Grace

I am traveling to Singapore for the first time in March with some friends. Since it is our first time, I have some general questions. I'm hoping someone can provide suggestions for me: <BR> <BR>Clubs? <BR>Hotels? (I am trying to decide between the Westin Stamford and Hotel Inter-Continental, but open to other suggestions) <BR>Restaurants? (2 of us are vegetarian) <BR>Shopping? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance! <BR>Grace <BR>

osman hassan

hello Grace,glad to hear that you are coming this way.the hotels you suggested <BR>are 5-star hotels-in other words they are okay.there are plenty of hotels here <BR>from budget, boutique to 6-star hotels. <BR>choose according to your budget. <BR>as for food,you will be spoilt for choice,there are plenty of vegetarian restaurants-from chinese to indian.and all sorts of international cuisine.the shopping is great as well-the shops open till 9.30 to 10.00pm daily, but compare prices and bargain hard.don't forget your visa and mastercard.bye for now.

yip sy

For clubs, you might want to try Mohamed Sultan Road. There are a number of pubs along this road. <BR>Westin might be a better choice as it is walking distance to shopping malls like Marina and Raffles mall. <BR>Shopping will be along Orchard Road. <BR>What kind of sightseeing do you have in mind? <BR>

andy

Watch out for the clubs. We went to an AA recommended club which was nothing more than a brothel. Watch out for prices too - lots of bars are very expensive is you go in late on - we paid £35 for 4 drinks in an average bar. <BR> <BR>Its a great place to shop though - try orchard road and some of the local departament stores . My wife bought a full outfit with shoes etc similar to a Karen Millen one she had seen for £60.

Rachael Hsu

Grace, My experience is with the Westin Stamford. (http://www.westin.com/weather.taf?prop=1067) <BR>My company holds annuals there and no hotel can beat the view. I saw all of Singapore from my room, it was breathtaking. Right in the heart of Singapore too. <BR>I can’t help you with the club scene, I am happily married for 7 years. <BR>Shopping I know all about I have 3 kids and a husband in suits. My idea of shopping is the internet or NYC on a good weather weekend. If you know enough about knock offs and you know how to haggle you’ll do great. This is my best tip..read carefully, put different amounts of cash in each pocket, hopefully you have six. So you pull money out and say -- Gee all I have is x number of dollars. <BR>I am funny when I travel alone, don’t like to wander from the hotel for dinner so the Westin was a good fallback for me whenever I needed a low-cholesterol or veggie dish since they have a so many restaurants in the hotel. <BR>I truly enjoyed my trip and hope yours is just as wonderful, <BR>Rachael Hsu <BR>

Su-Ling

Dear Grace <BR> <BR>Both Westin and Hotel Intercontinental (Bugis Junction) are next to our underground system. The former is a large and very very tall modern hotel with shopping centre downstairs (SOGO moving out - Marks and Spencers, LArry's JEwellery, Met Museum of New York shop etc)and great Italian restaurant - Pregos. The latter is a "boutique hotel" much newer and aesthetically girls may prefer this. Shopping area at Bugis Junction is just linked by a door on the ground floor. Westin is near the muesum and new parliament house, cricket club, RAffles Hotel and if u can walk down 10 mis past St Andrew's Cathedral (shld be on your left) to boat quay- in downtown office area - very very hip area and good restaurants and watering holes. I think there is a Harry's bar. <BR> <BR>I do not understand your reference to Clubs. <BR> <BR>Shopping- take the underground to Orchard Station and u have the whole Orchard Road before u. If shopping is on the top of your list and not choice of hotels may i suggest MArriot at Orchard Road. U can always walk back to your hotel and dump your shopping bags there. It is in the middle of everything and it is also next to the underground. 10 steps from main door. <BR>U have Isetan on your right, across Takashimaya (desinger labels)- walk down left (do not visit shops at Lucky <BR>Plaza) u pass Paragon (Metro and some designer labels) and then Robinsons. <BR> <BR>As for vegetarian food, wld u prefer chinese vegetarian or north indian vegetarian? In any event most restaurant manus have a section that would suit u. <BR> <BR> <BR>Regards <BR>Su-Ling

Jean

I agree with previous post about bargaining, and offering the "only" money you have available. But please dont put any money in pockets. There are pick pockets, even in squeeky, clean and mostly honest Singapore. I always keep most of my money in waist belts that are under my slacks. Also my passport is there. Someone would have to knock me over to steal that.