So where do we stay?

[honey lamb]

As many of you know we are off to Sydney courtesy of Aer John's win in the Swingers Club [^] Our itinerary includes a stop off in Hong Kong, a TP run to Singapore, Sydney itself and I want to go to the Great Barrier Reef. I know many of you have visited these places before and I would love your hotel recommendations.

I know some of you will say the Pen for Hong Kong but the jury is still out on that. Of course what I am really looking for is 5* hotels at 1* prices [:o)][:p]:D with stupendous views over places like the harbour in HK, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Sydney! (I don't ask for much, do I?)

[HighFlyer]

I am really looking for ... stupendous views over places like the harbour in HK

Come on ... you *know* thats the Pen! Helped greatly by being in Kowloon so it actually looks at the harbour as opposed to being on the same side as it like a lot of the other large hotels/chains. When Milliemoo gets back she will be able to give you her $0.02 on the Pen but you know i love it!!

I stayed in the Shangri-la Sydney which has Opera House and Harbour Bridge View Rooms (I stayed in a Opera View room but it was a corner room so I got a great view of both from the window.

The only reason i chose that hotel was for the miles earning benefit (ooh im such a miles whore ) as i originally had picked the Four Seasons, but it was in a fairly good area and inexpensive so i cant complain - and the views were really nice!!

GBR - Are you doing a day trip or staying in Cairns/Port Douglas?

HTH?

Originally posted by honey lamb
I know some of you will say the Pen for Hong Kong but the jury is still out on that. Of course what I am really looking for is 5* hotels at 1* prices [:o)][:p]:D with stupendous views over places like the harbour in HK, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in Sydney! (I don't ask for much, do I?)

I got a really good rate at the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong a couple of years ago through the Hong Kong Hotel Association. Emailed them asking what they could get and they came straight back with a very good price indeed. Lovely hotel too. It's on the Island, in Central, so the view over the harbour is not the best but it's very well located, minutes walk from the Star Ferry etc.

Chris

The Intercontinental in Sydney has fab harbour view rooms[8D]

[mcmbenjamin]

I will be at:

Base Backpackers - Sydney
477 Kent Street
NSW 2000 Australia
Sydney

Now I imagine not many V-Flyers consider hostels but Base Backpackers has a Sanctuary floor for the young and independent woman backpacking. They have pretty cool features.
Exclusive ONLY to base - a new, innovative luxurious girls only floor with high quality facilities, safety and home comforts FREE AVEDA hair care products when staying on the Sanctuary floor All Sanctuary beds made up with 5 star linen, duvets and feather pillows - supreme comfort unheard of in this style of independent travellers accommodation Large clean and modern bathrooms with great hairdryers

On the TP run, you may want to consider the KUL Hilton as it is cheap and only have read good things. Will give further comments in upcoming TR.

Benjamin

[fozzyo]

We haven't decided on the majority of our stay in HK but for the last night we're doing the Landmark which has recently opened. Looks very nice - big round spa bath!!

In Syd we've opted for the Hilton, we were for some reason given HH GOld membership so brekkie and poss room upgrade is sorted which is helpful.

mcmbenjamin - i'm with you on Hostels. However I have to say never really enjoyed city hostels, much prefer town / out of town ones.

Mat xxx

[honey lamb]

OK, I'm bumping this up to the top again as I am still in a quandary over where to stay in Singapore. [?][:?]

I'm torn between the Shangri-La in singapore or the Shangri-La Resort in Sentosa. The reason for the latter is that there is golf nearby and Aer John can golf to his heart's content. We will be there for three days in July

regarding Singapore, both shangri las are nice HL. Personally I would go for the landmark, but that is just personal taste. Give raffles a miss - too touristy. Be aware that some may say that sentosa is too kitch. My own POV is that it is great for a visit for a few hours, or for a specific purpose (ie golf!) but I am not sure I would want to stay there.

Originally posted by honey lamb
OK, I'm bumping this up to the top again as I am still in a quandary over where to stay in Singapore. [?][:?]

I'm torn between the Shangri-La in singapore or the Shangri-La Resort in Sentosa. The reason for the latter is that there is golf nearby and Aer John can golf to his heart's content. We will be there for three days in July

I know both Shangri-Las in Singapore. The one on Orchard Road is one of the best hotels I've ever stayed in. Facilities and environment are wonderful and very good for access to just about anywhere. The pool is just gorgeous. One of my favourite places in the world to relax. The nightly buffet in the restaurant is excellent.

The one on Sentosa is much more of a "resort" hotel. Expect many more families on beach holidays. The pool area is much noisier and far less pleasant than the city hotel. Restaurants are not so good. The beach is quite dirty. Also, while the idea of staying on Sentosa is attractive on the surface, if you want to go anywhere else, it does take a while to get into the city.

You might like to know that there is a free shuttle bus running between the two Shangri Las several times a day so if you want to visit Sentosa and are staying on Orchard Road, you can do so for free (you don't have to pay the usual Sentosa admission charge). This might solve the golf problem.

Hope this helps.
Chris

[mitchja]

Originally posted by fozzyo
We haven't decided on the majority of our stay in HK but for the last night we're doing the Landmark which has recently opened. Looks very nice - big round spa bath!!

Mat xxx

I've also booked a room at the Landmark MO in HKG as Mat says it does look fab when I fly to SYD in June. Also booked 2 nights at the Shangri-la Sydney after reading Sarah's TR's

Regards

Further to cshore's comments, Orchard Road shopping is quite good too;)

Originally posted by sailor99
Further to cshore's comments, Orchard Road shopping is quite good too[;0]

But you'll pay the highest prices in Singapore! Much better to go to one of the neighbourhood malls outside the city. Prices are much better and they won't be so crowded. For IT/electronic stuff, Sim Lim or Funan are good.

BTW. i see in the latest I-Fly Shangri la asia are doing a triple miles promotion. Call 0800 028 3337 or visit shangri-la.com and remember to ask for select rate. Book 3 or more nights for tripple miles:D Hopefully this is of use for you honey lamb

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by sailor99
BTW. i see in the latest I-Fly Shangri la asia are doing a triple miles promotion. Call 0800 028 3337 or visit shangri-la.com and remember to ask for select rate. Book 3 or more nights for tripple miles:D Hopefully this is of use for you honey lamb

Yikes! Thanks for that, sailor. [y]

I booked the Shangri-la in Singapore a couple of hours ago but didn't see that anywhere. [:0][:0] Must go and look again!

It's in the sepcial offers section of the i-fly mag. We had a problem with the rear admiral's PC last night so my message was necessarily rushed - sorry. I would have added that if you need the ad then PM me a fax number or email and I will scan the page. However there are no "eligability" numbers or such on it, just the info I gave above. So hopefully you will not need that. I hope you can get your booking changed/rebooked for tripple miles!! Which SL did you go for in the end?

Have stayed in the Orchard Road Shrangi-La and found it to be of excellent quality with the huge opulent lobby, extra friendly service and spacious clean modern rooms. The Intercontinental was one of the best hotels we have stayed in - we had a Junior harbour view suite with an absolutely amazing harbour view room. For doing a 1/2 hour survey on the rooms we got HK$2000 dollars off food and beverage and we were offered a club room upgrade (exceptionally good value for money - free buffet hot/cold breakfast, soft drinks all day, afternoon tea and sandwiches, fresh cream scones etc. and between 5-8pm a free bar [with champagne] and hot and cold snacks) - fab time!

In Sydney, the S-L did it again for us - we had a Grand Harbour view room with sweeping bay rooms overlooking the brdige and opera house -again just amazing! (and it's within walking distance of the Rocks and shops!!)

Its got to be the Shangri-La[y] in Singapore stayed there at it a very nice hotel.

[HighFlyer]

Also booked 2 nights at the Shangri-la Sydney after reading Sarah's TR's

Glad to have helped James ... hope you have gone for the Opera/Bridge view room?

I loved watching the Bridge Climbers departing in their intervals from my room - especially so on the day it was my turn to join them for the Twilight climb! [:0]

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by HighFlyer

Also booked 2 nights at the Shangri-la Sydney after reading Sarah's TR's

Glad to have helped James ... hope you have gone for the Opera/Bridge view room?

I loved watching the Bridge Climbers departing in their intervals from my room - especially so on the day it was my turn to join them for the Twilight climb! [:0]

I'm probably going to do the same. Oh, Sarah! Sarah! What have you done to us?

[HighFlyer]

I'm probably going to do the same. Oh, Sarah! Sarah! What have you done to us

Hehe ... wheres that disclaimer i was meaning to add to my sig!

To be fair, its a good choice hotel. Its well located, has fab views, its miles earning, and has a lovely bar (the Blue Bar IIRC) so i would certainly recommend it. I dont think you'll be dissapointed.

The only negative for me was sending my clothes off to laundry and having them come back ruined, although that is a side issue.

HL - are you and Aer John doing the Bridge Climb?? You'll be tempted when you see the others climbing from your room you know!!

[honey lamb]

HL - are you and Aer John doing the Bridge Climb?? You'll be tempted when you see the others climbing from your room you know!!

We are talking about doing it. I am a lady of - ahem [:I] - mature years (who is looking at the threads on Senior discounts speculatively [:w]) I'm hoping it will be within my capabilities

[HighFlyer]

HL Ð Im sure others who have done it on here, can back me up in saying that in all honesty it isnÕt that strenuous.

The initial idea seems very daunting Ð and I was actually a little worried on the day I did my climb, but the reality is itÕs a good hour or so of getting into the gear and then doing the training, then the actual climb would take about half an hour Ð if it wasnÕt for the continual stopping for photo opportunities. Seriously, you start walking up the bridge at a fair pace, then once you have got so far the whole group stops for photos (can take a good 20 minutes to photograph everyone) then you do a bit more climbing, then another photo and so on.

I would certainly recommend doing it, the view is fantastic and itÕs a great activity. Walking along the bridge itself is amazing Ð especially if you get a lot of traffic above when you are on the underneath parts!! But I would have thought that anybody who can climb stairs at a gentle pace could manage it easily. The steps are close together too, so your not climbing at a great angle.

Just my penneth worth É donÕt hesitate, and go for it!!

We just booked a twilight climb the other night for Feb.
Very excited!!!

Dean

[HighFlyer]

We just booked a twilight climb the other night for Feb.
Very excited!!!

Good stuff!!

Watching night time fall on Sydney and the city light up is fab! - Especially when you are so high up to see it all. I presume that you will share your photographic record of the event with us all??

Don't worry, the TR will be an oddessy

Dean