Hi Rhonda,

If i'm not wrong its 3-star so expect 3-star. It is next to a few landmarks: Directly opposite Peninsular Plaza and Grand Plaza hotel. Diagonally opposite St. Andrew's Cathedral (Anglican). Next to Funan Centre (Electronics Shooping Mall).

Botanical Gardens is abit out of the way to where you'll be staying, but definitely worth a visit. The weather here approximates at 28-32 C so try to get there before 11am or after 5pm. As you can guess, the city area is mostly shopping, so children's activities are limited to toy stores.

To make the most of your time, you could probably visit Toys'r'us at its two locations - Marina Square (Marina Area) and/or Forum Galeria (Orchard Area).

What's the staple for your daughter? Rice? Potato? There's a Foodcourt at the basement of Funan Centre and another one on the third floor of Raffles City, also near your hotel.

Raffles City is the Subway interchange that links trains going north to the Orchard Road area, and the rest of the country. It also house three popular hotels and Speciality shops like Mango, Oscar and Lucie etc...

If you need more info feel free to ask away, i understand the difficulties faced when travelling with a child... =]

Thanks Sheldon for your assistance. I'm not too worried about the hotels being three stars as long as they're clean etc. and I think almost everything in Singapore is isn't it? The Peninsula Excelsior is on Coleman Street and the Plaza is on Beach Road apparently. Somehow I have a different hotel for each stopover.

Thank you for your tips though. I think we have some kind of hop on/hop off bus as part of the stopover deal so maybe we can use that to get us to the gardens. What is Fort Canning like...is it gardens or a big park? In your opinion is Little India worth a look (for me that is) and how difficult would that be with a wee child. Couldn't be much more difficult than toys 'r' us could it?

Good guess on the food front...my daughter is a fairly typical child I think and likes things like bread, cheese, potato, fish, rice sometimes and eggs. I'm sure I'll find something at the food courts you mention.

Thanks so much for your help.
Rhonda

STARS MEAN NOTHING especially away from the states.. a 5 star hotel in Loas would be comperable too a Motel 6 stink swamp, Arkansas..

anyways Singore tends too have nicer hotels compared too most of south east asia....

for the child there is an amusment park with aquarium in the countrie.. sorry cant remember the name of it all I can remember is that it start with an F

Peninsula is near the City Hall Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station. It's possible to take the train from Changi Airport Terminal 2 to Peninsula. The taxi's cheap too, but it'll cost 'bout 20 odd sing bucks, compared to 2 bucks on the train.

You're right. Singapore Airines provides a hop on/off bus that travels round the downtown area. The Botanical Gardens are near that area. It's quite big so be prepared to spend hours roaming around that place. I'm not sure whether the bus goes there though(Singaporeans are not eligible for the service).

If i'm not wrong, you'll be getting a discount card from Singapore Airlines, so it'll be quite a bargain if you decide to shop during your transit. I haven't heard of the Plaza before so i can't offer any help on that. But beach road is not exactly where the more popular hotels are located. Fear not, the buses, taxis and trains here are up to par. Singapore is 'that' small. Taxis are cheap here too. So travelling around is not that expensive, and it doesn't take much time.

You can't do much here with a 2.5 year old baby, except visit the zoo. It's a great place to go with a child. 1 day should be sufficient. Fort Canning is like one big park built on a small hill. There's a command post up there used during WW2, nice scenery. You have to walk quite a lot too. Little India is worth a look, if you intend to see a more rustic side of modernised Singapore. The Chinese and Hindu temples are worth a visit too. Just wear something appropriate. The temples are easily located, like the Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Sri Mariamaman (don't know whether i got the name correct) temple. If you do intend to explore this side of Singapore, pay a visit to Pagoda Street too.

Food shouldn't be a problem here. There are plenty of open air hawker centres and air-conditioned food courts here. The food is cheap, good, and clean. You'll have a wide variety to choose from.

I hope you'll enjoy your time here. Remember: Singapore's a "FINE" city.

A two and a half year old would likely enjoy the zoo and the Jurong Bird park. I love the botanical gardens as well. Don't miss the orchid garden.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and valuable information. Hopefully we'll make it to the Botanical gardens on the way out to Australia and do the zoo on the way back. Depending on how we cope with the time changes etc. I'm also going to try and squeeze in Little India and maybe an hour or so shopping. The best laid plans often get disregarded though when travelling with a toddler!

Thanks again for all your help!
Regards
Rhonda

Hi Rhonda,

Bring a stroller if you can manage as the zoo can be a bit of a walk. Umbrellas are a must as well in case it rains. Taxi drivers here may give you abit of a hassle when you throw a S$50 or more at them, try bringing smaller notes.

Plaza hotel at Beach road is abit out of the way from City Hall MRT, take public transport there. For just a little history when you're at Plaza Hotel, cross the road to one of the oldest parts of Singapore, Kampong Glam. This place was the central hub for trade in Singapore's earliest times. Here you'll be able to find Places of worship, fabrics, rattan and old shophouses. You can do this area well within 2 hours, school children have their excursions here. Will not recommend the food here though as most of them would be spicy.