GSS may or may not have started by then, but I am sure shops will definitely jump the gun adn start the sales rolling even before anything goes. This happened last year.

try these budget hostel... saw this on chinese documentary late last night.

http://www.fernloft.com/
http://www.thehivebackpackers.com/
http://www.summertavern.com/

the owners were interviewed about how they started and why they do it... check out their site, some quite impressive

Forget about this budget hotel. Its is going to be demolished to make way for I can't remember what. SG Gov had already informed the hotel management and was in the news. The last few days, someone posted in SG travel blog asking for help due to booking cancellation.

Try the following sites instead. There are lots of other information in these sites inclduing tours, etc.. but you see for yourself because I am not their agent neitehr do I want to advertise for them . I don't think its right thing to do.

http://www.fernloft.com/
http://www.citybackpackers.com.sg/
http://web.singnet.com.sg/~one66/index.html
http://www.sleepysams.com/
http://www.betelbox.com/
http://www.thehivebackpackers.com/
http://www.summertavern.com/

no lah... no expert, just compiling some tourist information about SG, then read your post. You can check on those 3 sites where they are lcoated. There are maps in their site. There isn't much problem about safety, unless hotel guests themselves are the culprit. Else, it should be alright. A few of the sites which I had put up, they were actually featured on Channel 8 TV program about entreprising individuals who strife on their on, in their early 20s,30s and had survived the business by doing something different from others, thrifting on such business model. Most do it not just as a job, but more of interest, aspiration and hobby.

So these are more homely friendly kind of budget hotel. One of them even conduct free walk near its neigbohourhood, popular among ang mo too. Anyway, I had never stay in any one of them before. I hope I am right by the impression I get from TV and reading about their site.

This post has been edited by bbmars: Aug 23 2008, 09:16 PM

You can find tourist map at shopping centres information coutner along Orchard Rd, or major hotels counter. They are free. If you happen to stop by in JB to SG custom, maybe you can try look for SG tourist counter at City Square just beside custom. I hope its still there as I had not been there several years already. That shopping mall is also partially own by SG company as I read from MY press some years ago.

Its call the SG Flyer. I would suggest you visit the below site to read about what foreigners are aksing what to do in SG. There are plnety of Qs asked ... read for yourself.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g2942...-Singapore.html

Hotel 81 in Chinatown, nearby Chinatown MRT, there some budget style hotel along Keong Siak street, like Peacock hote, some backpackers hostel are around there too. Sory don't have the site for you. Bugis? maybe near beach road, check yahoo.com.sg and search only for SG hotel. You will find some of them on those sites. I saw them before.

I am afraid you will have to find your way to Dobhy Ghuat MRT station near Singapura Plaza, along Orchard road. I think that's the nearest based on the map from their hotel site. You will have to change train twice to get to Expo.

Doubhy Ghaut - City Hall interchange
At City Hall interchange, take East Bound train towards Pasir Ris
Alight at Tenah Merah station, walk just few metres to the middle platform, change train to Expo station using airport bound train.

just came back from KL yesterday. as far as shopping is concern, very much depends on what you are looking for. However, this time round, I think SG would be slightly better, I didn't really buy much in KL as compared to last year. I would say it was much better then. There are more promotional sales than KL this time round. Its not that there are MORE, jsut that I felt many shops in KL aren't really offering much this time round as compared to SG. There is also another point as noted and reported in business time SG, shops are generally banging on this Xmas sales to clear stock to reduce overhead and storage for the coming year as the recession looms... that's also another reason why people here are still spending as reported. I don't really feel many are reducing their spending although going overseas for trips as reported had been cut to nearer home instead of further away.

Body shop, crab tree I noticed, having promotional offer this week, till when I don't know. but hardly see any in KL when I was there. after conversion, I think it cheaper with the sales... not forgetting people here do get BD discounts during their BD month. Like 2 weeks ago, I bought Bossini T-shirts at 40% discounts, usual is 30% currently offering in the shops in KL for things like Mr Men. But we had already had big sales in Late Nov and the price was much cheaper during Robinson 3 days sales where you get discount on top of discount..

Even Hang Ten sales, quite close to SG price. saw Times Sq shop selling RM25, SG selling... there's a catch, buy 3 for $30 (slightly cheaper than KL, but need to buy 3). Last year, Hang Ten/Bossini/Hush Puppy was slightly higher than SG. just an example, hope you make your own judgement.

To be frank, most big sales are already over now (mainly held at SG Expo in late Nov), so bargain for now is lesser, but there might still the the surprises of last minute reduction sales, not forgetting post Xmas sales after 25 Dec. Beware, some major shops are closed on 25 Dec.. There used to be major clearance sales after Xmas up to 70% for Xmas items brought in for the period. However, such sales are getting rare as many already learn the trick to getting better sales volume then to slashed their discounts to 70% during post Xmas sales.

Oh yes, I had mentioned here before in another thread, go look or ask around for the FREE open top bus Xmas tour for tourists only along Orchard Rd. You need ID for verification. Its on till end of Dec, but not available on 25 Dec. Its only starts at around 8pm - 10.30pm, every 15 minute 1 tour and tour duration is 30 min. I believe you can find the information at Changi airport

This post has been edited by bbmars: Dec 12 2008, 12:22 AM

I am not sure my suggestion would be a good one. However, you may want to try and check out Singapore Expo (yahoo.com.sg search for singapore expo) website for update on up coming events then. Big shops used to hold expo clearance sales at discounts, but I am not sure for this year. Could be worth your try checking, no harm. Also to note before you start your shopping at any malls, do check out whether there are any free gifts given out for total purchase. This kind of thing used to be a norm during boom time, but not sure since we are in recession. However, last yr end and this coming CNY sales, mall owners still do provide some kind of gifts althought not as good as before, so watch out for it.

Surprise, 7th story hotel still for booking?? I thought they are closed by Gov to make way for something... can't remember what it was. It was also in the news and someone had also posted here too.... Are you sure its still open for business?

You can try going to Bedok neighbourhood to walk about. Its a heartland area, with local shops. its only few stops away from airport. 1 stop to Tenah Merah interchange which will take you past Expo and airport station.

You didn't state when you are coming, 12-15 Mar, Suntec IT show. Check out Expo and Suntec website to see any other activities going on.

Not exactly in RM, but in SG$ but half the price... .something like that. Not so soon, last year was during GSS... I think there was so the free shuttle bus from JB too....as I can recall

You looking at which period. Changi village hotel is offering 1+1 (2 nights) at $199++ weekend package, close to Changi Airport. You can even see the plane. I think it was formerly known as Changi Meridien hotel. There's even a map of the location.

http://www.changivillage.com.sg/index.cfm?...A9E70258DA82E5D

This post has been edited by bbmars: Sep 2 2009, 08:16 PM

not sure this fits y our budget, you can try visit Roberston Quay hotel site. They do have a family room for 4 at $200/N. Sorry, not sure how many of you going there. Hotel located near Clark Quay area and within walking distance to Clark Quay MRT, NE Line. Just few stops away from City Hall MRT.

http://www.robertsonquayhotel.com.sg/rates.htm

Ibis hotel is ~$125/N for 2 and room is not spacious. This is a budget hotel so right in Bugis area.

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Added on October 20, 2009, 7:39 pmNot too sure any sales... only bet you can try is visit Singaproe Expo or Suntec convention centre website to check out. I think the Metro expo sale was over last weekend. There might be sales not really published in the press, like BHG having 20%, not sure till went, but bought something there at Bugis branch with 20% discount on Sunday.

This post has been edited by bbmars: Oct 20 2009, 07:41 PM

Main attraction? you are referring to what kind of attraction? an how many days are you staying?

Food court in shopping malls will usually have at least 1 muslim stall (certified Halal). There is a regulation on this I think. I hope it should not be a problem else our muslim locals will have the same problem as you. So far no one has complained about i.

Christmas shopping will starts early this year due to APEC meeting somewhere in the 2nd week of Nov. SG Gov has string together with event organisor to organise activities for APEC members. Christmas lightup will begin 7 Nov as reported along Orchard Rd. Best place for information will be the SG tourist promotion board or Unique Singapore site. Just yahoo or google and you will find either one of them at each otehr site.

Frankly, Christmas shopping to me, the discount isn't as fantastic as compared to GSS. Some malls or retailers already had their sales promotion before the Christmas season shopping. I usuaully buy my children's toy around this time when the offers are slightly better, not during the Christmas shopping season. I am not saying its not as good, but certain you find better deal. However, that's only my opinon.... If you are coming, why not enjoy whatever promotions that will be on afterall, its still a discount.

This post has been edited by bbmars: Oct 24 2009, 12:31 PM

Hi,
you can try the site below, should be able to suit your budget. Its some~10 min walk to Clark Quay MRT, Clark QUay is nearby

http://www.robertsonquayhotel.com.sg/rates.htm

NOt sure how you are going to get to Johor, but once clear MY custom, just hope onto any bus going into SG (have to pay fare), upon reaching SG and clearing custom, its very simple. Walk out all the way to Woodlands, you will see taxi queuing for passengers. If you don't like taking taxi, just get on to any SBS or Tibs Buses (not srue ask the driver), I think all heading towards Woodlands Regional interchange. From interchange, you can get upstairs to take MRT train all the way to Orchard.

However, booking hotels in Orchard is I am not sure what's your plan. Last minute booking may not be cheap, even on those lastminute booking site, it may not be cheap too. Just cheap one of the site yesterday, it was more EXP than normal online booking.