Earlier this month I had the opportunity to revisit Singapore and then on to Indonesia, namely Lombok, the Gili Islands and ending in Bali, where I visited numerous resort areas.
My time in Bali also included attending the invitation-only 4-day luxury travel show Further East, held annually. I had visited most places numerous times but not for almost two years, so it was good to catch up.
I travelled out to Singapore in business class on Singapore Airlines. We were fortunate to have won 2 tickets in economy as a result of increased sales in the first part of 2025, and as it was just me travelling, I could upgrade our two tickets to one business class and pay a little extra. Made a huge difference on a 13-plus-hour flight.
Singapore
I have visited so many times. I know it so well. I am able to navigate around Singapore without the need for maps or GPS, and I even know the shortcuts through department stores and hotels.
To me Singapore is probably the best introduction to Southeast Asia for the first-time traveller to the region. There is nothing to alarm you. It’s all very disciplined and well organised. It is so easy on the eye, combining high-rise business areas with authentic districts.
It has one of the highest education levels in the region, and there are clear short and long-term projects carefully thought out to benefit the vast majority of the 6M-plus population. English is the main spoken language, although with a distinct accent, so it’s frequently called Singlish.
Most travellers spend 2/3 nights as an entry point before continuing on to a neighbouring country, but to me 4 nights would really enable you to get into the soul and mixed history of the city/country.
It has well-known tourist areas such as Chinatown, Little India, and Boat & Clarke Quays with their numerous riverside restaurants, and the Botanical Gardens – to me some of the best anywhere. Mall shopping, particularly in the Orchard Road area, usually with a mix of well-known international & regional brands.
Just a note – Singapore is a prosperous island country with a strong local $ currency – this can be reflected in the prices. Shop & hotel standards are up there with the very best, cheaper than most of Europe & North America/Japan with higher quality but higher than, say, Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia.
I first came to Singapore around the late 70s.
That is 1970s, not the 1870s, just in case there is any doubt!
Of course, the skyline has changed for almost 50 years, but it is still recognisable, with the exception of the Marina Bay expansion, which occurred on reclaimed land from the sea. It started in 1971 and finished its (as yet) final stage in 1994 and reclaimed 360 hectares in total.
Some of Singapore’s best-known hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental & the much-photographed three towers of the Marina Sands, are on this land, along with evening floodlit flower gardens and part of the Formula One racetrack. More land will be reclaimed in the next 10 years. Incredible, and without fuss or friction.
New things for me to see this time included several recently opened hotels, with the centrally located Artyzen (the name says a lot about the style) and Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree – located on the north coast close to the zoo. A really scenic 25-minute drive out of town, giving you the chance to see so much of Singapore as park & forest land with some truly incredible trees.
And on the resort island of Sentosa, again just a 20-minute drive out of town, or you can do part of the journey by cable car, are two new rather spectacular luxury openings with Capella and Raffles.
I have visited Sentosa several times, and you now have essentially two sections – one lively with water parks, large hotels, super beaches (see one of the images above), and family activities.
Surprised at the number of wild peacocks on Sentosa. Warning! – They can attack polished surfaces if they see their reflection!
The other side is more residential, much less busy and with the One Marina yacht club and restaurant area – very enticing for a relaxing lunch or dinner away from the city.
Back on the mainland I had the chance to go to the recently developed Dempsey Hill area close to Tanglin/Orchard Roads. This used to be British barracks back in colonial days and was left unattended for years but now has numerous restaurants with cuisine from around SE Asia.
As usual, I enjoyed Singapore immensely. It is such a progressive place. Leaves so many countries standing when it comes to achievements. Remarkable given it has no natural resources other than its people.
Thank you, DT Travel, for helping me explore.
Lombok & Gili Islands
I flew directly from Singapore to Lombok on Scoot, the low-cost regional subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. Comfortable 3-hour flight. I last visited Lombok about 18 months ago, but a few new hotels had opened in this area since then, so it was good to see.
There are some scenic similarities between Bali and Lombok in that they are both mountainous with a dense forest backdrop. Bali is slightly larger and has a resident population of around 4.6m against Lombok with 4m. Bali is majority Hindu, and Lombok Muslim, so the call to prayers is audible.
Lombok is much less developed and seems to be learning from the over-tourism issues now being seen in Southern Bali. A resort area is being developed in the south of Lombok, but this is progressing slowly.
Lombok has a chilled, laid-back style – it would not be the choice for shopping or nightlife – but has a really nice authentic charm, with some super beaches. The newish airport (opened 2011) is located in the centre of the island, about one hour scenic transfer to most of the hotels on the west coast.
Lombok is attracting more clients, either as an option to Bali or as part of a multi-centre tour around the area. Nice contrast in styles.
The opening of The Sira hotel on the northwest corner has brought a new level of contemporary luxury to Lombok, maybe as an alternative to the more traditional old-money style & elegance of the Oberoi. Plus there are several really charming boutique hotels.
The Gili Islands are just 20 minutes by speedboat from northwest Lombok.
There are 3 main islands:
Gili Trawangan which is the largest but still only 3 miles long and 2 miles wide, and has about 60% of the 3,700 of the islands’ population.
Gili Trawangan is known as the party island. On the east coast there is a strip of lively bars and beach clubs. The west coast is more relatively sedate, with nightlife a short ride away.
Gili Meno is the smallest and least developed, although only 5 minutes by speedboat from Gili T.
And then Gili Air, which is closest to Lombok – about 650 yards, neither quiet nor mega busy.
I had not been to the islands for about 25 years, so yes, many changes – mainly the introduction of water and electricity!
The islands are still hugely popular with adventurous backpackers attracted by the party vibe of Gili T and the excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities around all three islands.
But there are more mainstream travellers now arriving, and with some really attractive classy hotels, such as Cocana on Gili T and BASK on Gili M.
Something that has not changed is that the islands still have no roads. It’s just well-trodden pathways.
Transport is either on foot, by bike or by horse-drawn cart. No dogs, by law.
The beaches on Gili T and Gili M look spectacular from a distance, but they are white coral, so have an ‘ouch’ factor – reef shoes are suggested. However, this usually means good snorkelling is available just offshore. Gili A has more sandy beach options.
Both Gili T and Gili A are also visited by day trippers from Lombok and Bali, which are about 2.5 hours away by ferry.
Delighted I revisited Lombok, and especially the Gili Islands, after such a long absence. Both have excellent potential for clients looking to discover new options.
Bali
Travelled from Lombok to Bali by high-speed ferry, just over 2.5 hours. Inside seating only.
Ok, let me set the scene in Bali…
I first visited around 1975, when it only had a handful of hotels, and stayed in the Sanur area. Projects like the development of the Nusa Dua estate were still under discussion, eventually opening in 1983 and then one hotel at a time.
So I have seen Bali through its tourism infancy, teenage years, midlife and now maybe maturity.
So many changes, especially in the south within an hour of the airport. Some of it has been good, like the recent bridge overpass linking Sanur to Jimbaran – hugely impressive. But in many areas, such as Seminyak, Kuta and on the way up to Ubud, there is so much resort and villa development on old roads already gridlocked.
If the roads have temples alongside, they can’t be expanded, plus if the sacred banyan trees are overhanging, they cannot be pruned back. Not a lot of thought to required infrastructure updates. As such, travelling around in the south is short journey/long time. Airport to Ubud used to be one hour, now two.
Seminyak/Legian/Kuta still have a one-way circular system. Usually quicker to walk or take an at-your-own-risk motorbike transfer – quick down alleyways but unlikely to be covered by insurance – his or yours. And probably no helmet.
Most of the hotel and villa development has come in the last 15 years, and to me, some huge resorts have more international ubiquity than Bali style. Such is life, and as with many places, one door closes and another opens.
But once you go beyond Ubud, the real authentic Bali is still there – totally unspoilt and authentic, with incredible scenery and traditional values.
On this trip I stayed in Nusa Dua and went across to Sanur, which actually felt like it had changed for the better. The new Icon mall is a real attraction, with international and local shopping and beachfront dining.
Went up to busy Ubud for a day visit.
Had a night at Uluwatu in the southern peninsula.
I can get the appeal of this area for quality clifftop villa-style accommodation. Probably best suited for families/friends, as it mainly has 3 bedrooms plus, and repeat travellers to Bali just wanting to chill out without moving around.
I also had a couple of nights in Jimbaran staying at the Intercontinental. At 400-plus rooms, hardly boutique, but the beach location is superb, with extensive soft sand and gentle waves.
Plus so many dining options either along the beach, mainly seafood, or international options roadside.
I don’t usually endorse such large hotels, but it exceeded expectations on room quality and service and has a great location.
After that I checked in for the Further East travel show, held at the Alila hotel, Seminyak. 4 days of back-to-back meetings with luxury hotels from around the region, including Indian Ocean. I did not neglect the all-important socialising in and around the area.
And yes, I walked to most and did some spontaneous break-time shopping on motorbike, where they would wait for 5 minutes for me and take me back. It all worked quick-quick style.
On my last day, I decided to go up to Lovina on the north coast.
4 hours’ drive each way, with the first hour/last hour spent in gridlocked traffic. But fantastic. I just love the area.
Development is coming, but the hotels are small, and the villas are owned by Europeans who have a true affinity for the “real” Bali. It’s maybe not for everyone, but I would suggest as part of a tour around the island as you see what makes Bali so special.
Thank you PACTO DMC for the assistance – all worked out brilliantly.
And then it was time to leave…
Singapore Airlines to London with Singapore transit. Early flight with 0430 checkout and transfer – still some traffic but only 25 minutes. If it were 3 hours later need to allow an hour at least.
18-hour flight, including 3 hours in transit – no problem, as I had the lounge comfort to distract me from the numerous shopping temptations but did revisit the Jewel indoor waterfall, the largest in the world, located within the terminal building. Incredible.
Wonderful, busy trip. Saw so much, mostly to refresh ideas and evaluate, but also some very enticing new hotels and places we have added to our website.
Very happy to discuss in greater detail if you wish.
DK – Chic Locations – Nov 2025
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