Just want to know how big is Chinese NY in Singapore? Do shops close during this period? Or is it just business as usual?

Usually the shopping outlets will be closed on the first and second day of the Chinese New Year. However, dining places (especially those serving non-chinese food) are available, and you can also visit the places of interests.

The major shopping centres are usually open for business on 3rd day of the chinese new year.

Usually the shopping outlets will be closed on the first and second day of the Chinese New Year. However, dining places (especially those serving non-chinese food) are available, and you can also visit the places of interests.

The major shopping centres are usually open for business on 3rd day of the chinese new year.

Thanks. I will come to SIN before the 9 Feb then and goto NRT during this time to avoid the closing of shops. My travel partner likes to goto Chinatown (Owl Chair Shui).

Dun mention.

If your partner loves Chinatown, you should arrive in SIN about 2 days before the Chinese New Year. During that time, the streets will be beaming with New Year's goodies and food. However, it can get very crowded and hot if you are not mentally prepared for it. On the eve of the Chinese New Year last year, there was fire crackers let off to usher in the new year. Given the good response last year, I believe they will do it again this year in Chinatown. Thereafter, u can fly to NRT on first day of Chinese New Year.

Have a fun time in SIN. If you need more info, u can let me know.

Just want to know how big is Chinese NY in Singapore? Do shops close during this period? Or is it just business as usual?
Big, definitely the biggest holiday of the year (think "Chinese Christmas"). Pretty much the only days of the year when more or less everything is closed, although there's still some semblance of activity in the Indian/Malay districts.

Thanks Guys. I am thinking of visiting the week before 1 Feb to SIN to avoid the crowds.

Which hotel do you recommend from the following:

Four Seasons
Ritz Carlton
Conrad?

I know the location of all of them and it seems FS is better as it is near the Orchard Rd and the other two are near the Marina Sq area and the Sunteq City. But which one is better from a Local's perspective?

Thanks Guys. I am thinking of visiting the week before 1 Feb to SIN to avoid the crowds.

Which hotel do you recommend from the following:

Four Seasons
Ritz Carlton
Conrad?

I know the location of all of them and it seems FS is better as it is near the Orchard Rd and the other two are near the Marina Sq area and the Sunteq City. But which one is better from a Local's perspective?

Well, it depends on what you wish to do for the trip. Four Seasons Hotel is in Orchard Road area and you can walk to the major department stores within 5 minutes.

If you like to have a good view of Singapore, I would then recommend Ritz Carlton. If you get the sea view, you will get a nice view of the sea and central business district.

Conrad will probably offer the cheapest rates among the 3. Room wise, it can be slightly smaller than the other 2.

In terms of location, Conrad and Ritz Carlton is near the Suntec City Shopping Mall, which is one of the biggest mall in Singapore. In addition, you can always catch a free shuttle bus (from afternoon onwards till night) from either Suntec City Shopping Mall or Millenium Shopping Centre to City Hall MRT (Subway) station.

My personal preference will be Ritz Carlton if you dun mind paying a little more.

If you need a hotel that is convenient, you may wish to consider the 4* Swissotel Stamford Hotel (formerly Westin Stamford Hotel). It is situated above the City Hall MRT and besides Raffles City Shopping Centre. Moving around the city will be a breeze since the subway station is just right below the hotel. Also, there is an underground shopping mall which links you to the Suntec City Shopping Mall.

Hope this helps.

Well, it depends on what you wish to do for the trip. Four Seasons Hotel is in Orchard Road area and you can walk to the major department stores within 5 minutes.

If you like to have a good view of Singapore, I would then recommend Ritz Carlton. If you get the sea view, you will get a nice view of the sea and central business district.

Conrad will probably offer the cheapest rates among the 3. Room wise, it can be slightly smaller than the other 2.

In terms of location, Conrad and Ritz Carlton is near the Suntec City Shopping Mall, which is one of the biggest mall in Singapore. In addition, you can always catch a free shuttle bus (from afternoon onwards till night) from either Suntec City Shopping Mall or Millenium Shopping Centre to City Hall MRT (Subway) station.


Thanks.

I find the shopping around the Suntek city area (also the shopping mall at the Swisshotel) are not as good as the ones down at Orchard Rd (Ngee An City etc...)

My purpose of the trip = leisure. The only thing sI have in mind = eat! I find the chinese food @ the Conrad, FS and Ritz Carlton really good!

The chinese food @ Chinatown = disgusting.
and I find the Satay @ Clarke Quay = ordinary.

Can you suggest any other places to eat:

1) Good Satay
2) Haninese Chicken Rice


Also what else would you suggest and my travel companion is my 60+ grandmother. so pref no something too exotic and adventuors.

Also we only have 3 days.

Thanks


My personal preference will be Ritz Carlton if you dun mind paying a little more.

If you need a hotel that is convenient, you may wish to consider the 4* Swissotel Stamford Hotel (formerly Westin Stamford Hotel). It is situated above the City Hall MRT and besides Raffles City Shopping Centre. Moving around the city will be a breeze since the subway station is just right below the hotel. Also, there is an underground shopping mall which links you to the Suntec City Shopping Mall.

Hope this helps.

If you prefer to be in the vicinity of Orchard shopping belt, you will want to consider Marriot Hotel as well. The hotel is situated at the heart of Orchard Road and beside the subway station. It has a chinese restaurant - Wan Hao that serves nice chinese food. However, my last visit was more than a year ago and things may have changed. Another chinese restaurant is Li Bai at Sheraton Hotel. You can take the subway for one station and alight at Newton Station. Li Bai has consistently provided nice food coupled with great service.

You can also try the Crystal Jade Garden Restaurant at Ngee Ann City - 4th storey. However, please make reservation especially for weekend dinner as it can be fully booked.

For satay, you may also wish to try those at Lau Pa Sau festival market (in the evening from 7pm till midnite) located at Robinson Road in the Central Business District. However, quality may vary from stores to stores.

For Haninese Chicken Rice, you can try the Chatterbox restaurant at Mandarin Hotel if you like to dine in comfort and do not want the hassle of travelling around. If not, you can try one of the coffee shop located near Raffles Hotel which is reputed for its chicken rice.

sorry..i just want to say that i find the Chatterbox over-rated and over-priced. for the $ that one pays at Chatterbox, i could enjoy probably 3-4 plates of not-any-less-superior chicken rice at non air-conditioned places such as hawker centres.

many stars like to go to the Boon Tong Kee chicken rice shop at River Valley (quite near Orchard Rd) when they come to SG. There is also another quite good chicken rice stall near BTK, called "5 Star Chicken Rice". so perhaps you could try BOTH and let us know your comments? if you'll like to give hawker centre chicken rice a try, i have also read that "Tian Tian" at Maxwell Road Hawker Centre (very near Chinatown) serves really yummy c.r!

as for the comment on yucky Chinese food in Chinatown, i am very curious to know more, if you'd like to share.

lastly, if you'll like to try some nice Cantonese cruisine in a restaurant, i have read many good reviews of "Chef Chan's" which is located at Odean Towers (very near to Raffles Hotel).

oh, have you thought of staying at the Fullerton Hotel?

to hclee01: Hi. the coffeeshop near RH which you mentioned, are you talking abt the one nearest to Bras Basah, and right behind RH, where you can see RH from the shop??

sorry..i just want to say that i find the Chatterbox over-rated and over-priced. for the $ that one pays at Chatterbox, i could enjoy probably 3-4 plates of not-any-less-superior chicken rice at non air-conditioned places such as hawker centres.

many stars like to go to the Boon Tong Kee chicken rice shop at River Valley (quite near Orchard Rd) when they come to SG. There is also another quite good chicken rice stall near BTK, called "5 Star Chicken Rice". so perhaps you could try BOTH and let us know your comments? if you'll like to give hawker centre chicken rice a try, i have also read that "Tian Tian" at Maxwell Road Hawker Centre (very near Chinatown) serves really yummy c.r!



Second that..Chatterbox is over rated and over priced...

There is also BTK and 5* at East Coast Road, almost next to each other, between Joo Chiat Road and Still Road, I personally prefer 5* but that's just me.

I had read from i-can't-remember-where that all (?) Five-Star stores are very near to Boon Tong Kee! I guess that is really smart marketing strategy indeed ;)

indo79: hi! is the one you're talking abt, at Katong?