Castleblanca

I will again be visiting Singapore in November after not having been there for several years. When I was there, in the past, I stayed a couple times at the Strand Hotel. This was "pre-renovation". I was wondering if the renovated Strand (S$140) is a good bet, or what about the Rendezvous Hotel(slightly higher price), which is right around the corner. Or does someone have a favorite hotel to recommend to me for a 5-night stay? Thanks in advance!

MichaelBKK

I stayed at the Strand around a year ago. The renovations certainly gave the rooms a unique look, but the quality of materials wasn't that good and it's going downhill fast. Still, I got a deluxe room for only S$75 a night, so it was okay value-for-money wise. I wouldn't pay 140 for it.

The Rendezvous is one of my favorites, especially now that the new MRT station is opened just a block up. When I'm going to Singapore on business, I usually check the Rendezvous, Carlton and Grand Plaza on Coleman, and book whichever one has the best rate at the time.

If you're traveling to Singapore on SQ or TG, check to see if they have any stopover deals. They use both the Rendezvous and Carlton for these, and sometimes have fantastic rates when booked with the air ticket.

Guenmai

I vacation in Singapore annually and although I usually stay at the YMCA International Hotel at 1 Orchard Rd, I can recommend the Rendevous which is directly across the street from the Y's Hotel.
My best friend and I were traveling and she asked me to recommend a hotel that she and her daughter could stay at as she didn't want to stay at the Y, although the Y is very nice. She wanted to stay near me. Anyhow, I recommended the Rendevous to her and she loved it. Great location and very nice and especially for the money. Now she only stays there when she goes to Singapore. I still tend to stay at the "Y" although I sometimes throw in a new hotel for a day or two and the Y the other days. Happy Travels!

tozzman2007

I really love Rendezvous Hotel, it is only a 5 minute walk to the famous Orchard Road and within walking distance of the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. The price is also okay, I have got about 175 SGD for 2 Person.
http://www.hotelsguru.com/showhotel-7628.html

Llewellyn

The Oriental and the Grand Hyatt a great hotels slightly out of town. Service is exemplary and both have large swimming pools to relax by. Trips into town are easy and there are many taxis always waiting.

Castleblanca

Thank you all!

When I first wrote to the Strand, they were quoted at about S$80 in several web sites, including the tourist board. The Strand posts no rates in their web site.

When I wrote to the Strand, they said it would be be S$100 and S$120 on the weekend.

I made the reservation (a couple weeks later), and they confirmed the rate at S$140. Needless to say, I asked them happened. They never replied.

I'll be a guest at the Rendezvous, thanks to your tips and advice.

Once again, Fodorites rule!

JamesA

Rendezvous may be 5 minutes from Orchard Road itself but 'not' the shopping section of Orchard Road, uinless you count the nearby mall, you need to take SMRT from Dhoby Ghaut to Somerset!

MichaelBKK

One of the nice things about the Rendezvous' location is that it is near the Douby Ghaut station, which is now an interchange with the Circle line. So, you can go to Clarke Quay or Chinatown easily, as well as up to the Orchard center or down to Raffles City (which you can also walk to). It's a very central location - without the price.

Guenmai

Yeah, the Rendevous is SO convenient. And the Dhoby Gaut MRT is right there...to the right of the "Y" and across from the Rendevous. You can also take the MRT to the Orchard stop to be in the heart of Orchard Road. Somerset stop is one stop before Orchard if I remember correctly. And it's so great that you can take the Dhoby Gaut MRT, one stop to Clarkes Quay. For years I used to either taxi there or walk. Now I take the MRT.
Another note is that if you buy an MRT pass...at any MRT station...then when you leave Singapore if you haven't used the whole card up just go back to the station and tell them you are leaving and they will refund you the unused amount. You can also use the card on the buses. Just remember that as soon as you enter the bus scan the card under...I think it was...the machine. Then when you get off the bus, scan it again. If you don't scan it when you get on the bus, then when you get off and scan it, it will deduct more than the bus fare actually was due to adding a penalty for not scanning before. The MRT card is good for about 5 years I think it is. I always just keep mine for the next trip. Happy Travels!