THE high price of hotel rooms, some almost triple their normal rates, was the cause of many complaints from Formula 1 (F1) fans during last September's inaugural SingTel Singapore Grand Prix.

It left many hotels in the city half-empty and in a desperate attempt to fill them at the last minute, many offered their rooms at heavily discounted prices.

To protect F1 fans who have secured hotel rooms months earlier from losing out this year due to last-minute offers, race organisers have made arrangements with 29 hotels to launch a scheme called the "best rate guarantee".

Singapore GP said this is the result of feedback from fans who attended the first night race, ensuring that they enjoy the same discounts offered to those who book at the 11th hour.

"The recent announcements on the wide range of circuit entertainment has aroused strong interest from international buyers," said Singapore GP chairman Teo Hock Seng.

"This scheme will encourage visitors to firm up their Singapore Grand Prix travel plans earlier."

So far, the hotels that have taken up the scheme are those outside the street track. Far East Hotels, which runs six properties including Orchard Parade and The Elizabeth hotels, welcomed the scheme.

"We are a significant player in the market, and we are doing our bit to help ensure the success of this event as it is part of making Singapore an exciting destination," said Mr Raphael Saw, Far East Hotels' director of hospitality operations.

The Meritus Hotels and Resorts, which owns trackside property Marina Mandarin as well as the Meritus Mandarin on Orchard Road, said it is not in the scheme as it already has its own programme in place for the GP.

"We honour our commitments and have had plans in place for quite sometime to make sure that none of the guests are penalised for booking their rooms early with us," said Ms Lim Ee Jin, assistant vice-president of corporate communications of Meritus Hotels and Resorts.

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