Singapore: what to do, where to stay?

[kevrosmith]

Thinking of booking a last minute trip to Singapore for a few days next week and would like some advice. Thinking to head over between Sunday 29 December and Tuesday 31 December, stay until weekend or the following week. (BA seem to have some good prices on PE out of SYD).

Never been to Singapore or know much about what to do or where to stay. I've heard of areas such as "Orchard road" or the "Marina Bay area" but don't really know where they are in relation to things in Singapore. Hoping for accommodation budget of $100-$150 per night for 5-7 nights.

Any suggestions on where to stay and what to do for a few days?

I've got IHG Platinum Elite Status from VA Platinum, and Accor Platinum via status match, but am not too experienced in the hotel status area. I prefer accommodation that's comfortable and not a dive in a dodgy location.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[markis10]

So long as your hotel is near a MRT station it does not matter to much where you stay, at the end of the day Singapore is a small island and taxis are also cheap if the train does not suit. Your accommodation budget is on the low side, suggest the ibis or similar.

 

[Major]

I have stayed at Ibis Bencoolen before and should suit your budget nicely. The rooms are a bit small but clean and tidy
ibis Singapore on Bencoolen hotel - Book your budget hotel in SINGAPORE

There is heaps to do in Singapore...plenty of cheap places to eat and one of the safest cities in the World...and did I mention it has some great food experiences

http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/experience_au.html

https://maps.google.com.au/maps?ie=...apore&ei=ely3UtSxIsW8iAfC14CwCg&ved=0CNkBEMgT

 

[burmans]

Aqueen Lavendar is very nice too, you can stay there under $100 US a night, its 3 star and right above a MRT stattion with a good food court just under it and a nice pool.

 

[Hvr]

Can also recommend the Ibis Bencoolen.

Heck I've even stayed in Geylang with no ill effects.

The rooms in budget hotels in SIN are tiny but clean. Still you're there for the sights so just enjoy the sleep.

 

[Mal]

Bencoolen is fine. Stayed there soon after opening, but MTR is a little walk away. And while Geylang hotels aren't my thing, yes you can get decent hotels there.

 

[romney]

If you are interested in food and culture I suggest googling "Tony Tan Food Walk". It's a tour in the Geylang area. You get to try some great food and get an insight into how the average Singaporean lives. I did it about three years ago and had a great evening.

 

[kevrosmith]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Ibis seems to be around $185 per night at the moment but it gives me a baseline.

I'll do a bit more research now based on the suggestions above.

 

[Cynicor]

Accom budget very low for Sin, 3 stars only I would suspect. Stay anywhere close to an MRT and you are close to "everything" (except the zoo).

Zoo is world class, and I like the river safari and the night safari too. SEA aquarium is new a a decent aquarium/underwater zoo too.
Lots of shopping in Orchard Rd but the city is moving towards the Marina and Marina Bay areas. These are nice for a walk around to see the sights, with old colonial era buildings and brand new glass and steel structures.

For your first trip, walk a lot and get your bearings and see what you might like to come back to. If you like the outdoors some of their national parks are pretty decent, with primary rainforest and wetlands etc.

 

[Lowjhg]

If you are interested in food and culture I suggest googling "Tony Tan Food Walk". It's a tour in the Geylang area. You get to try some great food and get an insight into how the average Singaporean lives. I did it about three years ago and had a great evening.

If you want to have a real insight about how a singaporean lives, i rather you get brought around by a local than a tour guide (shameless self promotion, but very true).

And yes, hotels are incredibly expensive during this period of time too :/

 

[kevrosmith]

Okay... flights now booked. This is happening. Arrive NYE 31 Dec, and depart 06 Jan. Have booked Novotel Clarke Quay. Works out around $260 per night but I'm hoping to make use of my Accor Platinum status match and see if it gets me a nicer room.

I'd be very glad to be guided by the experience and wisdom of a local if any are willing and have to time to share their knowledge. I have friends-of-friends that I will try to make contact with as well.

Still have to work out my flights in the next few days to position me to SYD for Tuesday's use of First Lounge in SYD. I am planning to head to the National Library in CBR to see the map display on Monday, so will probably head back to SYD Monday night.

Now to start planning daily activities.

 

[amaroo]

Fullerton Bay Hotel would be my pick.

 

[markis10]

Fullerton Bay Hotel would be my pick.

Only $500 a night over the OPs budget :shock:

 

[amaroo]

Only $500 a night over the OPs budget :shock:

Oops, didn't read that bit

 

[Alanslegal]

Gardens By The Bay is a pretty neat park to explore. Visit the two indoor attractions there as well, however I thought the Rainforest dome was pretty cool!!. The Casino is wayyy overrated IMO so if you go there to tick the box, that's cool as well. Lots of hawker centres if you love eating good street food. I'd suggest Maxwell Hawker Centre (try the world famous Tian Tian Chicken Rice where Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain think is one of the best chicken rice's in the world). I really dislike Newton Circus Hawker Centre, way tourist'y and they will rip you off!

 

[kevrosmith]

If you are interested in food and culture I suggest googling "Tony Tan Food Walk". It's a tour in the Geylang area. You get to try some great food and get an insight into how the average Singaporean lives. I did it about three years ago and had a great evening.

Do you have a link for this tour? When I search for "Tony Tan Food Walk", the best I seem to get is this link at Betel Box hostel Betel Box The REAL Singapore Tours: Singapore Food Tour - Singapore Food Walk Tour. Is this the one you suggest?

 

[romney]

Yes, that's the one! He owns the Betel Box hostel and runs a few different tours from there (I believe there's a cycling tour too but haven't done it). You don't have to be staying there though to do the tours.

 

[Mal]

Oh wow. That tour sounds amazing. 6 hours. 20 dishes. 5km walk (to help burn off the gluttony), and cheap too.
Something for me to consider for my next SIN adventure (along with the Newwater tour - personal joke. )

 

[romney]

If I remember correctly, when we did the tour it was more like 30+ different dishes, but I think it depends on the number of people in the group. The tour also seems to be different depending on what places are good in the area and what people in the group like/don't like. The food was good, but it was the info about Singapore during the tour that was really interesting, and Tony is so passionate about the area and the history.