Singapore or Hong Kong
 

A friend and I are scheduled to take a two-week cruise next winter. We leave from Singapore and end up in Hong Kong with stops in Thailand, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. We'll have an additional four or five days on our own, and are wondering if we should plan to spend more time in Singapore or in Hong Kong. We've never been to either before, and likely won't be returning.

Both Hong Kong and Singapore are fascinating cities. They are also the most expensive cities in Asia for hotel prices!

There is plenty to see and do in both places. You might want to spend some time with a guidebook for each and see which appeals to you most.

What time of year are you going? It is always hot in Singapore, but Hong Kong has more variation in weather.

I haven't been to Hong Kong, but am booked for 5 nights there in Jan/Feb to try it out. But, I've been to Singapore a lot and love it. I'll also go back to Singapore, for nearly a week, on my next upcoming winter vacation to S.E. Asia as I'll fly to Hong Kong from Singapore and then return to Singapore before flying home to L.A.

As far as comparable hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong, from what I've recently booked, the same hotel in Singapore is way less than the same hotel that I recently booked in Hong Kong. When looking at Hong Kong hotels in general, before booking anything, I found them substantially more than what I've paid in Singapore for the same level hotel. I don't know what your budget is for a hotel and what class of hotel you're looking for.

Happy Travels!

Hotels in Singapore is far from cheap, and HK prices have been slightly going down for the past year. Winter (for N. Hemisphere) is the best time to visit Hong Kong.

No hotels in Singapore aren't cheap, but the price I just paid for my standard room in Hong Kong, is costing me more than double, per night, of what the same, standard room is costing me, at the same hotel, in Singapore. I have booked and pre-paid both rooms and will be in Singapore when I leave Hong Kong. I have also stayed at that same hotel, in Singapore, over the last two years and the price has been about the same for 3 years now, counting the upcoming winter stay.

Happy Travels!

I just picked a random date, Nov 16, and searched on Expedia for 5-stars. Some groups that have hotels in both cities:

Singapore:
Ritz-Carlton $428
Conrad $410
Grand Hyatt $348
Marriott Tang Plaza $334
Shangri-La $330
Four Seasons $295
W Sentosa Cove $274
IC $256
Shangri-La Sentosa $254
Regent by Four Seasons $206
Sheraton Towers $192

Hong Kong
Conrad $695
For Seasons $631
Island Shangdi-La $547
JW Marriott $536
Ritz-Carlton $514
Grand Hyatt $482
Sheraton $309
IC Grand Stanford $267
Kowloon Shangri-La $263
IC $261

So, a quick survey says hotels in HK are indeed still more pricey than Singapore, but more like 30-50% more, and there are deals in either. The only property I see that's twice as much in HK as Singapore ON MY RANDOM DATE is the Four Seasons.

Thanks for the hotel information, but I've already got that taken care of. What I'm really wanting to know is which city would be best to spend an extra day or two in - which has more unique sights, best food, etc. Thanks!

Ray, the Four Seasons is Guenmai's favorite, so no doubt that was her comparison.

I wasn't only comparing the Four Season's prices in both Hong Hong and Singapore. Remember, I was first booked into the Mandarin Oriental, in Hong Kong, before changing over to the Four Seasons.

I also looked into other hotels, at different times, which were higher in price than comparable ones in Singapore. Now, maybe it had/has to do with when I'm traveling, which is winter, but not in November as I'm in S.E. Asia from late Dec-Feb, but the prices that I have come across have definitely been higher in Hong Kong than what I have personally paid in Singapore and at the same level of hotel.

Happy Travels!

Correction: "...but, not in November as I'm in S.E. Asia in late Dec-Feb…." This should have read... S.E. Asia and then on to Hong Kong…." I thought that I'd better correct it before it is posted that Hong Kong isn't in S.E. Asia, which I'm aware of, but my 6-week trip is S.E. Asia with the exception of Hong Kong.

Happy Travels!

If you read my posts, you'll see that I'm not asking for information about hotels. Maybe I should try again and start a new post?

"maryanntex on May 26, 16 at 6:35am
Thanks for the hotel information, but I've already got that taken care of. What I'm really wanting to know is which city would be best to spend an extra day or two in - which has more unique sights, best food, etc. Thanks!"

Fine, now that the above info has been noticed farther down in the post and not in the original post. Anyhow, as for Singapore, there's lots of good food, as it's a food haven, and different sections of Singapore like China Town, Little India, The Arab part of town, Botanical Gardens, tons of shopping, a lot of Peranakan culture and food, the Asian Civilizations Museum, the Peranakan Museum, boat tours, and some other places that I can't remember off the top of my head, but are listed in travel books. As for Hong Kong, as I stated, I haven't been yet, but am booked to go.

Happy Travels!

maryann, there is no wrong answer to your question. Both cities are lively, fascinating, dynamic. Both have enough to see/do/experience to keep one happy for a week - easily. I think you'll need to take a look at some guidebooks to get a sense of both of this cities to help you decide. No one here can tell you which one you would like most.

I've spent weeks in both cities and would gladly return to both.

Both places have strong British influence, but culturally HK otherwise is Chinese, while Singapore is Chinese, Malay and Indian. Geographically, HK is bigger and more varied, with more peaks and islands, while Singapore is mostly flat.

HKers used to find Singapore boring, but it's clearly not the case now as lots of HKers now visit Singapore for the theme parks and for food. So, you really can't go wrong either way.

I've really tried to like HK and have been there three times now. I still much prefer S'Pore. Check out the AMOY hotel.

S'pore = a sterile and restricted city; but HK = varied in topography climate dining and outdoor activities. And public transportation, HK wins hands down.

Sai Kung, in the New Territories, has mobs of fish restaurants along the seawall, a frequent ferry to the golf island, hiking nearby along the world famous MacLehose trail (to Ma On Shan and beyond) and many lively western/expat pubs and evening spots. Give it a shout.

We spent 5 days in Singapore last Feb. pre cruise and in 2010 4 days in HK post a trip to India. personally I liked Singapore more though HK was fine too. Singa. is very clean, safe with low crime and has friendly people, more so than in HK IME.

There is enough to do for 4-5 days and we found the local transportation easy and inexpensive. HK was pretty good too in this regard but not any better.

Both are expensive and Singa has ethnic areas like Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street so there is some diversity. Singh is warm all yr. round while HK when we were there in the month of Oct. was much nicer weather wise.

Yu can also fly very cheaply to Kuala Lumpur from Singa or drive to about 2 hrs. to Mallaca.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malacca

Also the advantage of pre cruise stay in Singapore, assuming you have fly a long way to get there is to settle into a new time zone and get over jet lag so you are set when your cruise begins.

Yes, Singapore would be great for a pre-cruise stay. Do you have enough time that you could spend a few days in each city?

I wouldn't recommend flying to KL - I consider it to be the most boring of the SE Asia capital cities.

Have you been to Malacca Kathie?

I have not. After researching it, we decided that Georgetown Penang had more to offer. If I had a lot of time in Singapore, and was bored with the big city, I think it is worth a visit. I wouldn't make a special trip.

Have you been to Georgetown, Penang, Larry? We love it there - World Heritage city, wonderful mix of cultures, and is often named as the place with the best hawker food. You can fly to Penang from Singapore (or KL). I don't know that there are any non-stops from Hong Kong.

Friends of ours decided to make a two night stop in Malacca between KL and Singapore and left after one night, saying they felt one afternoon there was plenty. You may have had a different experience.

No we haven't been to Malaysia at all. When we were in Singapore a friend I have from KL came down and he mentioned Malacca. He said it was a city with a lot of history. I looked it up too and it seemed interesting but also seems a day or two,at most is enough.

It's good to know that about Georgetown Penang as I hope to get to SE Asia again someday. I would love to see Hanoi and Ha Long bay.

Cheers, Larry. :).

Malaysia has some fascinating places to visit. As mentioned, we loved Georgetown, Penang. We also loved our time in Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak). We spent a week in Hanoi, but opted against Halong Bay.

Like I mentioned in your thread about cruises we do love them but someday a land tour of SE Asia is on my wish list.

When you are ready to plan, Larry, I'll be glad to help. Given your love of cruises, take a look at the various river cruises Pandaw offers in SE Asia.

Kathie you read my mind. You are a great source of info!

Thank you.

Larry. :).

Thanks for the feedback. I'm thinking it probably makes more sense to add the extra days to Singapore at the start of our trip.

Enjoy!

Have been only once, to both, 2.5 yrs ago. HOPE i can return to HK for a five days some time!!! Singapore: pretty, clean, modern,but just deoesnt call out in the same way to me. Agree with Jobin, above. Singapore is known as the most western of the Asian capitals. IF that is what you want, go for it. Malls malls malls in high rise towers and along the main street. Lots of hiking trails on elevated sidewalks, beautiful botanic gardens, local neighborhoods.

t I LOVE HK because it is so easy to escape the commercialized tourist areas (which are interesting...but busy!) and get a convenient, quick local ferry to one of the small surrounding islands with their villages--or, as Jobin mentioned easy to get places (like Sai Kung with its fish restaurants and weekend water-side market) via metro and bus. the busses themselves are great fun--double deckers, some with TVs! Easy to get off the "beaten path" of the tour guide book Have a wander, five minutes away from the centers. and you've got peace and quiet and a local feel--eg Stanley--go down the path along the sea to a little temple in a hillside; Tai O--wander away from the interesting market, but then , away from crowds, take the path along the sea past local cafes and to the small hotel at the peninsula point for a cuppa tea. Darn, wish I were returning soon!! Sigh...

I'm guessing the "tex" in your name means you are from Texas?? (I love Texas!! )IF you had to compare: SG is Houston/central Dallas (the latter with more and more revitalized local interesting neighborhoods--which SG has too); HK is big-city too, but with its local "feel" seaside places, as if Fulton Harbor ( Aransas County) were just a short boat ride away from Houston!

Your cruise route sounds fantastic, MaryAnn!! have a fantastic time!!!!!!

Hi Hong Kong gets my vote. Just not as clinical as Singapore, which is in my view a little sanitised. and too clean.
Hong Kong has some rough edges still which gives it character and life. Loads to see and do. Prefer to stay Kowloon near to Nathan Road, just has in my view a better feel to it. The streets are just so alive at night. Not as cheap a it used to be but where is these days.
The harbour view at night is one of life's experiences- from Kowloon and the Peak

Hello, I'm a local Hong Kong person so I can give you very local information about Hong Kong. The winter in Hong Kong is great and not that cold, if you can arrive Hong Kong at the day around 25-27th of January in 2017, few days before lunar new year. you can enjoy our lunar new year "flower market", with a lot of interesting things to buy and see, definately not only flowers. Lunar new year is a big thing for us so you will be unforgettable. Also, remind you that better not to visit during the first three days of lunar new year, 28th to 30th January, because all the shops will be closed. For sightseeing, I highly recommend some small islands like Cheung Chau and Lantau island. The Peak and big Buddha is good but you have to know how crazy many people will be there. Shopping malls are everywhere, Mongkok, Causeway bay and TST are quite famous shopping districts