Whether you're in Singapore for business or pleasure, you owe it to yourself to pick up a few electronics while you're in town. Why? Because here, you will find some of the lowest prices on some of the best hardware anywhere in the world. Thanks to its location, the very best and newest makes and models are on sale in Singapore long before they reach Europe or the States, yet they will be available at much lower rates than you will find in Japan. Where to shop:

Funan Digital Life Mall

Funan Digital Life Mall could fairly be described as a Mecca for the tech-head and gadget fiend. More than a hundred shops are crammed inside, all of them selling superb electronic products at rock bottom prices. It is also 100% trustworthy – all merchant abide by strict rules regarding the warranties and newness of their wares, so you don't have to worry about being ripped off. It's also great for video games, toys and anime merchandise.

Harvey Norman

Yes, if you live in the UK you probably have a Harvey Norman less than a mile away from your door already. However, Singapore's branches of the chain store are stocked with a jaw dropping range of cutting edge electronics for very competitive prices. Also, you don't need to worry about haggling with the staff as you might with other sellers on the island.

Challenger

If you want a laptop or PC, it is hard to go wrong with Challenger. A shop entirely dedicated to all things computer, you can find anything you might need on its packed shelves. If you plan to visit regularly, it's well worth signing up for a $30 bi-annual membership, which will entitle you to all kinds of special offers and great deals.

PariSilk

A little different from the major outlets and chain stores already listed, PariSilk is a family run business renowned for excellent, dedicated customer service and great deals. A good place to go for home appliances in particular.

Tips for the buyer / Know the scams

Unfortunately, many local scam artists like to exploit the city's reputation for cheap goods by fooling tourists with pricing cons. The most popular is the GST Scam. In Singapore, products come with a Goods and Services Tax of 7% per item. The thing is, if a store has an annual turnover of less than 1 million dollars, they do not have to pay GST. Less reputable small stores will lump on the charge without saying anything about it and simply pocketing the cash, so always pay attention to your receipts. You might be able to claim back GST in Changi airport while waiting for your plane, so keep receipts.

Don't assume anything about your warranty. You should never buy a product in Singapore that does not offer a warranty, though that does not mean every warranty is equal. In many cases, they will be local as opposed to international. Smaller electronics stores go in and out of business on a weekly basis, so a warranty from one of these may be worthless in a few months' time. If you want to be sure of your warranty, buy only in the larger outlets.

If you are in Singapore, whether on business or on holiday, we have some great news for you: this jewel of an island hosts many of the world's most luxurious hotels. Regardless of your budget, you can easily find accommodation that will be infused with typical Singaporean good taste and hospitality. Here are three of our favourites.

The Forest by Wangz

Do you want nothing but the best during your Singapore stay? Then this famous boutique hotel will be the one for you. Ultra sophisticated, chic and cutting edge in its design, The Forest finds its home in the island's most exclusive neighbourhood. The rooms are incredibly plush and luxuriant, while the facilities, which include an infinity pool, a serene rooftop deck and a highly impressive fitness centre, will satisfy even the pickiest of tourists. For the traveller who just wants a moment of solace, The Forest offers a lush, green oasis upon its grounds – perfect if you need to recharge the batteries during a hectic business trip.

Amoy

If you want a truly authentic Singapore experience during your visit, then Amoy should be your top choice. Located in Far East Square, it draws its inspiration from that area's tradition of shophouses that dates back nearly two centuries. This is where tradition and modernity collide, showing off much of the best of what the island has to offer. That, along with friendly staff, a free pickup service, great food and a central location all make this a standout hotel.

The Ritz Carlton Millenia

Few hotels offer the stunning view available from the best rooms in the Ritz Carlton. From its incredible location on Raffles Avenue, guests can see right across the bay, making it both a luxurious and romantic place to stay. Yet there is plenty of other things to recommend this swanky palace: one of the best breakfast buffets in the city, gorgeous design, a very relaxing spa and lots of activities for children are also on offer when you stay at the Ritz Carlton.

Four Seasons

A superb five star hotel located conveniently on Orchard Boulevard, the Four Seasons gives every visitor more than their money's worth. Very plush and very tasteful, it oozes comfort and class at all times. The startling décor mixes the very best traditional Singaporean art and design with cutting edge modern concepts. The One Ninety restaurant is well worth a visit, while the award winning spa offers the tired traveller a whole world of relaxation and pampering.

Mandarin Oriental

An immaculately designed, beautifully presented little gem, located on plush Raffles Avenue, the Mandarin offers true serenity and peace for the tourist who just wants to get away from it all. Typically, its rooms offer guests a soaring view of the cityscape, where greenery and cutting edge architecture work together in aesthetic harmony. The interiors are very comfortable too. Three eateries are available in-house: the superb Italian restaurant Dolce Vita, the excellent Cantonese place Cherry Garden and the Melt World Café. All of that, along with Spa Suites and a huge fitness centre, means the Mandarin hotel offers visitors a package that is hard to match.

If you're a sports nut and planning to head to Singapore for either short or long term stay, you'll probably want to know what kind of physical activities the locals like to do. You'll be happy to hear that the Singaporeans love sport and keeping fit, so you have a real plethora of things to choose from. Whether you want to spectate or participate, there's plenty to keep the sports fan entertained. Here are some of the most popular outdoor pursuits and games on the island.

Golf

If you are one of those people who thinks no sunny day is complete unless it's been spent driving balls down the fairway, then Singapore has lots to offer. Over 20 spectacular courses dot the island, and both members and non-members can be accommodated at most. Amongst the most beautiful places to play golf are the Seletar Base club, which was designed by famous architect Christ Pitman, the Laguna National Golf Club, which has won numerous awards and the Sentosa Club, which is one of the most visited in Asia.

Basketball

Since the mid-1920s Singapore has been basketball mad. The national team has competed at 16 Asia Championships, while winning bronze in two Southeast Asian Championships. Though not quite as popular as it was in its 70s and 80s heyday, when the team was one of the continent's best, the game is still played regularly all over the island.

Bodybuilding

As the population is very interested in clean living and physical fitness, it is unsurprising to learn that bodybuilding is amongst Singapore's most popular sports. The country has produced numerous world and Asian champions, most famously Joan Liew, who has NPC Tournament of Champions, Multi Asian Championships and Asian Women's Bodybuilding Championship titles under her belt and is still competing at the top level today. Other notable Singaporean bodybuilders include Abdul Halim bin Haron, Simon Chua and Azman bin Abdullah.

Football

Though they might not be world beaters, the Singaporeans love football and their national side has punched well above its weight considering the, relatively, small population, frequently coming home winners from the ASEAN Football Championships, where they compete against sides such as Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. If you fancy checking out a football game while you're in Singapore, the place to be is the Singapore Sports Hub, which was opened in 2010.

Cricket

Like many Asian countries, Singapore take cricket very seriously. The national side has appeared at every International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier between 1986 and 2005 and, though one of the smaller teams on the world stage, is steadily climbing up the rankings. Since winning the World Cricket League Division Six title back in 2009 they have risen all the way to Division Three, where they finished in 3rd place last year.

Swimming

Given its fine batch of glistening beaches and gorgeous climate, it is no surprise that Singapore is a country that loves its watersports. With so many people spending so much of their time in the ocean, it has produced a number of world class swimmers through the years, including Ang Peng Siong, Joscelin Yeo and Tao li.

There are good and bad points about last minute holidays to Singapore. Many people like to have their vacations planned well in advance, giving them a chance to organize accommodation, transport and the finance required. It is also useful to have the opportunity to plan the holiday itinerary – particularly when visiting somewhere like Singapore where there is just so much sightseeing to cram into a short space of time.

On the other hand, there is much to be said about traveling at short notice. When you are placed in the position of making last minute travel arrangements, then you can make all sorts of savings to your budget.

When looking for the best deals the optimum place to start is online. There are many websites which offer superb deals to the Far East. Singapore Airlines, the world's most awarded airline, operate a fleet of modern aircraft. These are on hand for anyone looking to book visits to Singapore at short notice. Because Singapore's airport, Changi, is now Asia's leading hub, there will be many opportunities to book yourself aboard cheap flights to this location, particularly when flight organisers find they have spare seats left to fill.

The best place to get up-to-the-minute information is online, but a typical deal between May and November, for a Singapore Airlines flight from London Heathrow to Changi, will come in at between £800 and £900.

Looking for cut-price accommodation in Singapore is similarly straightforward. There are ample websites, such as Trip Advisor, that will highlight all the most economical places to book into. Within each site there are invariably reviews of the hotels written by previous customers. These are always an excellent indicator of the various merits of each hotel, as they are written entirely subjectively.

Hotels are always looking to fill their rooms, so keep an eye out for last minute bargains. Of course, a lot depends on exactly why you are visiting Singapore. If you are arriving on a business trip, then luxurious hotel accommodation is not usually high on your agenda. As long as your room is comfortable and there are contemporary facilities – such as WiFi access – then your stay will be perfectly accommodated. Similarly, if you intend doing a lot of sightseeing, then all you will be looking for is a home base – somewhere to recharge your batteries after a long day taking in the numerous visitor attractions.

Singapore has a longstanding history of welcoming visitors. So even if your last-minute deal is placing you in less than five-star surroundings, you can be assured your stay will still be extremely pleasant.