singapore (only) for 6-7 days

Old Dec 30th, 2015, 04:46 PM
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singapore (only) for 6-7 days

My wife and I are planning a vacation for about 6 or 7 days. We are coming from New Jersey, USA and using milage so we can fly business/1st class. That could mitigate, to some degree, the long trip by plane.

I always wanted to visit Singapore but have been told it might not be worth the trip as an "only" destination. I have traveled in the past to other SE Asia countries and really do not want to travel to more than 1 place on this trip.

Kathie, you may not remember but you gave us some wonderful, wonderful advice when we traveled to other areas around SE Asia, ie. Thailand and LP in Laos.

What do you all think...Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Gzzer
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Old Dec 30th, 2015, 10:46 PM
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I could have a great time in Singapore for 6 or 7 days, and I've been there many times. Eating, city walks, museums, the old and new gardens, Pulau Ubin, the zoo, markets, University exhibits or concerts, even shopping or Sentosa Island can easily fill your days. If you really think you'll get bored, you can take a bus across the bridge into Malaysia for a change of scenery.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 04:34 AM
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I agree with the above as I've spent up to two weeks at a time and only in Singapore on one trip. I'll be back there next month and for a week after leaving both Bangkok, where I am now, and Malaysia where I'll also be. I've been to Singapore a lot and have not been bored with being there for an extended time period.

Happy Travels!
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 07:08 AM
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I'm glad I was able to be helpful on your previous trip. I do not remember... maybe you had a different screen name?

As both lcuy and Guenmai have said, you can have a fine time in Singapore. That is where you want to go - you should do it!

Things I enjoy in Singapore: the gardens (make sure you see the orchid garden inside the Botanical Gardens - largest display orchid garden in the world), the Museum of Asian Civilizations, the charming little museum inside Raffles Hotel (go to one of the restaurants for lunch and stop in to browse), the wonderful food...

Do be forewarned that Singapore has become a very expensive city - mostly because of hotel prices. If you have hotel points, this can be a great place to use them.

Stay somewhere close to an MRT station. The Fairmont is my favorite location.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 09:17 AM
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Go for it! You'll find plenty to keep yourself busy in Singapore for 6 or 7 days. I've often used Singapore as a base to travel around the region, have been there numerous times and find new things to do and new places to explore.
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 01:24 PM
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Thanks

What you have all said is what I thought but some of the comments on this forum suggested, while this is a great city to visit, they wouldn't only go there. Now my mind is made up and will make plans and keep viewing your comments'

One other question...Is the Hotel at the Sands Complex worth staying at or only to visit. I saw pictures of their pool overlooking the city and it looks like WOW!!!

Thanks again
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 02:02 PM
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Throw in the Paranakan Museum which is a short walk from Chijmes which is a short walk from the Fairmont Hotel. And have some Peranakan food as there are several restaurants in Singapore, one being next to the museum.

http://peranakanmuseum.org.sg

Happy Travels!
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 02:07 PM
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"One other question...Is the Hotel at the Sands Complex worth staying at or only to visit. I saw pictures of their pool overlooking the city and it looks like WOW!!!"

Please provide links. Are you talking about the hotel in Marina Bay? If so, then I haven't stayed there as I stay more central. But, I'll probably go down there to eat as Spago has opened.

Happy Travels!
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 02:13 PM
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I agree with The Fairmont Hotel as I've stayed there several times. It's right above the City Hall, MRT subway station. I'm booked there for 3 nights this month, along with 4 nights back at the Four Seasons of which both hotels are centrally located, just in different areas.

Happy Travels!
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Old Dec 31st, 2015, 10:43 PM
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Yes,
I meant the Marina Bay Hotel...Is it that hard getting around from there?
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 02:37 PM
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It's not that it's hard getting around there, as there's the MRT, it just depends on where else you want to go in Singapore and how long you want to spend getting there. Look at the MRT map below.

http://www.singaporepackage.com/singapore_mrt.htm

Look at the #8 as your focal point and you'll see Dhoby Gaut. This is where the YMCA International House Hotel is at #1 Orchard Road. I've stayed there many times since the 1990s. Orchard Road is the main drag. If you look a bit to the north on the red line, there are the Somerset and Orchard stops which run along Orchard Road. Orchard is the central stop for Orchard Road.

Go back and find the #8 focal point and the purple line and you'll see the Clark Quay and China Town stops. Clark Quay is a nice area to hang out in in the evening.

Also look for Little India on the purple line and Bugis on the green line. I go to Bugis and then walk the short walk to Arab Street.

The City Hall MRT stop (green) is where The Fairmont Hotel is and the Asian Civilization Museum is near the Raffles stop. If you look south on the MRT map, you will see Marina Bay. Only you can decide where you want to be located and what you want to do while in Singapore. I personally like to walk to a lot of places from more central MRT stops or just straight from my hotel.

Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 02:44 PM
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Correction: "Raffles Place" MRT, not just "Raffles". I should have typed the complete name. I'm so used to that MRT stop that I just refer to it as Raffles, but I don't want to confuse you since you'll be new to Singapore.

Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 03:16 PM
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I noticed that you're planning 6-7 days. I'd do minimum 7 nights as you're coming from so far away. And like suggested upthread, you can always cross over into Malaysia. Or, you can even fly to Kuala Lumpur in about 50 minutes and do 1 night there, if you want a change of scenery, and then fly back to Singapore. Changi Airport is so incredibly easy.

There are regular flights to KL and they aren't expensive. Then when you return to Singapore, you could stay in a different hotel in a different area. I split hotel stays and areas all the time.

For example, maybe fly to Singapore and stay at the Marina Bay for 3 nights and then fly to KL for one night and see KL a full day and then back to Singapore for 3 nights at The Fairmont. I did a split schedule with a friend of mine who traveled to Singapore with me in 2002. It was her first time in Singapore and the region. However, we stayed at the YMCA International House Hotel on that trip.

My friend and I had 8 nights total, and spent 2 nights in KL and 6 nights in Singapore. We stayed at the Ritz Carlton (2002) for $100. for a standard room and then we ended up upgraded for free to a private floor. In 2015, I paid around $150-$160, I think it was, for a standard room as I went on the Malayasian version of Expedia and booked it.

A few weeks from now, I'll stay at the Westin Hotel on Bukit Bintang, in KL, and in the heart of Bukit Bintang area although the Ritz Carlton is only about a 20-minute walk from the Westin. But, the Westin is directly across from the Pavilion Mall which has an incredible food court inside and also at least two exchange places with really excellent rates. Plus, the dollar is very strong against the ringitt and Malaysia is a very reasonable country.

I just looked up the room rates on Thai Expedia as I'm in Bangkok now and for this month the Ritz Carlton is pricing out at the equivalent of $175. and the Westin Hotel at $117. So, maybe that's a plan for you since you'll already be here in the region. The best to you.

Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 04:19 PM
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Thanks alot for the advice. I never thought of KL but it sounds interesting. 7 nights is doable...Now I'm REALLY looking forward to going

Gzzer
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 04:37 PM
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If you are going to add KL to the mix, why not get an open jaw ticket:- home - Singapore and KL - home. That'll save you returning to Singapore.

Personally, I really don't care for KL. I'd recommend Melacca instead.

Regardless, if you plan on venturing away from Singapore think abut where you'd want to travel to before booking your international tickets.
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 07:03 PM
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If you decide to throw in KL, there's an airport express train that goes straight from the airport to the main train station in KL. From there, one can taxi to one's hotel. The airport express is really nice and gets one into town in 28 minutes and the tickets can be bought and printed, online, before leaving home. I have a printed one for KL in a few weeks. By printing it ahead of time, one just goes straight to the airport express station and scans the ticket and then gets on the train. Fast.

http://www.kliaekspres.com

I don't know what airline you plan to take, but I take Singapore Air to and from Asia. They're a great airline. I don't mind flying into and out of Singapore as Changi Airport is so easy. I fly all around Asia, but still end at Changi Airport before flying home.

http://www.changiairport.com

Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 1st, 2016, 07:10 PM
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Forgot this link.

http://www.changiairport.com/en/airp...-services.html

Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2016, 08:26 AM
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KL is my least favorite large city in SE Asia. I certainly wouldn't take time away from Singapore to fly there. I do understand why your friends recommended you not go only to Singapore - you are right in the midst of dozens and dozens of fabulous places to visit. If you can add some time to your trip, consider a side trip to Java or Bali, for instance, or perhaps to Georgetown, Penang.

The MRT will be your primary means of transport in Singapore, so you will want to make sure you choose a hotel close to an MRT stop. I don't believe there is an MRT stop very close to the Sands (if someone knows differently, do say so).

The main Museum of Asian Civilizations is at Empress Place. There used to be a small outpost of the museum a block or so from Raffles hotel, as mentioned by Guenmai. Guenmai - is it still there? I thought they were going to consolidate everything at the Empress Place Museum.

The tiny Raffles Museum is inside the Raffles Arcade shopping center.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2016, 03:31 PM
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I'm having problems posting on the Asia forum although I just posted in the Lounge. Let me try again.

As for KL, it's not my favorite city in S.E. Asia, but I've been fine there and will take 3 nights there at the end of this month. I remember Filmwil posting that he found a lot to do there. Maybe, he'll jump in here.

If I were to pick between KL and Georgetown, Penang, Georgetown would win which is why I'm also returning there in a couple weeks or so. It depends on how far the OP wants to travel away from Singapore which is why I threw in KL as it's closer than Penang.

As for going across the bridge into Malaysia, for a change in scenery, I personally haven't done that as in my mind, going across the border usually ends up in places that aren't the most interesting. But, maybe it's different on that border.

As for the MRT and the Sands Hotel, I believe it's the Marina Bay stop as pointed out on the MRT map that I provided up thread. But, I don't know how far the actual walk is from the Sands to the MRT stop. I'll find out if I go to Spago when I get back down to Singapore at the end of the month and in February.

Kathie, I don't know which museum you mentioned that was close to Raffles that was a small outpost. I've been to both the big Asian Civilizations Museum and the Paranakan Museum. The Paranakan Museum is very walkable from Raffles, but is definitely more than a block as it's about two blocks from Chijmes, on the side of where the church is.

Happy Travels!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2016, 10:57 PM
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The Marina Bay Sands stop is longer from the complex than it looks. You can of course get taxis but you have to pay a surcharge if you get picked up ( or dropped off I believe) there.
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