However, we had started with the bridal studio first instead as confirming the date was a difficult task!
We didnt want to hold our wedding too early before our house is ready or too late and clash with SL wedding.
The dates we had were:
1. 11-Sept-2011 (Sun)
2. 13-Sept-2011 (Tue)
3. 9-Dec-2011 (Fri)
4. 19-Dec-2011 (Mon)
5. 5-Jan-1012 (Thurs)
6. 7-Jan-2012 (Sat)
The dates were mostly weekdays and so we finally decided between 9-Dec-2011 and 7-Jan-2012 and begin our hotel hunt!
*In Red: important to hubby
1. York Hotel 18-Dec-2010
The hotel is not too expensive, overall the lobby looks nice. The ballroom is with privacy as it is the only ballroom on the level, but the reception area is right outside the lift. And as the reception area is small (and only separated with the ballroom with a room partition), it would be very crowded when guests start coming in.
Did offer to serve us drinks but we didnt take any.
2. Hilton Hotel 21-Dec-2010
We were very happy when we contacted hilton that they are still available for one of our calculated date 20-Nov-2011 ( nice date 2011-2011). Overall the hotel is nice and the rate is good but as good things doesnt come cheap and cheap things doesnt come good, the reason for the availability was due to the recent incident of the groom accident in the hotel on the wedding day. Our parents was quite strongly against us choosing the hotel.
Serve us drinks. Both of us took coke.
3. Sheration Hotel 23-Dec-2010
Overall, the hotel was ok, not too new but not too bad. The major drawback was the L-shaped ballroom. Although all seated guest will be able to see the stage, one side of the guests however, will not be able to see the c0uple march-in. In addition, the coordinator that was assigned to us was not very helpful nor friendly. It only took us less than 10 minutes for her to show us around and then she seems to be rushing off.
Why will drinks be served if she appears to be not interested?
4. Grand Hyatt 28-Dec-2010
My sister held her wedding here and i thought it is one of my top choice. The hotel is nice and the price is reasonable. However, the ballrooms were different from my sister time. The ballroom that is suitable for our guest size had 4 big pillars and some tables will not be able to see the stage at all. The grand ballroom which is very nice big with private reception area however required a minimum of 45 tables.
Did offer us drinks but we didnt take any.
5. The Regent 30-Dec-2010
Regent was a very nice hotel. The ballroom and the theme was lovely and i had immediately set my eyes on it. It would have been better if the reception area is more private but nevertheless, it is still my first choice at that moment. However, our coordinator wasnt helpful at all. She informed us that both our dates are no longer available and asked us to look for her again if we have other dates. I was upset about this over New Year. Having read very good reviews of the Hotel and on one of the coordinator, i decided to give this coordinator a call. Indeed, she has helped us and soon the ballroom is available for us on 9-Dec. However, after all the delay, i have then changed my mind and decided to go ahead with another hotel. Nevertheless, my impression of Regent is still very good and would hope to attend friends wedding there!
Drinks were not offered.
6. Orchard Hotel / Marina Mandarin Hotel/ Fairmont Hotel / Pan Pacific / Oriental - 1-Jan-2011
Orchard Hotel sounds like 5-star hotel to me until i stepped in and i was overwhelmed. The hotel lobby looked a bit sleazy and the tables setting in the ballroom was a little cramped. However, the price was good and the coordinator was friendly enough.
Next, as some of the hotel at marina area would not like to entertain us if we are not confirm, we were told to view the ballroom ourselves. So we decided to pop by all the hotels at the area.
Marina Mandarin was nice and reasonable priced and we can consider.
Fairmont ballroom was very big but we wasnt too impress with the stage setting,the reception area is open and there can be more than 1 wedding on the same level on the same day.
Pan Pacific pacific ballroom on level 1 is nice but the minimum table is 45 tables.
Oriental ballroom was beautiful and the ballroom settings comes with themes as well. However, it is too pricey for us to consider.
7. Intercontinental 5-Jan-2011
Was very impressed with the hotel ballroom and the reception area. The hotel ballroom has high ceiling, with english interiors, and nice chandeliers. There are also nice themes to choose from and a long march in for my ideal long train gown. In addition, i was being caught by the private reception area with a staircase leading to it and would very much want to hold my ROM there. However, our preferred dates were tentatively booked. BOWS was also coming and we knew that intercon participated and we could get better deals signing at the show. Thus, we decided to risk and wait till BOWS. It was definately a long anxious wait...
Drinks were served at the hotel lounge. Nice cosy lounge. I had coke as usual and SC had his favourite tea.
8. Marriott 6-Jan-2011
Marriott ballroom, as Jenn has told us, has a weird smell. The price and minimum tables for marriott however flunctuates throughout the year. So for a decemeber wedding, it is actually quite pricey and the minimum table was high.
Marriott mineral water was served.
9. Four Season 6-Jan-2011
The ballroom was very english style with a private reception area where ROM can be held there. Overall impression of the service and the hotel was very good. However, as we had read from reviews, there are some hidden charge. The price is slightly more expensive than Intercontinental, so Intercon will still be our first choice. The coordinator is very friendly and brought us to the members/guest only area. Ambience was very good.
Serve us drinks. I had coke and SC has tea.
10.M Hotel 7-Jan-2011
Didnt see this hotel as the hotel coordinator last minute cancel our appointment and ask us to pop by and see ourselves. Bad service.
11. Conrad 8-Jan-2011
The ballroom was very nice with beautiful settings. However, we found out later that the settings was done by the couple and not by the hotel. The coordinator then showed us the pictures of the table settings that will be done by the hotel and it didnt impress us. The grand staircase that will lead guests from the hotel lobby to the hotel ballroom was indeed very grand. However, like four season hotel, there are hidden costs. It is a table of 12 and requires a minimum table of 30.
Serve us drinks. I had coke and SC had a unforgettable tea set.
12. Goodwood Park 8-Jan-2011
I always had very good impression of Goodwood Park Hotel because of its English looking exterior. However, i was a bit disappointed as the interior was a bit old. The ballroom was also a bit old and the reception area was small and will be very cramp when guests start coming in. ROM can be held at the outdoor cafe but there will be an additional charge for that. The coordinator was rather friendly and the themes and flowers can be changed.
Drinks were served at the Cafe.
After visiting so many hotels, it only came down to Intercontinental or The Regent. I have chosen Intercontinental and SC have chosen Regent. But he gave in to me :)
So we took leave on Friday, 14-Jan-2011 and camp 10+am outside Bows (BOWS only starts at 12nn) in case the couple that have tentatively booked Intercon on 9-Dec-2011 is also waiting to sign at BOWs.
And then we have gotten my dream hotel after viewing a total of 16 hotels! But then, i thought that we should have visited Marina Bay Sands, Fullerton, St Regis, for the sake of viewing.. LOL!
-Adeline-
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