Singapore Hotels
The main advantage of Singapore hotels is a consistently high level of service. Here are the main world brands The Ritz Carlton, Kempinski, Swissotel, Raffles Hotels, JW Mariott, cozy boutique hotels, nice hostels and large-scale resort complexes. Since the entire infrastructure of the country is built with the expectation of public transport, it will not be difficult to get to any hotel.
There are also hotels with an unusual concept, for example, The Outpost Hotel on Sentosa will not accommodate children under 12 years old, the interiors of Hotel Clover The Arts are decorated with unique works of art, and The Vagabond Club, located in an old art deco building, has a unique collection of 1000 bottles of the finest whiskeys.
Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of Singapore is 5.454 million (2021).
The most expensive establishments are located on Orchard Road, Raffles Place and in the Marina Bay area. Modern business hotels are located in the center, boutiques are located on Sentosa Island. Middle-class housing is easiest to find on the west coast of the Singapore River: prices there are affordable, conditions are decent, and the atmosphere is calm. Fans of non-stop entertainment can stay right in the Universal Studios park, where 6 hotels are open at once.
In Singapore, something is constantly being built, and the law prohibiting noise at night is only valid in residential areas. Choosing a hotel outside of their limits is the risk of being left without sleep for the entire vacation.
The cheapest hotels and hostels are in Chinatown, the railway station area and the Red Light District, but whether it is worth risking security for the sake of economy is a moot point. The average cost of a night in a clean and comfortable hostel is 20-50 SGD, rooms in a 2 * hotel – from 80 SGD, in 5 * – from 200-280 SGD per day.
The mains voltage in Singapore is 230V, adapters are required for three-prong sockets, they are issued free of charge in hotels.
Money
The currency of the country is the Singapore dollar (SGD), in 1 dollar 100 cents. Current exchange rate: 1 SGD = 41.52 RUB (1 USD = 1.39 SGD, 1 EUR = 1.46 SGD).
Currency in Singapore is changed at banks and official Licensed Money Changer exchangers located in hotels, shopping centers and at some metro stations. On weekdays, banks are open from 9:30 to 16:30, on Saturdays – until 13:00, Sunday is a day off. The opening hours of most exchange offices are 10:00–17:00, in some places the regime has been extended until 20:00. You can change money immediately upon arrival, in the arrivals area or at the baggage claim desk. The most favorable exchange rate is in Little India exchange offices. Russian rubles are not accepted for exchange, therefore it is better to take euros or dollars with you.
You need to be careful in a cafe: sometimes prices are excluding VAT (7%) and service charge (10%). For purchases over 100 SGD, VAT can be refunded by taking a refund receipt from the seller.
Tipping in Singapore is not accepted, but the most generous tourists still reward maids, administrators and porters 1-2 SGD for their efforts.
Bank cards are accepted everywhere, they can even pay for taxi fares, although in this case a commission of up to 15% is added to the standard fare. ATMs only dispense local currency (from 20 to 2000 SGD per transaction), many of them do not accept Russian credit cards, so it is better to always have cash in reserve with you.
How to avoid problems
Rules and prohibitions lie in wait for a relaxed traveler in Singapore at every step: be vigilant and carefully read the inscriptions on all prohibition signs. Gambling and chewing gum are prohibited in the country. For chewing it itself, a tourist will not be punished, but if he spit it out on the sidewalk past the trash can, the fine will be high. Garbage thrown on the street is subject to a fine of 300-1000 SGD, and for a second violation, they may well be put in jail. Garbage thrown on the street is subject to a fine of 300-1000 SGD, and for a second violation, they may well be put in jail. Smoking in closed public places, buses, elevators, cinemas, theaters, government agencies, restaurants and shops is prohibited, the fine is the same – 500-1000 SGD. You can pay 500 SGD for crossing the road in the wrong place, the same amount will be taken for eating on public transport or driving in a car without a seat belt.
The crime rate in the country is very low: you can literally leave things, documents and even money anywhere – they will not be stolen. When visiting temples and mosques, hands and feet must be covered with clothing. When entering Indian temples and mosques, it is supposed to take off your shoes, the same should be done when entering the houses and apartments of local residents. It is forbidden to take pictures and video camera images of the Buddha in Buddhist temples.
Tap water in Singapore is sanitized and drinkable.
As of Spring 2022, the wearing of masks in public places in Singapore is mandatory.
To better endure the heat, it is better to wear light cotton clothing. At the same time, do not forget about the air conditioning systems with which almost all shops and office buildings are stuffed here: a jumper with long sleeves will definitely not be superfluous.
Embassy of Russia in Singapore: Nassim Road, 51; tel.: (6) 235-18-34, 235-18-32, website.
Police: 999, Fire: 995, Ambulance: 995.
