Hotels in: Singapore | Bintan Island (Indonesia)

Overview:
Singapore has a truly international atmosphere with the warmth and friendliness of Asia. It is small - just under 640 square kilometres. Yet within this space are all the attractions a visitor could wish to find. From theme attractions to nature parks, from offshore islands to landmarks, museums and places of worship, Singapore is a destination that cannot wait to be discovered.

Singapore has gone from strength to strength since Sir Stamford Raffles claimed the island as a British trading post in 1819.
Following independence in 1965, Singapore has become Southeast Asia’s most modern and successful city, a vibrant metropolis where 3 million Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians live and work side-by-side.

Modern tropical city
Singapore is a thriving business and financial centre of Southeast Asia. It has the world’s busiest port, and its award winning airport serves more than 60 major airlines, including the country’s own international carrier, Singapore Airlines.
This is a bustling city-state with excellent communications and transport, including a hi-tech Mass Rapid Transit system and plenty of inexpensive taxis.

Singapore has an astonishing mix of old ethnic areas, modern offices and shopping complexes. It has over 70 world class hotels, 18 lush golf courses, and a host of tourist attractions.

Entertainment
When the sun goes down, Singaporeans come out to play. From classical symphonies to Chinese operas, jazz to ballet, rock to Hollywood’s latest hits, Singapore offers unlimited entertainment. The discos rock with the latest hits, the clubs play all your favourite tunes, you can boogie to live music on Bugis Street, or you can be a star for the night at one of Singapore’s popular karaoke lounges. Alternatively, go on a pub crawl in Tanjong Pagar, Boat Quay, Clarke Quay or along Orchard Road.

Sports
Singapore offers sports of all sorts. Hire a sailboard at the East Coast Parkway, or bike along the 8 km track. Swim at a sandy beach, feast on seafood at a clutch of nearby restaurants, or try your hand at kite flying.
You can also catch a ferry to the outlying islands of St John’s and Kusu, where swimming lagoons and cool, shady groves combine to make for a relaxing day out of the city. Drop into the Bukit Timah Turf Club for a day of horse racing at one of Asia’s most beautiful courses, or watch a polo match at the Singapore Polo Club. You can play a round of golf, or brush up on your tennis at the hotel courts or nearby public facilities.

Climate
Singapore is one giant sauna anytime of the year. November to January is the wettest months but the other months are not exactly dry. The only real deterrent is the lack of refreshing winds during March and September. Generally expect average temperatures to reach around 31°C (88°F) during the day and linger around 24°C (75°F) at night.

What to Wear
The tropical weather makes light summer clothing (preferably of natural fabrics) most practical, especially for outdoor activities like sightseeing. Most restaurants and nightspots are not restrictive on the dress code - polo shirts, t-shirts, jeans, slacks, blouses, skirts, sun dresses and sneakers are acceptable at most places. Although some establishments require formal wear for the evening, suits and evening dresses will never be out of place in Singapore’s trendy nightspots. It is always advisable to check beforehand on dress regulations.

Electricity
The voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. Most hotels can provide visitors with a transformer, which can convert the voltage to 110-120 volts AC, 60 cycles per second. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the 3-pin, square-shaped type.

Drinking Water
Singapore water is clean and safe to drink from the tap, and does not need to be boiled.

Medical Facilities
The medical facilities in Singapore are among the finest in the world with well-qualified doctors and dentists. Pharmaceuticals are available from numerous outlets including supermarkets, department stores, shopping centres and hotels. Most hotels have their own doctors on 24-hour call. For an ambulance, dial 995.

Smoking
Smoking in public buses, taxis, lifts, theatres, cinemas, government offices and air-conditioned restaurants and shopping centres is against the law. First-time offenders may be fined up to a maximum of S$1,000. While it is an offence to smoke in air-conditioned eating places, smoking is not prohibited in air-conditioned pubs, discos, karaoke bars and nightspots.

Time Difference
GMT +8 (there is no summer time clock change)
13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time; 14 hours ahead of Central and 16 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.

Business hours
In general, the opening hours of most stores are Sunday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday 10.30 a.m. to 9.30 p.m

Most banks open from 9.30 am to 3.00 pm on weekdays and 9.30 am to 11.30 am on Saturdays

Majority of the offices is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays

Taxes
There is a 3% Goods and Services Tax imposed in major shops and departments, with an additional of 10% service charge in restaurants, 1% government tax is also added in hotels

Postal services
Most hotels provide postal services at the front desk. The Changi Airport Post Office is open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm daily from Monday to Saturday. Basic postal services are available round the clock at the General Post Office and the Comcentre branch.

Telephone services
Most public phones accept coins or phonecards purchased from bookstalls and newsagents, with a minimum value of S$2.00.

Mobile phone network in Singapore is GSM 900/1800 and CDMA. Check with your mobile phone company before leaving home about international auto roam services available in Singapore.

The international dialing code for Singapore is 65.
When making international calls to Singapore, add 65 and omit the leading 0.

International Direct Dialling (IDD) is available at the General Post Office and the Comcentre. IDD calls can also be made from the numerous phone card and credit card phones located at post offices and around the city area. Phone cards come in five denominations of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$20 and S$50 and are sold at Singapore Telecom service outlets, post offices, convenience stores and some retail shops. A 20% levy is normally imposed on IDD calls made from hotels.

Languages
There are 4 official languages in Singapore:

• English
  English is widespread. Children are taught in English at school but also learn their mother tongue to make sure they don’t lose contact with their traditions. The only communication problem English-speakers are likely to have in Singapore is with older Singaporeans who did not learn English at school, though trying to understand the unique patois called Singlish - which uses a clipped form of English mixed with Malay and Hokkien words - can be taxing.
• Malay
  Mostly restricted to the Malay community.
• Chinese
  Chinese dialects, such as Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese, Hainanese and Hakka, are still widely spoken. The government’s long-standing campaign to promote Mandarin has been very successful and increasing numbers of Chinese now speak Mandarin at home.
• Tamil
  Tamil is the main Indian language, though Malayalam and Hindi are also spoken.

Religion: 42% Buddhist, 15% Muslim, 14% Christian, 9% Taoist, 4% Hindu

Currency: Singapore Dollar (S$)

When to go
Go anytime. Climate is not a major consideration, as Singapore gets fairly steady annual rainfall. Co-ordinate your visit with one of the various festivals and events: Thaipusam is a spectacular festival, occurring around February. If shopping and eating are major concerns, April brings the Singapore Food Festival and the Great Singapore Sale is held in June.

Where to stay
Singapore has on offer an abundance of hotels for every visitor and every budget. See our hotel service for a detailed list of Singapore hotels or visit our last minute hotel deals service for to overview all the available specials.

Where to go
Quite apart from its shopping and ethnic areas, Singapore offers a range of attractions to fascinate all ages. Its beautiful open-concept zoo has captured international attention. Here, in a park-like setting, natural barriers replace bars, giving the best possible environment for animals and visitors alike. Have breakfast with a gentle orangutan and see endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger, the pigmy hippopotamus and the golden tamarin.

The Jurong BirdPark has 20 hectares of beautifully landscaped parklands housing thousands of colourful birds, many of them free to come and go as they please. The whole family can enjoy the comical parrot circus and be enthralled by the birds of prey in the King of the Skies show.

Sentosa Island, now linked to the main land by a causeway bridge, is devoted to fun and entertainment for the whole family. Accessible by road and cable car, a tourist can spend a whole day exploring the museums, aquariums, beaches, bird and butterfly parks, walks, rides and food centers.

Apart from superb beaches, Sentosa offers two golf courses, swimming lagoons, and an Asian village featuring ethnic foods, arts and crafts from all over the region, plus thrilling rides. There are also museums highlighting maritime history and last minute hotel deals early days, including the years of World War II.
In addition, Sentosa offers two resort hotels, wonderful underwater sights in its walkthrough oceanarium at Underwater World, a museum featuring rare stones, a dancing fountain, watersports, nature trails and an historical fort.

Singapore culture
Chinese mythology is celebrated at the famous Haw Par Villa where hundreds of statues depicting ancient legends are brought to life using electronic wizardry that is unmatched in Asia. Cheer for the”good guys” at the Legends and Heroes Theatre, and see the creation of the world in an action-packed audio-visual presentation.
Then go back in time to China’s 7th century Tang Dynasty with a visit to Tang Dynasty City, an intriguing cultural and historical theme park. This is a faithful recreation of the ancient Chinese city of Chang-An - complete with Emperors, courtiers, bandits, concubines and 1,200 life-sized terracotta warriors.

At the Empress Place Museum, displays of rare archaeological and cultural treasures from the People’s Republic of China are found in a magnificent 19th century colonial building, while outside, bumboats ferry visitors along the Singapore River which threads through the financial district.

Singapore river
For more than 150 years, the River was Singapore’s trading heart. Now the prewar trading houses and godowns at Clarke Quay and Boat Quay have been elegantly restored as shops, restaurants, markets and bars, and the area has been transformed into the city’s newest and most exciting leisure and entertainment centre. Don’t miss the Disney Adventure Ride at Clarke Quay.

Raffles Hotel
For many visitors, last minute hotel deals is synonymous with Raffles Hotel, formerly the haunt of royalty, film stars and famous authors, and now beautifully restored to her former glory. Sip a Singapore Sling in the famous Long Bar, enjoy a curry in the Tiffin Room, and visit the museum and Jubilee Hall to delve into the fascinating history of the “Grand Old Lady of the East.”

Botanic Gardens
For those who prefer to get away from the madding crowd and commune with nature, the beautiful tropical Botanic Gardens sprawl over 52 hectares close to the city centre. Tree-studded reserves abound in Singapore, including the lush 81hectare Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with its primary rainforest.
Add beachside parks and unspoilt reservoir belts, and it’s easy to see why Singapore is known for its clean, green, tropical environment.

Singapore has traded in its rough-and-ready opium dens and pearl luggers for towers of concrete and glass, and its steamy rickshaw image for hi-tech wizardry, but you can still recapture the colonial era with a gin sling under the languorous ceiling fans at Raffles Hotel.

Orchard Road
Orchard Road is the center of tourist activity - luxury hotels with exotic malls selling the latest international brands, specialty restaurants alongside wine bars, coffee bars, and lounges and multiplexes filled with movie goers till the wee hours of the morning.

Little India
This modest but colourful area of wall-to-wall shops, pungent aromas and Hindi film music is a relief from the prim modernity of many parts of the city. Centred around the southern end of Serangoon Rd, this is the place to come to pick up that framed print of a Hindu god you’ve always wanted, eat great vegetarian food and watch streetside cooks fry chapatis.

Zhujiao Centre
The Zhujiao Centre is the main market, but there are also interesting spice shops nearby. The best temples are Veerama Kali Ammam, Sri Srinivasa Perumal and the glitzy Temple of 1000 Lights

At first glance, Singapore appears shockingly modern and anonymous, but this is an undeniably Asian city with Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions from feng shui to ancestor worship creating part of the everyday landscape. It’s these contrasts that bring the city to life.

TRAVEL TIPS

Visa and Entry Facilities
A valid passport or international travel document is required for all visitors. Visas are not generally required for social visits of fewer than 14 days, and visitors arriving as tourists are given a 14-day social visit pass on arrival. If you want to stay longer, you may apply to the Immigration Department after your arrival. You should have an onward/return ticket and sufficient funds for your stay.

Entry visas are required for visitors from Afghanistan, Algeria, Cambodia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Syria, Tunisia Vietnam and Yemen.

Visa-free entry is available to citizens of Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
As regulations may change from time to time, check with your nearest Singapore Embassy or Singapore Tourist Promotion Board office before departure.

ASEAN Visa-free Facility
Citizens of the ASEAN countries holding valid passports can visit Malaysia and Thailand for 14 days without a visa. The Philippines only requires a visa for a stay exceeding 21 days. Indonesia offers two months visa-free entry for tourists, provided they have an onward ticket and use designated ports of entry and exit.

TRANSPORTATION

International
Most airlines fly into Singapore’s heavily trafficked Changi International Airport. The best way to get from the airport to the city (20km/12mi away) is by train, but there is also a wide choice of bus and taxi services.

Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia’s rail system, and three trains go to Kuala Lumpur each day. If you’re going to or coming from Malaysia, your options are myriad, ranging from comfy buses to ferries and even taxis.

Plane
Swag of airlines fly into Singapore’s ultramodern Changi International Airport - often voted one of the best airports in the world. It’s certainly one of the most heavily trafficked, with a glut of facilities ranging from 24-hour meditation centres to boutique shopping. The best way to get from Changi Airport to the city (20km/12mi away) is by train. There is also a wide choice of bus and taxi services.

Ferry
A passenger ferry operates between north Changi and Tanjung Belungkor, east of Johor Bahru, and a daily high-speed catamaran links Singapore with Malaysia’s Tioman Island. There are no direct passenger ferries between Singapore and the main ports of Indonesia, but it is possible to travel between the two countries via the Indonesian islands of the Riau Archipelago, immediately south of Singapore. Modern ferries link Singapore with the islands of Batam and Bintan in the archipelago. Speedboats link Batam with Pekanbaru in Sumatra, and several ships a week link Bintan with Jakarta.

Buses
Lots of visitors to Singapore combine their stay with a visit to Malaysia, which is just a kilometre away across the causeway over the Straits of Johor. You can travel between Malaysia and Singapore very easily by bus. Immaculate air-conditioned buses link Singapore to almost all large Malaysian cities; fares are generally inexpensive.

Taxi
You can travel between Malaysia (just a kilometre away) and Singapore very easily by taxi.

Car
A second causeway has opened between Singapore and Malaysia to ease congestion - it links Tuas in Singapore with Geylang Patah - and is known pragmatically enough as the Second Link. It can only be used if you have your own transport.

Train
Singapore is the southern terminus of Malaysia’s rail system and there are three trains a day to Kuala Lumpur (four on weekends).

Domestic
Singapore is serviced by more than 60 major international airlines. With the new Changi Airport Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station, visitors can travel conveniently to and from the airport to destinations all over the island. Singapore’s efficient transport system - bus, taxi and MRT - ensures that visitors can get to any destination within the island with minimum fuss and maximum ease.

Buses
Singapore has a comprehensive bus network with frequent services; it’s cheap and simple to use. Public buses also ply the airport route and visitors may catch one to town from the underground bus station at the Arrival Hall.

Underground rail
Singapore has a convenient Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway system that won’t cost you a fortune or tax your brain too much.
Singapore public transport system

Taxi
There is a good supply of taxis and all are metered. Taxis can be flagged down on the street or found at taxi stands near major hotels and shopping centres. There is a surcharge for all taxi journeys commencing from the airport and for after-midnight rides. The rates are displayed in each taxi

Small Boat
You can charter bumboats (motorised sampans) to take various tours on the Singapore River, while luxurious junk tours can be taken around the harbour.

Car
There are branches of all major car rental companies. Daily rates can be prohibitively high, but weekly rates are reasonable.

Ferry
Regular ferry services operate from the World Trade Centre to Sentosa and other islands.

Cycle taxi
Rickshaws have disappeared from Singapore’s main streets but can still be found operating in Chinatown and back streets; agree on a fare beforehand.

The Visitor Card
The Visitors Card is the official travel card for tourists and is supported by Singapore Tourism Board and Ez-Link. Equipped with the Ez-Link travel component, it allows for travel on Singapore’s extensive and efficient public transport system – the MRT/LRT and public buses.

In addition, tourists can also enjoy up to 50% off on attractions, guided tours, shopping, museums, golf courses, resorts and hotel packages, nightspots, spa facilities, HAIR salons and laundry services when the card is presented at participating outlets. Widely accepted at over 160 establishments across Singapore, visitors will stretch their dollar whenever they use The Visitors Card.

Sales Locations:TransitLink Ticket Offices (TO) at the following MRT (Train) Stations:

• Orchard
• City Hall
• Somerset
• Changi Airport
• Dhoby Ghuat
• Raffles Place
• Bugis
• Tanjong Pagar

Changi Airport
Terminal 1 Ground Transportation Centre, Arrival Meeting Hall East
Terminal 2 Booth 11, Arrival Meeting Hall South
Should you encounter any problem when using The Visitors Card, please approach any TO or Passenger Service Centre located in MRT stations for assistance.

Airport Tax
A Passenger Service Charge of S$21 should be incorporated in the air ticket. If this has not been done, you can buy the airport tax coupon in advance at most hotels, travel agencies and airline offices. Passengers who are in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge upon departure from Singapore.

Money Matters

Currency
The local currency is Singapore dollars and cents(SGD). Other than the Singapore dollar, the United States and Australian dollars, Japanese yen and British pound are also accepted in most shopping centres and big departmental stores.

Currency Denominations:
Coins-S1¢, S5¢, S10¢, S20¢, S50¢, and S$1
Notes- S$1, S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$500, and S$1,000

Preferred form
Cash is usually necessary for the payment of small items such as meals in hawker centres, food courts and bars, and for buying items from street vendors. Travellers cheques are popular and are a fail-safe fall-back; it is a good idea to always have some travellers cheques, otherwise plastic is still a viable option for most travellers. All major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are common place in the city, with most accepting Visa, MasterCard and cards with Plus or Cirrus.

Changing Your Money
Banks can be found all over Singapore. Exchange rates tend to vary from bank to bank and some even have a service charge on each exchange transaction - this is usually a few dollars, but can be more, so ask first. You’ll also find moneychangers in shopping centres all over Singapore that do not charge fees, so you will often get a better overall exchange rate for cash and travellers cheques with them than at the banks. Most shops accept foreign cash and traveller’s cheques with rates only a bit lower than at moneychangers. Visitors are advised not to change money with an unlicensed operator.

Tipping
Tipping is not expected but is growing as a practice in Singapore: more expensive hotels and restaurants may impose a 10% service charge, and a gratuity is not expected in excess of this. Don’t tip at hawker stalls, though the more expensive coffee shops and restaurants that do not add a service charge may expect a tip. Taxi drivers don’t expect a tip and may actually round a fare down if it is a little bit above an even dollar - similarly, they may expect you to round it up. Staff in the international hotels, such as room staff or the doorman who hails your taxi, may expect a tip if they have provided good service.

Money Tips
Singapore is much more expensive than other Southeast Asian countries, which may come as a shock if you are travelling on a shoestring budget. You can still stay here without spending too much money, as long as you can forego the temptation to run amok in the shops or indulge in luxuries you may have craved while travelling in less-developed Asian countries. It’s possible to stay in Singapore for SGD50.00 a day, if you stay in hostels and eat cheaply. If you’re staying in mid-range hotels and eating at good restaurants, SGD150.00 is a more realistic daily minimum.

All major credit cards are widely accepted, although you’re not going to make yourself too popular after a hard bargaining session for a new camera if you then try to pay for it with your Visa card. It’s probably still a good idea to take cash and travellers cheques for emergencies.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are widely accepted in Singapore. Hotels, retailers, restaurants, travel agents and even a taxi company readily accept international credit cards. For more information, you can contact the local office of the credit card operators at the following numbers:

American Express Tel: 6299 8133
Diners Card Tel: 6294 4222
Master Card Tel: 6533 2888
Visa Card Tel: 1-800-3451345 (Service Centre)

Customs Formalities
There is no limit on the amount of currency you may bring into Singapore. If you are 18 years old or above and are arriving from a country other than Malaysia, you may use the following duty-free concessions for personal consumption:

• Spirits: 1 litre
• Wine or port: 1 litre
• Beer, Stout or ale: 1 litre

There are no concessions on cigarettes and other tobacco products. This is in line with the Singapore government’s campaign to discourage smoking. If you are carrying excess dutiable items, you may leave these in Customs Bond until your departure, provided this is from the same point of entry. Storage costs are chargeable.

Dutiable items include garments and clothing accessories, leather bags, wallets, imitation jewellery, chocolate and sugar confectionery, pastries, biscuits and cakes. Restricted amounts of these items may be brought in duty-free, provided they are meant for personal consumption.

In line with most other countries, Singapore prohibits the entry of some items, while others are subject to controls and restrictions.

Prohibited items include:
• Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
• Firecrackers
• Cigarette lighters of pistol/revolver shape
• Toy coins and toy currency notes
• Reproductions of copyright publications, video tapes or disks, records or cassettes
• Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
• Obscene articles and publications
• Seditious and treasonable materials

If you have any of the articles listed, entry will only be allowed when you produce the import permit or authorisation from the relevant authorities.

A traveller who has medicines which may only be obtained through prescription under Singapore law, especially sleeping pills, depressants, stimulants, etc, must possess a prescription from a physician confirming that the medicines are used for the traveller’s physical wellbeing while travelling.

The above lists of dutiable, non-dutiable, prohibited, controlled and restricted goods are not exhaustive. If you need clarification or further information, please contact:

Terminal Section Airports Branch Customs & Excise Department
Singapore Changi Airport Changi Airport P.O. Box 5 Singapore 9181
Tel: 5459122 or 5427058

The Customs Officer Singapore Changi Airport Tel: 5412572 or your nearest Singapore Overseas Mission

Littering
Singapore’s clean and green image is the result of more than two decades of public education campaigns and strict laws against littering. Littering of any kind is subject up to S$1,000 fine for first offenders, and up to S$2,000 fine and a stint of corrective work order cleaning a public place for repeat offenders. As an extension of the law against littering, the import, sale and possession of chewing gum is prohibited. The high costs and difficulty in removing indiscriminately discarded chewing gum were the reasons for the prohibition.

Important phone list
Fire/Ambulance 995
Police 999
Police Hotline 1800 6225 0000
Samaritans of Singapore 1800 6221 4444
Non-emergency Ambulance Service 1777

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