2010 has been a thrilling one for Singaporeans so far, with the opening of Resorts World Sentosa – a complex entertainment centre equipped with four world-class hotels, a sprawling casino and the Universal Studios theme park.

Singapore’s first casino resort is a s$6.59 billion project that was built in a record time of under three years. The long-awaited entertainment hub is believed to be a massive boost to the country’s tourism.

The Universal Studios theme park is the one and only in the entire Southeast Asia- the biggest draw for many visitors including myself. Home to Asia’s largest Grand Ballrooms, the integrated resort has plenty to offer – celebrity chef restaurants, designer boutiques and a sprawling shopping strip FestiveWalk.

For a cushy sleep, upscale travellers wouldn’t be disappointed by the range of hotel options available. Four plus and exclusive hotels are located within the resort grounds: Crockford Towers, Hard Rock Hotel, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel. In the later phase, two more hotels – the Marine Life Park and Maritime Experiential Museum will be added.

Unfortunately, the Singaporean government has imposed safety measures, with a  S$100 entrance fee for Singaporeans and permanent residents and banning anyone declared bankrupt from the casinos . With the pricey entrance, looks like only the afluent ones will be knocking on its doors.

Built on the Sentosa Island, the resort is easily accessible from the mainland by car or public transport. Alongside other hip and trendy hangouts such as Cafe del Mar, the resort represents brand new Asia and all it has to offer.

Photo credits: www.rwsentosa.com

If you’re looking for something to do on Valentine’s Day, think of Bangkok. Of course, this heavily-polluted city doesn’t sound like the perfect dating destination. But look closely and you’ll find zillions of heart-warming, romantic places around Bangkok that are ready to welcome travel couples: from watching sunrise on Bangkok’s calm Sunday morning to sipping some Chardonnay in the midst of Bangkok’s brightly lit skyline. There you have it: the best destination for your Valentine’s affair. Here are some must-do tips that will surely blow your mind—and surely your sweetheart’s, too.

Morning:

Credit: www.watarun.org

Celebrate your Valentine’s morning doing some good deeds. Head to Wat Arun—or the famous Temple of Dawn—to give food offerings to the monks (for Buddhists of course) and watch the orange blazing sun rising behind the tower Phra Prang. The important thing is to face the Chao Phraya River, or you would be looking at nothing.

Then it’s time for breakfast. Take any public transportation from Wat Arun to Krung Thon Buri Station (S7) to get a sense of Thai lifestyle on the Thon Buri side, which is remarkably different from that on the Rattanakosin side. Take the BTS across the Chao Phraya River to Saphan Taksin (S6), and you’ll be in Bang Rak—literally translated as a “place of love.” Bang Rak has become a part of many Thai couples’ belief that if you get married here, you’d have a happy marriage life.

Walking from Saphan Taksin station, opposite to Robison Bang Rak, you’ll see a gruel restaurant with a massive sign: Joke Prince Bang Rak (Charoen Krung Rd., Bang Rak; 66-2/234-9407, 66-9/795-2629; open 6 am-1 pm, 5 pm-10:30 pm, 11 pm-4 am). Get an order of pork gruel for Bt.20, or gruel with anything for the same price. But add an egg and you’ll have to pay Bt.25, which is still cheap for a store that has been around for 50 years. Oh, if you want to enjoy your gruel with the classic Thai doughnut, that’s an additional Bt.5.

Credit: www.bangkokbiznews.com

Finished with breakfast, it’s time to chillax at Neilson Hays Library (195 Surawong Road; 66-2/233-1731; open Tue.-Sun., 9 pm—5 pm), an English-language library located near Silom Road, next to the British Club, which can be reached by a two-station BTS ride from Saphan Taksin to Chong Nonsi (S3). Walk that breakfast off for about 15-20 minute, and there, surrounded by a shady garden, you’ll see a one-story, neoclassical building built during the reign of King Rama V. Stocked with more than 20,000 titiles, you can waste time with a range of entertaining books while sipping a cup of tea at the library’s café, pretending you and your darling are the only two in the world.

Noon:

Hop on a tuk tuk or a motorcycle taxi through Soi Pradit to Pan Rd., which should take you about 10 minutes and no more than Bt.30, for authentic Thai cuisine at Taling Pling (60 Soi Wat Kheak, Pan Rd., Silom, Bang Rak; 66-2/236-4830; open 11 am-10 pm) . Start with tod mun tong muan—fish cakes with crispy vegetables inside. Then, order beef green curry with roti, kark moo omelet, and miang taling pling. Desserts here are excellent also. The atmosphere here is perfect for a romantic lunch: a beautifully decorated house converted into a restaurant with rows of trees line up in the garden.

Afternoon:

Give your significant other and yourself the perfect Valentine’s gift by getting fully pampered at this spa in the middle of Bangkok. Bangkok Oasis Spa (64 Soi Swaddee, Sukhumvit 31 Rd.; 66-2/262-2122) uses traditional Thai herbs in the a super-calming environment. Its four-hand Golden Lanna massage, incorporates the healing power of gold, music, and scented oil to rejuvenate you from the inside (from Bt5,9000 for 90 minutes).

Evening:

Credit: www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Nothing can be more romantic than ending the night with the incomparably stunning view of Bangkok skyline, seen from the 55th floor of Centara Grand at CentralWorld (999/99 Rama 1 Road, Patumwan; 66-2/100-1234). The Red Sky is an alfresco urban bistro dining and lounging with a wine and martini bar. But if you’re afraid of height, visit ZENSE (ZEN Department Store, CentralWorld; 66-2/100-9898)—a restaurant on the 17th-floor deck of Zen Department Store. You can choose from a large selection of Chardonnay or award-winning bubbly while enjoying a similar view—just at a different altitude.

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As published on LOKATAS.com