jane

I hear that there are monsoon rains in Nov., is this true?

Laura

I've lived in Singapore all my life and I can assure you that the rainfall during that time of the year is heavy(more often than during the rest of the year), but not too bad. We hardly have any serious flooding, & only the Bukit Timah area gets slight flooding because it is a low-lying area. but it doesn't really have a big effect at all. No matter how heavy the rain is, it will not be violent rainstorms like what they have in Hong Kong. you might not be able to go sight seeing when it rains but there are plenty of indoor shopping malls to take care of that. Nevertheless, November is a good time to come Singapore as it isn't as hot as it is during the rest of the year.

sandy

to laura, <BR> <BR>Since you've lived in Singapore, which luxury hotel do you recommend for us to stay? <BR>We are coming there in Late November. Currently, we're consindering Ritz Carlton. Any advise. What about the Sheraton, Grand Hyatt or four seasons? <BR>Thanks.

Alex

Hi Jane, <BR>I recomment the Four Season hotel or the Oriental. You'll not be dissappointed ! <BR>Prepare for the humidity ! <BR>Have a good trip .

lynn

Jane - <BR> <BR>Personally, I think you should stay at the Ritz. We stayed there last November 26 - 29. Get a view room of the skyline. It's drop-dead incredible. You can also enjoy the room from your bathtub through a 5 foot octagon window. Trust me, stay at the Ritz! <BR> <BR>And as Alex said, be prepared for the humidity. Don't think for a moment because it is their "cool" season that this means it's not hot. It's still very hot and humid even in November. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR>T-112

sands

Ritz is about as posh as you can get in Singapore but the only grouse is that it is located at the southern end of singapore. this means it isn't as convenient as the hotels in Orchard road which is walking distance to the MRT stations. I would recommend Hyatt hotel (in orchard road) or Westin Stamford (tallest hotel in Asia) which has an underground MRT station just below the hotel. <BR>

wayne

hi, <BR>i'm from singapore and have stayed in all the hotels in singapore. this is my pros and cons of the singapore hotels you mentioned.ritz carlton is the most posh with the world's sexiest bathrooms.its rooms are also 25% bigger than average and faces the sea.its in the business district tho so not much night life in that area.if you want something nearer to orchard road shopping area choose four seasons which is new and better than the grand hyatt.raffles hotel is the most grand and opulent and its rooms are huge!if you are into old world charm this is the grand dame of hotels.it is beside the subway.shangri-la is the most lush as it is located amidst nice gardens but it is isolated.if you want a honeymoon consider the beaufort sentosa's pool villa which is as close as you can get to a balinese hotel.however it is on sentosa island and far away from the city.rains in nov are ok usually lasting for a couple of hours in the day and mostly thru the night. you must try dancing in the rain.

sandy

Bintan island resort advise <BR> <BR>Has anyone been to Bintan island and stay at any or the resorts. We're thinking of staying at Ansgana resort and spa? Any advise? Which way is best way to book the resort in Bintan? Book before we leave Dallas or wait until you get to Singapore and book through the local agent? Should we stay at Singapore city first and then go to Bintan second or Bintan 1st and Singapore 2nd. Thanks <BR> <BR>

scott

I also would recommend the Four Seasons it's 1 block from Orchard and the staff was great! we really enjoyed our room. That's it!!!! May I ask if this is to be your only destination? We found Singapore to be very disappointing. Reasons much to westernized, although very clean I felt like I was in America and not a true Asian experience like we found in Bali ,Bangkok or Hong kong we left 2 days early. The shopping is good we found. Sinapore is highly over-rated. IMO

WAYNE

Hi sandy,stay in singapore first so when you get sick of the crowds you will enjoy bintan's solitude. angsana is the newly open sister hotel of the banyan tree.it is nice tho not as plush. you should try their massages tho.bintan is great if you want an island with nothing to do.you can book thru any ofthe agents in singapore.they are cheaper than booking thru the US. go to a big one tho: thomas cook, ken-air or SA. you can check out ken-air's web site "www.kenair.com.sg" for prices.alternatively go to banyan tree's website to view angsana hotels.enjoy!

sandy

<BR>Thank you so much for Wayne & everyone advise. If Angsana spa resort is not so plush, which resort do you recommend for us to stay? I'm can't decide which combo destination to choose? Bangkok, Singapore & Bintan or Singapore and Bali. If I pick Sin & Bali then should I skip the Bintan area? <BR>Thanks for everyone advise.

lynn

I would do Bangkok with Singapore. Great contrast of cities. <BR> <BR>Lynn <BR> <BR

wayne

hi sandy, <BR>you didn't mention you were considering other asian cities...if you could choose only 2 asian cities to visit, let it be bangkok and bali. these two represent the truly "asian" flavour.singapore is like san jose, clinically clean and modern.bintan is just an offshoot resort island owned by singaporeans looking for a natural beach to lie on.i would skip these 2 cities. bangkok on the other hand has all things asian: great food,even greater nightlife, traffic jams, poverty, wealth, history,noise,shopping,interesting sights, the canal (called venice of the east)and rich culture. bali is the most magical island you will see. it has two volcanoes, black sand beaches, big surfs, hindu temples, great food, fabulous art and craft, beautiful sceneries of rice fields, great beaches, cheap shopping and the most beautiful yet affordable 5 star resort hotels you will find anywhere in the world. i live in singapore and come from malaysia but i still find these 2 places fascinating- a must for all westerners visiting asia. e-mail me directly if you want to know more.enjoy!!!