Singapore - to Marina Sands Bay or Not?

[Lynda2475]

Hi AFF gurus,

Visiting Singpaore next year for 3 nights in June for the first time in 17 years (not counting times i never left the airport) and am contemplating where best to stay?

This is a solo leisure trip on route to London then New York, so I have no need to have office facilities, I just want to have a comfortable air conditioned room with wifi (preferably a walk in shower over a shower tub combo) in a safe central area with 24hr check-in and easy access to the subway. Ability to store my luggage after check-out is also a must as flight to LHR is late night on departure day.

I'm a foodie so want to be easily able to try the best of the hawker markets

Good friends who recently visited say I simply must stay at least 1 night at the Marina Bay Sands for early access to the roof top pool. Rates seem to be AUD $440 a night, which isnt out of the question but is it really worth it, or is there equally premium experiences to be had elsewhere for better value?

Many trip advisor reviews says apart from the awesome pool, the hotel is overrate with long lines for taxis etc.

If not Marina Bay Sands - where would you stay?

Thanks.

 

[Lynda2475]

So I've decided not to bother with MBS - but I do want to stay in that area - I'm not in Singapore for a pool and would prefer a comfortable room and to save the $$ for dining experiences.

Still tossing up between the Fullerton Hotel and The Conrad.

I usually book direct with hotels (or via their loyalty programs) to get the best deal.

FH doesnt have a loyalty but reasonable offer at $326/night with welcome coughtail, Daily buffet breakfast, Unlimited mobile data & IDD calls to 15 countries with Handy phone, Heritage Tours. Or same room with Straits club access (snacks and coughtails) is $406.

Hilton Honors didn't have anything compelling for The Conrad.

Virtuoso don't offer The Conrad and for the Fullerton their pricing is $60 more per night than booking direct with no extra inclusions except possible upgrade *subject to availability.

However, Luxury escapes have a deal at the moment for The Conrad $400/night on the dates i need which (surcharge as week days involved) includes: Free Wifi, Executive Lounge access (daily buffet breakfast, followed by afternoon tea of finger sandwiches and cakes between 2:30pm and 4pm and evening drinks with hors d’oeuvres from 5:30pm to 8pm, PLUS all-day wine and beer until 8pm, plus all-day tea, coffee and soft drinks until 10pm.) and one 5 course meal at their Golden Peony Cantonese Restaurant.

Never booked via Luxury escapes before - anyone have issues using them or know of an even better deal?

 

[get me outta here]

Luxury Escapes has a good reputation and the add-ons are generous assuming you are able to actually make use of them where you are going. There is a thread or two about LE on AFF.

 

[moa999]

And because of the extras the Hilton Guarantee doesn't apply, even if the Exec Room was $450

 

[Pushka]

So I've decided not to bother with MBS - but I do want to stay in that area - I'm not in Singapore for a pool and would prefer a comfortable room and to save the $$ for dining experiences.

Still tossing up between the Fullerton Hotel and The Conrad.

I usually book direct with hotels (or via their loyalty programs) to get the best deal.

FH doesnt have a loyalty but reasonable offer at $326/night with welcome coughtail, Daily buffet breakfast, Unlimited mobile data & IDD calls to 15 countries with Handy phone, Heritage Tours. Or same room with Straits club access (snacks and coughtails) is $406.

Hilton Honors didn't have anything compelling for The Conrad.

Virtuoso don't offer The Conrad and for the Fullerton their pricing is $60 more per night than booking direct with no extra inclusions except possible upgrade *subject to availability.

However, Luxury escapes have a deal at the moment for The Conrad $400/night on the dates i need which (surcharge as week days involved) includes: Free Wifi, Executive Lounge access (daily buffet breakfast, followed by afternoon tea of finger sandwiches and cakes between 2:30pm and 4pm and evening drinks with hors d’oeuvres from 5:30pm to 8pm, PLUS all-day wine and beer until 8pm, plus all-day tea, coffee and soft drinks until 10pm.) and one 5 course meal at their Golden Peony Cantonese Restaurant.

Never booked via Luxury escapes before - anyone have issues using them or know of an even better deal?

Do it. You receive everything they promise. We’ve done several. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Blinky]

In October I stayed at the Sofitel City Central on a Luxury Escapes deal for four nights. It was the best hotel I have ever stayed at. Near Chinatown, on top of a railway station, service that exceeded any other Sofitel (a high bar to reach), the very best breakfast buffet etc etc. I will be visiting Singapore next May for another four nights and considered MBP, but decided to stick with perfection.

 

[Daver6]

If you go the LE Conrad option, just price an exec room directly. Might work out cheaper especially when an APAC sale is on, but obviously no meal at Golden Peony (actually went there for dim sum lunch one day and it was excellent).

 

[tgh]

I am a fairly indifferent Accor member , but the SO in Singapore was a nice stay right across the road from satay street.

 

[craven morehead]

I am a fairly indifferent Accor member , but the SO in Singapore was a nice stay right across the road from satay street.

I would definitely return

 

[Lynda2475]

Im a silver Accor member, I have some points which i can use to discount a room, however the Sofitel SOis coming in at similar price to the Conrad without all the extras. So probably best to use those points for weekends away in Aus as I have done in the past.

Checked Conrad Exec pricing through Hilton Honours and its more expensive than LE pricing, can also reduce the LE pricing too buy using some Qantas points - although not sure its great value, as a $300 price reduction is 20K points.

 

[get me outta here]

If you book the LE deal, you will get 1 QF point per dollar.

 

[Pushka]

If you book the LE deal, you will get 1 QF point per dollar.

And through cash rewards too.

 

[jubacca]

I stayed at Fullerton Hotel for 2 nights and will definitely return when we go to Singapore again. It is located in the CBD area with mostly offices so it's a little quiet on weekends and not a lot of food options. The mrt station is only a short walk away so getting around is easy.

Conrad is much better located if you want to do some shopping as there's 3 shopping centres next to it - Suntec City, Marina Square and Millenia Walk. Heaps of dining options between the 3 shopping centres and it is only 1 train stop away from MBS.

 

[goldenhorn]

When ever I have visited MBS, it always seems like a zoo. Depending on pricing, the Four Seasons or St Regis are also worth a look in. If you book through a Viruoso advisor, you will also get breakfast included and a $100 credit at the hotel.

What’s a Viruoso advisor?

 

[serfty]

What’s a Viruoso advisor?

I believe they meant "Virtuoso".

Why Work With a Travel Advisor? - Virtuoso

 

[LadyC]

Yep sorry my spelling bad.

I believe they meant "Virtuoso".

Why Work With a Travel Advisor? - Virtuoso

 

[Lynda2475]

Well i took too long to decide and now the LE Conrad deal is no longer available on my dates.

Might contact a virtuoso TA re Fullerton (although Fullerton site says no one can beat their direct deals) - but curious if they can throw in straits club for less than advertised price.

Anyone recommend a particular Virtuoso agent?

 

[Lynda2475]

I stayed at Fullerton Hotel for 2 nights and will definitely return when we go to Singapore again. It is located in the CBD area with mostly offices so it's a little quiet on weekends and not a lot of food options

Are you sure you have the right hotel? The Fullerton is right behind the Merlion statue opposite Marina Bay, it doesn't look like an business area to me. The Sofitel does look to be in more of a business area.

Was looking at the Virtuoso rate for the Fullerton which includes a room upgrade and Straits club access, got excited when it said it was only $376 a night, but once I registered the price jumped to $469 (im guessing the first price shown was in USD).

 

[stm1sydney]

Definitely a business area, despite the proximity of the Merlion.

 

[jubacca]

Are you sure you have the right hotel? The Fullerton is right behind the Merlion statue opposite Marina Bay, it doesn't look like an business area to me. The Sofitel does look to be in more of a business area.

Was looking at the Virtuoso rate for the Fullerton which includes a room upgrade and Straits club access, got excited when it said it was only $376 a night, but once I registered the price jumped to $469 (im guessing the first price shown was in USD).

Yes, it's a business area as it was a work trip and it's only a short walk to the mrt station or 5-10mins taxi to Marina Bay Sands area. I booked my stay directly on the website as they had a 'perfect staycation' package which includes daily buffet breakfast.

 

[dajop]

Yes, it's a business area as it was a work trip and it's only a short walk to the mrt station or 5-10mins taxi to Marina Bay Sands area

Alternatively it's about a 15 min walk to MBS, which at night time can be quite a pleasant stroll (or during daytime - if its cloudy). Not that MBS is a place you'd necessarily visit more than once on a trip unless you are want to spend lots of money on luxury brands or are a serious gambler