The best hotels to catch a glimpse of Singapore’s spectacular SG50 celebrations

Fireworks display on NDP

It is exactly one month away to mark Singapore’s 50th year of independence .

As this is the Golden Jubilee year, expect a massive celebration you had never experience before. It pays to start planning early if you want create an indelible experience for both your loved ones and yourself – and nothing beats the comfort of being in a hotel room that comes with an exceptional view of the National Day Parade and the magnificent fireworks and aerial displays. A glass of wine to go with it, perhaps?

KAYAK.sg has came up with a list of best staycation hotels that offer you the best panoramic view of the Padang and The Float@Marina Bay, where the celebration will take place.

They have ranked the hotels from the lowest to highest price for the National Day Jubilee Weekend from 7th to 10th August 2015. Average Nightly Rate starts from S$293 at Marina Mandarin to S$883 for a night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

For those who want to enjoy the experience but are not willing to loosen your purse strings can consider a staycation over the National Day Preview weekend (31st July – 2nd August 2015). KAYAK.sg has also ranked the hotels from the lowest priced to the highest.
Kayak Hotel

For spectacular views of the Padang:

This photo of Swissotel The Stamford is courtesy of TripAdvisor

  • Swissotel The Stamford Singapore

Be treated at one of the tallest hotels in Southeast Asia, Swissotel The Stamford. The thoughtful service, amazing dining options and dazzling views of the Singapore landscape should not be missed! Prices start from $342 a night on average.

For jaw-dropping views of the Marina Bay area:

View from Marina Mandarin

View from Marina Mandarin (Image credit: tobiwei, via Flickr)

  • Marina Mandarin

Undeniably plush, the distinguished 5-star Marina Mandarin is known for contemporary elegance and breath-taking views of the Marina bay area. Prices start from just $293 a night on average.

  • Conrad Centennial Singapore

Feel the pulse of the Marina Bay at Conrad Centennial Singapore. Spectacularly decorated, the hotel boasts local and international art pieces and is home to two awarding winning restaurants more than worthy of a visit. Prices start from $426 a night on average.

  • The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore

With 608 guest rooms featuring unobstructed views of the Singapore skyline, the award winning Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore is home to a 4,200 piece art collection and a seven-acre oasis filled with landscaped gardens and tropical plants. Prices start at $883 a night on average.

  • The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Dip into the past at The Fullerton Hotel, a historic landmark known for its elegance and luxury, as well as its amazing panoramic views of the city’s landscape. Prices start from $383 a night on average.

Debby Soo, KAYAK Vice President APAC, said: “Celebrating Singapore’s 50th birthday is an amazing feat and what better way to do it than at the centre of all of the celebrations, in comfort and style, surrounded by your loved ones. KAYAK has put together a list of hotels for a National Day weekend staycation, perfect for individuals and families seeking a special setting to be a part of the celebrations without the hustle and bustle of crowds. What’s more, when using KAYAK.sg or our mobile app, you can have even more control over finding the best deals.”

For inspiration or simply to search and compare prices for hotels, flights, cars and much more, visit http://www.kayak.sg or download the app at http://www.kayak.sg/mobile.

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NDP: Tickets Application for National Day Parade starts 8 May (8 – 17 May 2015)

National Day Parade

In a recent press release, the NDP Executive Committee has informed that ticket application for this year National Day Parade and its Preview starts on 8 May 2015 to 17 May 2015.

This year celebration marks the 50th Birthday of Singapore, one can expect the biggest parade ever with up to TWO ticketed satellite sites at The Padang and The Float @ Marina Bay.

Each NRIC holders can ballot up to two, four or six tickets to either the actual Parade on 9 Aug or the Preview on 1 August 2015

More info as follows:

Two Ticketed Sites

This year’s National Day Parade (NDP) will be held at the Padang. The Float @ Marina Bay will be a second ticketed satellite site for Singaporeans to join in the festivities. Both venues seat 25,000 spectators each. Spectators at both ticketed sites will be able to see many highlights of NDP 2015, such as the largest-ever fireworks display, the largest aerial display by the Republic of Singapore Air Force. In addition to these two ticketed venues, there are also satellite celebration sites around the Marina Bay area where the public can go to.

Overall, we expect over 200,000 people would be able to take part in the NDP celebrations during the NDP Preview (1 August) and on 9 August itself.

Ticket Application – Key Dates

Singapore Citizens (SG) and Permanent Residents (PR) can apply for tickets to the Preview and NDP from 8 to 17 May 2015. Successful applicants will be notified from 1 to 5 June 2015 via the contact number provided in their application.

Successful applicants may collect their tickets from 5 to 14 June 2015, between 10am and 10pm daily, at Marina Square Shopping Mall Atrium (6 Raffles Boulevard Singapore 039594), where the NDP 2015 Exhibition will be held in conjunction.

Ticket Application – Options

Applicants can choose to ballot for two, four or six tickets to EITHER the NDP Preview on 1 August 2015, OR the actual NDP on 9 August 2015. Applicants should note that the lower the number of tickets applied for, the higher the chances of obtaining them.

This year, applicants can also choose to ballot for tickets at (i) Padang, (ii) The Float or (iii) either location. Applicants who choose (iii) will be eligible for ticket balloting for both locations. Applicants who choose (iii) will receive all allocated tickets for one venue (eg. all two, four, six tickets for the same venue). While both locations enable viewers to participate in the celebrations, applicants who are sure of which venue they prefer should avoid choosing “either location” as they may not get their preferred choice.

Ticket Application – Process

Ticketing application can be done via two channels:

a. Short Message Service (SMS)

Step 1: Go to ‘Create Message’ under the SMS function of your mobile phone.

Step 2: Key in your details in the format below and send it to 8240 0050 to apply for the tickets.

NRIC Format

To select the Padang, applicants should key in the number “1”.

To select The Float, applicants should key in the number “2”.

To selection either location, applicants should key in the number “0”.

Below is an example of the SMS format:
SMS Format

Step 3: An SMS reply will be sent shortly to acknowledge receipt.

b. Website / SAM / AXS Stations

Step 1: Log onto the official NDP website at www.ndp.org.sg or visit any AXS and SAM stations. Alternatively, applicants can log onto the NDP website using Internet stations located at CitizenConnect Centres. CitizenConnect Centres have personnel present to assist in the application if required. The locations of the various SAM / AXS stations and CitizenConnect Centres can be found at www.singpost.com.sg, www.axs.com.sg and www.ecitizen.gov.sg respectively.

Step 2: Fill in all the fields as prompted on the screen before submitting the application form.

Ticket Application – Terms & Conditions

Each NRIC holder is limited to ONE application regardless of the mode used to apply. If more than one entry is made, only his/her latest application will be entered for the electronic ballot when the application period ends on 17 May 2015. Tickets will be allocated via an electronic ballot system supported by NCS Pte Ltd, and audited by KPMG Service Ptd Ltd. Tickets are NOT allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

The balloting results are final and there will be no appeals. As each ticket admits one spectator to the parade, children (inclusive of infants) must hold a valid ticket to be admitted to the parade.

In response to previous feedback, all successful applicants in the NDP 2014 ticket eBalloting exercise will not be eligible for the NDP 2015 ticketing eBalloting exercise. The NDP and Preview tickets are strictly not for sale. For further enquiries or feedback regarding NDP 2015 ticketing, please visit the official NDP website at http://www.ndp.org.sg.

(Source: www.ndp.org.sg)

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