Singapore has no shortage of social and sporting clubs. Whether you’re looking for a super-sized swimming pool for the nippers to practice their butterfly (British Club, The American Club and Tanglin Club won’t disappoint), need a course for your weekly golf fix, or are looking for somewhere to take clients to quaff whisky (get the boss to sign off on the Singapore Cricket Club), our round-up of Singapore’s finest club memberships has got it covered.
The American Club
Members: Erika and Travis Masiero, Lucas (9) and Macey (3)
From: America
My family and I joined The American Club five years ago. We had plenty of friends who were members and they’d often invite us to join them. Our son Lucas was at the perfect age to start participating in the activities offered at the club, too. I found myself bringing Lucas every week to the club and started to meet new people who have now become some of my closest friends. The club gave us something to look forward to each weekend; joining as a member was the best decision we’ve made in our 12 years of living here!
I visit the club three to four times a week. Aside from the amazing treatments available at the Sên spa and the affordable meals we enjoy at Eagle’s Nest, my favourite thing about The American Club is that it’s our home away from home. From the staff to the members, going to the club each day makes it much easier living on the other side of the world! I always seem to run into someone I know, andmy quick stop sometimes turns into a long coffee with a friend – those are the moments that I love!
Apart from meeting my trainer Nadesh at the club for weekly workouts, I frequent the spa for massages, pedicures and hair treatments. Macey takes ballet lessons, Lucas takes swim classes, and my husband and I meet for drinks at Union Bar. When the new pools open soon, I foresee all of us spending our weekends at the club, swimming with friends, relaxing and hanging out!
The American Club Singapore
10 Claymore Hill | 6737 3411 | amclub.org.sg
The British Club
Member: Suzannah and Mike Truter, Sorcha (8) and Morgana (6)
From: Britain
I’ve been a member of The British Club since October 2016. I went with my family to an open day event on a colleague’s recommendation and really liked the relaxed atmosphere and the staff we met on the day. We had planned to look at other clubs but decided that there was no need as the club’s location was good and it offered great facilities that suited the whole family.
The best part of The British Club? The staff! My kids can’t wait to go in to see their favourite people: Vincent on arrival, Karen who manages the shop, Sharon the Member Relations Manager, Stephanie and Ned in the Windsor Arms, and Avil in the Verandah Café. They treat my kids like they’re the only people in the club and they always make them feel special, no matter how busy they are.
My husband and I are frequent users of the gym, spa and pool, while the kids have their tennis and swimming lessons at the club – usually followed by dinner in one of the restaurants. They also love the various activities planned around festive occasions like Christmas.
Last Halloween, the club put on a fantastic evening with food, entertainment and fireworks for the entire family. We all dressed up in our most evil gear and spent the evening with friends while the kids were kept busy with spooky activities. It was a great experience, and the memories we made will be with us forever!
The British Club (Singapore)
73 Bukit Tinggi Road |6467 4311| britishclub.org.sg
Singapore Cricket Club
Member: Pauline Cassidy Appleyard
From: Britain
I have been a hockey player since my school days and I was searching for a club to join before leaving the UK. After finding my way around my new home, I came across the Singapore Cricket Club (SCC), but I didn’t realise it had a hockey section until a friend of a friend, who was a member, told me about the club’s thriving hockey scene. Soon after visiting the club at The Padang, I started training with the rest of the squad. I officially joined them in July 2002 and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
It’s easy to say that I love the facilities, the building and the available food options but, in reality, it’s the people who are my favourite aspect of the club – both members and staff alike. In addition to grass hockey training, both my husband and I use the gym, while my extended family loves to visit when there are ongoing sporting events like the SCC Rugby 7s. When my mum comes over to visit, she loves to spend an afternoon sitting on the veranda and watching the bowls matches.
The club has a plethora of sports on offer, topped with wonderful facilities at the Padang site and also the Dempsey fields. SCC is also a sister club to many prestigious sporting clubs around the world, which offer reciprocal rights access. The club is centrally located so it’s a great place to for social and business meet-ups. I’d definitely recommend joining SCC!
Singapore Cricket Club
Connaught Drive | 6338 9271 | scc.org.sg
The Tanglin Club
Members: Tsutomu Sato, Ai, Natsu (4) and Ann (1)
From: Japan
I was introduced to The Tanglin Club by a friend, and have been a member for a year now. I live and work in the Orchard area, so it’s very convenient for me to drop by the club. I chose Tanglin as I wanted to socialise with people of different nationalities. Also, as my company specialises in selling Japanese real estate to non-Japanese clients, joining the club was a good way for me to meet potential buyers. I even conduct seminar events on investing in Japanese real estate in the function room of the club once in a while. The restaurants and bars are also great venues for me to meet clients and friends.
I love going to the gym to keep fit and I enjoy having tennis lessons as I get to play with my friends. The library is also great for studying and reading books. My kids enjoy swimming in the pool and they’re kept occupied in the playroom, which houses a range of kid-friendly activities like arts and crafts, board games and toys. On weekends, my wife hangs out at the pool with her friends and their kids.
I’d definitely recommend The Tanglin Club to those who are new to Singapore. It’s the perfect members’ club for families with kids and the membership price for non-Singaporeans is affordable, too.
The Tanglin Club
5 Stevens Road | 6622 0555 | tanglinclub.org.sg
Other sporting, leisure and social clubs in Singapore:
Singapore Polo Club
Horse riders will love the polo field and covered and outdoor arenas, but you don’t need to sizzle in the saddle to join. Established in 1886, the Singapore Polo Club has plenty of other sporting and social amenities. Conveniently located in the Thompson area, we can think of nothing better than scoffing a pizza on The Verandah while catching the action on the polo field.
Facilities: Spa, swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, polo field, outdoor riding arena, jackpot room, covered riding arena, bar and restaurants
80 Mount Pleasant Road, 298334
Hollandse Club
You don’t have to be Dutch to join the Hollandse Club – over 40 nationalities comprise its membership. Established in 1908, it is especially loved for its tennis courts and swimming pool, while it scores top marks from teens for its Chillout Room, complete with pool table, table tennis and foosball table.
Facilities: Tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pool, gym, multi-purpose court, library, playrooms, chillout room for teenagers, playground, hotel, restaurants and bars
22 Camden Park, 299814
ONE°15 Marina Club
Nestled in Sentosa Cove, this private waterfront club is a haven for boaters and non-boaters alike.
Facilities: Clubhouse, infinity pool, children’s pool, gymnasium, lighted tennis courts, spa, kids lounge, children’s room, restaurants and bars (and a Movenpick ice cream parlour!)
#01-01, 11 Cove Drive, Sentosa Cove, 098497
The Japanese Association Singapore
Established in 1915 and re-established in 1957, The Japanese Association of Singapore has over 5,000 members.
Facilities: Clinic, library, restaurants, multi-purpose room, karaoke room, jackpot room, fitness centre, PC room and cooking room
120 Adam Road, 289899
Laguna National Golf and Country Club
This may be a golf club – with one of ‘Asia’s 24 best holes’, as voted by Golf Magazine – but there’s plenty to keep non-golfers happy too.
Facilities: Golf courses, gym, games room, playground, tennis courts, swimming pool, restaurant and cafe
11 Laguna Golf Green, 488047
China Club
On the top floor of the Capital Tower slap-bang in the CBD, this executive club cinches the award for the best view!
Facilities: Private and pavilion dining rooms, bar
168 Robinson Road, 52/F Capital Tower, 068912
Raffles Country Club
A sportsman’s paradise, this member’s club has two 18-hole golf courses, the Lake Course and the Palm Course.
Facilities: Fitness centre, jackpot room, multi-purpose hall, sauna, squash courts, tennis courts, swimming pool, restaurants and bars, two 18-hole golf courses
450 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, 639932
Singapore Island Country Club
With an 18-hole championship golf course, putting greens and driving ranges, this is golfing heaven! Other halves won’t be left waiting for the last put though, with a myriad of brilliant facilities to keep them entertained.
Facilities: Games room, gym, salon, lifestyle centre, jackpot rooms, massage and spa centre, theatrette, playroom, dance studio, music room and gaming room, bowling alley, swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts, billiards and pool room, social activities, restaurants and bars, golf courses, driving ranges and putting greens
Two locations – 180 Island Club Road, 578774 and 240 Sime Road, 288303
Raffles Town Club
Opened in 2000, this lifestyle club has reciprocal affiliation with more than 30 international clubs in 15 countries.
Facilities: Theatre, video games room, card rooms, spa, car grooming centre, suites, gym, swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis, squash, children’s programmes, restaurants and bars
1 Plymouth Avenue, 297753
For more helpful tips head to our living in Singapore section!
Guide to living in Leedon Heights
Foodie news: What to check out this month
The rental game in Singapore has changed
This article first appeared in the March 2018 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
