Singapore hotel (with good pool)
Jan 14th, 2013, 07:31 AM
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Singapore hotel (with good pool)
Making my first visit to Singapore this spring as an add-on to a business trip to Vietnam (flying Singapore Airways rt). For two nights in Singapore, I'd like a 4 or 5 star hotel in a good location with a large pool that I can swim laps in. The Ritz-Carlton is at the top of my list pool-wise; I'm also looking at the Mandarin Oriental. Other (less expensive 
) suggestions welcome!!
) suggestions welcome!!
Jan 14th, 2013, 01:36 PM
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This is the pool at the Intercontinental Hotel, which is fabulous (especially the Club Floor):
http://craigandjeane.smugmug.com/Tra...#!i=2320059939
http://craigandjeane.smugmug.com/Tra...#!i=2320059939
Jan 17th, 2013, 08:18 PM
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Greetings LoungeLizardess (fine handle) and congratulations in advance on your initial visit to our fine home of Singapore; special part of the world. And, congrats on flying Singapore Air; SQ is my current and primary work carrier and am looking forward to savouring another SIA business travel flight out of SFO later this evening.
Concerning Singapore hotels with acceptable lap pools, will give the highest regards to my former SIN business travel property, the Four Seasons. Before purchasing a property in SIN, the FS was my Singapore work home. Great staff and some cherished friends. The FS' lap pool on the third floor was always relatively quiet, due to the hotel's "family" pool on the 20th floor. Much appreciated for this pre-work, dawn lap swimmer. (And should add, my current business travel hotel in Bangkok is the Four Seasons, and she also possesses a more than adequate - and even longer - lap pool. I love that FS hospitality -- and her competitive corporate rates.)
Should you end up staying at the SIN FS and desirous of a room instead of a suite, will suggest a premier room on the 19th floor. Most of my corporate bookings and stays at the FS were the lower room categories, but on occasion, a premier would be available. Great corner locations.
Given it's your first visit to SIN, would be remiss in not mentioning one of my more frequent and beloved Singapore haunts, my favourite airport in the world, Changi. As of my last Changi departure (6 Jan. '13) that commenced this current trans-pac business trip, SQ's Vietnam flights were operating out of Terminal 2. Depending upon your class/status, SIA does maintain a fine SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2. I've always been a bit partial to SQ's SK Lounge in T3, but I'm confident the T2 SKL will be most adequate for your pre-flight comfort.
Wherever you stay, have fun in our sweet city-state of SIN. And, in the time-honoured Fodors tradition of giving those on-the-ground updates, most pleased to send this missive off (one hopes) from the United Airlines (business) lounge at SFO (international side). (And, a certain lovely Asian front desk maven still remembered this former UA 1K and UA million miler; delightful woman.) Now, this forever SIA Loyalist will eventually venture not too far to SQ's SFO SilverKris Lounge and await SQ1 J to Hong Kong via an A380. Love flying SQ with those wondrous crews and friends. Will eventually return home to SIN next Friday -- via SQ, yes.)
Savour your planning and early and warm weekend wishes to you and all,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Concerning Singapore hotels with acceptable lap pools, will give the highest regards to my former SIN business travel property, the Four Seasons. Before purchasing a property in SIN, the FS was my Singapore work home. Great staff and some cherished friends. The FS' lap pool on the third floor was always relatively quiet, due to the hotel's "family" pool on the 20th floor. Much appreciated for this pre-work, dawn lap swimmer. (And should add, my current business travel hotel in Bangkok is the Four Seasons, and she also possesses a more than adequate - and even longer - lap pool. I love that FS hospitality -- and her competitive corporate rates.)
Should you end up staying at the SIN FS and desirous of a room instead of a suite, will suggest a premier room on the 19th floor. Most of my corporate bookings and stays at the FS were the lower room categories, but on occasion, a premier would be available. Great corner locations.
Given it's your first visit to SIN, would be remiss in not mentioning one of my more frequent and beloved Singapore haunts, my favourite airport in the world, Changi. As of my last Changi departure (6 Jan. '13) that commenced this current trans-pac business trip, SQ's Vietnam flights were operating out of Terminal 2. Depending upon your class/status, SIA does maintain a fine SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2. I've always been a bit partial to SQ's SK Lounge in T3, but I'm confident the T2 SKL will be most adequate for your pre-flight comfort.
Wherever you stay, have fun in our sweet city-state of SIN. And, in the time-honoured Fodors tradition of giving those on-the-ground updates, most pleased to send this missive off (one hopes) from the United Airlines (business) lounge at SFO (international side). (And, a certain lovely Asian front desk maven still remembered this former UA 1K and UA million miler; delightful woman.) Now, this forever SIA Loyalist will eventually venture not too far to SQ's SFO SilverKris Lounge and await SQ1 J to Hong Kong via an A380. Love flying SQ with those wondrous crews and friends. Will eventually return home to SIN next Friday -- via SQ, yes.)
Savour your planning and early and warm weekend wishes to you and all,
macintosh (robert)
... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
Jan 27th, 2013, 12:39 PM
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Thank you for all the advice and suggestions. At this points, it looks like the hotel will be the Mandarin Oriental, although nothing is final yet. It looks like I will have four free days in Singapore, I'm very excited about visiting and will start a new thread for more recs after plans are firmed up.
Feb 2nd, 2013, 03:38 AM
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Once again, thanks everybody. I'm booked into the Mandarin Oriental at the rate of 350 SGD including breakfast and wifi (although taxes and service charge will add another 17% or so to the bill). Not cheap, but someone else is footing the bill for two nights, I'm paying for three. I am so looking forward to this trip and will be posting more questions later this week-end!
Feb 2nd, 2013, 03:40 AM
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Oh and Marmot, yes, I did look closely at the Shangri-La and it was a runner up. I was able to get a similar rate, but it didn't include breakfast. You're right, though, it does have an excellent pool.
Apr 10th, 2013, 05:43 AM
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I'm already back from my trip. The Mandarin Oriental was exactly what I wanted. The pool was great, even nicer than the one at the Ritz-Carlton next door (I went over and took a look). Overall, pretty much everything at the MO was exactly what I had been hoping for -- or better! I am definitely a fan and plan to make the MO our base for our next trip to Singapore.
Regarding the pool, for me the "sweet spot" swimming was about 8:30 to 10 am (I went down for breakfast just before 7 am each day). Hardly anyone was using it at that time and it was mostly in the shade until 9:45 am. The view was amazing. I would swim laps for an hour, then relax under the cabana for half an hour or so, just enjoying the view, the fresh glass of ice water kept at my side, and the breeze from the electric fan at the top of the cabana.
Two of the days I was out and about early in the morning, so swam in the evening instead, then had a pina colada and a club sandwich in the poolside cabana-style lounge afterwards.
Regarding the pool, for me the "sweet spot" swimming was about 8:30 to 10 am (I went down for breakfast just before 7 am each day). Hardly anyone was using it at that time and it was mostly in the shade until 9:45 am. The view was amazing. I would swim laps for an hour, then relax under the cabana for half an hour or so, just enjoying the view, the fresh glass of ice water kept at my side, and the breeze from the electric fan at the top of the cabana.
Two of the days I was out and about early in the morning, so swam in the evening instead, then had a pina colada and a club sandwich in the poolside cabana-style lounge afterwards.
