Fullerton vs Oriental
 

Will be in Singapore on a stopover for two nights. Can anyone tell me about the new Fullerton Hotel or am I better off at The Oriental (on their new club level)? Feedback would be appreciated.

Do a search on Fullerton for my past posting on it.The plush rooms,Philip Starck bathrooms, great r'rants and riverside and near subway location of fullerton beats the Oriental hands down. The Oriental's 10+ yr age is showing.The only thing Oriental has over the F'ton is its brandname.

David<BR>I stay at Fullerton on a monthly basis, and totally agree with Wayne. Very new hotel, rooms are large (get a harbour view or Singapore river view) with terrific restaurants both in house and at One Fullerton (on the opposite side). The only plus that I can think of for Oriental is that it is linked to the Marina shopping area, Suntec City etc. I do believe Fullerton offers a complimentary shuttle to Orchard Rd.

Thanks for the input. However, at The Fullerton in order to get a good rate, I was confirmed a room facing an atrium, not city of harbor view. The special rate at the Oriental was for city view on the club level with all the new club amenities included. Would that make a difference in your decision?

One other thing: Which hotel has a better pool area? We will want to relax much of our time in Singapore after our 25 hours of flying there.

Oriental's pool is better. Its a very relaxing and spacious setup. Have a buffet dinner next to the pool with lamb on spit. nice ambience

The pool in Fullerton is smaller but is overlooking the Singapore River. I've not had the time to swim in it but it really does look cool, as the edge just 'falls off'. The Oriental pool is like any normal pool but larger. If you want to do serious laps, then perhaps the Oriental would be better. In terms of rooms, layout/ amenities of the Fullerton is very modern, designer bathrooms, high beds. I think if you speak to the reservation s and tell them you have an option to stay at The Oriental, they may give you a better view. The Oriental is similar to most Mandarin Orientals, luxurious but fairly standard of a luxury chain hotel. The City view means you are not facing the harbour, therefore really not much of a diff to the Fullerton. Can't speak for the club floor rooms as I haven't stayed in them before. Again, location wise, Fullerton is next to the river, Boat Quay and the Asian Civilisation Musuem which has a whole stretch of restaurants and bars, great for night life. Oriental is better for day shopping, linked to one of he biggest malls (though not one of the best). Both are fairly far from subways.Depending on your rate, another hotel in the area you may want to look at is the Ritz Carlton, normally at SGD295 on special.

David,I was in the Oriental last yr and was disappointed by the aging rooms and threadbare carpet. The pool is large tho and has an italian r'rant beside it. But for the same price as the Oriental go to the Swissotel (formerly Westin) the tallest hotel in SIngapore with great views in any room.It is newly refurbished, has a subway just beneath and within walking distance to all the nice sights- Raffles Hotel, Chijmes, Esplanade Theatres, the historic centre(churches, etc. It has a big pool for you to swim laps in or relax in 5000 sq ft of SIngapore's most luxurious spa and massage place called the Amrita spa.Corp rate at SGD190 (US$120)

Wayne: Thanks for your inofrmation. I wrote The Oriental: they said they have redone the club lounge but have not yet done the rooms; they will "in the near future." So maybe we will try The Fullerton.

Just got the new Conte Nast Traveler. In the 2002 poll, The Oriental Hotel is the third highest rated hotel this year in Singapore after the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons. And The Fullerton was not on the list even though the same magazine had it on it's &quot;Hot List&quot; earlier this year. So one proabably cna't go wrong with either.

The Fullerton was not on the Conde Naste poll becos not enough travellers have stayed in it and therefore cant poll it. I stayed in the Ritz Carlton,Four Seasons, Fullerton,Swissotel,Shangri-La, Oriental,Pan Pacific,Beaufort,Rasa Sentosa(in fact all of Singapore's 5 stars except for Raffles HOtel)and I must say I was disappointed with Oriental's rooms despite its good reputation.

Thanks for all your help. At the last minute we found a good deal on line at the Ritz-Carlton and have decided to stay there. The rooms sound wonderful.