Hi, have you tried Zuji yet? they've got quite gd air rates too :)
http://www.zuji.com/zuji/splash/0,,,00.html

Budget Hotels
 

Hi izzik, if budget hotels are your target, you could check out the New Seventh Storey hotel too (so far, i've found that the best rates are from the hotel's website itself). http://www.nsshotel.com

It's located at Rochor Road and is less than 5 min walk to the Bugis MRT station (the Parco Bugis Junction shopping centre. which sits right above the train station, is just next to the hotel). There are also many many buses around the area. You can also walk into town (read City Hall and Suntec) within 10-15min.

sorry i am replying to posts which are dated some time back, have just returned to FT and noticed this thread on a SIN DO. actually i think that the Fullerton's still quite cool during weekends. with the crowd at Boat Quay, the Merlion at One Fullerton & those visiting Lau Pa Sat :)

Just made my bookings--first night (arrival midnight Fri) is at the Sheraton, then I switch to the RC--I believe it's pretty close to the Conrad, so I should be able to walk over and meet up with all before the DO ??

Are prices ever a concern at hawker stalls?

See ya there!!!! :) Best wishes, Dave

That's my memory. The hotels and shops have done a good job of overhead linkage, although signage at some points leaves me floundering. RC - mmm, let us know how it is!

I've been holding off on signing up for this since I had no idea where I would be in January, but it looks like I will still be in BKK, so I think I'll hop back to SIN for some good old pepper crab :)

I was there (at the RC) 2 years ago, I get a pretty good rate via my corp travel dept (S$225) for a Club floor room-- the bath is amazing. There is a big round window over the whirlpool tub overlooking the city, just the spot for sipping champagne and munching on strawberries brought in from their club lounge. (If you want to stop by, I'll 'buy' you a free drink in the lounge! :D)

Mike,

Missed the forum lately. I can help and you can use my SIN mobile. Will drop you an email later.

Keith

Have any of the locals who offered to check out reflexology and massage places for the ladies had time to do so yet?

finally..
 

Just finished booking a C award to SIN. Again.

Staying at Intercontinental Hotel in Bugis Junction.

13JAN UA801 JFK-NRT 9H
14JAN UA837 NRT-SIN 13A
16JAN NH902 SIN-NRT (leaving a few strokes before midnight) 2K
17JAN NH10 NRT-JFK 82K

reflexology & massage places for the men too! :)

I had a soak in one of those Ritz Carlton tubs last year, lovely. Nice views and thankfully shaded window panes !

We have a fab new friend who is editor of Asia Spa magazine, who'se just come back from a Spa conference in Singapore... so shall get some recommendations. :cool:

Count me in for dinner Saturday night
 

Hi all: At last I have my schedule in order. I will be in Jakarta most of January. So, I will be able to join the Dinner Saturday night with a very short mileage run from Jkt to Singapore :D :D Most probably I will arrive on SQ157 around 3pm. Don't know yet where to stay. Grand Hyatt is too expensive at the moment. I will post when I know where to stay.
I am looking forward to meet you all. :)

A slight amendment on our hotel plans.. Sheraton for Fri and Sat night, then Shang-ri La Rasa Sentosa Resort for Sun and Mon nights.

Sean doesn't regard a trip as a holiday unless he gets his toes in the sea, you see !

Have to disappoint you about the shaded windows GK....
Friend of mine used to work at centenial tower, next to RC, at Salomon Broth. and several staff were equiped with binoculars at the office :p
Seems at certain times it is quite a show ;)

I would advice against Rasa Sentosa, it is really the worst Shang in the chain. You will really be much happier at the Sentosa Resort & Spa ^ (AKA the beaufort) if you havent already booked. I wrote a small update on it about 3 month ago on luxury hotels board.

Ok, shall have a look online.. thanks for the tip.

Has anyone found any cheap fares for this trip lately? I can see more clearly into the future now and would really like to join in but the fares seem sky high these days.

I've pretty much given up on affordable fares to SIN without the dreaded 6-day min stay... only thing sub-$1000 is KE or EVA Air.

After a dinner meeting with GK (+ Sean and Mrs. Miles) Saturday night, it seems that there might be some space for extra activities during the Singapore 2005 Do.
This thread has become very long, so i am not sure if these timeslots are already taken up, but since I have almost ten years of Singapore experience i can contribute 2 items.

Saturday lunch: in Little India with traditional southern indian vegitarian meal. Of course not at Komala's, but at one of the original villa's. Choosen by the Discovery Chanel as 1 of the best meals worldwide below USD5! Don't forget to wash your hands :D

Sunday afternoon: we could do a walk through the historical district of Singapore (I am an experiened guide on this route) . Starting at maybe 1400 with a sling in the Long Bar and then walking via Hill Street to the Fullerton for happy hour! ^

If there is interest for these 2 activities, please let me know.....

Yes to both! What terrific additions. I ate in Little India once by myself - food on a banana leaf with no utensils - very daring for me! and the second time with transpac and bseller. I'd love to go again. And the walk sounds great as long as the day is dry. We could also start the walk from the food court where transpac has planned Sunday lunch - whatever works best for you.

Any ideas for places for massage in Chinatown? We've got quite a group who want to include that in the weekend, and are looking for a better place than we visited last year.

Dinner on Saturday night was great... still have a slight hangover.. if we can get the walk on Sun via Raffles Long Bar, I am sure you'll all enjoy it !

I could be up for the Sun afternoon walk-- although at this point, just 'pencil me in' as I'm also considering a quick day trip up to KL, depending upon fares etc.

SIN-KUL is practically a commuter route for some.. such that there are two options to achieve this.. you can either reserve a seat in advance and pay the walkup price (same fare across all airlines).. or for less $$, you can go standby on the flights. There's a waiting area .. you have a numbered ticket.. and depending on when you get there, it could be a short or long wait. No mileage accrual on the standby fares, of course. ;)

Fares are cheaper from KUL-SIN instead of vv, due to exchange rates.

Now that you mentioned it, I am also considering a KL daytrip. Things are so cheap there.. and the new rail link from the airport is a godsend. Anything to avoid those touts.

I also it it could be even cheaper to buy 2 separate segments, with my return being bot in KUL. I figured a Sun wouldn't be the bigest travel day for SIN-KUL

by the way, the price drops considerably if you fly out of JHB (Johor Bahru), which is < 1hr from Singapore. Air Asia (LCC) serves JHB-KUL but they only have 2 flights.. early morning and sorta late night.

Guys,

A run to KL might not be the thing you want to do. I used to do these runs for business and it is really terrible!
Senai Airport in JB is even less of an option, it is just too far; you might as well drive after you have reached Senai Airport.

To give you an idea; 1/2 hour from hotel to airport, 1 hour waiting in terminal, 1 hour flight, 15 min docking, 1/2 hour to get into taxi, 1 hour in taxi to downtown KL (or 1/2 hour on expresstrain and then transfer to taxi where you want to go), turn around and go back 1hour to airport, 1 hour waiting for take of, 1 hour flight, 15 min docking, 1/2 hour to get into taxi and 1/2 taxi ride. It is a full days work!

just a sample itinerary to give an idea for those interested.
honestly, i'd say KL is worth an overnight esp with those bargain hotel prices.. but seeing as how most of us have booked solely with SIN in mind (jan 13-17).. this might not be feasible.

7:30am - Wake up
8:30am-9am Travel to Changi airport via MRT or taxi
10:05am-11:05am MH604 SIN-KUL

Arrive in downtown KL by noon.
Have lunch, shop, walk around, eat, shop, look, eat..

8:00pm - Head back to KLIA
9:25pm-10:20pm JL722 KUL-SIN

enjoy :p ^

Folks,

I used to commute SIN-KL bi-weekly and I honestly don't think you wanna waste yr time doing it as a day trip. I absolutely agree with miles4all that its a terrible route. Back then, I prefered driving than flying and in most times, it takes me less time to drive then fly. Most times, I do it <4hrs and once in 3h15m and that's door-to-door!

Driving is fine, but the jams at the causeway is horrendous. For those who are interested in picking up mattress run at SPG and Hilton, KL would be an ideal place.

I haven't called in yet, but fyi there is a change on the ORD-HKG segment. I think the time moved slightly. Seats are still intact.

Is there any gameplan for Sat Daytime?

I'm thinking:
guys need massages too! (what spa did the women find?)
lounging by a pool with a drink might be nice

Other thoughts/ideas?

Sweet Willie, don't forget:

I was envisioning something like eating, shopping, spa-ing. Repeat as necessary.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This local knows little about foot reflexology, except that there are millions of vaguely seedy outlets in Chinatown, and that there is also one chain in Singapore which stands out a little. The chain is called My Foot and is run by a local actress. The special bit about this chain is that it only employs the visually disabled as reflexologists as some sort of job creation thing for them. I personally think it's a nice idea and would go to them simply because of the social benefit, plus it seems like one of the more decently run places out there/here.

As for spas, there are a few particularly popular names out there: the Amrita at the Swissotel/Raffles the Plaza, Spa Botanica at the Beaufort on Sentosa and a chain called St Gregory (http://www.stgregoryspa.com/). I also hear there's a new place on Scotts Road right by the Sheraton that uses nothing but SKII products so those out there who loooove SKII might want to try this out.

BTW, I thought I'd also mention that my parents bought this weird electro-shock foot reflexology thing. It basically works by zapping strong currents through your soles. I don't know if it really works like traditional reflexology but some of you might want to take a look just for laughs/informational value. It's by a manufacturer called OTO and is sold all over Singapore.

Hope this helps! Looking forward to the DO and seeing everyone on my fair isle. ^

And I forgot to mention, but if anyone needs any other info on Singapore I'll be glad to try to help. Although you might want to seek multiple opinions given the number of other SIN-experts (SINtellectuals? SIN-the-know? We need a name for these people ;)) on this board who probably know the place better than I do.

Also, I'll be glad to volunteer my local number if necessary for reservations etc. Please PM and I'll try to respond as promptly as I can manage.

There is interest in the miles4all Saturday lunch, one please. Anyone else?

My arm could most likely be twisted... :)