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doc04 Apr 19th, 2007 08:12 AM

Hong Kong - Singapore Hotel Help
 
What are the best, top-of-the-line luxury hotels in Hong Kong and Singapore? I am looking for the best locations as well in terms of tourist attractions and shopping, etc. In Hong Kong was debating between Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, Intercontinental and Peninsula? In Singapore was debating between the Shangri-La, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and the Fullerton? Any thoughts?

tozzman2007 Apr 19th, 2007 09:01 AM

Inter-continental is quite good in location, Tsimshatsui. The price is also good , I have found one good deal is only 2697 HKD.

http://www.hotelsguru.com/hong%20kon...html#hotelList , For the

For Singapore, I would vote for Fullerton Hotel, Singapore’s latest masterpiece of simplicity, comfort and elegance.

I have found one deal is 438 SGD per night, http://www.hotelsguru.com/showhotel-7579.html


Kathie Apr 19th, 2007 09:43 AM

The top of the line in Singapore would have to be Raffles. The Fullerton looks lovely (I've only been in the public spaces), but I've heard the rooms are small. There are many superb hotels in Singapore. I'd also consider Raffles the Plaza - great location!

In Hong Kong, also consider both of the Shangri-La hotels. The Pen, is, of course, the Grand Dame.

rkkwan Apr 19th, 2007 10:20 AM

For HK, all 4 hotels you listed are well located. It depends on what kind of shopping and activities you're interested in, and what view you treasure the most.

The IC and Pen in Tsimshatsui have the better view. IC is right on the water, while the Pen is higher. Both in Tsimshatsui with all types of shopping available - from a few luxury brands inside the Peninsula arcade to cheapo junk.

The MO and 4S are in Central, which gets quiet at night. BUT if you're mostly shopping for high-end goods, the MO is connected to the Landmark/Prince's Building/Jardine House/Alexaner House complex; and the 4S the ifc Mall. Most luxury and highend labels anywhere in HK. And the two complexes are connected via elevated walkway.

And of course, Central and Tsimshatsui are just a short Star Ferry ride (or 2 stops on the MTR) apart.

Guenmai Apr 19th, 2007 12:04 PM

I go to Singapore once a year or so for a short vacation and I would definitely select the Fullerton in Singapore. There's a subway nearby, it's in a lovely area,right across from the Asian Civilization Museum and lots of restaurants and is away from all of that Orchard Rd. busyness. The Ritz Carlton is beautiful if you get a marina-view room, but I'd still pick the Fullerton.
As far as location in Singapore, the place is so small it doesn't really matter. Plus, there are 15,000-plus taxis that are reasonably priced and distances are short. Happy Travels!

Smeagol Apr 19th, 2007 12:13 PM

raffles hotel in Singapore (do not confuse with raffles the plaza) one of the top rated hotels in the world and the service is fantastic. Stayed there in 2005 and LOVED it

Cicerone Apr 20th, 2007 11:49 PM

Of them all, I would probably pick the Penn because IMO it has the best combination of view, luxury and location. I would take a room on a high floor, if you can one of their corner suites so you can get a really good view. Of the two hotels on the Kowloon side, IMO the Penn’s rooms are more luxurious than the IC, and the location is better than the IC as it’s closer to the Star Ferry, the subway, and the little bits of Kowloon you may want to go to. I am not a huge fan of the Kolwoon side for anything other than the view, and don’t really know what tourists do there besides look at the view, eat pretty much average food, shop for tourist tat at those awful night markets and get accosted every five minutes by touts trying to sell you a fake watch or make you a suit. (Yes, yes there are museums, but when I go to them I don’t see tourists in them, I see other Hong Kongers, I was in the wonderful History Museum last week, and ‘nary a Westerner there but me; although I did once see some French tourists in the Art Museum.....)

I really like the Mandarin and think their room redo is great, but let’s face it they don’t have THE view. I also think that despite the fact that they removed the balconies and added that to the room size, the room are a bit on the small side. Certainly are luxurious however, and location is excellent, so I would put this second if you took a room facing either the harbour or actually the Chater Garden side would give you a more open view with some water views. If THE view is not the important to you, then I would stay on the Hong Kong side and go with the Mandarin.

Just a smidgeon behind would be the Four Seasons. They have huge huge rooms, very nicely done and a great pool area. (The Mandarin has a tiny indoor pool, you must discount that completely, the Penn has a good pool area, not as good a 4S, if your trip is between now and about mid-October a pool would be a nice plus; the IC does have a very good pool area). I really like the location for getting to Soho and Hollywood Road, it’s not a bad walk to the Star Ferry, and is close to the tram line. A tad less conveniently located than the Mandarin perhaps, but it is closer to the escalator so it’s a toss up. The views are a bit of a drawback to me, not only on the “wrong” side of the harbour, but a bit far down the wrong side. However, the hotel itself makes up for a lot.

Don’t know the Singapore hotels as well. I recently stayed at the Ritz and really like it, had not stayed in some years. They have a great view and really big rooms. Location is a bit isolated IMO, you really have to taxi to virtually everything, even I got confused trying to walk to the Padang and I used to live there. I have seen the public areas of the Fullerton and thought it was very nice, it is one of my favourite buildings in Singapore for sure, and I like the location. However, there are several negative reviews on tripadvisor about the actual “luxury” level of this hotel, so you might want to read them. I love the Raffles for many reasons and would include it for sure, except I think that none of the rooms has any view at all to speak of, so bear that in mind. Some rooms have only interior windows I believe. Great location and one of the grand old hotels of Asia. The Shangri La is really excellent as well, I like the neighborhood location and think this would be a good choice as well. If view is not that important to you, I think I would go with the Raffles.

twofortheroad Apr 21st, 2007 04:25 AM

There is a FREE shuttle bus at Millennium Mall, a few minutes walk from The Ritz, Oriental, and Pan Pacific, which takes you to City Hall MRT. This runs from about 10:00AM to 9:00PM, mall hours, about every 15 minutes. Ask your concierge for directions. The FREE shuttle bus at Suntec City Mall (outside Carrefour) is very convenient to The Conrad. If you look at the postings streetside at the City Hall MRT entrance, there are listings for several other FREE shuttles.

Kathie Apr 21st, 2007 08:25 AM

But having access to a free shuttle bus to take you to an MRT station isn't nearly as convenient as being right by an MRT station.

twofortheroad Apr 21st, 2007 01:33 PM

Yes, taking a shuttle is not as convenient, but for those people who express an interest in the Marina Bay Hotels, and who are continuously told that access is only by taxi or an arduous walk, information about a free convenient alternative may be useful information.


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