Chrisnichols

Hi everyone. My first post on this forum, but I’ve been reading all of the recent posts which have been interesting and informing.

Hopefully, me and my husband will be visiting over New Year for part of our honeymoon. We’re booked into the Intercontinental for a week.

We’re a same sex couple, and I have a question about how we should handle this in Singapore. I’ve visited before with family, but this is the first time with a partner. I’ve done some research on Singapore, and I’m aware of the laws surrounding homosexuality, but that really this is unenforceable, and there is a small gay scene.

We are not particularly ‘camp’, and we don’t really do PDA, so I’m comfortable that we won’t have any issues in Singapore.

I’m unsure however how to handle the hotel reservation. For straight newlyweds, it would be customary to let the hotel know that it is a honeymoon trip. So as we’re staying in a large, international hotel, would it be advisable to do the same? We don’t expect an upgrade as such, but just ensuring we have a good view from the room etc would be great!

thanks in advance everyone :-)

puchong

The very fact that nobody has posted on this thread until now should tell you that Singapore is a different kettle of fish, regardless of what their tourist promotion says. While you should have no problems in most upscale hotels, I am curious to know when did you book the Intercontinental? And have you checked their arrival rules to see what limitations you may have?

Chrisnichols

we booked the intercontinental last year - Singapore was supposed to be part of a longer trip incorporating Thailand, but because of travel restrictions and the VTL, we’re splitting the trip - Singapore over New Years and Thailand at Easter (depending on the situation).

we picked the hotel because of the convenient location, facilities, and the fact that we stayed in a couple of different intercontinental hotels last year and had really good experiences

puchong

Well then I can only wish you a great honeymoon. You may have to deal with the seasonal rains but Bugis is a good, central location to base yourselves. Singapore has gone overboard with its contact tracing app but is still an enjoyable place to visit.

bpk6h

I think nobody posting is more due to the Singapore board being the Empty Quarter of FT! There are two Intercontinentals...one at Robertson Quay as well. Not sure which the OP is staying at. The tracing app isn't too much of inconvenience and really not too different from many other Asian and European countries. When I compare Singapore to the fiasco of the UK Day 2 test, I'll take SG any day .

And indeed Happy Honeymoon to the OP!

Chrisnichols

Thank you bpk6h - it’s the Bugis intercontinental that we are staying at. I had noticed how quiet the forum was after posting! I agree - while there are definitely hoops to jump through to visit at the moment, at least everything seems like to be well organised!

SKT-DK

Chrisnichols, I wish you congratulations on your wedding and a great honeymoon! While I cannot speak much for Singapore, you did mention Thailand as the "second half" of your honeymoon - Just wanted to let you know (hopefully for some peace of mind) that entry procedures here are really smooth (tried it myself last week), so would not worry about that part of the trip

IAN-UK

First of all congratulations. But don't start your married life worrying what people think of you. The hotel has seen it all. Many Singaporean couples, temporary short-term as well regular dates, lack personal space for romantic interludes. They make use of local hotels for, ahem, staycations; the cheaper chains specialise in this but the well-heeled go for a touch of luxury. Straight, gay and everything in between.

The hotel really doesn't care. It's how it makes money: it provides the venue for memorable stays. They won't give you a campness score. I don't know what PDA is, but I'm sure the hotel won't give a jot about it. Don't wreck the room and pay the bill, and they'll be happy.

If your budget stretches to a club room, the club lounge can be fun, though it can get extremely busy. You could try asking for a cash-upgrade to club on the basis of your honeymoon status: who knows, they might cut you a deal. If you're worried about the husband-husband thing, just declare a gender-free honeymoon in your email.

Make sure you enjoy yourselves, but i've got to say there are far cheaper, more fun and much less uptight places in the region than Singapore.

puchong

Another great post from IAN-UK. I would only add that the OP may like to take a look at the lounge offerings (ask to get a look-see) before agreeing to pay more. Many hotels have cut back significantly on what is offered - especially the food component. I saw it myself during a recent stay in Singapore, at Marriott & Hyatt properties.

Chrisnichols

thanks both - really appreciate your responses and useful information.

this was supposed to be part of a longer trip incorporating Thailand but because of the logistics currently, we’re just doing Singapore for New Years and then we’ll do Thailand separately at Easter (if we can!)


we have actually booked a club room - we got a really good deal booking in the summer…. I believe that the club lounge is closed, but they’re serving drinks and food in the lobby bar at the moment…. So scaled back, but hopefully still enjoyable

Doppy

You will have zero issue at the hotel and in Singapore in general.

Bali_Lover

Am sure you will be very welcomed, nothing to worry about

danielonn

Enjoy your time. Its time for the world to accept LGBTQ