The Bali Zoo

Yes, Bali Zoo. The Island of Gods, which has been ranked as the second best island on the planet to Travel by Travel + Leisure in 2002, has a zoo which has opened in 2002 as the island’s first and only Balinese-owned zoological park. But many go to Bali without knowing that there is a Zoo on the island. It is a great zoo and it has recently received The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2012 for the exceptional traveller ratings over the past year. TripAdvisor has awarded Bali Zoo the prestigious Certificate of Excellence award, recognizing our 4 rating as an exceptional achievement.

Bali Zoo lies on 22 acres of lush landscape in the art village of Singapadu and is home to a diverse collection of more than 350 exotic animals a majority of which are indigenous to Indonesia, including rare and endangered species such as the Sumatran Elephant, Sumatran Tiger, Orangutan, Sun Bear and Binturong.

How to get to Bali Zoo?
Bali Zoo is located in Singapadu Village, Sukawati District, Gianyar, Bali. It is an art-village as the home of well known Balinese artists. Bali Zoo can be easily reached. It is quite close to Denpasar capital city and the other popular tourists activities centre such Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Ubud. It takes about 20 minutes from Denpasar or  45 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport by Taxi or Tour Bus. The zoo is open daily from 09.00 AM to 06.00 PM (except for Nyepi Day) and on Wednesday & Saturday it is open from 09.00 AM to 09.30 PM.

Bali Zoo Ticket Prices
Admission to Bali Zoo is US $24 for adults, US $12 for children. There is a Family Ticket which costs US $65.

Sumatran Tiger  is indigenous to Indonesia and it is a rare and endangered species.

Things to do in Bali Zoo

Elephant Expedition - Bali Zoo’s Gentle Giants, herd of Sumatran elephants hails from Palembang, Sumatra, offers a comfortable bench seat ride perched atop one of zoo's Sumatran elephants and you’ll be driven by an experienced mahouts through a scenic pathway that winds through parts of the zoo then outside the park where you can see where our elephants sleep and bathe.

Animal Encounters -  You can sit up close and personal with tame tiger cubs, crocodiles, binturongs, pythons, elephants and lions and take unique photos with them. Daily session from 1pm and 4pm in the restaurant.

Bali Zoo Elephant Expedition

A Night At The Zoo - As sun settles, many animals become active so a night safari in Bali Zoo is a much more different experience than a day visit. The Zoo describes the experience:

"Begin the evening’s escapade at the Bali Zoo with our elephant encounters and feeding experience. You’ll meet our gentle pachyderms and see how it feels to actually feed these amazing mammals by hand. Then head over to our restaurant for a petting and photo session with our tame Borneo bear cat, scaly python and even a Sumatran Sinyulong freshwater crocodile. Continue your tour with a guided walk through the Bali Zoo in which your senses will come alive to the natural sights and sounds of our tropical menagerie at night followed by a dramatic fire dance performance to entertain you before dinner. Your special evening concludes with a sit down al fresco feast under the stars next to our open-air lion enclosure where you’ll be dining only a few meters from our resident king of the jungle and his pride of adorable lion cubs." Source : Bali Zoo

Mahout For A Day - If riding on the top of a gentle giant with an experienced mahout is not enough, you can command the largest land animal on earth. You can learn up close and personal what it takes to care for a Sumatran elephant for a day in Bali Zoo.

Treechada Petcharat, Internet's most popular transvestite

26-year-old Thai Saknarin Marnyaporn, better known as Poyd or Treechada Petcharat, is internet's most popular transgender according to Asia One. Treechada Petcharat underwent sex reassignment surgery at age 17 and at the age of 19 in 2004, She was crowned Miss Tiffany and Miss International Queen.Miss Tiffany and Miss International Queen is a beauty pageant for transgender people that has been held annually in Pattaya, Thailand since 2004.

She has now a huge number of social media fans as 380,000 people follows her on photo-sharing site Instagram. Almost all of her posts and photos garners up to a few thousand likes and hundreds of comments according to the media.

Poy Treechada Petcharat

Transgender people, called kathoey or katoey in Thailand, are more visible and more accepted (although this does not mean they are totally accepted i.e. discrimination in employment remains rampant ) in Thai culture than transgender or transsexual people are in other countries. Arguably the best-known kathoey in Thailand is the Thai Boxer Nong Thoom, Nong Toom whose story is related in the 2003 film Beautiful Boxer. Bell Nuntita, a contestant of Thailand's Got Talent TV shows, became a YouTube hit when she first performed singing as a girl, and the crowd become amazed when she switches to a masculine voice (see the video below).

Singapore Airlines ranks 10th in flight arrival ranking

In November 2012, almost 8 in 10 or 82.72% of Singapore Airlines flights approached to the gate on time. This has put the airline at 10th spot in Asian Airlines November 2012 Arrival Performance Report by FlightStats. The average on-time performance rating among the 38 Asian airlines FlightStats analyzed in November was 75.48%, down 2.57 percentage points from October's 78.05%.

The FlightStats report summarizes the data by carrier and includes a breakdown of on-time, late, very late and excessively late arrivals. Also included is the average delay for flights arriving more than 15 minutes late, the percentage of flights cancelled and diverted.

Here are the top ten on-time arrival performers among Asian carriers:

1. 3X Japan Air Commuter - 91.91%
2. XM1 J-Air - 91.60%
3. HD Hokkaido International Airlines - 90.91%
4. JL Japan Airlines - 90.87%
5. EH ANA Wings - 90.64%
6. JC JAL Express - 90.46%
7. 6E IndiGo Airlines - 90.42%
8. NH ANA - All Nippon Airways - 89.21%
9. NU Japan Transocean Air - 84.55%
10. SQ Singapore Airlines - 82.72% 

Jersey Boys at Singapore Marina Bay Sands

JERSEY BOYS, the multi-award winning musical that has taken the world by storm, has opened its Asian debut at the Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands to rave reviews. To thank fans for their enthusiasm and support, an exclusive sneak-peek performance has been announced for  Saturday,  8 December 2012.  Members of the public are invited to head down to The Shoppes at 5pm for a public showcase of some of The Four Seasons classics, which  have sold 175 million records globally.

For generations since the early ‘60’s to modern day, the unique sounds of Frankie Valli and the Four easons have thrilled fans with hits such as Sherry, Walk like a Man, Rag Doll, Oh What a Night and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.

Fans will also get a chance to win Jersey Boys show tickets on Saturday, from 2pm, by entering a fun quiz at the Jersey Boys mini exhibition at the skating rink.  There are up to 100 tickets up for grabs and winners will be announced every hour till 6pm.  Two lucky fans will also walk away with limited VIP tickets, which includes a meet and greet session with the cast and autographed merchandise.  The winners will be announced after a thrilling performance by the Jersey Boys at the rink.  Also, from Saturday, all guests who purchase A, B or C reserve tickets 1 will get a free seat upgrade.


Jersey Boys is in Singapore Marina Bay Sands between 20 Nov 2012 to 17 February 2013. The show will be on Tues – Sun at 8.00pm and Sat & Sun at 2.00 pm. The ticket prices are below:

VIP - $230
A Reserve - $165
B Reserve - $125
C Reserve - $85
D Reserve - $55

The Datai Langkawi Luxury Island Resort Win a Top Honour for Malaysia

The World Luxury Hotel Awards (WLHA) 2012 was held in Kuala Lumpur on October 2012 and saw The Datai Langkawi,  a luxury destination resort located on the north‐western tip of the lush tropical island of Langkawi, walk away with the coveted award for Global Luxury Island Resort. Voting for the award was based on facilities and service excellence and was cast by thousands of travelers from around the world and hotel guests. This was the only win for Malaysia in the global category.

The award was accepted by Mr. Anthony A. Sebastian, General Manager of the resort. “I am very proud to be representing The Datai Langkawi and Malaysia through this prestigious win. My team and I are humbled by this kind recognition and will continue to lead the way in raising the bar for a truly unique and luxurious island resort stay. We thank our guests, peers, our corporate team and most importantly our owners for their continuous support,” said Mr. Sebastian.

The Datai Langkawi is a luxury destination resort located on the north‐western tip of the lush tropical island of Langkawi, off the coast of West Malaysia. Known for being an oasis of relaxation and tranquility, The Datai is surrounded by centuries‐old virgin rainforest with a private footpath leading to an idyllic white sand beach, swimming pool and spa, and nearby championship golf course. The Datai’s 40 villas, 16 suites and 54 rooms are all set within the rainforest with their own private veranda and stunning views of the lush tropical landscape and breathtaking Andaman Sea beyond.

The WLHA also extended top honors in 29 other categories to hotels and resorts from 19 other nations. South East Asian neighbors Singapore and Thailand also received awards for Global Luxury Airport Hotel and Global Luxury Hotel respectively.

The Datai Langkawi

The WLHA aims to encourage & raise service standards within the luxury hotel industry. The WLHA is regarded the highest accolade that a property can receive within the global luxury hotel industry.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards (WLHA) stands testimony to dedication, enthusiasm and leadership in the high demand luxury hotel industry.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognize but also aim to maintain overall service excellence by building staff moral since success is a combined effort of a hotel's entire team. Acknowledgement of committed quality customer care is important to maintain a persistent level of service. Evidence have shown that a guest feel confident when booking a World Luxury Hotel Awards recognized hotel that have been rewarded further to unsurpassed excellence, voted for by industry experts &guests that have experienced these hotels.

The criteria to be successfully nominated & included in the official World Luxury Hotel Awards voting process is overall service excellence. Only hotels, lodges & resorts operating in a luxury niche market are able to participate in the World Luxury Hotel Awards. The World Luxury Hotel Awards focus only on the luxury hotel sector and do not recognize any other areas of the travel industry.
In tradition of the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, The World Luxury Hotel Awards are the world’s most prestigious & exclusive Awards recognizing the best facilities and service excellence the hotel industry has to offer.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards celebrate ‘legends’. By association as a winner-hotel within the World Luxury Hotel Awards, becomes part of the very rare ‘legendary hotel’ association.

See also our where to stay in Langkawi article.

Countdown to 2013 in luxury and style at Marina Bay Sands

Singapore New Year Countdown is coming and Marina Bay Sands, Singapore's casino cum resort complex, offers unobstructed views of spectacular fireworks on display. The entire complex will be alive at December 31st midnight and from the Sands SkyPark and Crystal Pavilions to the bustling hotel lobby, the entire integrated resort will be gloriously alive at midnight as the fireworks light up the sky.

In a Press Release for immediate release, Marina Bay Sands summarizes what it offers for 2013 celebrations:

At Sands SkyPark Observation Deck, partygoers will be able to count down in style under the stars as it transforms into a private  party ground. At THE ULTIMATE DECK PARTY, all guests will get to enjoy a perfect combination of an exhilarating line-up of live entertainment, a full drinks bar, a complimentary midnight toast and a souvenir photo to remember the night. To make the night even more unforgettable, Marina Bay Sands  will be rolling out  exclusive VIP tables for revellers who wish to  lounge, relax and  spend  the New Year’s countdown in true luxury. VIP guests can check in exclusively at the Hotel Lobby Tower 3, be escorted personally to their tables, enjoy guaranteed views of the fireworks display and be attended by butler table service. Each table, fitted for eight, will also be extended a premium 1.5L bottle of Grey Goose, 2.25L of Piper Champagne, a variety of mixers and bottles of Fiji water.  Tickets go on sale beginning 1 December and each table is priced from S$1,088 to S$1,388. Celebrators who prefer to mingle and dance to live music, standing tickets are available at S$128 and S$118 for public and hotel guests respectively. Brought back by popular demand, the party will start at 10pm and extend until till 3am for all guests to party to their fullest.

Marina Bay Sands also caters to merrymakers who prefer a more intimate countdown at FUSE Lounge, situated at the heart of the hotel atrium in the Hotel Lobby Tower 2. THE ULTIMATE LOUNGE PARTY  gives revellers a chance to  toast to the start of 2013 with a glass of champagne while enjoying the tunes of a lively 4-piece band, and a balloon drop top things off and heighten the merry mood. Each cover charge is priced at S$50. FUSE Lounge will also extend its private room for one lucky group of up to 25 people. They will enjoy dedicated Butler table service, complimentary  hors d'oeuvres, 2.25L of Piper Champagne, 4.5L of premium vodka, all mixers and exclusive party favours for S$5,000.

Marina Bay Sands Singapore

On the last day of 2012, the other nightclubs around the integrated resort are also extending their fun, enjoyment and themed parties until early morning.

KU DE TA, promises to deliver a spectacular party this year. For S$488++ per person, one can enjoy  the ultimate decadent New Year’s Eve set menu in  the restaurant and spend the countdown at the Club Lounge as well. Delightful dishes such as Jet Fresh Oysters, Hokkaido Scallop Chawanmushi  and Poached Lobster,  will be served  as  guests set their mood for countdown. With  the Venetian masquerade-themed revelry,  CARNEVALE 2013, guests can expect to end the year on a high note at KU DE TA Club Lounge. Early birds can grab their tickets at S$148, while others can purchase theirs at S$198 at the door. Each entry consists of a glass of champagne or house pour and an exceptional New Year’s party pack.

Extending the festive mood to the club above water, Avalon will allow partygoers to enjoy the front-seat experience of the fireworks display from inside. As a special highlight of the night, critically-acclaimed deejay Giuseppe Ottaviani, will helm the decks and ensure the fun starts at 9pm and ends only at the break of dawn. Early birds can get their tickets at S$40 and others can purchase theirs at S$50 at the door. Early and on-the-night VIP cover charges are priced at S$75 and S$100 respectively, and VIP tickets include free flow of drinks from 9pm to 12mn.

On another level of the Crystal Pavilion,  ultra-lounge Pangaea will be bringing the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to their  lavish home at Marina Bay Sands. The lounge will be transformed into the ‘Golden Era’ of Las Vegas,  complete with entertainers and showgirls, delivering a countdown party like no other. Starting from 10pm and with a S$100 cover charge, guests can enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival, canapés and a glitzy pre-countdown entertainment line-up starring New York’s most highly sought after deejay, Vikas Sapra. A few lucky partygoers can secure their ultimate lounge experience, starting from S$4,500 per table.

Stay Far East Serviced Residences and hotels

Far East Hospitality is the hospitality management arm of Far East Orchard Limited, a listed company under Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private property developer. It operates the largest hospitality portfolio in Singapore comprising 8 hotels and 11 serviced residences with a combined inventory of more than 3,400 units as well as the Sri Tiara residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Far East Hospitality has a stable of distinctive brands “Village”, “Oasia” and “Quincy”.

The hospitality assets operated by Far East Hospitality include a portfolio of seven hotels and four serviced residences owned by Far East Hospitality Trust, the first and only Singapore-focused hotel and serviced residence hospitality trust listed on the SGX-ST. Sponsored by Far East Organization, it is Singapore’s largest diversified hospitality portfolio by asset value.

Far East Hospitality was first established in the mid-2000s as a dedicated business division under its parent company Far East Organization to focus on the development and management of the Organization’s fast expanding hospitality portfolio. Backed by 50 years of real estate development and management expertise with a proven track record in hospitality asset enhancements and operations, Far East Hospitality has anchored a strong presence specialising in the mid-tier to upscale hospitality sectors.

Hotels

Oasia Hotel Singapore
	Oasia is Far East Hospitality’s newest hotel brand. Oasia Hotel Singapore is designed with business and leisure travellers in mind. The hotel is near Novena MRT Station (2 stations away from Orchard Road MRT Station) and easily accessible to the Central Business District and shopping belts of the city. the hotel has 428 rooms with top-notch amenities, such as the latest LED TV, iPod compatible sound system, coffee/tea making facilities and a bathroom equipped with a rain shower.
Orchard Parade Hotel
	Located at the entrance of the Orchard Road, Singapore's most famous shopping belt, Orchard Parade Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from Lido Cineplex and major shopping centers such as ION Orchard, Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City.
The Quincy Hotel
	Recently awarded as Singapore’s best luxury boutique hotel in the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2012, The Quincy Hotel offers 108 studio rooms is catered to meet the demands of both the busy business executive, as well as the discerning leisure traveller of today.
The Elizabeth Hotel
	Designed with a distinct European accent, The Elizabeth Hotel is a modern take on a classical era, with its modern chandeliers and black marble counters accentuated by warm back lights. The overall look and feel of the interior décor is one of timeless elegance, with strong tones of colonial influences.
Albert Court Village Hotel
	Restored from the pre-war shophouses through preservation of its former charm, Albert Court Village Hotel lies in the heart of Singapore's Bugis area, retaining its historical architecture with modern conveniences. Some of the world famous shopping destinations including Orchard Road, Mustafa and Sim Lim Square are nearby. Tourist attractions such as Little India, all major museums and Fort Canning Park are also easily accessible.
Changi Village Hotel
	Changi Village Hotel offers a breath of fresh air from the other hotels in urban Singapore. The hotel is near the relatively untouched island of Pulau Ubin and the flora and fauna of the Chek Jawa Wetlands, which are both a bumboat ride away from Changi Ferry Terminal. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenic Changi coastline.
Landmark Village Hotel
	Located in the Arab Street and Kampong Glam enclave, and a mere stone’s throw away from Bugis Village and Little India, Landmark Village Hotel is at the crossroads of Singapore’s Arab, Peranakan and Indian enclaves. These multicultural and multinational influences are seen in the Indian, Chinese and international cuisines at the hotel’s three dining options.
East Village Hotel (2013)
	The latest addition to the Village brand, East Village Hotel, as its name suggests, brings with it the Nonya flavors of Singapore’s Eastern regions of Katong and Marine Parade. This non-smoking 229-room hotel, which features Superior, Deluxe and Club categories, provides great value for travellers. East Village Hotel draws its inspiration from the Peranakan heritage of its surrounding, which can be reflected in the hotel's Straits Chinese design accents.
Amoy (2013)
	The Amoy is the latest boutique addition to Far East Hospitality, the largest hotels and serviced residences operator in Singapore. Centrally located within Far East Square, a heritage conservation project in the heart of the Central Business District with a vibrant mix of eateries and retail shops, the exclusive 37-room hotel will bring you back to an era that is both historically and culturally rich and diverse.

Serviced Residences

Orchard Scotts Residences
	Conveniently located at the entrance of Singapore’s Orchard shopping district, Orchard Scotts Residences bring the cosmopolitan side of Singapore to your doorstep, with the country’s finest dining outlets, mega shopping malls and entertainment options just a short stroll away. Yet, set in 2.5 hectares of beautifully sculptured gardens with wide-open spaces, pavilions and pools, the serviced apartment is a sanctuary in itself.
Orchard Parksuites
	Orchard Parksuites is the serviced apartment of choice for leisure or business travellers who believe in living the high life. The serviced apartment is located a 1-minute walk away from the major mega shopping malls at the Orchard shopping district. Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria are conveniently located in front of Orchard Parksuites, while Ion Orchard is just on the left of the serviced apartment.
Regency House
	Located just behind Orchard Road, at the junction of Penang Road and Oxley Road, Regency House is within minutes by foot from the major shopping malls along Orchard road, which include Orchard Central, 313 Somerset, Centrepoint and Orchard Point. Besides the fine dining options along Orchard Road, the service apartment is a minute's walk from Killiney Road, which provides a wide selection of local and International cuisine.
Far East Plaza Residences
	Far East Plaza offers a service residences integrated with the popular Far East Plaza shopping centre, which has a wide variety of retail outlets and a wide selection of local as well as international cuisine. The service residences is located along Scotts Road, which intersects Orchard Road, Singapore's famous shopping district. For more retail therapy, Orchard Road, Singapore’s shopping belt is a short stroll away with some of the newest malls with fine shopping, dining and entertainment options. And if you want to venture further, the nearby Orchard MRT station provides east access to the rest of Singapore.
Leonie View
	Located just around the corner from Orchard Road, Leonie View stands out in its elevated location on Leonie Hill and distinctive Renaissance architecture. The service apartment is also a 10-minute drive away from the Central Business District and is perfect for guests looking for short term stays in Singapore. Leonie View‘s distinctive Renaissance architecture stands out from its elevated location on Leonie Hill. With only 50 two-and three-bedroom apartments, you can be assured of exclusivity and privacy, and not to mention our utmost attention. To top things off, all rooms come with breathtaking views of the Orchard Road skyline.
Central Square Village Residences
	Located within walking distance away to Singapore’s Central Business District, Central Square Village Residences provides easy access for executives on short stays in Singapore who have regular work commitments or frequent business meetings at Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar areas. The service residences is also accessible by foot to a wide range of dining and shopping options along the Clarke Quay riverside and the rich cultural heritage which awaits at Chinatown. A brisk 5-minute walk will also bring you to Central shopping centre and Clarke Quay MRT, which connects to rest of Singapore. In addition, the Orchard shopping belt is only 5 minutes away by car.
Riverside Village Residences
	Recently ranked #1 of 121 Specialty Lodging in Singapore by TripAdvisor, Riverside Village Residences located on the banks of the Singapore River at the trendy Robertson Quay, offers a wide range of dining options for you to choose from within the vicinity. With the service residences also at the fringes of Singapore’s Central Business District, executives on short stays in Singapore who have regular work commitments or frequent business meetings at the Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar areas will find its location ideal.
Hougang Village Residences
	Located in one of Singapore’s popular suburbs, Hougang Village Residences is above the Hougang One retail podium, providing guests with the convenience of a shopping mall with a 24-hour supermarket, wide variety of food outlets, and fashion boutiques. In close proximity to the Business and Industrial Parks of northeast Singapore, Hougang Village Residences is a short 10-minute bus ride from both Hougang MRT and Buangkok MRT. The service residences is also a mere 20-minute drive from Orchard Road, the Central Business District and Singapore's Changi International Airport via expressway. Free shuttle service is provided to Ang Mo Kio MRT Station every weekday morning (except public holidays).
West Coast Village Residences
	Sitting above West Coast Plaza, the 51 apartment West Coast Village Residences provides guests looking for a short term stay with a comprehensive mix of dining, retail and lifestyle options at their doorstep. Guests looking to experience Singapore’s local hawker fare, need not look any further than the Clementi West Market and Food Centre, which is just across the street.
Sri Tiara Residences (Kuala Lumpur / Malaysia)
	The first service apartment of the group in Kuala Lumpur, Sri Tiara Residences sits on a hillside in the exclusive neighbourhood of Taman Seputeh and offers easy access to Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur city centre and the Mid Valley Mega Mall. The luxurious serviced residence is set on one hectare of beautifully landscaped surroundings, and provides sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Quincy Hotel is Singapore’s Best Luxury Boutique Hotel

The Quincy Hotel, a trendy boutique hotel near Orchard Road, has come up tops as Singapore’s best luxury boutique hotel in the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2012. The Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2012 has also awarded the trendy home-grown hotel as one of the top 3 Best Boutique Hotels in Asia-Pacific. It is the only hotel in Singapore to receive this award this year.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards spotlighted Far East Hospitality’s multi award-winning Quincy Hotel as the best Luxury Boutique Hotel under the Country Winners’ Category. The awards see over 1,000 hotels, lodges, resorts and private islands worldwide nominated each year, and is known as the world’s most prestigious and exclusive awards that recognise the best facilities and service excellence in the hotel industry.

The Quincy Hotel by Far East Hospitality is located in a prime location, only 10-minute walk from Orchard Road MRT Station. With 108 studio rooms, The Quincy Hotel personifies the best of today’s trendy, luxury boutique hotels. The smoke-free hotel offers the brand’s signature all-inclusive services, the latest technologies in combination with unique quirky touches to provide both business as well as discerning leisure travellers a seamless, enjoyable and memorable experience. The hotel offers one-way private limo airport transfer, unlimited Internet access, buffet breakfast, choice of Western & Asian cuisine for set lunch and dinner, in-room mini-bar & coffee machine, evening cocktails & canapés, laundry and local calls. Stylish and design-conscious guests will appreciate how the distinctive façade’s bold color palette of anodized steel and shimmering modular windows stands out against the spectacular Orchard Road skyline.

The Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards named The Quincy Hotel alongside winners from Hong Kong and Shanghai as the top three Best Boutique Hotels in Asia-Pacific. The independent awards are based on votes from Business Traveller readers.

Quincy Hotel Singapore

The two prestigious awards add to the series of wins that The Quincy Hotel, Singapore’s first all-inclusive hotel, has received. “We are honoured to be recognised by luxury and business travellers as Singapore’s best, and one of the region’s top, luxury boutique hotel. As Singapore’s attractiveness as a destination of choice grows from strength to strength, we look forward to hosting more aficionados of luxurious, trendy and exclusive hotel experiences from all over the world,” says Ng Khee Siong, Area General Manager, The Quincy Hotel.

Other awards that The Quincy Hotel has garnered include Winner of the Trendiest Hotel in Asia in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice® Awards for 2011 and 2012.

Singapore Changi Airport Operating indicators for October 2012 (Media Release)

Singapore Changi Airport registered its highest number of passengers for the month of October when  4.27 million movements were recorded last month, 10.0% more than in the same period last year.  At the same time, Changi handled 27,600 flight movements, an increase of 5.2% over October 2011.

Passenger traffic to and from the Middle East continued its upward trend with the region contributing double-digit growth every month this year.  Traffic to and from traditional growth regions such as Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Southwest Pacific also increased by double-digits, accentuating Changi Airport’s status as a major Asia-Pacific air hub.

Year-to-date, passenger traffic at Changi Airport has grown 9.9% to 41.9 million, surpassing the 40-million mark.  If traffic for November and December remains unchanged compared to last year, Changi would end 2012 with more than 50 million passenger movements.  Aircraft movements for the January-October 2012 period totalled 268,000, an increase of 8.1%.

Airfreight movements in October declined 8.0% year-on-year to 150,000 tonnes.  For the January to October 2012 period, Changi Airport handled 1.50 million tonnes of cargo, 2.4% less than the same period in 2011.

As at 1 November 2012, Changi Airport is connected  to 230 cities in 60 countries and territories, and serves more than 100 airlines operating some 6,400 weekly flights.

Singapore Changi Airport Passanger Movements

Changi Airport’s traffic statistics are available at  air traffic statistics.

Other highlights at Changi Airport

New Services – Changi Airport cemented its position as the most connected point in Southeast Asia to India, with the launch of SilkAir’s thrice-weekly services connecting Singapore and Visakhapatnam on 28 October 2012. Visakhapatnam is one of India’s largest seaports and becomes the 12th  Indian destination to be linked to Changi Airport.

On the cargo front, Lufthansa Cargo commenced freighter services between Singapore and Almaty, a major commercial centre in Kazakhstan.  The airline will operate twiceweekly on the Frankfurt-Almaty-Singapore route using the 89-tonne MD-11F aircraft.

New Airline – Changi Airport welcomed the return of Shenzhen Airlines in October 2012.  The Chinese carrier’s daily flight between Shenzhen and Singapore departs Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 2230H and arrives in Changi at 0210H.  The return flight leaves Singapore at 0815H and lands in Shenzhen at 1155H.

New Outlets – Changi Recommends is now available at every terminal with the opening of its third outlet at Terminal 1’s Arrival Hall.  Changi Recommends offers exclusive deals for the best experiences in Singapore.  In addition, visitors to Singapore can also conveniently purchase open-top sightseeing bus tickets and tour packages from the City Sightseeing counters at the Arrival Halls of Terminals 2 and 3.

Over in the transit areas, a new TWG Tea retail outlet has opened at Terminal 2, offering exotic teas and accessories.  Vertu, a leading manufacturer of luxury mobile phones, has launched a new outlet at Terminal 2’s Transit Mall  offering the finest quality in mobile phone design and engineering.

Media Releas Source : Operating indicators for October 2012

Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects

Scoot, Singapore’s newest low cost carrier, has launched its latest product, Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects, a facilitated transfer service provided in collaboration with Changi Airport Group on November 2012.

Scoot-Thru enables passengers making connecting flights at Singapore Changi Airport to continue their journey without having to pass through immigration, nor collect their checked baggage during transit. The new service is available across Scoot’s 25 destinations, including joint itineraries offered in conjunction with partner airline Tiger Airways, on Flyscoot.com for travel on or after 27 November 2012.

“With the range of destinations offered at flyscoot.com expanding rapidly, Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects is a timely addition to the great value frills our guests can select. We’re pleased to be working together with Changi Airport Group to provide this service so guests may Scoot across all our destinations with even greater convenience and peace of mind.” said Scoot’s CEO Campbell Wilson.

Scoot is the first airline to build upon Changi Connects, a new service provided by Changi Airport Group.

Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Senior Vice President for Market Development, CAG said, “Changi Airport is pleased to launch Changi Connects in partnership with Scoot. This new service provides transferring passengers with a hassle-free experience, allowing them more time to enjoy what Changi has to offer in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment. We welcome other low-cost carriers to leverage this service to provide an enhanced transfer experience for their connecting passengers.”


Scoot operates medium and long haul no-frills flights between Singapore and Sydney, Gold Coast,
Bangkok, Tianjin, Taipei and Tokyo, with Shenyang and Qingdao commencing in the next few months.
The airline operates a fleet of Boeing 777-200 aircraft.

Recently, Scoot Airlines and Tiger Airways rolled out joint itinerary partnership which means that a passanger can purchase a single ticket that contains all flight details and fly from Tiger Airways destination to Scoot destination 9 or visa verse) with a single itinary.

For just SGD16 per person per flight connection (*) in Singapore, guests will enjoy great perks including:

• No rush: Remain in the transit area of Singapore Changi Airport – simply proceed to the transfer desk to collect your boarding pass for the connecting flight;
• No hassle: No need to go through Singapore immigration & customs, nor retrieve baggage and check them in again;
• No worries: You’ll be put on the next Scoot or Tiger flight, without extra charge, should the connecting flight be delayed.

For more details on Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects, please visit www.flyscoot.com.

(*) Applies for pre-bookings only. For walk-in guests at Transfer Counter E, Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects is priced at SGD20 per person per flight connection.