Where to Stay in Singapore - Singapore and Malaysia - page 68

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THE BUSY SEASON
Busy season? I t's all busy season in S ingapore, with month-b y-month occupancy rates
holding steady over 80%. Visitors are advised to book rooms well in advance, and check
with the Singapore Tourism Board to make sure there are no huge conventions in town
during your dates. That said, probably the worst time to find a last-minute r oom or to
negotiate a fav orable rate will be betw een Christmas and the Chinese N ew Year, when
folks travel on vacation and to see their families.
MAKING RESERVATIONS ON THE GROUND
If you are not able to make a reservation before your trip, a reservation service is available
at Changi I nternational Airport. The Singapore Hotel Association operates desks in all
three main terminals, with r eservation ser vices based upon r oom availability for many
hotels. Reservation lines ar e open 24 hours: Terminal 1 & 65/6542-6966; Terminal 2
& 65/6545-0318; Terminal 3 & 65/6542-0442.

1 THE HISTORIC DISTRICT

VERY EXPENSIVE
The Fairmont The Fairmont is designed to make life easy for the weary trav-
eler. Close to the sights of the historic district, it's also directly above an MRT hub and
next to the enormous Raffles City shopping center r eplete with restaurants, supermar-
kets, and swish stores. Rooms in the North Tower have an attractive and contemporary
Asian flavor, while S outh Tower rooms have polished wooden floors, Bose sound sys-
tems, and Heavenly Beds with 10 layers of goose feathers. Ask for a harbor vie w in the
South Tower to enjo y the best vie ws of the financial district skyscrapers o verlooking
Marina Bay. The Amrita Spa is Singapore's largest spa, with plunge pools, a huge range
of Asian and E uropean tr eatments, and a state-of-the-ar t fitness center that 's open
around the clock. B usiness facilities ar e outstanding, with a dedicated ex ecutive floor
with its own lounge, complimentary use of meeting rooms, in-room espresso machines,
and a private gym.
2 Stamford Rd., Singapore 178882. & 65/6339-7777. Fax [phone]. www.fairmont.com/singapore.
769 units. S$484 (US$324/£218) double; from S$1,177 (US$789/£530) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. City Hall MRT.
Amenities: 12 restaurants; martini bar, lobby lounge, and a liv e jazz venue; outdoor pool; spa w/gym,
Jacuzzi, sauna, steam, and massage; c oncierge; airport transfers; room service; babysitting; smoke-free
rooms; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-house mo vies, minibar,
hair dryer.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore The historic Fullerton, which riv als Raffles
in luxur y and ar chitecture, is r egularly voted one of Asia 's top hotels. S uperb views in
almost every direction include the Singapore River and historic district, the city skyline,
and the harbor. Built in 1928 as the General Post Office, its location, immense size, and
classical Doric columns ar e testament to its vital r ole in the colonial go vernment. The
restoration and hotel conv ersion have been done beautifully , with lofty, elegant public
spaces and guest rooms cleverly arranged to fit the original structure. Rooms are oases of
comfort, stylish and contemporar y with flatscr een TVs, P layStations, large desks, and
Philippe Starck fittings in the enormous bathr ooms. Facilities are excellent, too, with a
state-of-the-art gym and spa and an infinity pool that o verlooks the riv er. Standards of

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