Singapore (SIN) Stopover Tips

[Cruiser Elite]

When visiting SIN you can call in and see penegal and Tommy in their SIN based business located in Palais Renaissance on Orchard Rd:





Free bottle of Krug to first person who can identify ‘who’ is ‘who’!

 

[Stealthflyer]

Best I think would be to get something like a Citi debit card ( in think Bankwest has a similar product). Works at ATMs in Singapore ( and almost anywhere) and you'll get your local cash at so close to spot, it doesn't matter. No withdrawal fee either.

Same virtually anywhere in the world.

The Citibank debit card is great. The only place I haven't been able to use it is at rural Chinese ATMs. There are Citibank ATMs at Changi airport near the train station that I always use when I arrive.

Also, top tip: you get discounts at many places in Singapore when you pay with a Citibank card. The National Gallery of Singapore will charge you at a concession price, for instance.

 

[Nisho]

Hi everyone, thank you for your invaluable insight to Singapore.

Just a quick question: Does anyone know if there is a store in Changi Airport (preferably duty free) where they sell MAC Cosmetics?

I’ll be in Terminal 1 on QF82 (21:10 departure to Sydney) but happy to go to other terminals if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

 

[OZDUCK]

Hi everyone, thank you for your invaluable insight to Singapore.

Just a quick question: Does anyone know if there is a store in Changi Airport (preferably duty free) where they sell MAC Cosmetics?

I’ll be in Terminal 1 on QF82 (21:10 departure to Sydney) but happy to go to other terminals if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

It seems to be available in all the Terminals, including T1. M.A.C | The Shilla Duty Free & The Shilla Duty Free Store Listings | The Shilla Duty Free

 

[Nisho]

It seems to be available in all the Terminals, including T1. M.A.C | The Shilla Duty Free & The Shilla Duty Free Store Listings | The Shilla Duty Free

Cheers!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Any clues on where / how to get a rate trim on Raffles Sing? Wanting to book 3nts early Dec.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Since refurbed Raffles Singapore is now open again I will ask again if anybody knows how to get a rate trim on Raffles Sing? Wanting to book 3nts early Dec. which is past the 'Reopening Promo' period?

 

[Lynda2475]

Planning ahead for stop over next year. I will arrive at SIN at 20:15pm on Fri and fly out at 19:25 on Saturday so have just under a day in Singapore.

So im thinking it would be worth getting a hotel in city somewhere, late night hawker meal, good night sleep, a day exploring (shopping or museum or something before heading to the BA lounge ahead f my J flight home. I have a $220 hotels.com free night, which Id like to use and just pay the difference. So where would you stay?

Note: Stayed at Fullerton earlier this year, loved it, but feel i've done the Marina Bay area a bit to death. Not enough time to venture over to Sentosa, so Orchard Rd? Somewhere else?

Or would you recommend grabbing an airport hotel, then just hanging around the The Jewel after check-out until its lounge time?

 

[Daver6]

I'd imagine you'd get more bang for your buck hotel wise away from the airport.

If shopping excites you, then I suppose Orchard Road area is good. Bit closer to the airport and no shortage or shops is the Suntec area but perhaps to close to the Marina Bay area?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Or would you recommend grabbing an airport hotel, then just hanging around the The Jewel after check-out until its lounge time?

For premium cabins you should be able to use all-day check-in. So the lounge at any time you want.

 

[get me outta here]

I have something similar coming up again, and this time I plan to stay somewhere near the airport or at the airport and spend some time at Jewel. Whilst I am landside, I also plan to go to the Cloud Garden because it will be only 23/25° in there.
Back to the airport to check out, go into the hotel pool before going airside and back into the lounge.

Planning ahead for stop over next year. I will arrive at SIN at 20:15pm on Fri and fly out at 19:25 on Saturday so have just under a day in Singapore.

So im thinking it would be worth getting a hotel in city somewhere, late night hawker meal, good night sleep, a day exploring (shopping or museum or something before heading to the BA lounge ahead f my J flight home. I have a $220 hotels.com free night, which Id like to use and just pay the difference. So where would you stay?

Note: Stayed at Fullerton earlier this year, loved it, but feel i've done the Marina Bay area a bit to death. Not enough time to venture over to Sentosa, so Orchard Rd? Somewhere else?

Or would you recommend grabbing an airport hotel, then just hanging around the The Jewel after check-out until its lounge time?

 

[get me outta here]

Does Raffles do a Best Rate Guarantee, if so, it would be worth pursuing. Keeping in mind that BRGs must be a word for word description of exactly the same room type.

Since refurbed Raffles Singapore is now open again I will ask again if anybody knows how to get a rate trim on Raffles Sing? Wanting to book 3nts early Dec. which is past the 'Reopening Promo' period?

 

[Lynda2475]

For premium cabins you should be able to use all-day check-in. So the lounge at any time you want.

Only a J lounge though, so 2-2.5 hours is more than enough for a shower, drink and a light meal. If it was F different story.

WRT MBS, i don't mind the area just have no need to do any of the MBS attractions. Guess I should have a look at what is available then come back for thoughts on those places.

 

[ayebee]

Planning ahead for stop over next year. I will arrive at SIN at 20:15pm on Fri and fly out at 19:25 on Saturday so have just under a day in Singapore.

So im thinking it would be worth getting a hotel in city somewhere, late night hawker meal, good night sleep, a day exploring (shopping or museum or something before heading to the BA lounge ahead f my J flight home. I have a $220 hotels.com free night, which Id like to use and just pay the difference. So where would you stay?

Note: Stayed at Fullerton earlier this year, loved it, but feel i've done the Marina Bay area a bit to death. Not enough time to venture over to Sentosa, so Orchard Rd? Somewhere else?

Or would you recommend grabbing an airport hotel, then just hanging around the The Jewel after check-out until its lounge time?

Of the touristy hawker centres, my preference is the big one in Chinatown (Smith St), which is still close enough to the Fullerton if you like it - just go in opposite direction from Marina Bay (& go past Boat Quay).
I think the hawker centre generally runs till around 11pm, but maybe longer on a Friday night ??

Club Street could also offer some more sophisticated late night options, but generally more expensive than cheap and cheerful hawker centre.

Other hotels?
Parkroyal on Pickering looks nice with its greenery, but I haven't stayed there.
Not in same class as Fullerton, but Swissotel Merchant Court was OK & about same distance from the food street, and beside Clarke Quay where there many food options. Same with Novotel, but a bit further away over the river.

 

[Lynda2475]

Thoughts on the M Hotel ? The Westin? Novotel Singapore on Stevens ? Hotel Fort Canning? Park Regis? All very affordable.

 

[Matt_01]

Thoughts on the M Hotel ? The Westin? Novotel Singapore on Stevens ? Hotel Fort Canning? Park Regis? All very affordable.

I have stayed at the M Hotel and Westin, not flash but both perfectly acceptable also very close to the business district, I only stay there for work as our SG office is near by. If I was arriving and departing on the days and times of your travel I would most like not choose downtown as the first option. With your arrival time in SIN, getting out of the airport and into the city may see you checking around 10pm depending on how busy the Friday night is. If you are looking to spend 2-2.5 hours in lounge prior to departure, realistically you only have about 6 or so hours in SG when shops (retail) and attractions are open.

I would suggest that that you work out what you would like to do and stay near by or use cabs.

 

[Lynda2475]

Decided to use the hotels.com voucher elsewhere, and used my Accor points to book the Fairmont - seems to review ok, and included breakfast.

 

[dajop]

An option for long layovers for those who just want to relax is visiting a spa to just relax and/or have a treatment. One that I've been numerous times (was claimable under my employer's health and wellbeing benefitb) is g spa It's about 20 mins by taxi from Changi (or 25-30 mins by MRT + 10 min walk).

You can book various treatments, or alternatively what I do is just enjoy the facilities (which costs $68 or $53 if discounted, for up to 24 hrs), which includes access to wet areas (steam room, jacuzzi, sauna) +"free flow" (order as much as you want) food (12pm-10pm cook to order meals - hawker food style, snacks at other times)/non alcoholic beverages + access to relaxation areas (deep recline chairs each with TV with selection of movies + headphones), with blankets available. I'd seriously think about it if a had a long layover, for example arriving mid afternoon from Australia and departing to Europe around midnight. Although there is a danger of falling asleep and missing your flight.

I've even seen quite a few travellers take their luggage and stay there, I guess if you can sleep well in the chairs (a couple of times, I've fallen asleep and had to drag myself out of there at 1am ), you get a nights sleep + breakfast + dinner for only $68.

Discounts also available sometimes at Qoo10

 

[get me outta here]

I’m considering the Airport Crowne Plaza for 8 hour @ day rate SGD180++. (Arriving at 0500 and dep around 2345). I have access to the TPR and Jewel the rest of the time. Are the day rooms the same normal hotel rooms?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

@gmoh the day rooms are not the normal rooms - they are indeed the smaller ‘Business Rooms’ which are way to the back of CP from Reception. They are quite ok just much smaller - indeed the beds are nowhere near as hard as the ‘mortuary slabs’ in the normal rooms so that’s a plus.