A Few days in Singapore....general advice please gents

[Franky Bear]

I am hopefully opening a bank account with City Bank. They have been in touch and asked if i can go see them face to face. So, a good reason for a few nights in Singapore!!

Last time i was there was 1993 in the north of the Island at the Navy base (i was in the Royal Navy at the time) so it's been a while

Flights are no problem and cheap as chips. I think i'll take the wife, is there much bother with her getting a visa, i assume she will fill in an immigration card on the plane(?)

I will travel down on the thursday home on the saturday. I would open the account on the friday.

Now, where to stay? I was looking online at Ebookers and was getting a good deal at the Ritz Carlton in Marina bay. That's the area i'd like to stay..... i was getting a room for 400 pounds for the two night.....

Basically what i am asking is for any tips from people that have been recently or lads that live there............................

Cheers

[harrry]

I could suggest staying at the hotel at the Airport. It has several advantages, not the least no travel from the airport on arrival and departure, check in at the hotel on some flights.

It gives access to the reasonable food at the airport (and there are some reasonable quality places, a 7/11 equivalent and good access to taxis and not least the attached railway which provides quick transport everywhere. You can buy a card giving you unlimited use for a few days quite reasonably.

[canman]

Huge changes in Singapore since the 90's.

Marina bay area is nice and central. The bars and restaurants along the waterfront at Fullerton one are worth spending a few hours in the evening. There is always Clarke Quay and Robinson Quay, a bit touristy but I like the buzz of these areas on a Friday night. There is the big wheel close by as well. Gardens by the bay are worth a walk around. Sentosa is easy to get to with plenty to do. Take a taxi up to mount faber and the cable car across to Sentosa for some good views.

If you want to splash out on a good meal with fantastic view check out some of the restaurants in the Swiss hotel, I like the Equinox on the 69th floor, great food and great view.

[cacruden]

I have always got my best deals on agoda for hotels.

On the day of departure if it is later in the day - you can always leave your luggage at the hotel for storage - so you don't need to stay near the airport for that. MRT prettywell covers the city for the most part. I don't travel with much luggage so most times I just take the MRT downtown (although my guess is you will have more luggage than me). The efficiency at the airport is amazing, I don't usually worry about giving myself a huge buffer..... not to mention if I am closer to the flight if there is a lineup I get to bypass it. From the time I land til I am out the door averages between 15 and 20 minutes (and I am usually using discount airlines that are some distance from immigration). The food ranges from restaurant all the way down to a good selection of Hawker stands which are a good value.

[MilesofSmiles]

http://www.streetdirectory.com/

This is the best street directory.

Go shopping at mustafas if you can possibly help it... but not on sunday.
It's 24 hours

Orchard for clothes shopping.

I could suggest staying at the hotel at the Airport.

He's there for a few days, staying at the airport would be a waste of a holiday IMO.

Bugis would be a much better choice if you want to be close to the airport (it's 20 mins down the road).

Intercontintental if you want something nice. Parkroyal if you want to save money.

The Ritz sounds like a good choice.

Send the mrs off to a half day spa thing and go check out the 4th floor of orchard towers.

[Franky Bear]

I could suggest staying at the hotel at the Airport. It has several advantages, not the least no travel from the airport on arrival and departure, check in at the hotel on some flights.

It gives access to the reasonable food at the airport (and there are some reasonable quality places, a 7/11 equivalent and good access to taxis and not least the attached railway which provides quick transport everywhere. You can buy a card giving you unlimited use for a few days quite reasonably.

Food for thought mate. The Marina Bay area does really appeal to me though as i am one of those fools that likes clothes (genuine labels) so i'd be in my element there

[Franky Bear]

Huge changes in Singapore since the 90's.

Marina bay area is nice and central. The bars and restaurants along the waterfront at Fullerton one are worth spending a few hours in the evening. There is always Clarke Quay and Robinson Quay, a bit touristy but I like the buzz of these areas on a Friday night. There is the big wheel close by as well. Gardens by the bay are worth a walk around. Sentosa is easy to get to with plenty to do. Take a taxi up to mount faber and the cable car across to Sentosa for some good views.

If you want to splash out on a good meal with fantastic view check out some of the restaurants in the Swiss hotel, I like the Equinox on the 69th floor, great food and great view.

Cheers mate.

[phuketrichard]

why would anyone fly and spend two days in Singapore an stay way out at the airport??

Stay at marina bay Sands u will have a great time, OR ( we used to always stay at the Sentosa Shang Rai La resort on Sentosa , http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/rasasentosaresort/ not cheap but well worth it and it has recently been remodeled, fantastic swimming pool an great breakfast buffet)

plenty to see/ do on Sentosa; aquarium, food court, riding the monorail around, nightly light show, casino great walks

cross the bay via the cable car, head out to the zoo,

shopping ( great bookstores) on Orchard road.

taxis are everywhere an cheap

Clarks Quay, China town,Little India ( great food)

[Upnotover]

Re. your wife she will just need to fill in the immigration card the same as you will. I'd recommend that she has a printout of her return flight with her as Singapore immigration do have some issues with Thai ladies, whether or not accompanied by their husbands, last trip there with my wife they wrote her return flight/date on the entry stamp and told her to make sure she was on that flight.

[harrry]

why would anyone fly and spend two days in Singapore an stay way out at the airport??

Stay at marina bay Sands u will have a great time, OR ( we used to always stay at the Sentosa Shang Rai La resort on Sentosa , http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/rasasentosaresort/ not cheap but well worth it and it has recently been remodeled, fantastic swimming pool an great breakfast buffet)

plenty to see/ do on Sentosa; aquarium, food court, riding the monorail around, nightly light show, casino great walks

cross the bay via the cable car, head out to the zoo,

shopping ( great bookstores) on Orchard road.

taxis are everywhere an cheap

Clarks Quay, China town,Little India ( great food)

Anywhere in Singapore is about 20 minutes from the airport by rail. You cannot say the same about Marina. Yes the Marina has a nice pool but the pool at the CrownePlaza is not bad either. I am not that impressed by their food though.

Main reason is convenience. Unless you do not want to leave your hotel.

[Upnotover]

As you appear not to be a cheapskate you might want to check Cathay Pacific for your flights, normally its around THB 11,000 return for business class (less than 1/2 on SQ or TG) and the early afternoon timings very convenient.

[Franky Bear]

Thanks for all the tips gents. All duly noted. I did the cable car ride to Sentosa in 93. Had a great time there.

Marina Bay is the area we will stay, i'm pretty set in stone with that.

[Franky Bear]

As you appear not to be a cheapskate you might want to check Cathay Pacific for your flights, normally its around THB 11,000 return for business class (less than 1/2 on SQ or TG) and the early afternoon timings very convenient.

Cheers.

I do like to enjoy myself and am in no way a cheapskate. Life is most defiantly for living

[hermespan]

I am not a zoo person but love Singapore zoo. Forget Night Safari though. Singapore also has many green and forested areas if you are outdoor person. Best of all are the good value food courts and world class airport (butterfly park, swimming pool, etc). If you are Hindu or Buddhist, or interested in those kinds of places, Singapore excels Malaysia in that regard. I don't shop for clothes there as much better deals can be had in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Ignore comment about about 4th floor Orchard Towers. How offensive to tell a married man that! Instead go to Geylang...

[Franky Bear]

I am not a zoo person but love Singapore zoo. Forget Night Safari though. Singapore also has many green and forested areas if you are outdoor person. Best of all are the good value food courts and world class airport (butterfly park, swimming pool, etc). If you are Hindu or Buddhist, or interested in those kinds of places, Singapore excels Malaysia in that regard. I don't shop for clothes there as much better deals can be had in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Ignore comment about about 4th floor Orchard Towers. How offensive to tell a married man that! Instead go to Geylang...

We'll only be there one full day and that will be spent getting the bank account. That's why i'll stay in the Marina Sands area. As far as i can see everything we need will more or less be in walking distance

I've been to the Zoo before, like you i am not totally into Zoo's, but that place was amazing in 93 so i'm sure it's got better.

I like my nightclubs etc so will be heading to them at night, most likely head to Avalon or Zouks

[bkkcanuck8]

Tell us how your bank account opening went...... I gave up - though I forget why I kept on falling short on the requirements.....

I think I fell short on the proof of address and letter of introduction from my bank in Canada.

[Franky Bear]

Tell us how your bank account opening went...... I gave up - though I forget why I kept on falling short on the requirements.....

I think I fell short on the proof of address and letter of introduction from my bank in Canada.

I'll be sure to post my experience mate

[hermespan]

My bank in Singapore liked that I had a large opening balance plus lots of documentation of source of income, AND I used a local friend's residential address. Cash (banknotes) is not a problem. Must report over USD23+K at border if arriving with a bag of cash. But if you are FXSing foreign currency, better to use private money changer. Banks give poor rate. Oh, and if you deposit cash rather than a wire transfer they will penalize you - not legally just financially. Forget the details, but I thought at the time 'how odd' I guess electronic is less labour than counting banknotes. There was some fee or bad FXS rate.

DBS has a knickname 'Damn Bloody Slow'. Cannot recommend.

Previously I opened an account with a foreign bank in Singapore. But because I was on a tourist visa it took me knocking on many doors until one accepted me as a customer.

[hermespan]

'Letter of introduction' from bank is ancient history. Just open with a large amount and swamp them with proof that you are normal. They just want to be able to show that you're not a drug dealer.

[Franky Bear]

'Letter of introduction' from bank is ancient history. Just open with a large amount and swamp them with proof that you are normal. They just want to be able to show that you're not a drug dealer.

Thanks mate. I'll put in about (us)$5,000 and have a letter from my work saying i get paid "X" amount a year minimum on a full time contract along with bank statements from my current bank and wage slips. Hopefully that should be enough

[bkkcanuck8]

'Letter of introduction' from bank is ancient history. Just open with a large amount and swamp them with proof that you are normal. They just want to be able to show that you're not a drug dealer.

Thanks mate. I'll put in about (us)$5,000 and have a letter from my work saying i get paid "X" amount a year minimum on a full time contract along with bank statements from my current bank and wage slips. Hopefully that should be enough

Now I remember one of the problems, I did not have anything with my address on it because my Thai bank does not mail me any statements, my electrical bill is nameless (and in Thai) - and cable bill / internet bills are worthless

[Franky Bear]

'Letter of introduction' from bank is ancient history. Just open with a large amount and swamp them with proof that you are normal. They just want to be able to show that you're not a drug dealer.

Thanks mate. I'll put in about (us)$5,000 and have a letter from my work saying i get paid "X" amount a year minimum on a full time contract along with bank statements from my current bank and wage slips. Hopefully that should be enough

Now I remember one of the problems, I did not have anything with my address on it because my Thai bank does not mail me any statements, my electrical bill is nameless (and in Thai) - and cable bill / internet bills are worthless

I'll take my Thai House contract with me too. Thanks for the heads up

[thehelmsman]

I am not a zoo person but love Singapore zoo. Forget Night Safari though. Singapore also has many green and forested areas if you are outdoor person. Best of all are the good value food courts and world class airport (butterfly park, swimming pool, etc). If you are Hindu or Buddhist, or interested in those kinds of places, Singapore excels Malaysia in that regard. I don't shop for clothes there as much better deals can be had in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Ignore comment about about 4th floor Orchard Towers. How offensive to tell a married man that! Instead go to Geylang...

Geylang was always my favorite place, 4 floors of very nice ladies is a term used for Orchard Towers.

[hermespan]

And Geylang has atmosphere and cheaper food. Singapore has a sensible approach to 'nightlife' - it is not going to go away, so monitor it and tax it. Easier on police and social work resources. I think t has something to do with pragmatic Chinese. Never been to orchard Towers, only heard about it.

Surprisngly, in Singapore it's cheaper to eat out in food courts than buy your own groceries and cook. SIM card minimums high though! Public transportation is excellent, rarely need for taxis except very late night. Safer even than Thailand.

I like Singapore (but for a maximum of 5 days). Even after two days I find the people rather distant (everybody under 45 has their face in their mobile devices), the women unappealing and it is so damned crowded. I consider Singapore an infrastructure pit stop, especially for banking. I could never live there, even if a billionaire. Hotels are crazy expensive unless you stay in the usually inconveniently located dorm guesthouses (many have good AC and are clean though - none of the bedbug problems of Malaysia). In fact when I worked on a self-employed gig in Singapore in 2001 I slept in JB across the bridge in Singapore and commuted daily, just like many working class Malaysians do.

The only thing I am not enthusiastic about is the large numbers of young *male* foreign workers from places like Sri Lanka and India. The young *female* clerks from China I don't have a problem with. They foreign workers don't bother me individually but it is a social problem of frustrated young men. There is a kind of class system there. Also in Malaysia where something like 20% of population is Tamil but they comprise 90% of the prison population. Of course in Malaysia there it is worse, because I am not talking about Indonesian workers but actual Malaysians. This is exasperated by the islamicist elitism there where even fifth generation Malaysian citizens are second class citizens by decree of the theocratic state.

Singapore - civilized but boring unless you like to bicycle etc. Just wish they would buy some of Malaysia and spread out a little. And get some of their own people to do the low-end jobs. The Switzerland of SEA in more ways than one.