What to do!

Well, after weeks of searching, I have today managed to book 2 UC flights to Sydney for next November using my long accumulated flying miles. (360,000!). We shall be stopping off in Hong Kong for a few days (hotel suggestions welcomed) then onto Sydney. On the way back, we would like to spend a few days in Singapore. As we are booked to fly back from Sydney to HK, I have allowed a few days stopover to fly over to SIN.
This is where my problem lies. I don't know the best way to do this.
Do I just book a flight from HK to SIN with SIN Airlines or is there another airline? Can I use my flying miles (I still have some!) to book with Sin Airlines as they are a partner. I did want to try the A380 in business class, having seen some of the pictures of the cabin!
We shall be going out for a month all in all as it will be my birthday ( a biggie)and husband is trying to keep some costs down if possible. (After Dubai no chance!).

Suggestions would be much appreciated.

Anna

quote:Originally posted by classybird
Well, after weeks of searching, I have today managed to book 2 UC flights to Sydney for next November using my long accumulated flying miles. (360,000!). We shall be stopping off in Hong Kong for a few days (hotel suggestions welcomed) then onto Sydney. On the way back, we would like to spend a few days in Singapore. As we are booked to fly back from Sydney to HK, I have allowed a few days stopover to fly over to SIN.
This is where my problem lies. I don't know the best way to do this.
Do I just book a flight from HK to SIN with SIN Airlines or is there another airline? Can I use my flying miles (I still have some!) to book with Sin Airlines as they are a partner. I did want to try the A380 in business class, having seen some of the pictures of the cabin!


Can highly recommend the Intercontinental ,service levels like no other...

You want to fly from SYD to HKG, then HKG to SIN, then back to HKG then on to LHR [?]

nh

Or the Raffles and try a Singapore Sling!

[RichardMannion]

The flights between HKG and SIN are expensive, especially on SQ. I found there was a United flight that did the route (not at the greatest of times though) that was about a third of the price - it is the last sector of a flight from the US, so was a bit strange to be on a 747 for a 3.5 hour flight.

quote:Originally posted by GodAtum
Or the Raffles and try a Singapore Sling!


The Singapore Slings in Raffles come out of a ready-made bottle and have little to no alcohol in them anymore. If you want to try one in there, ask them to make it fresh or have one in Harry's Bar at Changi Airport where the cocktails are great!

HKG - On Kowloon I quite like the W Hotel especially the 75th floor outside swimming pool that was almost empty on the two occasions I used it.



My preference in recent years on the Island has been the Four Seasons (especially if someone else is paying!) for personal service and two multi Michelin starred restaurants, although I used to stay at the (original) Mandarin Oriental with work and I quite liked that too. The problem with the Island is that it's a business centre so it's a bit dead at the weekends, like the City in London, except that on Sundays it transforms into a meeting place for the apparent millions of Filipino nannies and staff for the ex pats.

For SIN, Raffles is the obvious place, although once was enough for me - a case of been there, done that. I'm glad I stayed there though. The Ritz Carlton was pretty good if money is no object: remember to ask them to arrange for the VIP airport pickup, the epitomy of decadance, where you can avoid the hoi poloi, and all the formalities are invisible. You are met at the gate with a golf cart on arrival. They then get your bags off the carousel for you while you sit in sumptuous sofas drink in hand as your passport is checked. You then make your exit via a special VIP only vehicle exit form the airport. It doesn't really save you any time in the end as Changhi is so efficient, but it does make you feel rather special.

If you can really push the boat out an do SQ F, the multi course Chinese meal HKG-SIN is like nothing else in the air.

Cheers, Howard

Sounds a great trip [y].

Unfortunately you cannot redeem VS miles on Singapore's A380s so that option won't work unless you pay. As Richard says, it's worth shopping around for flights like United's, Cathay Pacific also fly to Singapore of course, but I'd always prefer SIA over CX.

Many thanks to all that replied. I knew I could count on this forum to give me help and advice.
The Intercontinental will be getting my vote for Hong Kong. Very impressive. Not sure whether to book now or later in the year.
I haven't made up my mind on Raffles in Singapore yet. Reading some travel forum reports, it appears to be a bit of a hit and miss hotel. I'll give that one some more thought!

NH - The only reason I am flying HKG to SIN and back again, is that when booking on line (redemption), the system would only allow a stopover in Hong Kong both ways.(Unless I missed something somewhere!)

I was not too keen on flying United Airways ('cos they break guitars!)and as you mentioned Richard the timings not the greatest.

However, ScubaRoo came up trumps for me. We have (had) quite a few BMI miles tucked away, so I rang them up and have managed to book 2 x Business Class with SIA for 22500 miles plus 190 each. So not too bad. Also, the timings are great. So not quite the A380, but I can wait!
Again, many thanks for your replies.

Anna

You might want to consider the Peninsula in HKG as well.I know a few of us on here are quite fond of the place [:)]. We stayed here for three nights in a suite two years ago on our way to SYD and it was simply fabulous. Not pretentious at all for guests- simply fabulous dicrete Far Eastern sevice levels.Being whisked through the airport by one of the staff to a waiting car (one of their RR Phantoms) was fabulous and the unexpected bottle of champagne awaiting us on arrival in our suite the icing on the cake (which they delivered shortly after arrival to celebrate our anniversary!).
Nothing (and I mean nothing) was too much of an ask.
The pool and spa are fabulous as well as was our meal in Spring Moon.
I've stayed elsewhere in HKG on a previous trip in a nice 4/5 star property but it didn't compare.

DL

Thanks DL. I'll check that one out.

Anna

I would also vote Intercon in Hong Kong. Make sure you get a Harbour view room - they are the only true harbourfront rooms in HK. Have stayed there several times over the last few years, and the service and ambience is second to none. If you happen to be an Amex Platinum holder, I would also recommend booking the FHR rate - it gives 'free' breakfast and late checkout, plus additional amenities. When we went last time it consisted of a couple of free cocktails and an afternoon tea in their superb lobby lounge. I'd also recommend dinner in Nobu - far superior to the London equivalent, and the 'unique' cocktails there are rather special too.

Jon

In HK I still recommend the Langham Place in Mongkok - no harbour view rooms but then who goes to HK to sit in their room!! The harbour is best viewed from on the water.

It was rated worldwide TA no 1 hotel worldwide - I think I recall. Club rooms are excellent as are staff. Walk to night markets etc and experience the real chinese HK.

My favourite hotel in the world.

I'm glad to hear the Langham is good since we are booked there - by P&O so no choice - in March.

I was looking at the intercontinental and it says rooms have a butler service. Is that just glorified room service? Also, some rooms say Harbour View and others say Full harbour View?