Room bookings at some hotels surge ahead of Singapore’s National Day celebrations

SINGAPORE: Room bookings at some hotels close to the Padang – the venue for the National Day Parade for two years running – have risen more than 20 per cent compared with last year, as Singapore’s 59th birthday approaches on Friday (Aug 9). 
The annual celebration has been a boost for Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel The Stamford. Guests there can get a bird’s eye view of the Padang – the location of this year’s NDP.
With several days of NDP rehearsals and preview shows having been held over the past two months, both hotels have also capitalised on demand from locals and tourists by offering room packages with dining credits.
“From all our rooms with balconies, you can see the Padang and you can see the fireworks,” said Mr William Haandrikman, managing director of both Fairmont and Swissotel.
“The government is taking eight practice days to ensure that all Singaporeans, or everybody who wants to see the National Day and who cannot be there on Aug 9, can still see (it) … And that is, I think, is something unique in Singapore, and that is what I’ve never seen somewhere else,” the veteran hotelier added.
Those watching the NDP will also be able to catch fan favourites such as the Red Lions parachutists and aerial display up close.
Other hotels in the vicinity told CNA they are experiencing a similar surge in room bookings.
Both the Fullerton Hotel Singapore and the Fullerton Bay Hotel have seen a 10 per cent increase in bookings from Singapore residents and tourists compared with last year. 
Local demand alone also spiked by close to 20 per cent at both hotels for the preview show weekends, in comparison to previous weeks.
This is partially due to Fullerton Hotel holding National Day-themed activities and a special hawker series this month, said Mr Lee Kin Seng, director of marketing communications at The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts, Singapore.
Guests and the public can book a dinner buffet at Fullerton Hotel featuring specialties from six guest hawkers, including Warong Serembat Satay and 146 Famous Bukit Merah Ang Ku Kueh and the hotel’s culinary team.
Local singers Jack and Rai will also feature in its first big National Day celebration at the Clifford Pier.
Mr Lee said the hotel had a “very basic buffet spread” last year but decided to expand their offerings after listening to feedback from customers.
“From a trend perspective, we’ve noticed tourists coming into Singapore asking for not the usual cookie cutter experiences,” he noted.
“That’s something that we’ve done a bit different from other hotels around this area, to introduce that fun element for guests staying during the National Day weekend.”