A weekend at Raffles Marina

Singapore has so many excellent hotels for staycation or daycation that we are pretty lucky on this small island country. Suppose you have never heard of Raffles Marina; you aren’t the first, to be honest. Every person I mention it to thinks that perhaps it is near Marina Bay Sands, but it is nowhere near it.

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Things to know about Raffles Marina

Raffles Marina was established in 1994 when the rise of Yacht and country clubs started to pop up in and around Singapore. At the time, it was the first Five Gold Anchor-rated Marina in the Asia-Pacific region.

It now boasts an exceptional reception hall for weddings and major events, and to stay here, you don’t even need to be a member. You can find Raffles Marina at 10 Tuas West Drive Singapore 638404 (just behind the bridge to Malaysia; the nearest MRT is Tuas Link Station, a 3 mins walk to Raffles Marina.

Things you should know before you go.

Raffles Marina Hotel is not a 5-star hotel, and it does not have all the bells and whistles you might find around Singapore.
The accommodation and food beverages are to be paid for separately.
There isn’t too much to do around the area regarding sightseeing or shopping, but there are other ways to make this stay enjoyable.

Accommodation

If you want a staycation that won’t break the bank but will offer a fun weekend, then Raffles Marinais the one to choose. The rooms are basic, but they are clean and affordable and have amazing views!

Our bed was pretty hard (I love mine soft and dreamy, just for the record), but other than that, the room was okay. Our view looked over the Marina, which was beautiful and relaxing. The area is away from the noisy industrial area close by, which makes for a good night’s sleep.

Food and Beverage

There were two restaurants open while we were there. The only one we tried was outside undercover, but it was more like a pop-up bar and restaurant, which was fine. The food was okay, the prices were affordable, and the atmosphere was family-friendly. Although there is a pop-up bar, the only thing they were selling at the time was wine and beer.

The other restaurant is The Captain’s table Chinese Restaurant, which is open from Tuesday to Sunday. You can find the menu here.

You have to either pay cash on delivery when you order room service or let them know you only have a card, and they will bring the machine up with them. The staff were friendly enough, and the food was exactly what was on the menu in the pop-up restaurant.

There is a swimming pool and jacuzzi to use, with a slide for the little ones, along with options to fish and kayak; there is plenty to keep you busy.

The Lighthouse at Raffles Marina

The lighthouse is beautiful day and night, so it is worth a walk around the jetty. There is a deal that includes a fishing permit, fishing bait, storage for your catch of the day, and cooking of the catch.

The lighthouse does get busy during the night, with many budding photographers capturing that perfect photo. Open 8 am to 10 pm daily.

Reciprocal rights

There are several Yacht and marina clubs with reciprocal rights. Countries on the list are Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom and Singapore.

Boating Courses

If you are 16 and over, you are eligible to do the boating course they are offering all year. To attend the two-day course (one-day theory, one-day practical), you will need an eye test before starting.

Things to do nearby

Tiger Brewery

Combine your weekend with a Tiger Brewery Tour! The brewery tour includes five beer samples per person you can enjoy in the English-style pub. Although the brewery is only a 30-minute walk, I would strongly suggest you catch a taxi there.

A day at the tiger brewery is a fun day out and is welcome for all ages. However, I would strongly suggest that children ten and under shouldn’t be brought as there is a lot of large machinery on tour with many stairs and other factors to consider.

Once the tour has finished, relax in the pub and enjoy your five samples of beer.

Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is only a 15-minute drive from Raffles Marina, so it is the perfect day trip while staying at the hotel. You don’t need the kids to visit Jurong Bird Park (I think it is because I am still a big kid at heart).

The park is currently only open from Thursday to Sunday and during school holidays and public holidays. The opening hours may change, so check the website before visiting. The park is located at 2 Jurong Hill Singapore 628925, and tickets can be purchased online.

Remember to book your seat at the bird shows (the portal opens 90 minutes before the shows start). There are a heap of things to do with the kids, from tours to feeding the birds.

Other things you need to know

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Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I hope this post has given you the information you need before your next staycation at Raffles Marina. If you have any recommendations, tips or travel advice, I would love for you to share them in the comment section below!

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Paula Barreca Barnes

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