Booking a hotel in Singapore ahead of the F1

[The real Swiss Tony]

So I need to go to Singapore for a couple of meetings right ahead of the F1. Hotel prices sit between “toppy” and “eye-watering”.

Two weeks out is probably the worst possible time to try and call this. Any thoughts on whether I sit tight & hope that prices ease, or should I pile in and get myself booked now? The vast majority of rates seem to be non-refundable.

Appreciate this is crystal ball territory – my gut feeling is that I sit tight. Thinking that worst case is I can always stay at the airport (although the CP is already >£300….)

TIA

[Froggee]

I’d wait.

Loads of hotels. They won’t all sell out overnight.

You could do a placeholder reservation on one of the hotels that allows refundable rates but I’m not even sure that would be necessary.

I had a quick look on Expedia and there seem some non-chain options at okay prices. Undoubtedly more than normal but cheap by eg London standards.

[SamG]

I’d wait, someone will blink and their rates will come down. It’s the same story with any large event, hotels rub their hands with glee, jack up the prices and then actually lots of people that usually stay in hotels don’t travel around that time and they’re not full !

[yorkshireRich]

Surely the best strategy is to book one or 2 hotels on free cancellation until 24hours before, and then just sit tight and keep checking the rates knowing you have something.

Just re-checked your post and noted that you mentioned a lot of hotels were non refundable.
Sorry my post was quite useless and fairly unhelpful. To try and redeem it slightly, is there any value in booking on points, where you can cancel when you find something else.

From the major events over the world I’ve tracked (because I’m sad) I feel closer the time, prices do drop. This is yearly so they must have an idea on occupancy levels and price etc

[The real Swiss Tony]

Thanks all.

Even the points rates I’ve seen have been non-refundable and I’m a bit wary as I found a refundable rate at an HGI (£300!!!) but you had to give 14 days notice and that would be yesterday. Can’t be bothered getting into a scrap with Expedia if they have screwed up.

Thanks to the consensus, am going to hold my nerve. I used to enjoy playing “hotel poker” but have found more recently in London that the hotels are getting better at calling it…

[The real Swiss Tony]

Quick update if anyone is interested…

Booked a hotel on a flexible rate, rebooked it another two times as the price moved down from £370 to £320, then last night a boutique hotel came onto the google maps radar. Not sure if they had seen a big cancellation but got the best room in the house for £200. Am now locked in but the location works very well for meetings and a fast exit to the airport.

Thanks for the advice, all!

[Froggee]

You’re very welcome. That will be £10 please.

[The real Swiss Tony]

The cheque’s in the post, big man 😉