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SINGAPORE: Hotel rooms that provide a good view of Singapore's first Formula One Grand Prix race in September are being snapped up, including those that cost more than S$13,000 a night.
Most hotels that line the track said business is good. With six more months to go before the big event, some have already had confirmed bookings for 50 to 95 percent of the rooms.
From the 26th floor of Fairmont Hotel, one gets to see almost half of the Singapore Grand Prix track – from Suntec Singapore to Nichol Highway, through St Andrew's Road and the Esplanade.
During the F1 period, the Penthouse Suite at the hotel, which normally costs S$5,000 a night, will go for S$13,800. And with a minimum five-day booking period, that's S$69,000 in total.
Ian Wilson, General Manager, Fairmont Singapore, said: "The other thing which this view provides is some real perspective on the course and that you can really get a sense of how fast those cars are moving because you can see them over a longer distance."
Some 70 percent of the other 769 rooms at Fairmont Hotel, which are priced from S$1,320 onwards for a night during the F1 week, have already been booked.
The rooftop of the Fairmont Hotel offers a spectacular view of the race track, but it is not open for public booking. Only a few of the hotel staff will get to watch the race from that location.
Swissotel - another hotel within the same vicinity - did not provide actual figures, but they said demand is good. The lowest rate at this hotel is S$1,500 per night, with a minimum five-day booking period.
Both Swissotel and Fairmont are also offering hospitality suites at the Raffles City Convention Centre, which has a view of the track action.
Another hotel that is close to the action is Marina Mandarin and it has seen more than half of its rooms booked for the F1 period.
The hotel's most expensive room is priced at S$3,000 a night, with a three-day minimum booking period.
Serene Law, Director, Sales & Marketing, Marina Mandarin, said: "At this point, we are still awaiting confirmation from the F1 organisers on how they are going to set up the circuit and the peripheral barricade before we decide on whether the rooms with a good view will come with a premium."
The Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore is not imposing any minimum number of days to be booked. The hotel said more than 95 percent of its rooms have been taken up for the last week of September.
Others like the Fullerton, Mandarin Oriental and Pan Pacific Hotel did not reveal the take-up rates, but said they have been receiving many queries. They added that their rooms will cost about three to four times the usual rates.
Hoteliers also generally feel that the 30 percent government levy on trackside hotels during the race week will not impact demand for their rooms.
- CNA/so
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