Demand for hotel rooms around the Marina Bay area this weekend is high as many Singaporeans will be checking in to watch the National Day parade.
Many view the hotels as vantage points to watch the parade in air-conditioned comfort.
Some Singaporeans are willing to splurge, as rooms with a view at the Mandarin Oriental are going for a minimum of US$564.
Demand for such rooms is also strong for Ritz Carlton, Marina Mandarin and Pan Pacific. Bookings had started as early as May.
Aiden Mcauley, general manager of Swissotel The Stamford, said: “This year, we did something (different) for the first time – which is an early bird offer where we offered 15 per cent discount to early bird bookings, which is quite successful… we ended up achieving 25 to 30 per cent of our booking through that booking window.”
Some of the hotels are also having special buffets to enhance the package this year.
However, rooms will not be the only popular places at these hotels during the National Day Parade.
Food and beverage outlets, like restaurants and bars, are also expected to be packed as they also provide an excellent view of the parade and fireworks.
Source : Channel NewsAsia – 8 Aug 2008