Singapore Hotels
Discussion
Flying out of Singapore after our usual winter escape next March and now looking for hotels for 3/4 nights. I did consider the Fullerton as nice looking hotel in good location but wondering if maybe a bit too “stuffy” any one stayed there or recommend any nice relaxed alternatives? Also thinking of spending last night at near airport as early flight back to Uk, I note there is a Crowne plaza inside the airport which looks nice or perhaps the Dusit Thani just outside anyone used either or can someone recommend a nice alternative? Thanks
We stayed in the Intercontinental on Middle Road in March for a week and it was very good. Rooms were spacious, colonial in style but quite modern and the bed was really comfortable. Breakfast was very comprehensive and there are plenty of food options nearby for dinner. Fairly central with an underground station 5 minutes walk away made it easy to get anywhere fairly quickly.
Agree with comments about the Fullerton - I stayed there in December 2023 and it was very relaxed. I turned up absolutely soaked (my waterproof was in the bottom of my bag) and the staff were entirely unfazed. I was in a 'Heritage' room which was lovely - excellent size, nice bathroom, and a big balcony looking over the front.
It may have been that I was there at the right time, but I also found the pool was always really quiet when I went - often I had it to myself in the morning. The pool itself is small but in a fantastic position, gratuitous photo below.
Also similar experience to those above with breakfast - I'd never been to Singapore before so this may be the norm, but it was an extraordinarily diverse selection of food. The usual bacon, eggs, fresh omelettes, pastries, yoghurt etc, and also all sorts of seafood, noodles etc.
It was great and I'll stay there again the next time I'm in Singapore.
It may have been that I was there at the right time, but I also found the pool was always really quiet when I went - often I had it to myself in the morning. The pool itself is small but in a fantastic position, gratuitous photo below.
Also similar experience to those above with breakfast - I'd never been to Singapore before so this may be the norm, but it was an extraordinarily diverse selection of food. The usual bacon, eggs, fresh omelettes, pastries, yoghurt etc, and also all sorts of seafood, noodles etc.
It was great and I'll stay there again the next time I'm in Singapore.
I've stayed in most areas and hotels in Singapore over the last 10 years. The Marina area is nice, however can get busy and noisy, maybe ok for a few days holiday if you're just about the Marina area.
The Park Royal Marina Square hotel (used to be called something else) is a good Marina hotel if you get a room relatively high up and facing the MBS towers. The internal atrium of the hotel is amazing (you can walk through it even if not staying there just to see) and from the right rooms you get the iconic view of the Marina. I have some now and then pictures from there when they were building the MBS towers and then after completed.
Moving a bit away I stayed may times at the Intercon on Middle Road (mentioned above). Good location near the Marina, but also walkable to other places like little India and Arab Street. Connected to Bugis mall is very handy for food and 'local vibe', as well as the MRT. Lounge access is recommended here as the style and food in the lounge is excellent. I don't stay there anymore however as it's got quite expensive for my short notice bookings.
Many colleagues stay in the business district, just on the edge next to Chinatown. The Oasia is a good stay here, with a good lounge at the top looking out over the city. A very vibrant area, close enough to the Marina, but also right on top of Chinatown and relatively close to Sentosa and the ridge parks (walk from the top of the top park down to the bottom of the bottom, crossing the funky bridges as you go - a sweaty way to spend a day, but really enjoyable).
Currently I stay at the Voco at the top of Orchard Road. Not particularly exciting hotel (a refurb of a Hilton I think) but perfectly adequate, and a really good location if you plan to do various things around Singapore. I go for runs in the Botanic Garden from here, and hop on the MRT to anywhere. There's also a really good whisky bar in the mall across the road - The Writing Club (hard to find, but worth it).
At the airport there is the Crowne Plaza - I've used it a few times and would not recommend as the rooms are off an open-to-the-outside hallway which made me far too warm. And the waiting at reception to check it was way longer that a grab to a city hotel! The club lounge is however very nice.
Things to do in Singapore, if you want to go beyond standard tourist traps and the Marina:
- For the best Marina view go to the LeVel 33 microbrewery bar on the edge of the business district
- For hawker food go to any foodcourt away from the Marina - the half touristy one is Newton
- Ford factory museum - go when there's a (free) tour around it from one of the guides.
- Fort Caning bunkers tour - interesting and a bit cooler on a warm day!
- Go along the underpass from the Marina edge at Clifford Square that takes you under the road and up in to the artium of Fullteron hotel. Look at all the old pictures of the area. It might be at the Marina, but few tourists find this.
- Get a wee boat from Changi ferry terminal to the small Ubin island and walk or cycle (hire there) around. Watch out for the wild boar!
- Walk the ridge parks, a better alternative to the MacRitche reservoir, and you can bug out any various points if you get too warm!
- If you like whisky then The Writing Club and/or The Single Cask bars
- If you cycle, hire a proper road bike, delivered to your hotel, get out at 4-6am and cycle around the whole country, ~125km and called "RTI" on most cycle routing apps. There's 100s of people doing it every weekend. For a longer challenge 'Real RTI' is ~175km.
The Park Royal Marina Square hotel (used to be called something else) is a good Marina hotel if you get a room relatively high up and facing the MBS towers. The internal atrium of the hotel is amazing (you can walk through it even if not staying there just to see) and from the right rooms you get the iconic view of the Marina. I have some now and then pictures from there when they were building the MBS towers and then after completed.
Moving a bit away I stayed may times at the Intercon on Middle Road (mentioned above). Good location near the Marina, but also walkable to other places like little India and Arab Street. Connected to Bugis mall is very handy for food and 'local vibe', as well as the MRT. Lounge access is recommended here as the style and food in the lounge is excellent. I don't stay there anymore however as it's got quite expensive for my short notice bookings.
Many colleagues stay in the business district, just on the edge next to Chinatown. The Oasia is a good stay here, with a good lounge at the top looking out over the city. A very vibrant area, close enough to the Marina, but also right on top of Chinatown and relatively close to Sentosa and the ridge parks (walk from the top of the top park down to the bottom of the bottom, crossing the funky bridges as you go - a sweaty way to spend a day, but really enjoyable).
Currently I stay at the Voco at the top of Orchard Road. Not particularly exciting hotel (a refurb of a Hilton I think) but perfectly adequate, and a really good location if you plan to do various things around Singapore. I go for runs in the Botanic Garden from here, and hop on the MRT to anywhere. There's also a really good whisky bar in the mall across the road - The Writing Club (hard to find, but worth it).
At the airport there is the Crowne Plaza - I've used it a few times and would not recommend as the rooms are off an open-to-the-outside hallway which made me far too warm. And the waiting at reception to check it was way longer that a grab to a city hotel! The club lounge is however very nice.
Things to do in Singapore, if you want to go beyond standard tourist traps and the Marina:
- For the best Marina view go to the LeVel 33 microbrewery bar on the edge of the business district
- For hawker food go to any foodcourt away from the Marina - the half touristy one is Newton
- Ford factory museum - go when there's a (free) tour around it from one of the guides.
- Fort Caning bunkers tour - interesting and a bit cooler on a warm day!
- Go along the underpass from the Marina edge at Clifford Square that takes you under the road and up in to the artium of Fullteron hotel. Look at all the old pictures of the area. It might be at the Marina, but few tourists find this.
- Get a wee boat from Changi ferry terminal to the small Ubin island and walk or cycle (hire there) around. Watch out for the wild boar!
- Walk the ridge parks, a better alternative to the MacRitche reservoir, and you can bug out any various points if you get too warm!
- If you like whisky then The Writing Club and/or The Single Cask bars
- If you cycle, hire a proper road bike, delivered to your hotel, get out at 4-6am and cycle around the whole country, ~125km and called "RTI" on most cycle routing apps. There's 100s of people doing it every weekend. For a longer challenge 'Real RTI' is ~175km.
bad company said:
shirt said:
I’ll bite, what’s a travel counsellor?
Sounds like a posh name for a travel agent.I highly recommend the guy we use for more specialized/longer haul trips where putting together a specific package is required.
Not so much for a 2 week TUI trip to the med or Greece!
bad company said:
There’s only one place for a self respecting PHr to stay at in Singapore, it’s called Raffles. 
Having said that unless someone else is paying we stay at the Conrad Cenntenial which is also excellent and more affordable.
Capella is nice , sentosa not such a good location Having said that unless someone else is paying we stay at the Conrad Cenntenial which is also excellent and more affordable.
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