Singapore Hotel recommendations ?

slinga

Isn't Zam Zam in the Arab St area rather than Little India.

Happychappy

slinga wrote: »

Isn't Zam Zam in the Arab St area rather than Little India.

Slinga, thanks yes you are correct, I have just had a look for Zam Zams on Google, shouldn't be difficult to get too from the Tanglin area, I understand the local transport etc is pretty accessible, I didn't want to hire a car.

The Zam Zam trip is more a pilgrimage, my father was there for part of the war and then off to the Korean war in 51 to 53, before returning back to the Malayan Emergency in 53 to 55, then the family went with him to Malaya in 63 to 1970, during which time I was at boarding school in Singapore. The one thing he always talked about were the meals at Zam Zams, so I fancied a trip here first and then possibly Malaya, but may well leave out Korea

slinga

Where were you in boarding school in Alexander Rd?

Happychappy

slinga wrote: »

Where were you in boarding school in Alexander Rd?

I was firstly at Kinloss House which I remember wasn't far from Boatnical Gardens? and then St Johns on Dover Road looking out towards Kent Ridge ? with a bus trip up to the school at Alexander Barracks, I think it was Alexander juniors or Bourne School, Saturday's were spent at Tanglin or the Chinese emporium on Orchard Road, memory is a bit vague ?

I remember the school was on a hill with lots of stairs and more shed or shack type classrooms then the UK, also we went under the Tiger Brewery shame I didn't drink at that age.

slinga

Ive been around Singapore for quite a while but don't recognise any of those schools.
I wonder if your Alexander Barracks is now Gilman Barracks which has been renovated and turned into restaurants etc.
There is also an area just north of Gilman which used to be another barracks but that is now an HDB estate.

I'd think the only thing on Alexander Rd you might recognise is Alexander Hospital. It's a great complex of wards, hospital departments etc etc and is open to breezes blowing through to keep things cool. Lovely hospital, if there is such a thing.
Unfortunately it's shortly to close entirely as a new complex is being opened at Jurong East.
Just another thing a taxi from Changi to the Regent Hotel would cost about £20 and is good value.
Neither the Regent nor Zam Zam is particularly close to an MRT station, maybe a 10 minute walk, but you'll need a good street map for Zam Zam.
Although travel by bus is very easy and convenient unless you know the bus system it's not easy to find the right bus.

Happychappy

Thanks Slinga, looking on google, the old Kinloss school is now the modern AXA University and the Alexander School is as you said, the Gillman barracks, I was in the Alexander hospital in around 64, it was a large hospital and very airy ? thanks for your info, also has the Tiger brewery now moved ?

slinga

I think it must have because where it is now is probably backfilled land.

I used to like Tiger but my taste buds have changed because I can't drink more than a bottle now and then only if the establishment doesn't serve Anchor.
The page you linked is very interesting. There are a few similar on the net which I've read but haven't now got details of.
Unfortunately I didn't live in Singapore until 1976 and then for work purposes.

Ballard

Singapore isn't somewhere that I've visited yet but I'm told that accomodation over the causeway in Malaysia is much cheaper. I can't suggest anywhere but I dare say that it wouldn't be too dificult to search online,