It is not too late to plan a getaway over the upcoming Chinese New Year
break. The only caveat – you have to be flexible with your travel dates and be
willing to pay more.
Travel agents say free-and-easy travellers will now have to pay up to 25 per
cent more for airfare to regional destinations such as Thailand, Hong Kong and
Indonesia compared to about three months ago, while those planning to travel
with a tour group may have to fork out 10 to 15 per cent more for leftover
pocket seats compared to the early birds who booked as early as last August at
the Natas travel fair.
For instance, tickets for flights to Bangkok departing on the first day of
Chinese New Year on Feb 10 now cost about $480, up from $380 a couple of months
ago, says Ms Alicia Seah, CTC Travel’s senior vice-president of marketing and
public relations.
With less than a month to Chinese New Year, we round more than 25 of the
best travel deals still available.
hfhuang@sph.com.sg
STAYCATION DEALS
“AMORE” ROOM PACKAGE AT HOTEL FORT CANNING
What: This is for the lovebirds. A one-night stay at Hotel Fort Canning
from $368 in a deluxe room. Includes chocolates, a bottle of Prosecco and
complimentary evening drinks and a buffet breakfast. Offer is from from Feb 8
to 14.
To book: Call 6559-6770
SPRINGTIME ESCAPE AT MARINA MANDARIN SINGAPORE
What: A one-night stay in the deluxe or executive deluxe room, with
buffet breakfast for two, and Chinese New Year snacks as welcome gift. From
$288 per night in a deluxe room, and $318 a night for an executive deluxe room.
The package lasts from Feb 8 to 17.
To book: Call 6845-1188 or e-mail resvn. marina@meritushotels.com
with the subject “CNY”
LUXE FAMILY STAYCATION AT CAPELLA SINGAPORE
What: From $4,300 a night, stay in Capella’s (right) spacious
three-bedroom apartments with views of the South China Sea. Includes six
admission tickets to Universal Studios Singapore, return transfer from your
home to Capella in a Mercedes-Benz Vito, daily breakfast for six, $300 food
credit and complimentary yusheng. Valid for stays from Feb 9 to 17.
To book: Call 6591-5000 or e-mail reservations.
singapore@capellahotels. com
HOTEL DEALS
ACCOR HOTELS
What: Accor hotels, which has brands such as Novotel, Sofitel and
Pullman in its portfolio, is giving 25 per cent discount in its Lunar New Year
Sale on more than 240 of its Asian and Australian properties throughout
February.
For example, a night’s stay in Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana (above) now costs
from $132 a room instead of about $176 and Novotel Seoul Ambassador Gangnam is
going from $141 instead of $189.
Guests will also enjoy free breakfast and triple the number of points under
the Le Club Accor hotels loyalty programme, which they can join for free. The
points can be used to redeem hotel vouchers and airlines miles.
To book: Go to www.accorhotels.com
THE SUKOSOL, BANGKOK (above)
What: The Family Escape Package offers a two-night stay in a premier
family room for two adults and two children under 12 for US$370 ($453).
Includes daily buffet breakfast, buffet dinner on the first night, a private
cookie-baking session for children aged above five and late check-out at 3pm.
To keep with the festive mood, kids will be given red packets with chocolate
coins. Offer valid from Feb 7 to 17.
To book: Call +66-2247-0123 or e-mail reservations@sukosolhotels.com
RAFFLES HOTELS AND RESORTS
What: The hotel chain’s dining or spa credit package offers
complimentary breakfast, Internet access and US$100 credit for dining or spa
sessions at all nine Raffles Hotels and Resorts around the world. Those in the
region include Raffles Beijing (from US$225 for Raffles Inc Business Room) and
Raffles Hotel Le Royal Phnom Penh, Cambodia (below, from US$260 for State
Rooms), Raffles Hotel Singapore ($690 a night for a Raffles Inc Suite) and the
new all-suite Raffles Makati (from US$333 for Raffles Junior Suite). A minimum
two-night stay is required. Booking and travel period is from Feb 1 to March
31.
To book: Go to www.raffles.com
KIRIMAYA RESORT
What:From Tuesday to Feb 28, stay in the luxe boutique-style Kirimaya
resort in Khao Yai, Thailand, for US$833 a night, and you will get a breakfast
and a 45- to 60-minute hot air balloon flight as part of the deal. Khao Yai is
a two-hour drive from Bangkok.
To book: Go to www.kirimaya.com
PIMALAI RESORT & SPA
What: At the luxurious Pimalai Resort & Spa in Krabi’s Koh Lanta, a
one-bedroom pool villa now costs 22,480 baht ($910) a night instead of 28,100
baht. Guests will also get a 10 per cent discount on food and beverages and a
60-minute massage. The promotion lasts till the end of February.
To book: Go to www.pimalai.com
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BEIJING
What: The hotel’s Hong Bao Celebration Package gives guests a “hongbao”
of 500 yuan ($99) credit for dining and spa. New Year festivities in Beijing
include the Di Tan Park Temple Fair to watch a re-enactment of the ceremonial
ritual performed by the Qing Emperor during the spring festival and the
Changdian Temple Fair for its shadow puppet shows and acrobatic performances.
From 1,888 yuan a room a night for a deluxe room. Book by and travel during Feb
1 to 15.
To book: Go to www.fourseasons.com/beijing
CARLSON REZIDOR
What: Save between 20 and 30 per cent on accommodation in Carlson
Rezidor hotels across Asia-Pacific. Hotel brands include Radisson Blu, Park
Plaza and Country Inns & Suites by Carlson. A minimum two-night stay applies.
Book by Feb 17 and travel by Dec 31.
To book: Go to www.radissonblu.com/hotdeals-asia
