rhkkmk

priceline is a good choice if the hotels on biddingfortravel are to your liking....the rennaissance in kowloon is one i believe and it is quite good...i would go 4 and 5* only in hk...

have you tried the hk to bali using asia air through singapore??

rkkwan

Take a look at biddingfortravel.com. People are paying $60-116 for the 4* Kowloon Hotel in Oct or Nov. First, because of its small room size, it's quite a stretch to call it 4*. And you can book the same rooms for about $89 on asia-hotels.com, tax-included.

And then the Sheraton for $100-135. May not be overpaying for the same room, but hardly a bargain.

Worse is one that pays $124 for Harbor Plaza North Point. It's way out of the way of anything, and next to a huge funeral parlor.

rhkkmk

by the same token i have paid on priceline $40 for a room at the holiday inn at heathrow next month---a steal and $55 for a room at the shangri-la in bkk last summer...also a steal...

that why you have to study biddingfortravel.com

marmot

Auntylynne, I travel between the US and Asia and I would definitely put Singapore Airlines above Cathay -- for comfort, food, entertainment, cleanliness and overall service. Cathay's not bad, but SQ is one of the best.

I think Hong Kong is much more interesting than Singapore, but for a 1-2 day stopover, I'd keep it simple and go for Singapore. I'd save Hong Kong for another longer visit.

Stopping in Singapore will give you some time to acclimate to the timechange and the climate in comfortable surroundings. Then it's a just a short hop to Bali!

On your return you can connect on the same day from Bali to Singapore to LAX without having to spend the night in Singapore. Once you get to Bali, you won't want to leave. (Actually you could do the same thing on your way there: just connect straight through to Bali.)

What do you have planned for Bali? Should be a great trip.

gent

Definitely Singapore. Singapore Airlines. Try the Executive Economy Class.

Auntylynne

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I have decided on Singapore using Singapore Airlines.

I was able to get Executive Economy seats out of LAX and back on a saturday evening flight. I would have never realized there was a difference in Econ vs Exec Econ if it weren't for this site. Sure wish I could afford Business class!

My next focus is where to stay in Singapore for those few days. I have contacted the Scarlet Hotel for prices. I really don't want to stay at some big high rise hotel. Has anyone stayed at the Fullerton?? This seems pretty nice but is kind of expensive.

All your thoughts have been most helpful. I never plan a trip without first consulting this board.

Thanks!! Lynne

murff

A very good choice in choosing singapore airlines (great service, good food, great in-flight entertainment.....) especially on the non-stop flight. The fullerton hotel used to be the general post office and it's in an excellent location away from Orchard Road but just 10 mins by cab or MRT if you need to go there. It's right next to boat quay so there's ample restaurants around. Right across the street is the esplanade and marina bay and you can take the underground link from the hotel which lead you to one fullerton for more restaurant choices , the merlion and a view of both the CBD on one side and the marina on the other. Very nice to stroll along this area at night. The post master room is pretty small so you might want to consider the heritage or quay rooms.
If you don't like high rise hotel, then I suggest you check out goodwood park, shangri-la (both on the expensive side) or copthorne orchid (much cheaper) which is a 5 min walk from the botanical gardens (lovely in the mornings).
There's also duxton hotel and chinatown hotel in the chiantown area; and albert court hotel in little india area.
Welcome to Singapore. Enjoy.

luxury

auntylynne, if you are looking for a unique boutique hotel, then the Scarlet is it. I had stayed there for 2nts and it was lovely.

It is out of orchard road, which is singapore's main shopping area (your normal malls), but it is right by the historic chinatown and club street (restaurants and pubs) frequented by the expats.

Recenlty, I checked out their website and they had pictures of the hotel. Check it out, I think it is www.thescarlethotel.com

Auntylynne

Thank you Luxury. I did book there and am excited to make my visit to both Singapore and Bali in May!