How to Vacation Crazy Rich Asians Style

I don’t go to the movies often, but when Crazy Rich Asians came out, I knew I had to see it. Not because romantic comedies are my favorite genre, but because I love Singapore and wanted to see how it would be portrayed on the big screen. Needless to say it did not disappoint on style or substance – in fact, I read all three books and I think the movie outdoes them all when it comes to storytelling.

If you’re watching it with someone who’s never been to Singapore before, you may have to explain that some of the spectacular scenery is in fact real and not CGI. The movie did not disappoint and if it inspires you to travel, here’s how to vacation Crazy Rich Asian Style [Warning: SPOILER ahead]

 

Raffles Hotel, Singapore

The Raffles Hotel in Singapore is famous for inventing the Singapore Sling…a drink every tourist undoubtedly orders, thinking it’s what the locals drink. The

 

Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore

Both the book and movie version of Crazy Rich Asians end at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This is perhaps Singapore’s most iconic modern building, featuring three towers topped with a large platform housing an incredible infinity pool. While the pool is restricted to guests only, tourists can go up to the top-level observation deck to take in the incredible sights. The cost? 23 SGD/$17 for adults, 20 SGD/$15 for senior citizens and 17 SGD/$12 for kids aged 2 – 12.

 

Gardens By the Bay, Singapore. In the movie (not the book), Nick’s friend Colin gets married in spectacular fashion at Gardens By the Bay, in the midst of the Supertree Grove. It’s actually kind of perfect as a wedding venue, since it completely eliminates the need for floral arrangements. If you’re not attending an “IT” couple’s wedding, Gardens by the bay is still a great place to escape the heat while viewing incredible floral sculptures in the world’s largest greenhouse. The price of admission is 28 SGD/$20 USD for adults and 15 SGD/$11 USD for children aged 3 – 12.

 

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. It’s too bad no scenes of Cameron Highlands made it into the movie, because the book describes it as the most tranquil place imaginable. The Google Images affirm this notion. The Cameron Highlands hotel mentioned in the book, The Lakehouse, looks amazing and is surprisingly affordable at around $150 per night.

 

Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. In addition to to an extravagant wedding between a billionaire playboy and hotel heiress, Crazy Rich Asians features an equally glamorous bachelorette weekend. The group shops, parties, and relaxes on a beautiful beach in Rawa Island. In the movie, the bride’s family resort on Rawa Island is replaced by the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. Rates at this luxury resort start at around $400 per night for a Garden View room.

 

Carcosa Seri Negara, Malaysia. Nick’s ancestral home is a central piece of the story in both the movie and book series. While Tyersall Park is based on a real property in Singapore, the house featured in the movie is actually the Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel in Mayalsia.

 

The travel habits of the Crazy Rich Asians characters may be extravagant, but it’s good to know that it isn’t out of reach for the average person. Get yourself a first class flight on Singapore Airlines using points and you can have some of the same adventures depicted in the movie at a reasonable price.

 

Have you seen Crazy Rich Asians? Did it make you want to hop on the next flight to Singapore?