Wednesday 21 September 2011

Hotel guests made to wait at MBS

Hotel guests made to wait at MBS

Some guests checking in at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) hotel on Tuesday were left frustrated after they had to wait for more than three hours before they could check in.

In response to TODAY's queries, an MBS spokesperson attributed the delay to a system upgrade "which resulted in a longer than normal check-in for some guests".

Without disclosing how many guests were affected, the spokesperson added: "We seek the understanding of our guests and regret any inconvenience caused."

Hotel guest Paul Lee, 33, had booked a room for two nights at the MBS hotel to celebrate his wedding anniversary. He told TODAY that his family only managed to enter their room at 6pm, despite arriving at the hotel before 3pm on Tuesday.

As the couple had brought along their two children - aged five weeks and two years - Mr Lee said the delay caused some inconvenience as the family were made to wait with other guests.

As a form of compensation, Mr Lee said that he was given a free room-upgrade and S$100 worth of food vouchers.

"It did not dampen the mood so much for us as we had booked for two nights and we still have a full day to enjoy ... but I guess it will probably be different if we only had one night and had to check out early tomorrow," he added.

Another guest, who only wished to be known as Roy, said that he was frustrated by the lack of communication between the hotel and guests about the reason behind the delay. According to him, long queues had formed at the hotel's reception area during the delay.

"There was a lot of uncertainty as no one was really able to advise us what was going on. The hotel should have expected the large crowd given the Formula 1 weekend and prepare for the situation better," he said.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Slight haze ahead for Singapore

Slight haze ahead for Singapore

Singapore may be affected by occasional slight haze in the week ahead.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said for the rest of the week, it expects occasional dry conditions over southern Sumatra.

As the winds over Singapore are expected to blow from the southwest at times, NEA said Singapore may be affected.

NEA added that a slight haze on Wednesday caused by particulate matter has also cleared.

The 24-hr pollutant standards index (PSI) as at 4pm on Tuesday was 40 and the 3-hr PSI at 2pm on Wednesday was 26.

The public may wish to refer to NEA's website for hourly updates of 3-hr PSI.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Ferry service for Kusu pilgrimage

Ferry service for Kusu pilgrimage

Thousands of devotees are expected to head for Kusu Island during the annual pilgrimage season between September 27 and October 26 this year.

The Sentosa Leisure Group said during this season, ferries to Kusu Island will depart from the Marina South Pier, starting at 6.30am on weekends and public holidays, and 7.00am on weekdays.

The last ferry will depart from the pier at 5.00pm and leave Kusu Island at 7.00pm daily.

All regular ferry services to St John's Island will be temporarily suspended during this time.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Big move for Orchard Road's flowers

Big move for Orchard Road's flowers

The flower totems that have been adding a dash of colour to a stretch along Orchard Road will be moved to Sentosa.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said this is because the totems suffered from constant flower pilferage.

Two years ago, the blooms were replaced by bromeliads, but maintaining the plant has also become a challenge.

The STB has called for a public tender to move the totems, between Forum The Shopping Mall and Liat Towers, to Sentosa.

Work is targetted to begin next month and is slated for completion by the end of this year.

During this period, the remaining plants will be removed from the totems and canvasses bearing flower motifs will be wrapped around to protect the steel structures.

The flower totems were introduced in 2009 as part of the Orchard Road Mall Enhancement Works.

STB said it explored various avenues to maintain the totems and uphold the overall image of Orchard Road.

But it made the decision to move the totems to Sentosa after consulting the Orchard Road Business Association, the relevant Tanglin zone stakeholders and the public.

Sentosa will adopt the totems as part of the island's annual floral festival held during the Chinese New Year period.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Blue skies? Haze may return next week

Blue skies? Haze may return next week

A "LONG-TERM solution" to the haze woes here lies in a change in behaviour of firms and people involved in the burning of forests in Indonesia, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, yesterday.

Speaking to the media at the launch of Singapore drag queen Kumar's biography, Dr Balakrishnan noted that Singapore had offered Indonesia help, such as firefighters and cloud seeding.

But "so far, it has not called on our resources", he said.

"Frankly, it does have enough resources and it's a matter of political will and implementation on the ground," he added.

Dr Balakrishnan also warned Singaporeans not to celebrate yesterday's "nice blue skies" as a sign that the worst of the haze is over.

"We anticipate that...early next week, we might get a return of the haze."

~News courtesy of Omy~

Sunday 4 September 2011

The Sentosa Buskers Festival returns

The Sentosa Buskers Festival returns

The Sentosa Buskers Festival is back and it promises a bigger ensemble with a focus on charity.

The Festival, which is now in its second year, will bring in 13 acts between September 3 and 11.

From traditional Japanese juggling teapots and cups to circus performers, the Festival's more than 180 performances promise to entertain.

All donations at the end of the performances will go to the Community Chest.

The Festival's charity component is in conjunction with the launch of Sentosa's inaugural charity initiative - Sentosa Gives.

The Festival is free of charge and is open to the public between 4pm and 10pm daily at four locations around Sentosa.

The four locations are: Merlion Plaza, Imbiah Garden (Amphitheatre), Songs of the Sea (Forecourt) and Siloso Beach (Area opposite Skyline Luge Sentosa).

Island admission charges apply.

The Festival expects to attract some 110,000 spectators this year.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Saturday 3 September 2011

Singapore's first H&M store opens

Singapore's first H&M store opens in Orchard Road

Singapore's first H&M clothing store at Orchard Building opened its doors at 11.00am Saturday morning.

Fans started queuing since on Friday night to get into Orchard Road's latest fashion draw. By noon on Saturday, snaking queues stretched all the way to 313@Somerset, two buildings away.

Orchard Building was chosen for the flagship store for its prime location.

Lex Keijser, Country Manager, H&M Singapore, said: "Everybody knows this building and by looking around at this street, this particular building stands out. You see what we can make out of those buildings and it will be an icon of Singapore and everybody will remember H&M now."

The new store gave the first five early birds cash vouchers worth S$250, while the next 10 received S$100 cash vouchers. And the next 30 shoppers also walked away with a S$20 cash voucher.

The 30,000 square feet store boasts three levels of apparel and accessories.

Other fashion retail businesses in Orchard, such as bYSI, said they expect to feel the heat with shoppers flocking to the newest store.

bYSI's business development manager Jonathan Cheng said: "In the short term, they would definitely attract the traffic over to H&M but after the craze is over, I believe that it's just another option for shoppers but the customers of each individual brands will have their market share back."

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~