Sinagpore in June - Hotel Recommendations?
Apr 15th, 2008, 02:28 PM
#1
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Sinagpore in June - Hotel Recommendations?
My husband and I will be going to Singapore in June for 5 days/6 nights before heading off to Bali.
I am currently researching hotels in Singapore and would appreciate any recommendations. Our budget is US$175/night, less if possible.
Unfortunately we were planning to stay with friends while in Singapore, but their lease has run out, they are having to move. So we are going to stay in a hotel - which we hadn't figured into our budget.
We are looking for someplace convinient for sightseeing and comfortable for a multi-day stay. We don't anticipate spending a lot of time at the hotel, but would like someplace comfortable enough to come back to mid-day to hang out when we want to. Pools, spas, etc. are not really important, although laundry facilities would be great.
Originally I was hoping for a boutique hotel rather than a large high rise, but have revised that plan based on budget - if we can find a small, interesting hotel in our price range, then great, but we would be happy with a large hotel as well.
Thanks
I am currently researching hotels in Singapore and would appreciate any recommendations. Our budget is US$175/night, less if possible.
Unfortunately we were planning to stay with friends while in Singapore, but their lease has run out, they are having to move. So we are going to stay in a hotel - which we hadn't figured into our budget.
We are looking for someplace convinient for sightseeing and comfortable for a multi-day stay. We don't anticipate spending a lot of time at the hotel, but would like someplace comfortable enough to come back to mid-day to hang out when we want to. Pools, spas, etc. are not really important, although laundry facilities would be great.
Originally I was hoping for a boutique hotel rather than a large high rise, but have revised that plan based on budget - if we can find a small, interesting hotel in our price range, then great, but we would be happy with a large hotel as well.
Thanks
Apr 15th, 2008, 04:35 PM
#3
I stayed at the YMCA International a few months back. While I agree that it's in a great location, the rooms leave a a lot to be desired. I had a tiny double room, which reminded me of my college dorm.
Fortunately, I was by myself, as it would have been a major squish for two people, six nights would have been out of the question (I stayed two). Helpful, friendly staff though.
Don't forget about taxes when you book a hotel in Singapore - the taxes run up the price significantly.
I visit Singapore often and I've discovered a couple of nice *3 star hotels that are well within your price range.
Suggest you take a look at Bayview Hotel (we paid US $117 for a great double room) and Park Royal on Kitchener Road (we paid US $126 for a really nice king room).
Both are very near MRT stations, so getting around is a breeze. Suggest you look at their websites first for hotel details, then look them up on booking sites such as lastminute.com. hotelbook, hotelscombined, etc. There are some good deals out there through these sites, just be sure to read the fine print - cancellation policies can be fierce.
I've written detailed reviews on YMCA International, the Bayview Hotel and Park Royal on Kitchener on Trip Advisor. If interested in reading them, just check out TA - I use the same screen name.
PS - I think both Bayview and Park Royal have laundry facilites. Not sure about YMCA.
Fortunately, I was by myself, as it would have been a major squish for two people, six nights would have been out of the question (I stayed two). Helpful, friendly staff though.
Don't forget about taxes when you book a hotel in Singapore - the taxes run up the price significantly.
I visit Singapore often and I've discovered a couple of nice *3 star hotels that are well within your price range.
Suggest you take a look at Bayview Hotel (we paid US $117 for a great double room) and Park Royal on Kitchener Road (we paid US $126 for a really nice king room).
Both are very near MRT stations, so getting around is a breeze. Suggest you look at their websites first for hotel details, then look them up on booking sites such as lastminute.com. hotelbook, hotelscombined, etc. There are some good deals out there through these sites, just be sure to read the fine print - cancellation policies can be fierce.
I've written detailed reviews on YMCA International, the Bayview Hotel and Park Royal on Kitchener on Trip Advisor. If interested in reading them, just check out TA - I use the same screen name.
PS - I think both Bayview and Park Royal have laundry facilites. Not sure about YMCA.
Apr 15th, 2008, 04:41 PM
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Some other good options under $150: Rendezvous, Grand Plaza City Hall, Carlton and Merchant Court. The Scarlet starts at around 150 a night, but based on what I've heard, you'll get a windowless room for that.
Apr 16th, 2008, 08:23 AM
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We have booked into the Perak Inn in Little India. While we havent' stayed there yet, many have postively recommended it. US$140/night for room with window. About US$20 less for no window. Those prices include taxes.
Apr 16th, 2008, 08:39 AM
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I was just about to post with a recco for the Perak!!
Believe it or not, US$175 does not get you a whole lot in Singapore these days. (Is your budget before tax? Hotel tax in S’pore is 7% and most hotels also then add a service charge of 10% or a bit more, for a total tax of 17%-20% depending on the hotel, so do ask.) I would try asiarooms.com and priceline.com if you are locked into that price.
I like the Merchant Court for its very good location, but I am not sure you can get it for US$175, perhaps the above poster can say where he/she saw the US$150 rate.
In Little India you might look at the Perak (http://www.peraklodge.com/), which I have not been inside, but this place always looks interesting to me. It is in a nice location. (AND you get a discount at Apollo Banana Leaf curry house, which you will want to go to anyway…) You might also try the Berjaya Hotel (formerly the Duxton Hotel, see http://www.berjayaresorts.com/beachresort_duxton.htm), I think it is a little worn, but location is very good for the Chinatown area. I have always liked the location of the Merchant Court Hotel (seehttp://www.swissotel.com/index.htm), you can easily walk to the river area of restaurants along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, to the great Asian Civilizations Museum. Berjaya Hotel Singapore You could also try The Inn at Temple Street (http://www.theinn.com.sg/) this gets some not so great reviews on tripadvisor.com, but some good ones too. Another thought would be the Gallery Hotel (http://www.galleryhotel.com.sg/html/index.html)./ This gets some uneven reviews on tripadvisor.com. However, there is nothing conventional about anything in this hotel, and it is in a interesting little neighborhood of good restaurants and shops.
I think you should also check “main-line” international hotels just to make sure that there are no offers there. (I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton over part of Chinese New Year and the room was US$175 plus tax, really reasonable I thought, and quite a bit less than I have paid on previous occasions.) I think it was a CNY low-occupancy deal, but you never know, early June before schools are out may give you bargains as well. Worth a try. I would try the Intercontinental Hotel, I like this location because you can walk to Little India and Arab Street, and also to the colonial Padang area.
I have not seen the inside of the YMCA Orchard for many years (www.ymca-hotels.com), I agree that it probably is rather basic (and not cheap either!) but may be a good option, esp if you are looking for laundry facilities. Nice location at the far end of Orchard and out of the main mall shopping area. There is another YMCA on Stevens Road and a YWCA in Fort Canning, see http://www.mymca.org.sg/hotel.htm and http://nof.ywca.org.sg, respectively. (I think Fort Canning is more like a hostel, so check reviews before you stay there.) The Orchard Road and Stevens Road Y's are still like US$150-175 (before tax), so don't be surprised when you see the rates.
Believe it or not, US$175 does not get you a whole lot in Singapore these days. (Is your budget before tax? Hotel tax in S’pore is 7% and most hotels also then add a service charge of 10% or a bit more, for a total tax of 17%-20% depending on the hotel, so do ask.) I would try asiarooms.com and priceline.com if you are locked into that price.
I like the Merchant Court for its very good location, but I am not sure you can get it for US$175, perhaps the above poster can say where he/she saw the US$150 rate.
In Little India you might look at the Perak (http://www.peraklodge.com/), which I have not been inside, but this place always looks interesting to me. It is in a nice location. (AND you get a discount at Apollo Banana Leaf curry house, which you will want to go to anyway…) You might also try the Berjaya Hotel (formerly the Duxton Hotel, see http://www.berjayaresorts.com/beachresort_duxton.htm), I think it is a little worn, but location is very good for the Chinatown area. I have always liked the location of the Merchant Court Hotel (seehttp://www.swissotel.com/index.htm), you can easily walk to the river area of restaurants along Boat Quay and Clarke Quay, to the great Asian Civilizations Museum. Berjaya Hotel Singapore You could also try The Inn at Temple Street (http://www.theinn.com.sg/) this gets some not so great reviews on tripadvisor.com, but some good ones too. Another thought would be the Gallery Hotel (http://www.galleryhotel.com.sg/html/index.html)./ This gets some uneven reviews on tripadvisor.com. However, there is nothing conventional about anything in this hotel, and it is in a interesting little neighborhood of good restaurants and shops.
I think you should also check “main-line” international hotels just to make sure that there are no offers there. (I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton over part of Chinese New Year and the room was US$175 plus tax, really reasonable I thought, and quite a bit less than I have paid on previous occasions.) I think it was a CNY low-occupancy deal, but you never know, early June before schools are out may give you bargains as well. Worth a try. I would try the Intercontinental Hotel, I like this location because you can walk to Little India and Arab Street, and also to the colonial Padang area.
I have not seen the inside of the YMCA Orchard for many years (www.ymca-hotels.com), I agree that it probably is rather basic (and not cheap either!) but may be a good option, esp if you are looking for laundry facilities. Nice location at the far end of Orchard and out of the main mall shopping area. There is another YMCA on Stevens Road and a YWCA in Fort Canning, see http://www.mymca.org.sg/hotel.htm and http://nof.ywca.org.sg, respectively. (I think Fort Canning is more like a hostel, so check reviews before you stay there.) The Orchard Road and Stevens Road Y's are still like US$150-175 (before tax), so don't be surprised when you see the rates.
Apr 16th, 2008, 05:33 PM
#8
Just a note regarding the Inn at Temple Street - a friend stayed there a few months back and said it was awful and vowed never to return.
Second hand info I realize, but just thought I'd put it out there. She said it looked rather promising on the website, but was sorely disappointed.
Second hand info I realize, but just thought I'd put it out there. She said it looked rather promising on the website, but was sorely disappointed.
Apr 17th, 2008, 05:35 PM
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In early June for Singapore, including tax and service and most with breakfast US$ Berjaya 175, Grand Central 165 ( very close Orchard Road ) 1929 Hotel Chinatown 155, Robertson Quay 146, Park Hotel Little India 127, Inn at temple St 101, at Marina area Bayview 176, Royasl at Queens 180, Carlton 183, Copthorne Orchid 186, Peninsular Excelsior 186, those from www.asiaoz.com, most should be instant confirmation, perhaps worth a look, there are reviews too
