride, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure™ and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure®, Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs CYLON™.

You will also find an amazing array of shows and movie sets in the theme park.

How to get there –

• Take bus 51 at the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at Clarke Quay MRT Station in Central Shopping Mall (fourth bus-stop from the hotel), take the MRT to HarbourFront MRT Station and take the monorail, Sentosa Express at VivoCity and alight at Waterfront Station on Sentosa Island.
• Take a leisure stroll along the Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity Shopping Mall’s waterfront promenade.
• Take a 10 to 15 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Singapore Flyer

30 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039803.
Tel: (65) 6333 3311, Website: www.singaporeflyer.com
Open daily: 8.30 am to 10.30pm (last flight at 10.00 pm)

The Singapore Flyer, standing at 165 metres tall, is a giant observation wheel that is one of the largest in the world. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Singapore city skyline – from the East Coast to Marina Bay, the city to Sentosa and beyond.

Featuring fixed capsules the size of a bus, the spectacular icon is capable of holding up to 784 passengers. Each capsule has a 28-person capacity and each revolution takes approximately 30 minutes.

The Singapore Flyer is also a good place to relax after your ride. Its dining promenade provides a variety of dining and shopping venues, such as bars, restaurants, pubs and shops.

How to get there –

• Take 8 to 10 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Sentosa Island

Just 15 minutes away from the city centre is Sentosa, an idyllic resort island with pristine beaches, world-class attractions, sea sports, golf and retreats.

At Sentosa, there are endless activities to indulge your every interest. Its biggest attraction, Imbiah Lookout offers something for everyone; thrill seekers can take a ride on Skyline Luge Sentosa, nature lovers can explore the walking trails and wonders of Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom or learn about flora and fauna on a guided tour of Sentosa Nature Discovery.

For some culture, you can try Images of Singapore. The sporty side of you can enjoy a game of beach volleyball on Siloso Beach, ride the barreling waves at Wave House Sentosa and at night fall, be awed by Songs of the Sea, a multi-sensory extravaganza.

Sentosa enhances your leisure options with great shopping and dining experiences at VivoCity and Harbourfront Centre, the multi-concept entertainment hub at St James Power Station, and nature trail at Mount Faber.

Sentosa is a must-visit destination for tourists and a popular recreational playground for all.

For more information on the attractions and what you can do on Sentosa Island, please visit its website at www.sentosa.com.sg.

How to get there –

• Take bus 51 at the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at Clarke Quay MRT Station in Central Shopping Mall (fourth bus-stop from the hotel), take the MRT to HarbourFront MRT Station and take the monorail, Sentosa Express.
• Take a leisure stroll along the Sentosa Boardwalk from VivoCity Shopping Mall’s waterfront promenade.
• Take a 15 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Singapore Zoo

80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729836.
Tel: (65) 6269 3411, Website: www.zoo.com.sg
Open daily: 8.30 am to 6.00 pm (last ticket sale at 5.30 pm)

With over 3,000 animals in their natural spacious habitats, you can experience an exciting ecological adventure at the Singapore Zoo.

Visit the largest land mammals at “Elephants of Asia” or stroll into “Fragile Forest”, the world’s biggest butterfly dome. You can also catch orang utans roaming around freely in the world’s first free-ranging habitat, or have breakfast with them at the award-winning “Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife”.

You will be thrilled by the various entertaining and educational shows and adventures at the Singapore Zoo, which is one of the most popular Singapore attractions for kids.

How to get there –

• Take bus 123 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop (Somerset MRT Station), board the MRT to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station and take bus 138 from AMK Hub bus interchange to the zoo.
• Take bus 64 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station), board the MRT to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station and take bus 138 from AMK Hub bus interchange to the zoo.
• Take a 25 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Night Safari

80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729836.
Tel: (65) 6269 3411. Website: www.nightsafari.com.sg
Open daily: 7.30 pm to 12.00 am (last admission at 11.00 pm)

Night Safari, the world’s first wildlife park for nocturnal animals is a nine-time winner of the Best Visitor Attraction Experience, awarded by Singapore Tourism Board.

Embark on a fascinating journey around the 8 geographical regions of the park and see the over 1,000 nocturnal animals as they gaze and hunt in natural environments.

You will be amazed by the swiftness of the fishing cats as they fish for their prey at the “Fishing Cat Trail”, or reach dizzying heights as you peer over tree tops at the Bridge of Suspense on the “Forest Giants Trail”.

Your experience at Night Safari is not limited to animals but extends to experiential dining segments with the park’s award winning Gourmet Safari Experience, where visitors dine on board a tram traversing the 8 geographical zones. The park can be explored either on foot via three walking trails, or by tram.

How to get there –

• Take bus 123 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop (Somerset MRT Station), board the MRT to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station and take bus 138 from AMK Hub bus interchange to Night Safari.
• Take bus 64 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station), board the MRT to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station and take bus 138 from AMK Hub bus interchange to Night Safari.
• Take a 25 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Jurong Bird Park

2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925
Tel: (65) 6265 0022. Website: www.birdpark.com.sg
Open daily: 8.30 am to 6.00 pm (last ticket sale at 5.30 pm)

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in the world, offering a 20.2-hectare hillside haven for 5,000 birds representing 380 species.

You can see a stunning visual fiesta with majestic eagles, falcons and hawks as they show off stunning aerial maneuver in the “Kings of the Skies” show, or watch the most comprehensive collection of pelicans in the world at “Pelican Cove”, the world’s first underwater gallery for pelican. With a 30-metre man-made waterfall as a backdrop, the “African Waterfall Aviary” is the world’s largest walk-in aviary and has over 1,500 free-flying birds that are native to Africa.

There is plenty to be entertained and be educated at the world’s largest bird park.

Committed towards conservation, the Bird Park is the first in the world to breed the Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise in captivity and received the Breeders’ Award from the American Pheasant and Waterfowl Society in 2001. In 2006 and 2007, the Bird Park became the recipient of the Conservation & Research Award for the Oriental Pied Hornbill Conservation Project by IV International Symposium on Breeding Birds in Captivity (ISBBC). In Asia, Jurong Bird Park is the only park in the Asia Pacific to have an Avian Hospital. It has a Breeding and Research Centre tasked to ensure the welfare, breeding and promulgation of birdlife and is also an Official Rescue Avian Centre.

How to get there –

• Take a 20 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

If you are planning to visit these attractions and need a hotel to stay, click here to view our 2012 Singapore Hotel Deals and Packages.

About Riverview Hotel Singapore (www.riverview.com.sg)

The Great Singapore Sale, happening from mid-May to July every year, is one of the best times to shop in Singapore as you can expect many items going at bargain prices.

You can approach our Front Desk for suggestions on what to buy and where to shop for clothes and eat in Singapore.

Orchard Road

Spanning almost 2.2 km, the famed Orchard Road, a one-way street flanked by distinctive shopping malls on both sides of the road, is only about 8 minutes by car or taxi from Riverview Hotel.

The popular shopping malls along this Singapore’s famous shopping haven include 313@somerset, Forum The Shopping Mall, Hilton Shopping Gallery, ION Orchard, Lucky Plaza, Mandarin Gallery, Ngee Ann City, Orchard Cineleisure, Orchard Central, Paragon, Palai Renaissance, Plaza Singapura, Shaw House, Tanglin Mall, The Centrepoint and Wisma Atria.

Each iconic mall is a shopper’s haven offering its own selection of retail, dining and entertainment opportunities. Promising to please any taste or budget, the shopping belt comprises nearly 800,000 sqm of stores and restaurants, from designer brands to fast fashion and from upscale restaurants to food courts.

Most shopping malls along Orchard Road are open from 10 am to 10 pm.

How to get there –

• Take the hotel’s free shuttle bus service to Orchard Road.
• Take buses 64 and 123 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel -
• Bus 64, alight at the fifth bus-stop from the hotel (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, just after Plaza Singapura).
• Bus 123, alight at the fifth bus-stop from the hotel (at Somerset MRT Station, behind 313@somerset), the sixth bus-stop near Orchard Cineleisure or the seventh bus-stop behind Orchard MRT Station or ION Orchard.

Chinatown

For a shopping experience that blends traditional Chinese heritage with contemporary offerings, the Chinatown stretch is a must-visit on your trip to Singapore.

The heart of Chinatown is a bustling, colourful mix of old and new, from family-run goldsmiths and medicine halls, to textile stores and dim sum restaurants. Popular bakeries like Tong Heng Oriental Pastry on South Bridge Road, tea houses like Kwong Chen on Sago Street, hawker stalls, as well as stylish bars along Club Street, are also housed in this precinct, making Chinatown a well-balanced heartland.

Visit the large Chinese emporium Yue Hwa, conveniently located at the junction of Eu Tong Sen Street and Upper Cross Street. It stocks a wide array of authentic Chinese products such as tea, medicinal herbs, foods, household items, antiques and traditional Chinese costumes such as the cheongsam.

Many shopping centres can also be found in Chinatown, which include Chinatown Point, People’s Park Complex and the Chinatown Complex. These malls not only sell a wide selection of Chinese products but also offer affordable electronic goods, textiles and discounted cosmetics and clothes. There is also OG, a major local department store at Chinatown Complex offering men’s and ladies’ fashion, accessories and beauty products.

If you are keen on the latest trends in fashion, do not miss Ann Siang Road and Club Street, where you can explore chic local boutiques such as Asylum and Style:Nordic.

How to get there –

• Take the hotel’s free shuttle bus service to Chinatown
• Take buses 51 and 186 at the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the third bus-stop (outside Apollo Centre), and walk towards People’s Park Complex.
• Enjoy a 20 minutes’ walk along Havelock Road to Chinatown.

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956.
Website: www.marinabaysands.com/Shoppes

The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is designed as the premier retail shopping mall in Asia with its refreshing mix of cutting edge and emerging labels and internationally renowned luxury brands. It boasts close to 93,000 sqm of retail space with over 300 stores and F&B outlets, including numerous luxury duplexes for boutiques such as Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Cartier and Prada. Other luxury stores include Gucci, Hermès, Emporio Armani, Chopard, REDValentino, Dior, Dunhill, Vertu, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent, Salvatore Ferragamo, Montblanc, Blancpain, an Hermès Watch Boutique, and Herve Leger.

A canal runs through the length of the Shoppes, in the same style as the Venetian in Las Vegas. Sampan rides on the canal are available for guests and shoppers at the shopping mall, similar to the gondola rides available in the Venetian. Also housed within the Shoppes are the six of the seven Celebrity Chef Restaurants – Cut (by Wolfgang Puck), Waku Ghin (by Tetsuya Wakuda), Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza (by Mario Batali), Guy Savoy (by Guy Savoy), DB Bistro Moderne (by Daniel Boulud),Santi (by Santi Santamaria) and Rasapura Masters (by Koufu).

How to get there –

• Take bus 64 from the bus stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop (just after Plaza Singapura), cross the road to Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station and take the train to Marina Bay on the North-South (red) line, transfer to the Circle Line and take the train to Bayfront station.

Great World City

1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994.
Tel: 6737 3855 / 6887 5455. Website: www.greatworldcity.com.sg
Open daily – 10 am to 10 pm

The nearest shopping mall from Riverview Hotel is the 400,000 sqft Great World City, a one-stop family shopping mall with an exciting array of products and services that include dining, fashion wear and accessories, beauty and hair services, gifts, electronic goods and banks.

You can catch the latest movies at the mall’s 6-screen Golden Village Cineplex, enjoy a variety of local food at its food court and shop for groceries at the Cold Storage supermarket.  Other well-known local and international brands in Great World City include Best Denki, Imperial Treasure, Starbucks, Swarovski and Zara.

The shopping mall also provides free shuttle bus services to Orchard Road and Raffles City.

How to get there – 

• Great World City is only a 10-15 minutes’ walk from Riverview Hotel.

Liang Court

177 River Valley Road, Singapore 179030
Tel: 6336 7184. Website: www.liangcourt.com.sg
Open daily – 10 am to 10 pm

Situated at the renowned Clarke Quay along the Singapore River, Liang Court offers a unique “Asia Fusion by the River” shopping experience with great dining and entertainment options.

Besides a varied choice of cuisine from as many as 20 different restaurants and dining outlets, there is Meidi-Ya, a supermarket selling a wide selection of Japanese groceries and other food products; Kinokuniya, a bookstore where you can find many books and magazines of different genres and Audio House that sells electronic goods at affordable prices.

How to get there – 

• You can enjoy a 15 minutes’ stroll long the Singapore River to Liang Court.
• Take buses  64 and 123 at the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at UE Square (second bus-stop from the hotel along Clemenceau Avenue) and cross the road to the shopping mall.

VivoCity

1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585
Tel: (65) 6337 6860. Website: www.vivocity.com.sg
Open daily – 10 am to 10 pm

As the city’s largest retail and lifestyle destination, VivoCity is one of the best shopping malls in Singapore.  It is an imposing part of the country’s plethora of shopping options. Located next to the water across from Sentosa Island, the mall is beautifully set up as an easy-going and fun shopping destination.

Its shopping outlets cover everything you’ll ever want, from fashion, books, electronics, sport, lifestyle, fashion and more. Highlights include its unique National Geographic flagship concept store and its luxurious Golden Village Gold Class cinemas. The best thing is – you can easily continue the fun in Sentosa after you have finished your shopping.

VivoCity is designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect, Toyo Ito, the man behind the renowned Sendai Mediatheque in Japan.

How to get there –

• Take a 15 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel
• Take bus 51 at the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at Clarke Quay MRT Station in Central Shopping Mall (fourth bus-stop from the hotel), take the MRT to HarbourFront MRT Station

Tiong Bahru Plaza

302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732
Tel: 6276 4686. Website:www.tiongbahruplaza.com.sg
Open daily – 10 am to 10 pm

Being part of the city downtown area, Tiong Bahru Plaza is a suburban mall with 6 levels of shopping and entertainment choices.

Directly connected to Tiong Bahru MRT Station, it has more than 130 shops, including a Golden Village Cineplex, NTUC FairPrice supermarket and 2 local banks among a host of fashion and accessories, beauty and healthcare, arts and craft and other retail outlets.

Modern and chic dining concepts can also be found at the mall’s main frontage, popular with the office workers, local and expatriate residents and students in the vicinity.

How to get there –

• Take bus 123 from the bus-stop opposite the hotel and alight at the fifth bus-stop (opposite Tiong Bahru Plaza).
• Take bus 16 and 195 from the bus-stop along Kim Seng Road and alight at the fifth bus-stop (opposite Tiong Bahru Plaza).
• Take a 5 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel

Marina Square

6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
Tel: (65) 6339 8787. Website: www.marinasquare.com.sg
Open daily – 10 am to 10 pm

Shop, eat, play and relax is the mantra at Marina Square, and you can do all this and more at this classy mall.

You will find stores like Zara, Mango, Topshop and Miss Selfridge, as well as John Little, Muji, Crocs and more, with over 300 shops in total. The mall also often runs special privileges and promotions just for tourists.

Marina Square is also a great place to have a meal, with its abundance of cafes and restaurants from casual eateries to comfortable restaurants, and also fast-food restaurants like McDonald.

Once you are done shopping for the day, you can relax, catch a movie at Golden Village Cinemas or have a game of ten-pin bowling at the bowling alley.

How to get there –

• Take bus 64 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop from the hotel (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, just after Plaza Singapura shopping mall); board the Circle Line MRT to Esplanade MRT Station.
• Take bus 75 from the bus stop along Kim Seng Road and alight at the bus stop after Pan Pacific Hotel.
• Take a 10 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel

Suntec City Mall

5 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038985
Tel: (65) 6295 2888. Website: www.sunteccitymall.com
Open daily – 10 am to 10 pm

Listed by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the largest fountain in the world, the Fountain of Wealth is located within one of Singapore largest shopping malls, Suntec City.

This shopping and office destination was constructed in accordance to Feng Shui principles. The 5 towering office blocks are designed to represent a left hand’s fingers, with the Fountain of Wealth sitting in the middle of the “palm”, symbolising wealth.

According to Fengshui masters, visitors who walk around, counter-clockwise, the central base of this Fountain 3 times while touching the water would gain good luck.

At night, the fountain comes alive with spectacular laser performances and song dedications.

Suntec city engages over 300 retail outlets, 50 pushcarts and 100 dining establishments spreading across 4 floors.

The mega mall is divided into 4 zones: the Galleria, offering high-end labels, the Tropics, emphasising on lifestyle merchandises and services, the Fountain Terrace, specialising in F&B, and the Entertainment Centre, comprising of a cinema, fitness gym, an arcade and many more.

Its close proximity to the Central Business District and top tourist spots makes Suntec City the perfect one-stop place to unwind – a must-visit for all tourists.

How to get there –

• Take bus 64 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop from the hotel (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, just after Plaza Singapura shopping mall), board the train on Circle Line to Esplanade or Promenade MRT Stations.
• Take a 15 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Raffles City Shopping Centre

252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101
Tel: (65) 6318 0238. Website: www.rafflescity.com.sg
Open daily – 10 am to 9.30 pm

Close to historic and tourist sites, Raffles City Shopping Centre is a haven for discerning shoppers looking for luxury items.

It is built on the site of a renowned former school (Raffles Institution), Raffles City is downtown shopping at its finest. The mall has a number of luxury and designer stores such as Omega, Thomas Sabo, Cortefiel and Tommy Hilfiger, among others.

Here, you will also find big department stores like Marks & Spencer and Robinsons, and fashion chains like Topshop and Espirit.  In fact, Raffles City covers most shopping bases with fashion, books, music, sports, toys, eyewear and beauty all available above the City Hall MRT station, which makes getting there all the more convenient.

The mall also has a number of top-notch restaurants such as Double Bay and Brotzeit, Equinox Restaurant and New Asia Bar.

How to get there –

• Take bus no. 64 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop from the hotel (opposite Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, just after Plaza Singapura shopping mall), board the train on the North-South Line to City Hall MRT Station.
• Take bus no. 123 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the sixth bus-stop from the hotel (Somerset MRT Station, behind 313@somerset shopping mall), board the train on the North-South Line to City Hall MRT Station.
• Take a 10 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Funan Digital Mall

109 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179097
Tel: (65) 6336 8327. Website: www.funan.com.sg
Open daily – 10.30 am to 8.30 pm

Funan Digital Mall is one of the best places in Singapore to go to, for electronics goods and all things computer and tech-related.

Located between Victoria Street and North Bridge Road, it positions itself as Asia’s leading IT shopping mall – with people coming from afar to have a browse through all of its specialty digital shops.

The mall is a haven for technology geeks. It offers the newest and widest range of gadgets, from laptops and desktop computers to printers and digital cameras. One of the best things about the mall is the various deals that you will find here, with outlets selling value-for-money products at competitive prices.

Funan Digital Mall also has free wireless internet, so you can test your latest purchase immediately by going online. The mall also has several restaurants and entertainment options once you’ve had your fill gadget-hunting.

How to get there –

• Take bus 51 from the bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at the fifth bus-stop from the hotel and cross the road to the mall.
• Take a 5 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

Bugis Junction

200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Tel: (65) 6557 6557. Website: www.bugisjunction-mall.com.sg
Open daily – 10.30 am to 10.00 pm

Bugis Junction, located above Bugis MRT Station, features Singapore’s first glass-covered, air-conditioned #shopping streets amidst a nostalgic architectural setting. From Straits Chinese-style facades to shop houses with five-foot walkways, Bugis Junction exudes a touch of historical charm while serving the needs of the modern shopper.

The exciting retail space houses friendly shops and sidewalk cafes, delighting you with an old town atmosphere within a new city. At Bugis Junction, you are invited to discover and explore while sauntering under a comfortable sun or shopping under the stars.

How to get there –

• Take bus 51 from bus-stop outside Riverview Hotel, alight at seventh bus-stop and cross the road to the shoppin mall.
• Take a 10 minutes’ taxi ride from the hotel.

 
Want to know where else you can go besides shopping in Singapore? Click here to view our guide to Singapore Attractions 2012.

About Riverview Hotel Singapore (www.riverview.com.sg)

Languages

Most Singaporeans communicate in English as is the main language for education, business and daily communication.  The other common languages are Mandarin, Malay and Tamil, as spoken by the main races here.

Plug and Socket Types

The plug and socket type in Singapore is:

Voltage

In Singapore, the voltage for electrical equipment and appliances is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

Time Zone

The time zone in Singapore is GMT +8.

Mobile Phones

The mobile phones in Singapore operate on GSM 900/1800.

Currency of Singapore

Singapore dollar is the currency used here. Its notes are available in denomination of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$1,000 and S$10,000 bank notes and S$1 is in coin form.

S$1 is equivalent to 100 Singapore cents. The coins are available in value of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

You can enquire about the prevailing Singapore exchange rates at our Front Office cashier.

Visa for Entry to Singapore

Please visit the Immigration & Checkpoint Authority (ICA) website to see if you need to apply for a visa to visit Singapore.

Singapore Weather

Singapore is generally hot and humid. It is warm and humid year round, with the temperature between 24°C to as high as 35°C. You can check the current weather forecast via our Singapore weather guide.

Tipping

Tipping is not practised in Singapore. As such, you do not need to tip waiters, bell hops, taxi drivers or other service staff.

Singapore Banking Business Hours

Most banks are open from 9 am to 3 pm, Mon to Fri and 9.30 am to 11.30 am on Saturday.  However, some of their branches also operate on Sun.

Healthcare in Singapore

Singapore has an efficient and comprehensive healthcare system.  It is highly regarded and consistently ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be among the world’s best.

Drinking Water

Singapore’s tap water is well within the World Health Organisation’s drinking water guidelines, and is suitable for drinking without any further filtration.

Taxes

Most hotels and dining outlets levy a 10% service charge and 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

A majority of retailers in Singapore charge a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on most items.

If you are departing from Changi Airport Terminal 1, 2 and 3, Budget Terminal or Seletar Airport, you can claim refund on Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid for your goods purchased from retailers participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme if you meet the eligibility criteria and conditions.

You can also contact the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore at (65) 6356 8633 or email to gst@iras.gov.sg for any query.

Singapore Visitors Centres

You can visit a Singapore Visitors Centre for travel tips and holiday information.  Please visit the Singapore Tourism Board’s website on where these travel information centres are located.  The one nearest to Riverview Hotel is at the junction of Carnhill Road and Orchard Road, near the Heeren shopping mall.

Singapore Customs

Under Singapore laws, arriving travellers are required to pay taxes if they bring in cigarettes and other tobacco and liquor products or other taxable goods exceeding the duty-free concession and Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief. You can visit the Singapore Customs website for more information.


Now that you know these essential information for travellers to Singapore, click here to view our 2012 Singapore Hotel Deals and Packages for your stay.

About Riverview Hotel Singapore (www.riverview.com.sg)