Singapore hotel

[PAMJP]

We are joining QM2 in Singapore sailing back to Southampton in March 2024. Flight has been booked through Cunard a couple of days before we sail and want to book hotel prior to boarding on 23rd. I’ve been told that normally hotels are available to book around 11 months before, for some reason they may still be “negotiating terms”. At the moment I’ve been told to keep ringing as it shouldn’t be long now. I have looked at booking direct with an hotel but would prefer to let Cunard arrange it all, then any problems are theirs! What would you do? 

[PORT ROYAL]

2 hours ago, PAMJP said:

We are joining QM2 in Singapore sailing back to Southampton in March 2024. Flight has been booked through Cunard a couple of days before we sail and want to book hotel prior to boarding on 23rd. I’ve been told that normally hotels are available to book around 11 months before, for some reason they may still be “negotiating terms”. At the moment I’ve been told to keep ringing as it shouldn’t be long now. I have looked at booking direct with an hotel but would prefer to let Cunard arrange it all, then any problems are theirs! What would you do? 

From experience at the Fairmont being a Cunard offered Hotel

 

Cunard makes contracted price deals with Hotels for “freedom of Hotel” aka Junk Rooms. This  means your room is only booked 6/8 weeks prior to flight and the hotel will select the room.  Rooms confirmed at check in and will probably be worst lowest floor, with no decent view (over the entrance and view of concrete and traffic).  Any disputes, the Hotel will refer one back to Cunard, as Cunard made the booking.

Cunard charge a Rack Rate per person, but the Hotel charges per room.  
We had a Fairmont Gold Room bay view (with many benefits) for a few pounds more than Cunard quoted for a “Standard Room” aka Junk.  
 

Remember, Cunard charge per person, for two pax the single rate is doubled to equate to a “Room Price”

 

Also, a private car booked via Fairmont from Airport, then to Cruise, was only a little more than a multi-stop with diversions, Cunard 60 seater coach tour.

Sign up for Fairmont Membership prior to booking direct, as there may be an upgrade offered on a first visit..

There are NO upgrades allowed, even if payment offered at check in, for Cunard Junk Rooms.

Book early for Gold Rooms, because they are the best bang for the Buck.  
Check out the Fairmont website for the Gold Rooms benefits and the stunning views across the bay, but at night they are truly wonderful.

 

Apologies for a long post, but everything had to be included.

Assistance to find Gold Rooms

https://www.fairmont.com/reservations/select-room/

Click on Signature Gold Suite

Opens

Then click on “other rooms” and the Harbour Gold Room will drop down

Edited July 8, 2023 by PORT ROYAL
Setup

[PORT ROYAL]

Found a night view….

 

[lissie]

Go onto booking dot com - put in your dates and price range - book a hotel which probably won't require pre-payment,  I certainly wouldn't  let Cunard take  a cut of it! 

[Victoria2]

PORT ROYAL has it spot on.

We had a hotel room booked with a cruise many many years ago and a broom cupboard springs to mind. The room was  booked on a 'run of house' basis . Never again.

 

I wouldn't book through a third party hotel booking site either even though you might get cheaper rates because you  might get, the cheaper rooms.

If you want to keep a package deal, do what we did last time when we got a great package deal with Cunard. Take the cheapest room offered and book your own preferred hotel room in the room level of your choice and ignore the already booked hotel.

If not bothered, don't book a Cunard hotel, just book your own.

 

We have a particular hotel chain we use and we try to use them all the time if we can. We used to stay at  the Orchard Road Shangri-la   but changed to the Marina Bay area when 'our' hotel chain opened but there are many great hotels in Singapore. Where you stay depends on  how long your stopover is and whether you want shopping or exploring attractions.

The taxi ride to the cruise terminal was about five mins from our Marina Bay area hotel.

 

 

[Pear Carr]

We book hotels independently.  Would recommend Pan Pacific on Raffles Boulevard - fantastic views of the Marina Bay and harbour from the top floor bar - we raised a glass to QM2 as we watched her sail away.  Worth joining the loyalty scheme and booking direct for best rates.  We had a lovely room with access to exec/club bar which included evening drinks and appetisers (which were very substantial) and the option to take breakfast there or in the main restaurant. Walking distance to Raffles for a Singapore Sling!

[bluemarble]

Just for reference, the Cunard US website is offering pre-voyage hotel packages at Singapore prior to your March 23, 2024 QM2 voyage from Singapore to Southampton. The hotels they are offering are the Paradox Hotel Singapore and the Flagship Shangri-La Singapore Hotel.

 

Not sure what to make of their rates though. They appear to be offering per room rates on the US site now rather than per person rates. The rates for the Paradox seem to be in line with what you can book yourself while the rates for the Shangri-La appear to be about twice what you can book yourself.

 

But again, this is just what the US website is showing. Not sure why they haven't worked out the details for the UK yet. Based on the feedback from others here, I'm not in a position to recommend booking a Cunard hotel package. I prefer to book my own hotel accommodations.

[D&N]

There is merit in booking everything through Cunard from the UK as the whole lot should be covered by ABTA.

However the prices I've seen Cunard quote for New York were not close to being competitive.

I agree with "lissie". Look for deals that require no upfront payment and can be cancelled without fee 24 or 48 hours before stay on booking.com or similar. Your risk is then limited to the period after you start to travel.

[Victoria2]

18 hours ago, D&N said:

There is merit in booking everything through Cunard from the UK as the whole lot should be covered by ABTA.

However the prices I've seen Cunard quote for New York were not close to being competitive.

I agree with "lissie". Look for deals that require no upfront payment and can be cancelled without fee 24 or 48 hours before stay on booking.com or similar. Your risk is then limited to the period after you start to travel.

As long as any hotel is booked on a 24hr cancellation basis, there should be no problem.

 

If run of house doesn't sound particularly inviting [and it doesn't at all for us] I would book directly with an hotel and secure the room you want rather than the room the hotel will allocate.

We learnt many years ago when travelling east long haul, having to wait jet lagged, for a 2/3pm check in can be  dire if on a morning arrival so we  book the previous night if the arrival is early morning so we can go straight to the room.

[Victoria2]

19 hours ago, bluemarble said:

Just for reference, the Cunard US website is offering pre-voyage hotel packages at Singapore prior to your March 23, 2024 QM2 voyage from Singapore to Southampton. The hotels they are offering are the Paradox Hotel Singapore and the Flagship Shangri-La Singapore Hotel.

 

Not sure what to make of their rates though. They appear to be offering per room rates on the US site now rather than per person rates. The rates for the Paradox seem to be in line with what you can book yourself while the rates for the Shangri-La appear to be about twice what you can book yourself.

 

But again, this is just what the US website is showing. Not sure why they haven't worked out the details for the UK yet. Based on the feedback from others here, I'm not in a position to recommend booking a Cunard hotel package. I prefer to book my own hotel accommodations.

If booking thro' Cunard and those were to only choices, I would choose The Shang for the hotel [stayed there a few times] but the other for location.

When in Singapore, we book The Ritz Carlton now near the Marina Bay area.

 

For PAMJP most 4/5* hotels in Singapore are great, Location would be my first choice then look at the hotels there.

Edited July 9, 2023 by Victoria2

[PAMJP]

Well, many thanks for all your replies, I think I’ll have to start looking at all the hotels mentioned, then decided where they are. Checked out one already the Fairmont, and as Port Royal recommended, the Harbour Gold room seems like what we’re looking for.We thought we’d like to be close to the cruise terminal but I’ve read that taxis aren’t that expensive anyway.  We fly from Heathrow on 20th March @ 18.55 arrive in Singapore @ 15.55 on 21st, board Qm2 on 23rd. So I’ve been assigned to research and book by my dear husband. Once again, much appreciate all your input and advice. Pam.

[PORT ROYAL]

40 minutes ago, PAMJP said:

Well, many thanks for all your replies, I think I’ll have to start looking at all the hotels mentioned, then decided where they are. Checked out one already the Fairmont, and as Port Royal recommended, the Harbour Gold room seems like what we’re looking for.We thought we’d like to be close to the cruise terminal but I’ve read that taxis aren’t that expensive anyway.  We fly from Heathrow on 20th March @ 18.55 arrive in Singapore @ 15.55 on 21st, board Qm2 on 23rd. So I’ve been assigned to research and book by my dear husband. Once again, much appreciate all your input and advice. Pam.

Link to Gold Lounge….. Two Hours of evening Cocktails and hors d’œuvers in the Lounge, plus an excellent breakfast

https://www.fairmont-singapore.com/facilities-services/fairmont-gold-lounge/

 

Enjoy….

Edited July 9, 2023 by PORT ROYAL

[PAMJP]

Again many thanks Port Royal, very useful information greatly received.

[PORT ROYAL]

On 7/8/2023 at 9:43 AM, PAMJP said:

We are joining QM2 in Singapore sailing back to Southampton in March 2024. Flight has been booked through Cunard a couple of days before we sail and want to book hotel prior to boarding on 23rd. I’ve been told that normally hotels are available to book around 11 months before, for some reason they may still be “negotiating terms”. At the moment I’ve been told to keep ringing as it shouldn’t be long now. I have looked at booking direct with an hotel but would prefer to let Cunard arrange it all, then any problems are theirs! What would you do? 

Little tip…

As one’s Voyage is part of a WC, ask at the onboard Duty Free Liquor store if QM2 still issues the “Thursday Voucher”.

There is no actual voucher, but it’s a WC concession for pax to purchase liquor from the Duty Fee, then take immediately back to one’s stateroom, every Thursday.

 

Additional.

Hope other CC members will post critiques, plus hints and tips, of their favoured Singapore Hotels, to assist in the search.  

 

[Unesco]

PAMJP, here are a couple of areas to possibly consider: 

Marina Bay- upmarket shopping, casino (eg Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton, Fullerton Bay.) 

City Hall - above MRT station and interconnecting shopping centres (eg Fairmont)

Orchard Road- main street (eg Shangri-La, Mariott Tang Plaza, Hilton, St Regis)

 

We liked the location of the Fairmont, as it was easy to get around. There is an another hotel literally next door- Swisshotel the Stamford- which may be worth a look. 

 

We were less keen on the Hilton as it was old and Orchard Road can become very crowded and hot, but perhaps an experience that a first-time visitor would not mind.

 

4/5 star hotels in Singapore are expensive, but like you say, taxis are not, so getting to places is easy.

[LWhit]

I can second the recommendation for Pan Pacific.  Book directly and if you can, book a Club Room with Club Lounge access.  The view, food and drink offerings are great.  

 

Have a look at Marina Mandarin as a cheaper option (think it may be called Park Royal Marina now). Again, get a Club room.  The offerings are hood but not in Pan Pacific's league.  

 

If You do opt for Shangri-la, be aware there are 3 wings Tower, Garden and Valley with different price points and Club options.  It's near Orchard Road for shopping.   

 

We much preferred the Marina Bay hotels for location though. 

 

It's much cheaper to book direct. Rather than with Cunard and taxis are reasonably priced. 

 

 

 

[Victoria2]

2 hours ago, LWhit said:

I can second the recommendation for Pan Pacific.  Book directly and if you can, book a Club Room with Club Lounge access.  The view, food and drink offerings are great.  

 

Have a look at Marina Mandarin as a cheaper option (think it may be called Park Royal Marina now). Again, get a Club room.  The offerings are hood but not in Pan Pacific's league.  

 

If You do opt for Shangri-la, be aware there are 3 wings Tower, Garden and Valley with different price points and Club options.  It's near Orchard Road for shopping.   

 

We much preferred the Marina Bay hotels for location though. 

 

It's much cheaper to book direct. Rather than with Cunard and taxis are reasonably priced. 

 

 

 

Marina Mandarin was frequently confused with Mandarin Oriental which was adjacent  although the price points should have given the game away!

MO is closed at the moment and although I've never stayed in an MO hotel, they are one of the ultra top notch chains.

 

Most luxury hotels have their Club rooms and it's very well worth going for them. The S'pore RC lounge can almost substitute as a full dining buffet experience if initially too tired to leave the hotel and don't want to be bothered booking into one of the restaurants.

[PAMJP]

Thanks to all for your advice and suggested hotels, which we are very grateful for . We’ve booked the Fairmount Hotel and the gold harbour view room. I’ve also checked out the Asia port of call board and found some very useful advice on how to spend our couple of days pre cruise in Singapore.  Many thanks, Pam

[PORT ROYAL]

4 hours ago, PAMJP said:

Thanks to all for your advice and suggested hotels, which we are very grateful for . We’ve booked the Fairmount Hotel and the gold harbour view room. I’ve also checked out the Asia port of call board and found some very useful advice on how to spend our couple of days pre cruise in Singapore.  Many thanks, Pam

To assist, found these videos of “Gold”

Rooms

https://youtu.be/cw-WOPGsB1c

 

https://youtu.be/zuzLR41Nj2A

 

Lounge

https://youtu.be/k7Oomb1Xweo

[Victoria2]

For future possible reference, Club level at the R.C.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prx2AcnrmH0

 

[Solent Richard]

With some six cruises either starting or termination in Singapore over the last 10 years, there's no question in my mind: I'd book where I want to stay and at a level that suits my wife and myself.

 

Hence on most occasions we would opt for the Marina Bay Sands....

 

 

An outstanding hotel convenient for so much that Singapore has to offer. Opt for a Grand Club Room...

 

 

...definitely not a box room, with a view over Gardens by the Bay...

 

 

...with full use of the infinity pool...

 

 

...and of course full use of Club 55, their exclusive lounge serving complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening beverages and canapés....

 

 

Grand Club guests also have complimentary luxury shuttle service from the airport and your room will be ready whatever time you arrive: ours landed at 0845hrs. 

[Solent Richard]

Just now, Solent Richard said:

With some six cruises either starting or termination in Singapore over the last 10 years, there's no question in my mind: I'd book where I want to stay and at a level that suits my wife and myself.

 

Hence on most occasions we would opt for the Marina Bay Sands....

 

 

An outstanding hotel convenient for so much that Singapore has to offer. Opt for a Grand Club Room...

 

 

...definitely not a box room, with a view over Gardens by the Bay...

 

 

...with full use of the infinity pool...

 

 

...and of course full use of Club 55, their exclusive lounge serving complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening beverages and canapés....

 

 

Grand Club guests also have complimentary luxury shuttle service from the airport and your room will be ready whatever time you arrive: ours landed at 0845hrs. 

 

And of course, there's nothing better than taking your Club 55 breakfast overlooking the cruise terminal where, on embarkation day your ship will be waiting....

 

[Solent Richard]

4 minutes ago, Solent Richard said:

 

And of course, there's nothing better than taking your Club 55 breakfast overlooking the cruise terminal where, on embarkation day your ship will be waiting....

 

and 

 

 

 

 

*******

 

 

And yes, the rooms span the width of the hotel, hence our bathroom had the Garden view balcony and the City view bath...

 

[seacruise9]

Hi, 

 

In 2017, I sailed a short segment of the Queen Mary 2's world cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore. After the cruise, I stayed at the Marina Bay Sands. I loved this hotel and highly recommend it. In addition to being truly spectacular, it is conveniently located near Gardens by the Bay (also highly recommended).

 

Chuck

[paulco]

I would stay at The Raffles if the budget permitted.  Had a beer in the long bar in 2010 QM2 WC port call.  Loved the place!