Singapore Hotel Suggestions?

[amaroo]

We like the FS & MO

 

[medhead]

We like the FS & MO

MO = mandarin Oriental. FS = ?

 

[ric_melb]

Another who would heartily recommend the Conrad Singapore. All the rooms are good, but Executive Lounge does add a bit of class and comfort to the stay. EL may not be suitable for kids.

 

[amaroo]

MO = mandarin Oriental. FS = ?

Four Seasons

 

[Keith009]

Wouldn't recommend the Swissotel Stamford. For their room rates you can get much better elsewhere. Tired rooms with a busy (not in a good way) lobby. Go to the New Asia Bar for drinks but that's about it.

Novotel is good value for short overnight stays but for longer stays it's a little austere. Good locale for Clarke Quay. They have renovated the rooms but the bathrooms are still rather dated.

Normally i'd default to the New Majestic in Singapore, however not the best for family as the rooms are a little on the small side and more designed for style than function - not a bad thing but would not be the most comfy for a family.

The IC is a nice, comfy hotel and very luxurious for an IC. Even if the decor is a little old school. Rates are also very good, and rather cheap for Singapore (published adv purchase rate was S$256+++ last I checked). If you can stretch out to a Shophouse room that would be the way to go. Odeon Towers nearby has a fab rooftop bar for after you put the kids to bed.

My other fave is the Four Seasons. Rooms are nice and spacious, and if you can get connecting rooms I'd highly recommend. Handy for shopping as only a short walk to the new ION on Orchard. Service is awesome as you'd expect for an FS.

Maybe the new Fullerton Bay? Never stayed there but friends rave about it. Certainly looks nice and trendy. The location is great for the general Marina Bay area.

 

[rechoboam]

Oh and while someone else mentioned that food is better outside, the club level offers a cool (ie airconditioned) place to unwind, have some soft drinks, or have a whisky before heading out to the excellent food courts in the evening. Again, the whole thing was pricey but what an experience. This was our first trip since finishing fifteen years of training and we had no hesitation in finally doing something special....

 

[medhead]

Another thanks to everyone. The search has progressed and I'm hearing that SWMBO has decided the budget should increase. The current front runner is the Shangri-la, Valley wing side, apparently it includes breakfast, wifi, drinks, golf and a shuttle. We've contacted a few hotels to ask if they can accommodate 2+2, as most say 3 maximum. Only Shangri-la replied with a proper answer, the other couple of hotels replied to ask dates and everything - so didn't really get the point of the enquiry.

Normally i'd default to the New Majestic in Singapore, however not the best for family as the rooms are a little on the small side and more designed for style than function - not a bad thing but would not be the most comfy for a family.

The IC is a nice, comfy hotel and very luxurious for an IC. Even if the decor is a little old school. Rates are also very good, and rather cheap for Singapore (published adv purchase rate was S$256+++ last I checked). If you can stretch out to a Shophouse room that would be the way to go. Odeon Towers nearby has a fab rooftop bar for after you put the kids to bed.

My other fave is the Four Seasons. Rooms are nice and spacious, and if you can get connecting rooms I'd highly recommend. Handy for shopping as only a short walk to the new ION on Orchard. Service is awesome as you'd expect for an FS.

Thanks for the tips. We'll definitely check them out. But I am remembering your previous comments about not liking the colonial style of Raffles and my wife's desire for a colonial experience. I'll certainly check out the bar tips.

 

[Homer]

We finished six nights at the Marina Bay Sands just over a week ago. I didn't think I could find enough to do in Singapore for six nights but we treated it as a "baby moon" as we were there with our three month old (as well as our six year old) and we just wanted a place to relax (plus visit Universal Studios, see Wicked, eat at Waku Ghin, etc).

I know there is some criticism of this hotel for being impersonal but we stayed in an Orchid Suite (their lead in suite) on level 54 which included club lounge access and we loved it. The club lounge staff learned our names within a day and welcomed us each time. We thought the price was reasonable at about AUD$600 per night which included breakfast, high tea (or, as we called it, "late lunch") and evening canapés which included champagne (Piper Heidsieck) and basic spirits.

We've previously stayed in large casino hotels in Vegas and so we were nervous this would repeat that whole Vegas faux luxury thing - you know, where you pay a high price for something that is in fact rubbish but because it has some neon lights on it and a water fountain you are tricked into thinking that this is how the rich and famous vacation. Or at least honeymooners are tricked...

We think our suite was very nice for the price at just under 100sqm with a very large bathroom, dining area, lounge and separate bedroom. We also had a sensational view over Singapore from floor to ceiling windows in both the living room and bedroom. As someone else noted, the gym is incredible as is the rooftop pool. We swam most days and a few nights. I had read reviews that the pool is often crowded but we didn't find that to be the case during our stay. We'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[ajca]

MO = mandarin Oriental. FS = ?

Going to try the Singapore MO in a couple of weeks. Quite excited. It looks amazing!

 

[amaroo]

I've got a one night stay in two weeks & have been instructed by SWMBO to check out, Naumi - rooms & pool look pretty cool & hotel offers plenty for the $$.

But my fav's remain FS & MO.....however, since I'm using her points for the FASA I'm doing what I'm told:!:

 

[ajca]

Thanks for the tips. We'll definitely check them out. But I am remembering your previous comments about not liking the colonial style of Raffles and my wife's desire for a colonial experience. I'll certainly check out the bar tips.

I reckon you could get a fair dose of colonial style by going to the Raffles for dinner and/or a drink, and saving some money by staying somewhere else. I haven't stayed there myself but I have heard some not so good reports that the rooms are dark and not so pleasant and the whole place is a bit run down. Obviously a lot of people love it though! A few weeks ago I had dinner at the Indian restaurant there - and drinks several times at Long Bar - and that was enough colonial for me.

If you want to avoid the super-modern hotels than perhaps try the Fullerton (not the Fullerton Bay). It is a beautiful old colonial building in an awesome location, and the rooms are quite nice and modern. Much cheaper than Raffles too.

 

[KLN]

We finished six nights at the Marina Bay Sands just over a week ago. I didn't think I could find enough to do in Singapore for six nights but we treated it as a "baby moon" as we were there with our three month old (as well as our six year old) and we just wanted a place to relax (plus visit Universal Studios, see Wicked, eat at Waku Ghin, etc).

I know there is some criticism of this hotel for being impersonal but we stayed in an Orchid Suite (their lead in suite) on level 54 which included club lounge access and we loved it. The club lounge staff learned our names within a day and welcomed us each time. We thought the price was reasonable at about AUD$600 per night which included breakfast, high tea (or, as we called it, "late lunch") and evening canapés which included champagne (Piper Heidsieck) and basic spirits.

We've previously stayed in large casino hotels in Vegas and so we were nervous this would repeat that whole Vegas faux luxury thing - you know, where you pay a high price for something that is in fact rubbish but because it has some neon lights on it and a water fountain you are tricked into thinking that this is how the rich and famous vacation. Or at least honeymooners are tricked...

We think our suite was very nice for the price at just under 100sqm with a very large bathroom, dining area, lounge and separate bedroom. We also had a sensational view over Singapore from floor to ceiling windows in both the living room and bedroom. As someone else noted, the gym is incredible as is the rooftop pool. We swam most days and a few nights. I had read reviews that the pool is often crowded but we didn't find that to be the case during our stay. We'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

am so looking forward to 4 days here.........by myself.............on the way home from Europe in June. have a garden room, as need to open doors and windows due to bad habits......but just have to swim in that pool. have been to the skypark to visit before and stayed at the Novotel at Clarke Quay usually with the family, but this time it's just ................... me time ............thanks for the review

 

[laffer]

Hyatt. Stay away from the rooms close to the lifts though. You can dead set hear the lifts going up and down the shafts. Other than that it is a nice hotel.

 

[marksmiles]

Swisshotel is a good reliable bet. The pool isn't flash but is big and has a kid friendly shallow end- and they do a great poolside breakfast. As another poster pointed out the location is great for access to everywhere. You can walk to Clarke and Boat Quay's and there's a relatively new eating village in the block behind. The food court underneath in the mall is also fantastic for cheap but authentic and really tasty food of every variety.

I love the Shangri-La for its food and fit-out. You can often get a very good rate as well. Location isn't that great though.

I would avoid the Marina Bay Sands. Yes, the pool is spectacular, but it really costs - even as a guest. The rest of the hotel is a zoo. Too big by far.

I agree Swissotel gets my vote, I have had some good times here. Just for clarification make sure you get the correctly spelled Swissotel, or there's risk of a mistake with a B&B.

 

[marksmiles]

Just to add my 2 cents worth, Hyatt has a great location, ultra clean, and one of the best buffets anywhere in the Far East. The downside for me is that there's an absence of 'soul'.

 

[rechoboam]

Staying at the refurbed Rasa Sentosa soon. Any experiences there?
Any chance I would get some sleep on a 7 hr trip back on the SIA a380 in Y?

 

[ajca]

I am at the Intercontinental Singapore right now. It is much nicer than I expected. In fact it is damn good.

I usually think of Intercontinentals as busy tasteless business hotels, but this one is quiet and peaceful and beautifully designed and maintained.

 

[medhead]

I am at the Intercontinental Singapore right now. It is much nicer than I expected. In fact it is damn good.

I usually think of Intercontinentals as busy tasteless business hotels, but this one is quiet and peaceful and beautifully designed and maintained.

What's the pool like? Big and tropical style? Or rooftop/standard?

At the moment the IC is second on the preference list. I'm off to Glasgow for a couple of weeks and then we will look to book somewhere when I get back to OZ.

 

[jetlagger]

Shophouse rooms are great @ the IC in SIN.. Certainly more charm than the standard IC fare.. Fantastic location in Bugis
Have had a few stays here.. always satisfied.. excluding cost issues

 

[k3nnis]

Yeah the IC is nice at SIN. I might try conrad SIN next, or the RC. Can someone who have stayed at these properties give us a small comparison or feedback? I am HH Gold.