Singapore: Travel Tips, Trends? Ideas & Insights?

[fstuff1]

18 minutes ago, agape01 said:

Alternatively you might want to try Wink at mosque street

Thx but don't want to do hostels/shared rooms for 10days .

 

How about this one?

Hmlet Cantonment (queen bed, 11x11 room, non-refundable, $1052 inc taxes)

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/hmlet-cantonment.html?aid=356980&label=gog235jc-1DCAUoyQFCG3Jlc29ydC13b3JsZC1zZW50b3NhLWNhc2lub0gzWANorgGIAQGYATG4ARfIAQzYAQPoAQH4AQKIAgGoAgO4Ao3ss6kGwAIB0gIkZDhjOWI4MWMtOTE0YS00MTQ1LWE1ZWItN2Y2YzQ3NmFmNWQw2AIE4AIB&sid=aa228249ada71063204f173f47f29e30&atlas_src=sr_iw_btn;checkin=2023-11-03;checkout=2023-11-13;dest_id=8155;dest_type=district;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;highlighted_blocks=550286301_0_2_0_0;nflt=oos%3D1%3Bprice%3DUSD-min-220-1%3Breview_score%3D80%3Bht_id%3D204;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;type=total;ucfs=1&

 

It's in-between Resorts World and MBS casinos.

But is it too far south for anything else?

 

Edited October 16, 2023 by fstuff1

[agape01]

8 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

Thx but don't want to do hostels/shared rooms for 10days .

 

How about this one?

Hmlet Cantonment (queen bed, 11x11 room, non-refundable, $1052 inc taxes)

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/hmlet-cantonment.html?aid=356980&label=gog235jc-1DCAUoyQFCG3Jlc29ydC13b3JsZC1zZW50b3NhLWNhc2lub0gzWANorgGIAQGYATG4ARfIAQzYAQPoAQH4AQKIAgGoAgO4Ao3ss6kGwAIB0gIkZDhjOWI4MWMtOTE0YS00MTQ1LWE1ZWItN2Y2YzQ3NmFmNWQw2AIE4AIB&sid=aa228249ada71063204f173f47f29e30&atlas_src=sr_iw_btn;checkin=2023-11-03;checkout=2023-11-13;dest_id=8155;dest_type=district;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;highlighted_blocks=550286301_0_2_0_0;nflt=oos%3D1%3Bprice%3DUSD-min-220-1%3Breview_score%3D80%3Bht_id%3D204;no_rooms=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;type=total;ucfs=1&

 

It's in-between Resorts World and MBS casinos.

But is it too far south for anything else?

 

The previous spot that I suggested has your own room.

 

This spot is no where near any subway spot so you might find it inconvenient.

 

But having said that, anywhere on my island state would take about 50mins traveling time by subway/mrt.

[fstuff1]

9 hours ago, agape01 said:

The previous spot that I suggested has your own room.

 

This spot is no where near any subway spot so you might find it inconvenient.

 

But having said that, anywhere on my island state would take about 50mins traveling time by subway/mrt.

Wink refundable private room is $1477:

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/wink-hostel.html?aid=356980&label=gog235jc-1FCAUoyQFCG3Jlc29ydC13b3JsZC1zZW50b3NhLWNhc2lub0gzWANorgGIAQGYATG4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQKIAgGoAgO4Ao3ss6kGwAIB0gIkZDhjOWI4MWMtOTE0YS00MTQ1LWE1ZWItN2Y2YzQ3NmFmNWQw2AIF4AIB&sid=aa228249ada71063204f173f47f29e30&all_sr_blocks=36168004_335377037_0_1_0;checkin=2023-11-03;checkout=2023-11-13;dest_id=361680;dest_type=hotel;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=1;highlighted_blocks=36168004_335377037_0_1_0;hpos=1;matching_block_id=36168004_335377037_0_1_0;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;sr_pri_blocks=36168004_335377037_0_1_0__119070;srepoch=1697485124;srpvid=48e68a1e824e037a;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

 

Walking 10 min to subway shouldnt be a problem for me.

but how hot is it in Singapore in Nov? 

And how safe is the Hmlet area if i came home late at night?

 

Edited October 16, 2023 by fstuff1

[agape01]

1 hour ago, fstuff1 said:

Wink refundable private room is $1477:

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/sg/wink-hostel.html?aid=356980&label=gog235jc-1FCAUoyQFCG3Jlc29ydC13b3JsZC1zZW50b3NhLWNhc2lub0gzWANorgGIAQGYATG4ARfIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQKIAgGoAgO4Ao3ss6kGwAIB0gIkZDhjOWI4MWMtOTE0YS00MTQ1LWE1ZWItN2Y2YzQ3NmFmNWQw2AIF4AIB&sid=aa228249ada71063204f173f47f29e30&all_sr_blocks=36168004_335377037_0_1_0;checkin=2023-11-03;checkout=2023-11-13;dest_id=361680;dest_type=hotel;dist=0;group_adults=2;group_children=0;hapos=1;highlighted_blocks=36168004_335377037_0_1_0;hpos=1;matching_block_id=36168004_335377037_0_1_0;no_rooms=1;req_adults=2;req_children=0;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;sr_order=popularity;sr_pri_blocks=36168004_335377037_0_1_0__119070;srepoch=1697485124;srpvid=48e68a1e824e037a;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl

 

Walking 10 min to subway shouldnt be a problem for me.

but how hot is it in Singapore in Nov? 

And how safe is the Hmlet area if i came home late at night?

 

As my country is in the tropics and close to the equator, the average temperature is in the 30s Celsius but with a humidity level of at least 80% or higher. The other thing about the weather during that time of the year is the high chance of rain.

Singapore has got one of the lowest crime rates in the world and the chances of being mugged or robbed is near 0 but at the same time it is advisable to be aware of your surroundings. If you were to come back late, you might want to take a cab/taxi as the public transportation shuts down by around 1am. Also do note that all alcohol sales stop by 1030pm.

[MVPinBoynton]

1 hour ago, agape01 said:

As my country is in the tropics and close to the equator, the average temperature is in the 30s Celsius but with a humidity level of at least 80% or higher. The other thing about the weather during that time of the year is the high chance of rain.

Singapore has got one of the lowest crime rates in the world and the chances of being mugged or robbed is near 0 but at the same time it is advisable to be aware of your surroundings. If you were to come back late, you might want to take a cab/taxi as the public transportation shuts down by around 1am. Also do note that all alcohol sales stop by 1030pm.

Caleb,

That’s the same weather we have in South Florida. 😁  We are ready for it. 

[fstuff1]

2 hours ago, agape01 said:

As my country is in the tropics and close to the equator, the average temperature is in the 30s Celsius but with a humidity level of at least 80% or higher. The other thing about the weather during that time of the year is the high chance of rain.

Singapore has got one of the lowest crime rates in the world and the chances of being mugged or robbed is near 0 but at the same time it is advisable to be aware of your surroundings. If you were to come back late, you might want to take a cab/taxi as the public transportation shuts down by around 1am. Also do note that all alcohol sales stop by 1030pm.

oh yuck about the humidity.

so i've narrowed my choices to Hmlet ($1100) or a Holiday Inn ($1900 - $2100, depending on which one) because it comes with a great free breakfast so i can skip spending $ on lunch.

 

I also thought about The middle of the ground $1500 hotels like Peninsula Excelsior Singapore (Wyndham) because i'm Diamond at Wyndham and can get a free upgrade plus other small stuff. 

 

is there Uber/Grab in Singapore?

[fstuff1]

22 minutes ago, agape01 said:

The Peninsula Excelsior has got a great location. I would recommend that you go for it.

The HQ for Grab is in Singapore so of course Grab is available. Having said that, the rates that Grab lists might not be good because prices do surge dramatically during peak hours. The main cab/taxi company called comfort has its own app called CDG Zig. You could compare rates between these two options other than hailing for a ride. 

the Peninsula Excelsior for $1500 doesnt have free breakfast.
The holiday inn for $2100 does.

you would still pick the Peninsula Excelsior over holiday inn?

[agape01]

9 minutes ago, fstuff1 said:

the Peninsula Excelsior for $1500 doesnt have free breakfast.
The holiday inn for $2100 does.

you would still pick the Peninsula Excelsior over holiday inn?

Yes I would.

You will realize that breakfast is available anywhere closeby from cheap to high end. 

[fstuff1]

3 hours ago, agape01 said:

The Peninsula Excelsior has got a great location. I would recommend that you go for it.
 

what do you think of Holiday Inn Express Novena for $1400?

And it comes with Breakfast.. lol

 

if i'm going to get holiday inn clarke quay for $2100, why not holiday inn atrium for $1900?

it's only a few blocks to the left of Clarke Quay

 

Edited October 17, 2023 by fstuff1

[fstuff1]

ok, booked The Peninsula Excelsior (Wyndham).

 

Thx Agape01!

Edited October 20, 2023 by fstuff1

[agape01]

15 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

ok, booked The Peninsula Excelsior (Wyndham).

 

Thx Agape01!

Great choice.

You're most welcome.

If you need any further assistance while you are in Singapore, my email address is listed on post #8 of this thread.

[fstuff1]

On 10/20/2023 at 5:38 PM, agape01 said:

Great choice.

You're most welcome.

If you need any further assistance while you are in Singapore, my email address is listed on post #8 of this thread.

Thx.

google says High5 casino is temporarily closed?

[SClakeliving]

We are staying in Singapore post-cruise at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay from Nov 25-28. Can anyone suggest a couple of restaurants near by? What is best way to get to airport from the hotel? 

TIA

[mtnesterz]

43 minutes ago, SClakeliving said:

We are staying in Singapore post-cruise at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay from Nov 25-28. Can anyone suggest a couple of restaurants near by? What is best way to get to airport from the hotel? 

TIA

We have stayed in Singapore and found the quickest and most effective way to get around is the MRT. The Holiday Inn there advertizes it is a 7 minute walk to Clarke Quay MRT station, but the connections to Changi Airport, well, you'd need to change trains. The hotel can advise on which to take. Also once you get to the airport, you'd have to get to your specific terminal, but perhaps @agape01 can advise. If you do take a Grab car, (think Lyft or Uber in this country) there is no tipping. 

[agape01]

1 hour ago, SClakeliving said:

We are staying in Singapore post-cruise at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay from Nov 25-28. Can anyone suggest a couple of restaurants near by? What is best way to get to airport from the hotel? 

TIA

Considering your situation, the best way to get to the airport after a long cruise to Singapore would be by cab. Yes, as @mtnesterz has mentioned you could take a Grab or ask the front desk of the Holiday Inn to call for a cab for you.

You might like to check out this website that gives you information about Singapore Cabs and Fares. As there are more than one app that provides private car hires, you also could check out this page.

The only thing that you should look out for would be the time that you need to take the cab to the airport because now most cab or private hire cars charge rates depending on surge pricing. 

As for recommending restaurants nearby, depends on what you might be craving for. There is a Michelin guide for Singapore if that helps, alternatively I would recommend that you ask your hotel front desk when you check in. 

[Justpackingmybags]

8 hours ago, SClakeliving said:

We are staying in Singapore post-cruise at the Holiday Inn Express Clarke Quay from Nov 25-28. Can anyone suggest a couple of restaurants near by? What is best way to get to airport from the hotel? 

TIA

I stayed at this hotel last visit. I’d definitely use a taxi or a Grab to get to the airport. The Changi Airport website will give you an idea of prices and what surcharges you could expect depending on your travel time.

The first night I just walked 5 minutes to Riverside Point and ate at Brewerkz - if you like beer, it’s for you because they are a local brewery and have a few interesting offerings. The food was tasty too. Chinatown isn’t too far to walk and you can imagine the number of restaurants there. Both sides of the river have so much choice when it comes to eating - just follow your nose! If you have time, book a night time river cruise and see the city all lit up. Enjoy your time there. It’s become my favourite city.

[agape01]

2 hours ago, Justpackingmybags said:

I stayed at this hotel last visit. I’d definitely use a taxi or a Grab to get to the airport. The Changi Airport website will give you an idea of prices and what surcharges you could expect depending on your travel time.

The first night I just walked 5 minutes to Riverside Point and ate at Brewerkz - if you like beer, it’s for you because they are a local brewery and have a few interesting offerings. The food was tasty too. Chinatown isn’t too far to walk and you can imagine the number of restaurants there. Both sides of the river have so much choice when it comes to eating - just follow your nose! If you have time, book a night time river cruise and see the city all lit up. Enjoy your time there. It’s become my favourite city.

The river that @Justpackingmybags is referring to is the Singapore River where there are two quays or docks (for our American friends). Boat Quay is more of a tourist trap than Clarke Quay. Clarke Quay is more of where the locals would hang out than Boat Quay and Clarke Quay is the closer one to the Holiday Inn. 

 

[MVPinBoynton]

Just saw that the Merlion statue is being renovated.   With us being in Singapore in January, I’m sure glad it will be completed in December.  I love that statue. 

[Sandi in Seattle]

We are arriving in Singapore on the Celebrity Solstice on Nov 28 and our flight doesn't leave until 10pm. We'd like to do some sightseeing before going to the airport, but don't know what to do with our luggage. Hiring a driver/guide is expensive, and at this late date most are already booked anyway. Might a hotel store our bags for the day? Has anyone used Stasher? Any tips would be appreciated!

[agape01]

On 10/31/2023 at 12:44 AM, agape01 said:

There are baggage storage at Changi airport. You can check out this link. 

And from there, you can explore Jewel or anywhere in Singapore. 

This is your first option. I would have to say that Changi Airport is a destination by itself. Which airline would you be heading home by? If you are taking Singapore Airlines to Seattle, you could immediately check in your bags when you reach the airport.
 

1 hour ago, Sandi in Seattle said:

We are arriving in Singapore on the Celebrity Solstice on Nov 28 and our flight doesn't leave until 10pm. We'd like to do some sightseeing before going to the airport, but don't know what to do with our luggage. Hiring a driver/guide is expensive, and at this late date most are already booked anyway. Might a hotel store our bags for the day? Has anyone used Stasher? Any tips would be appreciated!

You have some options. Part 1 is that I believe that you could possibly pay a fee to stay on the Solstice before the ship leaves and when its close to leaving, you disembark and head straight to the airport.

[Sandi in Seattle]

Which airline would you be heading home by? If you are taking Singapore Airlines to Seattle, you could immediately check in your bags when you reach the airport.

 

Thanks for your reply. We're flying Korean Air. I did see there's lots to see and do at the airport, However, it's my first time in Singapore and I'd like to see some of it!

 

 

[agape01]

15 minutes ago, Sandi in Seattle said:

Thanks for your reply. We're flying Korean Air. I did see there's lots to see and do at the airport, However, it's my first time in Singapore and I'd like to see some of it!

 

 

If that is the case, then just do option 1.

Go to one of the baggage storage locations at the airport (I would pick the one where Korean Air is flying off from), pay the fee for storage and then you could do whatever you want until you can check in.

Some options that you could possibly do are listed on the first page of this thread.

[TLCOhio]

7 hours ago, agape01 said:

Go to one of the baggage storage locations at the airport (I would pick the one where Korean Air is flying off from), pay the fee for storage and then you could do whatever you want until you can check in.   Some options that you could possibly do are listed on the first page of this thread.

 

Appreciate these continued excellent questions and the wonderful follow-ups from agape01 in Singapore.  Our departure to India in early February is now only three months away.  Getting closer.  The excitement is building!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

[TLCOhio]

From CNN, the cable news network, and MSN News two days ago, they had this headline: “Singapore’s Changi Airport fully reopens Terminal 2 following dramatic makeover” with these highlights: “Singapore’s Changi Airport has fully reopened Terminal 2 following a massive 3.5-year expansion project.  And given it was voted the world’s best airport in the 2023 Skytrax Airport Awards, it should come as little surprise this was no ordinary makeover.  Around 21,000 square meters (226,000 square feet) have been added to the original terminal building, providing additional infrastructure, new systems and more shopping and dining offerings.”

 

Here is more: "Nature is the overriding design theme in the refreshed T2, with one of the star attractions being a 14-meter-high digital waterfall display. Surrounded by a vertical garden, 'The Wonderfall' is located in the departure hall and cascades over megalithic boulders."

 

Full story at:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/singapore-s-changi-airport-fully-reopens-terminal-2-following-dramatic-makeover/ar-AA1jk5iQ

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 249,313 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

[fstuff1]

On 10/20/2023 at 1:59 PM, fstuff1 said:

ok, booked The Peninsula Excelsior (Wyndham).

 

Thx Agape01!

 

View from the sky lounge on top of the hotel.

 

That's the 15min harbor light show at 8&9pm everyday.

The colors of the buildings behind the light show are sychonized with the show. :o

The funny shaped building on the lower left is the ArtScience museum.

 

Note:

You must have a club room or suite to access the sky lounge (22nd floor).

Your room key allows you to press the 22 button in the elevator.

 

For me, I got the cheapest room and got a free upgrade to club room because of my tier level at Wyndham.

 

Note 2:

You don't get the free food/drinks benefit at the sky lounge if you got it via an upgrade. :(

 

Edited November 13, 2023 by fstuff1