Lifestyles of the rich and the famous – it all looks pretty damn good from the outside, doesn’t it? Sleek cars, extravagant mansions, fancy toys… who wouldn’t want to jet off to a Caribbean island for the weekend on a private plane where bottles of champagne outnumber the passengers? But wait, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Honestly, you don’t even have to leave Singapore to drop lavish amounts of money on something as simple as a meal – after all, we are the most expensive city in the world. So, inspired by the film adaptation of local author Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novel Crazy Rich Asians – it’s currently filming in Singapore and Malaysia – we decided to comb through the city to find out all the ridiculously expensive things you can do (if you earn at least five digits a month).
But be warned: Tread carefully ahead – this list may or may not induce feelings of extreme envy. Only attempt if you’re a crazy rich Asian person.
Cruise around town in a supercar
Live fast, die young, and get behind the wheel of a supercar for a joyride around town to relish the green-eyed stares of people as you whiz by. If you prefer a quick adrenaline rush, Ultimate Drive’s packages start from about $298 for a 15-minute ride – but that number rapidly rises to $968 for an hour-long trip.
Its fleet includes gleaming vehicles such as Porsche 911, Lamborghini Aventador, Rolls-Royce Ghost, and Ferrari California — you can cruise along the F1 Circuit, ECP and Sheares Bridge, or map out a customized route of your own.
Dine at all the top notch restaurants on the island
Splurge on unforgettable meals at the numerous celeb chef/award-winning restaurants in Singapore – just to say you’ve tried it all. At Marina Bay Sands alone, you can check out Adrift by David Myers, CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda. Once you’ve made the rounds at MBS, swing by Resorts World Sentosa for the three Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon Restaurant by Joël Robuchon [update: it’s now closed] or Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora in the S.E.A. Aquarium.
Oh, and don’t forget to make reservations at other critically-acclaimed restaurants like Burnt Ends by Dave Pynt and Candlenut Kitchen by Malcolm Lee. All that culinary perfection should rack up a bill well into the thousands.
Get groomed into the perfect representation of yourself
For your looks to match your bank account, indulge in a head-to-toe primping experience. Start by getting rid of the hairdo you’ve had for years, and let the expensive experts at Kim Robinson style you into a glamazon. Then head over to the boutiques of atas makeup brands like Chanel or Dior for a crash course on How to Look Like a Model.
Once you’re all spruced up, you gotta keep in shape to maintain that physique, so sign up for Singapore’s most exclusive fitness club, Gravity, where you’ll work out amongst the rich and famous, safely sequestered away from the sweaty masses.
Pamper yourself at a luxe spa
Hey, crazy rich people have problems, too. So unload your burdens at the classy Ritz-Carlton spa, where you’ll be eased into relaxation while surrounded by lush greenery. Pick the signature Timeless Indulgence ($680/90 mins) for pampering foot care combined with the La Mer Miracle Broth facial (perhaps this will be your fountain of youth) and you’ll be cared for by two therapists.
For another hour of tranquility, try the Cello Concerto ($480/60 mins) treatment for the sleep-inducing experience of having a cellist perform soothing melodies next to your massage bed.
Skip all the lines and get special treatment at a theme park
When you’re rolling in cash, long lines are a thing of the past. So wave goodbye to queueing up with boisterous kids and overexcited tourists under the hot sun, and sign up for the VIP tour of Universal Studios Singapore (adults $298, children $228).
You’ll receive the red carpet treatment with your own guide, complimentary refreshments, exclusive access to attractions, and private meet-and-greet character sessions. Plus, there’s the invaluable feeling of you being way more special than the rest of the plebs in the park.
Sleep with the fishes in an underwater staycation
Swim with the fishes? We’ll do you one better. Sleep with the marine creatures in a two-storey Ocean Suite nestled in the S.E.A. Aquarium ($2,106.83/night). The luxuriating starts with a jacuzzi at the open living area — as you descend to the lower level, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing view of more than 40,000 marine animals frolicking around in the massive aquarium.
If you ever need anything, just ring for butler service – even in-room dining is available 24/7.
Splash out on the best F1 tickets
The Formula 1 drivers have been making pit stops on our shores for nine years, and if you’d like to make the tenth edition a unique one, fork out what amounts to someone’s entire monthly salary for three days of real life Fast and the Furious in September.
Cushioned in a plush, air-conditioned space called The Green Room ($4,226.50/person), you’ll be enjoying upscale cuisine, an open bar with complimentary wines and beers, and an close-up look at the turbo action from your private outdoor viewing balcony. Of course, you’ll also have access to all the zones, should you deign to ditch luxury for earbuds and throngs of rowdy onlookers.
Staycation at pricey hotel suites around town
Live like you don’t have a care in the world – and why would you, you’re ridiculously rich – at the sky high Chairman Suite in MBS. For thousands of dollars, you won’t have to lift a finger, ‘cause you’ll have a butler tending to your every want 24/7. Heck, the opulent space even features sauna facilities, a gym space, a pool table, a karaoke room, and a baby grand piano, should you feel the urge to tinkle those ivories.
To continue living the high life, treat yourself to stays at uber luxurious suites in hotels like The St Regis Singapore, Raffles Hotel and W Singapore – Sentosa Cove.
Throw the ultimate blinged-out yacht party
Hey, we live on an island in perpetual summer – the eternal sunshine makes for a great excuse to host an ocean rager. Turns out, it’s not that hard to host a party with your buddies at sea, thanks to the numerous boat rental services offering VIP treatments, trips to offshore islands, private cruises to countries around the region, and adrenaline-packed joyrides with water sport activities.
Chat up companies like ONE15 Luxury Yachting, Lloyd Marine, or Blue Star Yachting to plan your posh seaside bash.
Treat all your friends to a day of high stakes at the casino
Who needs Sin City when we’ve got two casinos in Singapore? For an entire day’s worth of decadent debauchery, round up all your besties, frenemies or even acquaintances and pay their way into the gambling dens at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa – that’s if they’re Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents.
One hundred dollars per person will give you 24 hours to make your bets, or you can go for gold and whip out your credit card for the annual entry levy of $2,000. What are friends for… right?
