[mochalicious]

CALL it a million-dollar view.

When the Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix roars to life next September, those who party at One Fullerton's rooftop will get to see some of the most exciting action.

This is because the view from this rooftop overlooks Turn 14 - the junction where the cars will zip across Anderson Bridge, then brake to a corner speed of 80kmh to make a turn near the Fullerton Waterboat House, and head on to Esplanade Drive.

Giving The New Paper on Sunday a preview, Ms Sulian Tan-Wijaya, general manager of TheFullerton Heritage, said this is one of the best track views because of One Fullerton's proximity to the street circuit.

One Fullerton is located across Esplanade Drive. The rooftop on the fourth level, which can accommodate up to 250 people, will be leased out for corporate functions during the three-day race between 26 and 28Sep.

But it doesn't come cheap.

Those who want to book the venue must be prepared to spend more than a $1 million for a three-day package, with a daily rental of a high six-figure sum.

Apart from such exclusive party venues, there are relatively 'cheaper' options too, such as watching the race from the comfort of a hotel room.

But be prepared to pay at least $1,000 a night for a room at track-side hotels such as The Fullerton, Swissotel the Stamford, Pan Pacific Singapore, The Ritz-Carlton and Carlton Hotel. Some of these hotels offer packages for the race period between 24 and 28 Sep.

The dates include the drivers' practice sessions, qualifying races and main race.

At Pan Pacific, the cheapest package is $6,000 for a deluxe room, or $1,200 a night. Usually, it is priced from $300 a night. You have to stay a minimum of five nights.

The rooms, on the 5th to 21st floor, have views of the city or Marina Bay.

The most expensive are the Pacific Club Suites on the 33rd and 34th floor, which gives a city view. A five-night stay costs $10,200, based on a $2,040-a-night rate. The suite is usually priced from $600 a night.

A check with Carlton Hotel showed that from 21 to 29 Sep, it is offering a minimum four-night stay at $4,680 for its deluxe room, with each night priced at $1,170. This is up from the average rate of about $300 a night.

Ms Cheryl Ng, Pan Pacific's public relations manager, told The New Paper on Sunday: 'The hotel's pricing is based on supply and demand, as well as research conducted on hotel room rates in F1 cities.'

But there is no track-view guarantee for the rooms during the F1 period, Ms Ng said.

Track-side hotels will pay a levy of 30 per cent to the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the five-day period and this adds to the room cost. But it is a norm for rates to spike during a Grand Prix event.

Last weekend, the track-side hotels in Macau doubled or tripled in rates when it hosted the 54th Macau Grand Prix.

There are 12 track-side hotels along the 6.2km Guia Circuit. At Macau's Mandarin Oriental, deluxe rooms with a track view were priced from $1,240 a night - thrice the standard rate of $410. A two-bedroom suite cost $3,000 a night - up from $1,644.

The Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Grand Prix hope to draw about 240,000 spectators to watch the three-day race held on the 5.067km-long Marina Bay circuit here. Of these, 40 per cent are expected to be foreigners.

The Singapore street circuit is the first in Asia, and the night race is also the first in F1's history. It will be the only anti-clockwise street circuit and will involve more than 10,000 people to stage the event.

Mr Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP, who was at the Macau GP last week, told The New Paper on Sunday: 'The Macau GP has a friendly atmosphere which brought back fond memories of the old GP held at Upper Thomson Road in the early 1960s.

'But our night race will offer a different experience. The width of our street circuit is wider than Macau's, giving the drivers more opportunities for overtaking. This will result in a more thrilling experience for spectators.'

While F1 fans are looking forward to attending the event, others prefer to watch the action on TV.

Mr Michael Tay, 32, an engineer, said it's costly to spend $300 to attend the race. 'I won't book a hotel room either. The view may be blocked by the angsana trees lining the track.

'The 'live' telecast will probably give better footage of the race.'

F1 races are generally shown on StarHub's Star Sports digital cable channel. The cable TV operator said it will be broadcasting the Singapore GP.

It is not known at this point if the race will be shown on free-to-air channels.

Graphic designer Alan Christopher Lim, 26, plans to take leave from work during the race period. 'The world-class drivers will be on our roads. I don't want to miss it,' he said.

For those working at High Street Centre with offices facing The Parliament House, they can also catch - from a distance - the cars zipping by The Padang towards Anderson Bridge.

Mr K Singh, 33, a business executive who works in an office on the fifth floor there, said: 'My office is facing High Street Plaza. I have to find someone who has an office on a higher floor to let me watch the race from their window.' - Cara van Miriah

Source : http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...48819,00.html?

[GreenShell]

$1m.. -.- like that at that level view might as well go to see those kids play remote controlled ones...