Advice on being a good host

[airick]

Hi,

I have an important client who will be in town from Dec 3 to 11 with his family. As a goodwill, I'm paying for all their logistics and yes hotel too...

So I'm looking for the lowest possible costs without comprimising on service quality.

For the hotel I came across RELC near Shangrila, its a bit aloof but seems nice. Any comments, or suggestions for other hotels (min 4 star) with decent pricing ?

For their transportation (7 of them), I tried the bigger companies they cost a bomb. I also came across a smaller company eBustop. Their charges are much lower, but whats the experience like dealing with such smaller transport companies ? In many places like India/Brazil, I know its must to avoid such services ... not sure whats it like here.. they have a website http://www.ebustop.com/

For their dining, I have spoken to outlets such as Michael Angelo, Equinox or even indian restaurants such as komalas and they do give out food vouchers, which I can pass on them. Any suggestions on where else they give out food vouchers ?? They are irish, but can take just about anything.. even game for spicy stuff. Reason I need vouchers is so that I won't have to accompany them everyday.

[Flyjet1]

You might wish to offer them photography as part of their memorable family stay here, do let me know if you think so.

Gallery Hotel has just been renovated recently, their rates are quite good. given their promixity in town, it is very convenient to travel around. Carlton or Rendevous Hotel are good alternatives. I have once tried to hire maxi cab and MPV cab, engaged the driver privately, they are most willing to do so. I believed it could be cheaper by 20-30%, depending on your nego skills. SMRT MPV cool.

Since you are intending to provide food vouchers, the rest could be taken care by themselves at their own choice. Consider breakfasts are handled in hotel, they are left with less than 14 meals to cover. I am sure they would like to experience other cultural delicacies where vouchers are not usable. Lets say you entertain them on 4 meals, another 4 on vouchers, they are left with 6 on their own the most. Of these, it could be quite boring to dine in a restaurant again. Why not taka or marina square vouchers for flexibilty?

[airick]

For the transport, i'm 99% confirmed with eBustop. Their rates seem much lower than maxicab guys... moreover, maxicab is a 7-seater, so if I hop in together for dinner with them, it will be a problem... eBustop provides 13-seaters.. i'm viewing one of their cabs later today.

I jus spoke to Garden hotel, they do have very good walk in rates, but seems like even better rates with toureast.net ... thanks for that recommendation, it really seems like a good hotel from many online reviews. I think i'm set on this one...

For the food vouchers, i'm planning on only 1 dinner with them... coz i have been alerted by my colleague if I follow them for dinner, they have tendency to follow on with night entertainment, and if I have to follow it will be very costly.. coz i'll have to be the paying party... so i'm still on lookout for outlets which provide prepaid food coupons at good rates..

[airick]

I got a hotel suite at $280 from http://www.kztravel.com/ @ Amara Hotel finally. A little disappointed though that most of the info did not come from singaporeexpats.com. Maybe forumers are quite busy these days, but here's my contribution on a great deal!

[airick]

Are there any fun activities to do in Singapore ? Don't think there's skiing, bungee jumping kinduff thing here... Really clueless on this...

[Smarten]

Are there any fun activities to do in Singapore ? Don't think there's skiing, bungee jumping kinduff thing here... Really clueless on this...

What about the bungy on Clarke Quay: http://www.gmax.co.nz/

Or you can take them wakeboarding. I can recommend
Maxout: http://www.maxouthydrosports.com/

Or what about dinner in the Singapore Flyer???

[sierra2469alpha]

OP :Singapore Flyer is always a good bet - new, pretty professional - book one of their champagne "flights" and they try to get you on your own capsule.

Pick your time, though - go just before sunset and the crowds!

HTH, Mr. P

[Edit: spelling mistook; added tag to the original poster]

[sundaymorningstaple]

I don't think the Singapore Flyer is something you would do every weekend like you might do if bungee jumping, sky diving, river rafting, etc. you know, as in adrenalin pumping stuff. If that's what the poster is on about. Of course you CAN go wakeboarding/waterskiing but that's about it as exciting activities. Golf just doesn't get it and neither does rockwall climbing in airconditioned comfort of a gymnasium.

[airick]

Are there any fun activities to do in Singapore ? Don't think there's skiing, bungee jumping kinduff thing here... Really clueless on this...

What about the bungy on Clarke Quay: http://www.gmax.co.nz/

Or you can take them wakeboarding. I can recommend
Maxout: http://www.maxouthydrosports.com/

Or what about dinner in the Singapore Flyer???

Didnt get chance to try the bungee jumping thingy.. how's it .. I saw the price is $45 for a ride.. is it worth it ? I might try it soon the next time I have guests in sg...

[Zeenit]

OP :Singapore Flyer is always a good bet - new, pretty professional - book one of their champagne "flights" and they try to get you on your own capsule.

Pick your time, though - go just before sunset and the crowds!

HTH, Mr. P

[Edit: spelling mistook; added tag to the original poster]

We can all fill the other capsule for free , hopefully the OP will buy us champagne as well.