Prasad

Hi Folks,

This is my first visit to Singapore. I'll be there approximately 7 days/6nights. Could you all please answer a couple of questions:

1). Is this enough time to visit the country in detail?
2). Any 4-5 star hotel recommendations. I am travelling with a 5 year old and my 2 parents in their early 60s.
3). Would you advise renting a car or hiring a taxi for my stay. Could you recommend some taxi companys which I could hire for the 7 days (rates if possible).
4). Is shopping in Singapore a lot cheaper than in California, USA. I am interested in electronics and clothing.
5). I would also like to do some Indian shopping, i.e. indian jewellery (gold), and clothes (Saris, wedding clothes and other indian fabrics). Will I find these items in Little India and will the prices be reasonable (cheaper/ better quality) in comparision to California. I realize that India would be the cheapest to shop for Indian items, but will singapore be cheaper than the USA.

Many thanks,

Raj

Guenmai

I'll answer your post in detail in a couple of hours. Happy Travels!

BillT

Plenty of time- some (I included) would say too much- but if this is your only destination- enjoy the city

Kathie

Singapore is very small, really a city-state. Seven days is plenty of time. You might even like to take a day trip into Malaysia to Malacca (Meleka).

There is NO reason to hire a car and driver for your stay. Taxis are readily available and inexpensive. If you opt to do a day trip to Malaysia, you can hire a car and driver for that day. You can also use the MRT (subway sytem) which is air-conditioned and efficient.

There are many wonderful hotels in Singapore. I find that hotels in teh Orchard Road area or the Raffles City area are very conveniently located. Get on a good hotel booking website like www.asia-hotels.com and look at hotels and reviews. Lot at the Swisshotel The Stamfors and the Raffles The Plaza at Raffles City; the Hyatt and Marriott near Orchard Road.

Electronics and designer clothing are NOT cheaper than California. Indian shopping in Little India will be much cheaper than California.

Kathie

oops - should be LOOK at Swisshotel The Stamford and the Raffles The Plaza at Raffles City; the Hyatt and Marriott near Orchard Road as examples.

Guenmai

I'm from Calfiornia...Los Angeles County...and vacation in Singapore regularly. I'll be there August 20th-24 and then on to Bangkok. August is a good month.I was there last August,too. As for Indian items, I don't know if they will be cheaper than California, but there will definitely be a wider variety of items to choose from than what we get here in L.A.I don't know what part of California you are from. As for general shopping...I'm a shopper...alligator and crocodile products are A LOT cheaper than in the U.S....if you're interested in such items. In the U.S. an alligator handbag would be at least 4 times or more the cost of one in Singapore.There are a lot of different grades of skins to choose from in Singapore...Mississippi alligator is tops.I shop at Kaiyo Reptile Products...14-16 Chang Charn Road near Hoifat Road.Take a taxi. It's a HUGE warehouse filled with aliigator/crocodile/ostrich/leather items. If you go there, just tell them that a driver did NOT bring you there as he will try to get a commission. When I shop there, after they've given me the price of all the items I'm interested it, I just take out my calculator and immediately take off 30% and bargain from there. I've always gotten my price. It will take time though. Singapore is full of great things to buy. There is the most gorgeous, handpainted, Indonesian batik on silk fabric at Toko Aljunied House of Batik/ 95 Arab Street/ Tel:6294.6897 The owners have artisans down on Java who hand paint the sarong fabric and the shawl fabric which takes 6-8 months to do.They only get so many pieces a year since it takes so long to do the pieces. I bought a gorgeous silk piece for a sarong...2 meters... and it came with a matching shawl. Again...bargain. They also have handpainted cotton batik. I'm running out of time so I'll have to type fast. As for renting a car, it'll cost a FORTUNE...over $100. a day.It's not necessary. Singapore is HALF the size of Los Angeles County...L.A. County is 500 square miles/800 square kilometers big. Singapore has approx. 15,000 taxis on the streets. They are EVERYWHERE and it's very easy to get one and they DON'T cost a lot of money.Distances are short. Plus the MRT-subway system is great.It's best to buy a subway pass...in the subway station...and then when you leave Singapore...if you haven't used it all up, you just go to a subway station and they will refund you the money of the unused portion.You can't lose. As for where to stay, I have, for years, stayed at the YMCA International House Hotel at 1 Orchard Road. I love the place.It's so lively and $47.00 for a private room with two twin beds, bathroom, TV, and empty fridge so I can buy food at the market and stick it in the fridge. Plus breakfast is included. I travel alone 99% of the time so I have to watch the budget.The Y is often sold out for months on end.It's VERY popular...lots of families. They also have family rooms. And it's spotless clean. But, since you asked for 3-4 star, then I highly recommend the Rendevous Hotel...4 stars... which is directly across the street from the YMCA International House. When my best friend and her teenage daughter came with me to Singapore a few years ago, she asked for a 3-4 star hotel near my hotel. So I told her about the Rendevous right across the street and she loved it. The location is great. She's vacationed in Singapore several times. She said she will always stay at the Rendevous on future trips. It's right across from the Dhoby Gaut MRT station and in the middle of town...if you go one stop there's a big mall(Raffles City) with a grocery store(Jasons) and a western food court...Subway, Mrs. Fields, etc...if your 5-year old wants western food. Plus, I walked to the Indian part of town from the Y and Rendevous area...but if you take a taxi, from the Rendevous, it'll take less than 5 minutes. I've got to go. If you need more info, let me know and be specific as to what other information you might be interested in...like restaurants, maybe. Singapore is food paradise and they are food obsessed there...Happy Travels!

BillT

Take note - its a bring your own napkin kind of town. In a number of the food courts finding napkins is a challenge. Thats why you see everyone bringing those little packets of tissues.

glorialf

More than enough time -- I'm with Bill in saying too much time. Definitely do not need to hire a driver unless you want to take a day trip somewhere. I did not find Singapore shopping nearly as good as other asian cities. Designer clothing was discounted but only about 15%. I could get most clothes cheaper in NYC (where I lived at the time) when they go on sale. I did not check on electronics.

kilofoxtrot

Indian products go to Little India at Serangoon, you will be transformed to the 70s, lots of shops and indian jewellery. You'll feel right at home. for electronics go to MUSTAFFA 24 hour shopping arcade near Little India. The prices are very good. I think you are going to enjoy the food in Singapore too

Bchen

I always stay at Somerset Orchard serviced Apartments. Prime location, rooftop pool, self laundry, kitchenettes, free breakfast, helpful concierge and reasonably priced. But they do have a 7 night minimum. They are part of the ascott group, so check out their web page. there are several in Singapore, but Somerset Orchard is our favorite for location and value for money.

Since you plan to visit in detail, 7 days is fine. With kids, longer time is better, to check it out early in the morning, spend a lazy afternoon by the pool or at Sentosas beach, then out again for more.

On my last trip, I took my extended family. 12 of us in all, and we used 3 taxis to go where we wanted to go. With the exception of Chinese New Year Day, leaving Sentosa, we had no problem flagging them down. It was cheaper than renting a vehicle for all of us.

rv224

1. More than enough time.

2. Mandarin Hotel, Hyatt, Raffles (if you can afford it), Goodwood Park

3. You don't have to rent a car. Public transportation is convenient and efficient. Also, no use renting a taxi for a day - it is easy to hail one. Your hotel will help you in calling a cab if you need one. (Singapore is not anything like India where you need to have a car by yourside all day long. Think of Singapore as Washington DC - where you can get around by walking, public transport and hailing a cab from the street).

4. Shopping for clothing - not cheaper. Shopping for electronics, however, can be cheaper. Go to Sim Lim Center or Mustafa for cheaper electronics.

5. Indian shopping - I get the feeling you are looking for wedding clothes. Here are some stores to check out:

StyleMart (Selegie Road) - one of the best for getting good Indian outfits

Sheetal (Serangoon Road)

Little India has tons of fabric stores. So does Arab Street.

Prices will be cheaper than the US.

pomme

Hi. I'm from Singapore!
1. I think 7 days is probably too long. You may want to plan a visit to Malaysia....
2. If you can afford it, get a hotel in town (Orchard area, City Hall, Bugis, Marina)
3. Renting a car in Singapore is expensive. I suggest you just hail a taxi or get around by the MRT or public bus. Very convenient.
4. Yes, apparently electronics are cheaper here. Try Sim Lim Sq, but be sure to bargain. Or Mustafa.
5. Little India would be a good place I guess.

Have fun!

cinsing

I live here . . . I think 7 days is WAY too long!!!! Go to Bangkok and really enjoy some culture / food / great shopping!!! Singapore is a beautiful tropical city - but not as much character as other places. Now - some suggestions:
*HOTEL - I'd go with the Four Season's Hotel. (Other good ideas - Shangri-La, Grand Hyatt, Regent) - - - all have good locations. Raffles would be top drawer and another idea. I don't like location of Ritz Carlton / Oriental or the Penninsula Hotel as well. Rondevous hotel not nearly as nice as the ones I've mentioned.
*T-A-X-I!!!!!! cheap and easy - THE way to go. (Local call 6552-1111 for Comfort Cab, Mercedes taxi's are also available from Presidio 6552-2828)
*SHOPPING - NOTHING is cheaper here!!! Unless you are a size 3 or 5 (very small) - it is difficult to find clothes to fit. Shoes are probably the best buy - good prices - but only up to size 8 or 8.5. Expat's here shop at "Holland Village" - - -check it out. (Most expats buy all electronic stuff from "Paris Silk" in Holland Village - best prices in town, but anymore BEST prices are on the internet - and usually out of New York!)Orchard Road is the same as shopping in Paris - all the big brands / big prices to match. BEST buys are "stuff" from other Asian places - Burmese stuff/ tibetan and Chinese furniture. Check out Tanglin Shopping Center (not Mall)- - - Chinatown and Little India (also Arab St) for more local stuff. Dempsy Road also is a nice spot for "stuff" - Antique Chinese Furniture, carpets, teak furniture from Indonesia, Bhudda's and laquerware from Burma/ Thailand, Cambodia. THESE are the best buys here - but hard to fit in your suitcase.
*TOURIST stuff - take your parents to the Botanical Gardens and tour Orchid Gardens, lunch there - several options from $ to $$$$. Take your 5 year old to the Night Safari - best tourist thing to do here. Zoo is good too - but hot. Sentosa for "Images of Singapore" - very GOOD info (presented in Disney/type fashion. Take 5 year old to Underwater World. Parents might like Fort Siloso (WWII exhibit) -another good WWII exhibit is in Ft. Canning (called the "Battlebox&quot. Science Center is good for kids too.
Good luck!!!

wein

I live in Singapore and I think 3 nites is plenty.What sort of hotel are u looking for?cost?location?

Oh,The reason patrons carry those packets of tissue is to "reserve" their seats while they go order food.This pecularity started 3 yrs ago.

LucyHo

You should be busy for 3 days but you can also be busy for 10 days. It is up to you how many different places you visit.

rv224

When you are travelling with a 5 year old and the elderly, 6 nights should be just fine. You can take your time to visit all you want. Visiting places like Sentosa and the Zoo can take up a whole day so I think 6 nights is good for Singapore - you don't have to go to another country.

LucyHo

You can also find different activities and sightseeing for 10 days if you wished.