I just stayed at the Hilton for US$90 a night, which is ok. The Regent is aboout $120 or so.

The Summit chain hotel just off Orchard is quite nice and is just under $100.

The Le Meridian was about $80, but it is too far down Orchard for me.

You can probably do better on Priceline, but it will be the luck of the draw.

As to the later issue, I usually start with, "Hi!"