Somerset

Somerset is located on the periphery of Orchard and is likewise dense with shopping centres and hotels. However, Somerset is less busy and quainter than its neighbour, making it somewhat a better place to settle. There is a pleasant, laid-back atmosphere in Somerset because of the presence of small shops, old food courts, relaxing bars, and shop-houses. But then again, the Somerset area houses one of the most vibrant shopping malls on Orchard Road with a hip vibe and a huge mix of tenants attracting the youth. 313@Somerset is located directly above the MRT station and it has become the heart of the Somerset neighbourhood.  

Public transport and amenities in Somerset

Summary

Somerset was once a place for Chinese residences, plantations, and graveyards. Around Somerset were the Chinese and Jewish graveyards, demolished when the district was designated a shopping district in the 1980s. Now the neighbourhood has become a mix of a residential and commercial area where old and new developments sitting side by side. 

Somerset - Stay

One is spoilt for choice when buying a property in the Somerset area. Especially if you are looking for high-end condominiums, there are too many to name. However, expect a higher price since it is after all right in the middle of everything and at a prime location. Several condominiums near Somerset MRT station include The Metz, Devonshire Residences, and The Avenir. As for temporary stay, there are many hotels in Somerset as well. This includes Concorde Hotel Singapore, Hotel Phoenix, Park Hotel Orchard, and the Holiday Inn. Here you also find Meritus Mandarin, a five-star hotel that is connected to high-end shops selling luxury goods.

Somerset - Shop

Targeted mainly towards a younger consumer market, 313@Somerset is one of the most vibrant shopping malls on Orchard Road with a cool, hip vibe and a huge mix of affordable international brands that could enthral even the most seasoned of shoppers. You can find the mall directly above the MRT station at Somerset.

Spread over eight floors of the mall is a plethora of speciality stores ranging from books and stationery, toys, fashion, accessories, electronics, home décor, furniture, and much more. Being one of the most popular ‘one-stop shop’ spots in the area, 313@Somerset also offers plenty of places to eat and drink that it has an impressive food court on the top floor. On top of that, 313@Somerset stands out from the crowd because there is always something going on, be it a live fashion launch, live music, or quirky bars hosting events. With more than 200 shops, it could take an entire day to explore the mall, especially if you do not know where to find what you are looking for.

There are plenty of great shops to check out over 313@Somerset’s 8 floors. For a dash of sunny Spanish fashion, head to either Zara or Mango. American brands are also well represented with 2 Levi’s stores among others. If you are in need of a pair of affordable shoes, you can also find flagship stores for Converse, Ecco, Aldo and Puma here. For your IT needs, head up to EpiCentre, the store stocks Apple products alongside other well-known brands. If shopping is wearing you down, there are plenty of places that are perfect for pampering. It is always fun to have your feet nibbled by tiny fish or enjoy a reflexology massage at Kenko and kneading at PULSE Foot Reflexology.

Somerset - Eats and Drinks

Besides shopping, Somerset has always held its own, providing locals and tourists alike with a plethora of dining opportunities. Though often described by visitors as more of a youth’s hotspot, Somerset is actually home to a number of cafes and restaurants that adults and families can enjoy. Arteastiq at 333A Orchard Road, for instance, serves up an assortment of appetizers to contemporary mains which include meats, seafood, and pasta, as well as a delectable selection of reinterpreted modern desserts such as their Gaia’s Teardrop Fossil. 

And if you would like to pair pizza and a glass of wine, head to Blue Label Pizza & Wine! It offers diners a modern take on the neighbourhood pizzeria with its concise menu of premium salads, snacks, and acclaimed stone-fired pizzas. With just two outlets in Singapore, Blue Label strives to serve quality food which can be tasted in their authentic stone-fired pizzas that are made using long-ferment dough.

Besides, the mall 313@Somerset holds a variety of eateries from fancy restaurants to hawker fare. With a sizable food court on the top floor, 313@Somerset has an impressive menu that suits everyone’s palate. There is a special selection of restaurants and bars to enjoy including Brotzeit German beer bar, Absolute Thai, and Trattoria Italian Kitchen. For some great food at decent prices, you can head upstairs to the food court on level 5. With a wide range of dishes from around Asia, it is the perfect place if you cannot decide what to eat. With 21 stalls and 5 restaurants to choose from, rest assured that you will find your pick here.

Paris Baguette at 313@Somerset can be an option for you if you are in the mood for special drinks. Apart from the usual offerings, this outlet sees a new range of Beer-Based Cocktails which are exclusive to the Somerset outlet. The must-tries, however, include the Hadong Green Tea Crystal, a refreshing blend of green tea, green grapes, and mint leaves. If you are a coffee-lover, go for the Cafe Adagio Espresso Crystal which highlights a strong espresso bitterness.

Most people who spend loads of time in town would probably agree that, more often than not, eating in town will burn a hole in your pocket. However, this does not have to be the case. Aside from succumbing to fast food to save money on food in town, you can check out more budget-friendly eateries in Somerset instead. Pope Jai Thai at 2 Orchard Link offers special yet affordable Thai cuisines, Da Shi Jia at 89 Killiney Road which serves seafood white bee hoon, or Jtown Cafe at 220 Orchard Road which offers Indonesian dishes such as bakmie ayam and martabak can definitely be an interesting option.

Somerset - Play

Looking for some fun things to do in Somerset? Somerset is pretty much a hotspot for virtual adventure! First off, if you are a fan of horror and thriller movies, do not hesitate to join the game at Trapped Escape Room Singapore. You will experience Singapore's latest escape room to hit the town in 5D. Picture this, you are trapped in a room with your peers and there seems to be almost no way out. Become the master at solving puzzles, discovering hidden clues, uncovering mysteries, and succeeding to escape the next generation escape room experience. 

There is also the Sandbox VR which offers a hyper-reality escape experience for groups of 2 to 6. It combines the latest in VR hardware technology, movie quality real-time motion capture rigs and AAA-quality content experiences to create the best VR experiences on the planet. Basically, it is the Holodeck, a cutting edge social experience straight out of science fiction that you have never experienced before, and an experience that you cannot get at home.

Meanwhile, Palfie Pix offers something different: something way more relaxing! Palfie Pix is a quite different and unique place to visit and it is perfect for those whole love taking selfies. It takes into focus virtual reality and showcases a concept of photography with virtual backgrounds which are more than 60,000 in number. It is the best place to create lovely and everlasting memories. Visit this place and spend the best of your time with the best of virtual reality here. 

Somerset - Move

Located within the Orchard area in Central Singapore, Somerset MRT Station (NS23) is situated within the planning subzone of the same name and is built underneath Somerset Road, near the junction of Penang Road. This underground station along the North-South Line (NSL) serves a large number of developments in the vicinity such as shopping centres, office buildings, condominiums, and private houses. 

It encounters moderate to high demand throughout the day, mostly from shoppers and tourists visiting the area. Somerset station connects to several bus stops in the vicinity, as well as taxi stands and passenger pick-up points. On top of that, underground pedestrian walkways connect the Basement ticket concourse seamlessly to nearby developments. Somerset MRT Station has some amenities including retail shops at concourse level, public toilets, bicycle racks at station exits, ATMs and self-service machines, and TransitLink Concession Card Replacement Office.

Somerset - Parks and Gardens

Just at the end of Somerset road, you will find Penang Road Open Space which houses a garden with plants that provide nectar for butterflies or food for their caterpillars. It forms part of an Orchard Butterfly Trail developed in 2010 by Nature Society in partnership with National Parks Board and Singapore Tourism Board. The trail includes butterfly gardens located at various parts of Orchard Road and has attracted over 50 butterfly species since it was developed. Penang Road Open Space can be a really beautiful place to have a leisure stroll in the afternoon, or somewhere to go when you need to recharge your batteries in the little green lungs of the area. 

Situated next to Penang Road Open Space, there is the iconic Istana Park. The centrepiece of it is a 26-metre long Festival Arch rising from a rectangular reflecting pool with slow-flowing water. The park fronts the main Istana Gate and provides a vantage point to view the monthly changing of guards ceremony at the Istana. You can look forward to enjoying the floral display that is themed according to the celebratory events of the year, as well as the oasis of light as night falls.