SINGAPORE UPDATES
What's New
Hotel Highlights
Hotel Upgrading
Announcement

SINGAPORE CALENDER
OF EVENTS
Leisure
Business

OUR NEIGHBOURS
Indonesia - Bintan Island
Malaysia

CONTACT US
Contact

PLAZA PACIFIC HOTELS & RESORTS RENAME ITS SINGAPORE HOTELS

Since acquiring the 'Parkroyal' brand name in late 2002, Plaza Pacific Hotels & Resorts has undergone an extensive renovation project to upgrade its products and services.

With the completion of this project, Plaza Pacific Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the name change of its Singapore hotels effective October 2006.

SENTOSA SPA & RESORT

In its effort to serve you better, 'The Cliff' restaurant will be closed for maintenance work from 03 to 10 July, 2006. During this period, ala-carte and BBQ buffet dinner will be available at The Terrace from 1830 - 2200 hours. In-room dining will also be available all day.

Novotel Clarke Quay has completed phase one of a comprehensive multi-million dollars renovation to its main public areas, restaurants and 200 guestrooms, giving the hotel a bold new look. With the success of phase one, the hotel will now embarked on the second phase of its renovation project which will see the remaining of the guestrooms fully renovated. Renovation works will begin 29 May and is expected to be completed by 15 November 2006. The hotel has taken great care to minimise any inconvenience to the guests. Works will take place in three stages of three floors each and buffer floors are arranged between floors under renovation and the already renovated floors, as such very little noise pollution is expected. No work will be done in the public areas. With the completion of this final phase of renovation project, the hotel will no longer have any classic rooms. The new room category are Novation Standard, Novation Superior, Novation Deluxe and Novation Suite respectively.

The Amsterdam-based International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) has ranked Singapore as the world's second Top Convention City for the second consecutive year. Singapore has maintained its position as Asia's Top Convention City for the seventh times since 1995 when ICCA launched its annual global ranking.

The accolades are in recognition of the sterling growth in the number of international conferences staged in Singapore in 2005. Singapore hosted 125 international conferences representing an increase of 20 percent over 2004. Singapore's position as the world's second Top Convention City in 2005 is a distinction, which place it alongside the top performing city, Vienna and Barcelona, which clinched third spot.

'VISITSINGAPORE.COM' AWARDED OFFICIAL HONOREE STATUS

STB's VisitSingapore.com (www.visitsingapore.com) website, which offers information on Singapore, has been awarded Official Honoree Status at the 10th Annual Webby Awards 2006.

Hailed as the 'Online Oscars' by Time Magazine, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honouring excellence in web design, creativity, usability and functionality. The award winners are determined by The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organisation that boasts a 500-strong membership of leading web experts, business figures and creative celebrities.

Congratulations to Singapore Tourism Board!

Finally, the much-anticipated winner is unveiled. The Singapore Government has awarded the project to develop the Integrated Resort (IR) at Marina Bay to Las Vegas Sands Corporation ("Sands"). The Ministerial Committee (Tender Approving Authority or TAA) evaluating the four proposals, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Professor S. Jayakumar, announced their decision at a press conference this evening.

Sands proposed an outstanding IR development ("Marina Bay Sands") that will boost Singapore's attractiveness as a premium destination for business and leisure visitors. Leveraging on Sands' expertise and excellent track records in MICE, the proposal will create a strong MICE cluster in Marina Bay and enhance Singapore's MICE capabilities and offerings. The Marina Bay Sands will have a combination of exhibition and meeting space amounting to 110,000 sqm in gross floor area, which is 2? times the size of the convention and exhibition centre at Suntec City

The Marina Bay Sands will offer a wide range of leisure products, such as world-class entertainment in two 2,000-seat theatres, an Art & Science museum, luxury retail outlets, and unique dining venues such as the floating pavilions in the Marina Bay.

The setting back of the hotel towers from the waterfront open up expansive views to the city and the entire Marina Bay. Wave-like roof forms crown the low-rise MICE facilities, casino and theatres fronting Marina Bay. The Sky Park above the hotel towers will provide breathtaking 360-degree views of Marina Bay, the city and the future Gardens-by-the-Bay. Its unique design and many distinctive features will provide a memorable image and destination attraction for Marina Bay.

Whether you are a certified shopaholic or just in need of some retail therapy, get ready for an island-wide sale unlike any before. From downtown Orchard Road to Marina Bay to the shops in the heartlands, enjoy discounts on just about everything. www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg

The season is here again for the world's best artists to gather and offer a dazzling myriad of performances, each universal yet unique. During this One Season, come and catch the Many Faces of the Singapore Arts Festival - there is bound to be something for everyone! Treat your senses at the premier arts event of Singapore with a celebration of dance, theatre and music from around the world, embracing classical as well as the avant-garde, cultural diversity and the latest in artistic innovation. The festival offers a truly international and eclectic programme, leaving all enthralled! Featuring 6 world premieres and 6 Asian premieres, Singapore Arts Festival 2006 returns with a new season of riveting performances! www.singaporeartsfest.com

A celebration of Singaporean Cuisine......In a country where eating is a national passion, the Singapore Food Festival promises to be a gastronomical treat. Enjoy culinary workshops, heritage food trails and mouth-watering food events during this month-long festival. News flash for crab fanatic, the event will kick start on 01 July with a 'Crab Fiesta' featuring a huge variety of crab dishes and local favourite crustacean delights. For all food lovers out there, it is time to indulge and satisfy your cravings. www.singaporefoodfestival.com

THE FORCE IS HERE! To celebrate its inauguration, MTV Centrestage join forces with Live Nation to bring you - Coldplay Twisted Logic Tour 2006. This spectacular event is presented by Nokia Nseries and supported by Singapore Tourism Board. The vanguard of new wave British rock, Coldplay has many music awards under their belt, including four Grammies and countless MTV awards. Their first two albums have sold over 16 million copies worldwide. For one night only, this supreme British rock band is set to rock the Lion City. So don't miss the only chance to catch Coldplay live at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Singapore will be the only Southeast Asia stop. For information on ticket sales : www.sistic.com.sg

BAYBEATS is Singapore's own annual indie music festival at Esplanade. Since 2001, it has sought to showcase good local and international indie band, giving them an opportunity to share their ideas. It has become one of the most massive and anticipated music festivals in Singapore, hosting bands from countries such as Malaysia, Norway, UK, USA, Australia and drawing a growing audience by the thousands. What's great about this fun weekend celebration of great live indie music in a variety of sounds such as post-rock, punk, emo, electro and hard rock, it is free-for-all. BAYBEATS is just one of many programmes presented by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay. Esplanade aims to be a performing arts centre for everyone, and its programmes cater to its diverse audiences. www.baybeats.com.sg

Return to top

21st Congress of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
Date : 10 - 14 June, 2006
Venue : Suntec Convention Centre

The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) was founded in 1958 to bring a closer association between ophthalmologists and strengthen the ongoing prevention of blindness in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. The aims of the APAO and its congresses, not only binds leaders and members to work on the development of ophthalmology in their own country, but it also gave them a common goal to strive towards prevention of blindness with ongoing education programme and research.

From the very first Congress of the APAO held in Manila in 1960, the Academy has set out to achieve its aim. Due to the rising recognition and importance of this event in the international ophthalmic scene, the APAO has decided to start from year 2006 to make this reputable event an annual meeting and Singapore have the privilege to play host since the last meeting held here in 1968.

CommunicAsia 2006
Date : 20 to 23 June, 2006
Venue : Singapore Expo

CommunicAsia returns to the Singapore Expo from June 20-23 this year with key technologies at the forefront of the industry to provide a showcase of digital convergence that is taking the world by storm.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Increase in Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA)
Bintan Resort Ferries Pte Ltd (BRF) introduced the Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) component on 1 August 2005 to help BRF cope with significant spikes in fuel prices. Since then fuel prices have continued to spiral upwards. When compared to January 2005, fuel prices have increased by an astonishing 100%.

To sustain operating costs and to continue to provide quality and safe services to our passengers, BRF will revise its FCA. Please be informed that a FCA of SGD 5.00 per person will apply to all BRF 2-way tickets, an increase of $2. For a 1-way ticket the FCA will now be SGD2.50 per person. These increases will apply to all new bookings, amendments and change of departure date, effective 1 June 2006. Please note that the FCA applies to all passengers, inclusive of children and infants.

Extension of Indonesia VOA Facility to Iran & Netherlands
With immediate effect, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia is extending its Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) facility to Iran and Netherlands, in addition to the existing 37 countries.

VOA charges remain unchanged as follow :
a) US$10.00 per person for a maximum period of seven (07) days / six (06) nights stay
b) US$25.00 per person for more than seven (07) days; and up to a maximum of thirty (30) days

Visitors are required to have at hand the following documents for VOA application.

• Passport with a minimum of six (06) months validity
  
• Arrival / Departure Card
  
• Return or onward journey ticket
  
• Exact amount in US Dollars for VOA payment

ANNOUNCEMENT

PAN PACIFIC KUALA LUMPUR
Effective 01 July, Pan Pacific K.L will be handed over to the new Management and it will be renamed as Residence Hotels & Resorts.

LE MERIDIEN, KOTA KINABALU
The hotel has re-categorised their lead-in room as Superior Room. The current 'Classic' rooms are no longer available.

BATU FERRINGHI BEACH HOTEL, PENANG
Effective from 25 May, the hotel will be renamed Hydro Majestic Hotel. Plans are underway for a refurbishment exercise.

CASUARINA BEACH RESORT, PENANG
Kindly be informed that the resort is presently under Tender of Sale. With immediate effect, please STOP SELL as hotel no longer accepts any booking.

HOTEL UPGRADING

HYATT REGENCY KUANTAN RESORT
Hyatt Regency Kuantan will be conducting soft refurbishment work at its Kampung Restaurant from 19 to 21 June 2006. To minimise inconvenience to the guests, work will only be done during the day between 0900 to 1800 hours.

During this period, all meals will be served at Yue Yuen Restaurant located at the lobby level. All other food & beverage outlets and facilities will remain operational as normal.

The Hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment that will be expected to complete by end November 2006. Works are carried out in phases and there will inevitably be a certain amount of disruptions associated with the project. Fortunately, the resort layout ensures that refurbishment areas are in most cases well separated from areas in use. While this will help to minimize the inconvenience, it will not eliminate it. There will be ample dining and recreational facilities available for guests at all times throughout the project.

SWISS-GARDEN RESORT & SPA, KUANTAN
In their constant strive towards improving their product and services, Swiss-Garden Hotel will be embarking on a renovation project that include a new beach bar, new lobby, upgrading of garden terrace and guestrooms.

Construction work will begin end June 2006 and expected completion will be in January 2007. Efforts has been taken to minimise any inconvenience to your guests, as such refurbishing work will take place only during the day between 0900 to 1700 hours.

Swiss-Garden Hotel looks forward to offering you a brand new experience soon!