Funan Mall, known as an IT haven in Singapore where anyone looking for anything electronics related can go, has now become the viral talk of the country since it had a revamp worth up to S$560 million. The Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat officially launched a digitally enhanced Funan Mall at the end of 2019, even though it started operating by June that year. This major reconstruction also resulted in a new name for the mall, it is now labeled as Funan DigitaLife Mall, although most locals would still refer to it as Funan Mall. The revamp was a much needed one as well, as the mall has been standing since January 1985 known then as the Funan Center. It has a total of 178 outlets spread over six floors, with anchor tenants such as Challenger Superstore occupying the most space in the mall.

However, Funan Mall had to face the reality that online shopping was rising in popularity. The businesses in the mall started experiencing a decrease in sales, forcing tenants to close down. From then, the site went through a rollercoaster of changes. It was initially planned to be renovated in 2014, yet it was demolished in mid-2016. All the tenants had to relocate elsewhere. However, when the new commercial building re-opened in June 2019, many tenants moved back in. A more stylish and artistic design as well as all the digital infusions in the mall drove the people back into Funan Mall, wanting to experience all the new things that the revamp had to offer. Now, Funan Mall has become one of the shopping centers that travellers must visit. In fact, there are many hotels in Singapore that would refer travellers to visit Funan Mall.

If you’re looking for Funan Mall nearest MRT, it won’t be hard. One of the major reconstructions in Funan Mall is the underground walkway under the North Bridge Road linking Funan Mall to City Hall MRT Station. You can take the City Hall East West Line (EW13) or the North South Line (NS25). If you’re taking a private vehicle, the new Funan Mall parking has over 400 lots, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to find a parking space even during public holidays in Singapore. Traveling to Funan Mall is much easier if you’re staying in a hotel, because the hotel management will definitely direct you to the nearest public transportation or some hotels even provide free shuttle buses. There are plenty of bus stops opposite the treasury, it depends on which direction you will be coming from. Moreover, Funan Mall is such a well-known place, it is almost impossible to get lost or not being able to find your way back to your hotel.

If you’re unable to take public transportation or a private vehicle, you can take the taxi or online taxis. The taxi drivers, who are usually locals that have been living in Singapore for a long time, should know where Funan Mall is. If you type in Funan Mall in your online taxi mobile application as the destination, you will definitely find it, and we do recommend planning how to get back to your accommodation from Funan Mall even before you arrive there just so that you won’t get lost.

When Funan Mall reopened its doors on June 28th, 2019, hundreds of new visitors eagerly waited at the doors to experience everything the new mall had to offer. The mall had gone through major renovations and redesign, mainly involving futuristic digital enhancements to cater to today’s online shopping hype. One of the first things that locals appreciated was that the new Funan is home to Taobao’s first Singapore store. Brompton Junction, a famous British manufacturer known for their folding bikes, also debuted their flagship store in Funan Mall. In addition, Singaporean fashion brand Love, Bonito also set up their largest outlet in Funan. Aside from these international brands, some of the tenants that used to occupy Funan Mall also returned, although they had mixed feelings about the new look. For the younger generation that are digital savvy, the mall is exciting and convenient. However, for the older generation or those who simply wanted to shop without relying on the internet connection all the time, the old 2016 Funan Mall lingered in their minds. This futuristic mall has the first fully-unmanned futsal court, and visitors can witness robot-enabled handsfree shopping while they’re here. In fact, most of the visitors said that they feel like they’re in a sci-fi movie after exploring Funan Mall.

In regards to the online shopping popularity, Funan Mall embraces this new trend by introducing a 24-hour click-and-collect drive-through service. At first, visitors were bewildered when they saw the new Funan Mall directory, which has The Tree of Life at the center of it. This is one of the highlights of the reconstruction, a 25-metre tall structure serving as the centerpiece houses retail pods for brands to showcase their products on a pop-up concept and host workshops. It also connects to other parts of the building, including office blocks, serviced residences, and an urban farm. The Tree of Life is simply a rebuttal to the online shopping fame, where in online shopping, the shoppers won’t be able to try the products, but in Funan Mall they surely can. We’ve gone through the shopping mall, but Funan Mall is now more than just shopping. It features twin office blocks where executives can access the offices using a sophisticated facial recognition technology. Aside from it being part of their initiative to make things more secure, the executives at the offices have expressed that they feel cool when they do it for the first few times. Of course, shopping and working in offices isn’t all. Funan Mall food is something that visitors won’t lack from, as they sport various types of cuisines in their KOPItech food court. What’s even more unique is that the visitors of the KOPItech food court can pay for their food using cryptocurrencies! This was especially surprising, it shows how much the new building really thought of catering for future generations. However, other payment types are also available, the more human kind, if you may. Chris Chang as the CapitaLand Singapore managing director said that the new Funan aims to enhance satisfaction through better customer experiences by adding a digital layer to the retail space. This wasn’t the only thing they used to excite visitors. The mall also distributed tote bags with up to S$100 worth of shopping vouchers if they spent S$50 in a single receipt for the first 300 shoppers. This would explain the crowd waiting outside of Funan Mall’s door during their reopening, as many are eager to make large purchases on digital products such as mobile phones, laptops, TVs, etcetera using the vouchers.

Although Funan Mall is a great place to be, we understand that travellers won’t stay in just one place for long. Luckily, Funan Mall is strategically situated in near vicinity to some of the must-visit tourist attractions in Singapore. Just a short walk to Stamford Road and you’ll be able to find the National Museum of Singapore. It is a classic and modern architecture in a large, vibrant museum filled with Singaporean artifacts. Dating back to 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in Singapore with a progressive mind. We say progressive because even though it has a 19th century old colonial exterior, this museum uses cutting-edge technology to present the nation’s developments. You’ll find fresh perspectives of the history in Singapore in its galleries that will take you on an immersive journey through creative storytelling. This museum, through its digital installments, redefines conventional museum experience. Aside from that, as a cultural landmark in Singapore, the National Museum also hosts some of the most well-known activities and events. The Night Festival, a popular exhibition of art installations, performances and film screenings are a local favorite. It shows the different styles and genres of not only artists but of the people in Singapore. You can also find a wide range of facilities and services such as the resource centre with a growing collection of 15,000 publications on cultural studies, design, and Singapore’s history. You can also rent the venue for other occasions, such as weddings or galas.

The National Museum of Singapore is North from Funan Mall, but there is also a must-visit tourist attraction that is South from Funan Mall, which is the area of Clarke Quay. At the River Valley Road, not only will you find the amazing area of Clarke Quay, but also the Singapore River. Clarke Quay was the center of trade of Singapore in 1819, where goods would be transported upstream to the warehouses. This was the beginning of its history. Due to the traffic from the trading activity, the river became so polluted that the government decided to clean up the river and its surroundings for ten years. The city itself has gone through many major developments to combine history with modernity. Today, surprisingly, Clarke Quay is mostly known for its nightlife more than its breathtaking water views. The Clarke Quay hotels are also just as attractive, with colonial-era architecture that you would rarely see anywhere else in Singapore. We’ll shortly talk about what you can do when in Clarke Quay.

Funnily, the best time to visit Clarke Quay is at night due to it being when the city comes to life. It is actually a preferred itinerary of shopping during the day, party at night for travellers who visit Singapore, and more often than not, they choose to shop at Funan Mall. The warehouses that used to be the center of trade have been transformed into worldwide famous clubs and restaurants. You can immerse yourself in music and dancing at two of the biggest Singapore nightclubs, Zouk and Attica, known for their banging Electronic Dance Music mixes. If you’re lucky, you can watch when they invite international DJs to play as well, so make sure you RSVP early. Another famous nightclub is F. Club, which plays more hip hop and R&B music rather than EDM. Club hopping is definitely popular among the people who come there if you want to experience Clarke Quay nightlife to its fullest. The parties in these clubs will last until late in the AM, and they are so close to each other which is convenient for party hopping. However, if you’re more into a relaxed vibe, you can visit Clarke Quay bars and restaurants that are just as good.

Want to explore international cuisines? Clarke Quay is an ideal place for you. You’d be surprised to know that some of the restaurants in this city serve Singapore’s best Japanese ramen, French pastry, Italian pasta, and many more signature dishes from all over the world. Being located on the riverside, the seafood in Clarke Quay is absolutely divine. We’ve talked about activities that you can do at night, but what about what you can do during the day, before maybe going to the Funan Mall? Well, the Singapore River is one of the main attractions in Clarke Quay. It is much more than just a scenic view because you can take boat tours along the river up to Boat Quay and Marina Bay. The river also has historical bridges such as the Clemenceau Bridge and Anderson Bridge. Thinking of doing something more exciting? Adrenaline lovers, you will love the G-Max Reverse Bungy, which straps you into a capsule and catapults you straight into the air.

Whether you’re looking to wind down after a day of exploring the city or making your way back from the nightclub after hours of dancing, you’ll want to treat yourself to a comfortable bed in one of the hotels near Funan Mall or in Clarke Quay. Next, we’ll have a quick look at some of the best hotels near Funan Mall so that you can plan your staycation Singapore moment even better.

Staying in a hotel is mandatory if you’re planning to explore all of Singapore, including spending half a day to a full day shopping in Funan Mall. Luckily, there are approximately 303 hotels that you can choose from within a mile from Funan Mall, both luxurious hotels and cheap hotels in Singapore. For a 4-star stay in Singapore, you definitely have to stay in Peninsula Excelsior Singapore. The modern full-service hotel for business and leisure travelers where the finely decorated rooms overlook the Esplanade and Singapore River. This creates a perfect ambience to enjoy the elegant furnishing as well as amenities provided by the hotel. The Peninsula Excelsior Singapore is strategically situated in the vibrant and dynamic Asian hub, which is less than 5 minutes from the Raffles City and Clarke Quay MRT Station. It is also a 5-minute drive away from the Marina Bay Sands and Orchard Road.

The trip to this hotel from the Changi International Airport is also only 20 minutes, so you’ll get to rest fully after your flight. Impeccable rooms to stay in aren’t the only things that this hotel has to offer. The Peninsula Excelsior Hotel guarantees a truly unforgettable experience during your stay by providing top notch facilities, among which are 4 versatile function rooms that can cater to conferences, meetings, seminars, and other social events. They also have a business centre and an executive lounge for club floor guests, a coffee house, a gym and sauna, and two swimming pools for a leisurely stay. If you’re looking to discover more of Singapore, you can head to the tour desk where someone will be able to assist you with travel arrangements. If you’re interested, head to Traveloka App to book as they have a lot of hotel promotions in Singapore so that you can stay in luxurious hotels for less! Anyway, you can also use your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers until the end of 2021 for your hotel booking.

Another hotel worth mentioning is the Carlton Hotel Singapore. The Carlton Hotel Singapore is situated in the heart of the busy Civic District, making it an upscale business hotel that feels like home. This accommodation is suitable for executive travellers, savvy globetrotters, and those seeking quality hospitality during their stay. They have all types of rooms that you can ever imagine because they want to be able to cater to any needs from their guests. They have Deluxe Room, Studio Room, Executive Room, Premier Room, Carlton Club Room, Executive Club Room, Executive Suite, Premier Club Room, Deluxe Suite and Presidential Suite. You’ll also be able to experience true fine dining at any of the restaurants in Carlton Hotel Singapore. Cafe Mosaic serves a delightful selection of sumptuous local and international culinary creations all day long, while Wah Lok is a Cantonese Restaurant established in 1988. Their award-winning cuisine has been applauded as one of Singapore’s best restaurants since the early 1990s. They also have contemporary interiors accented with Oriental motifs and a cascading chandelier, making the atmosphere immensely sophisticated and elegant. The authentic Cantonese cuisine will pleasure your tastebuds, as they are uplifted with modern interpretations such as classic dim sum favorites and stellar main courses.

Looking for a nice restaurant for high tea? Carlton Hotel Singapore has that too! Tuxedo lets you choose from delicate French croissants for an indulgent breakfast or pick up baked breads for your room or to go. The cafe’s chic atmosphere lets you relax as you take your mid-day break with their light lunch specials. The aromatic barista brews and intricate latte art and exceptional decadent treats by their award-winning Pastry Team is an experience you won’t want to miss. Tuxedo’s signature specials include Tuxedo Cake, Red Velvet Cake, and the highly raved Carlton Chicken Pie. Last but not least, you must not miss out on dining in Shinji by Kanesaka. Shinji by Kanesaka is an extension of Chef Shinji Kanesaka, the 1 Michelin star Chef who is known for his Edo-style sushi restaurant that was first set up in Tokyo’s exclusive Ginza district. The philosophy under his dishes is simply a passionate desire to appreciate the age-old Japanese culinary traditions without compromising its integrity. Customers usually opt for the omakase menu, which is a menu selection that is entrusted entirely to the chef. It will be executed by a native Japanese team of artisan chefs led by Master Chef Koichiro Oshino.

In summary, Funan Mall is one of the oldest malls in Singapore that both locals and travellers treasure. It was heartbreaking for many when Funan Mall was demolished in 2016 instead of being reconstructed, as it is a go to for those who want to buy electronics or fix their electronic belongings. The hecticness and overcrowded Funan Mall may be a nightmare for some, but the homely tenants and good prices are worth it. For almost three years, locals had to face the fact that their designated IT mall was gone. The tenants either relocated or moved completely online. Many actually went into bankruptcy and stopped selling electronic items. That is why when the Funan Mall was revamped into a more stylish and futuristic mall without disregarding its ‘electronics’ identity, the entire nation was excited for it. There were even travellers from neighboring countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, who went to Singapore just to experience the reopening of Funan Mall.

There was nothing that could beat the nostalgia from when the doors were finally opened and the layout of the mall was somehow similar yet incredibly different at the same time. Visitors were excited to try all the digital features that the Funan Mall had to offer, from the one-click drive-thru shopping, robotic staff, and facial recognition access. The tenants who came back were also looking forward to how their business will expand with this new mall’s popularity. Although they weren’t sure it would serve well for the older generations, they believe that their loyal customers will still come back and buy their products and services. In addition, the mall had incorporated a space for visitors to try out various electronic products so that they know it's worth it.