SURPRISING SINGAPORE
Surprising Singapore - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Surprising Singapore | |||||
| By: Merry Kirkwood, Issue 26 - Autumn 2006 | |||||
| (Places to eat, stay, party and shop in Singapore) | |||||
| SINGAPORE TODAY IS A BLEND OF THE DELIGHTFULLY ANCIENT AND THOROUGHLY MODERN, BRIMMING WITH SUPERIOR HOTELS, INTERNATIONAL-STANDARD RESTAURANTS, UNIQUE SHOPS, A BUZZING NIGHTLIFE AND A CALENDAR OF LUXURIOUS CELEBRATIONS, ALL RIGHT ON OUR DOORSTEP. | |||||
| STAY - The Marina Mandarin at Marina Bay – 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, +65 (0) 6845 1000. Capturing the ‘best of Singapore’ wrapped in a contemporary 575-room hotel, (fresh from a recent $25m makeover), the Marina Mandarin reflects the luxury face of the city from the Marina. Not to be missed: the spacious Meritus Club Floor and Suites’ delicious breakfast and evening cocktails; Ristorante Bologna’s startling Italian cuisine; the inviting sounds of Jimmy Chan’s piano each evening from the Atrium lounge; the gym and pool facilities, and the soon-to-be-opened St Gregory Spa. A hotel committed to the special touches, such as the lilting notes of tiny caged birds singing in the soaring 21-storey atrium. Marina Mandarin is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, www.lhw.com. Rooms from $370 per night. Details, www.marina-mandarin.com.sg. | |||||
| - The Scarlet Hotel – 33 Erskine Road, +65 (0) 6511 3333. Bold, beautiful and boutique, this edgy hotel (opened in 2004) brings a new level of chic to Singapore. Housed in five gutted historic low-rise terraces, all 84 suites have an edgy feel and the top five suites have an added sense of chutzpah. The aptly named restaurants and terrace bar – Desire, Bold and Breeze – set a scene unlikely to disappoint. Details, www.thescarlethotel.com. | |||||
| - The Valley Wing, Shangri-La Hotel – Orange Grove Road, + 65 (0) 6737 3644. For those who appreciate privacy and security, there are 109 spacious deluxe rooms and 27 suites here, set amid the hotel’s much admired tropical gardens. Details, www.shangrila.com | |||||
| EAT - Au Jardin – A fine foray into contemporary French cuisine, in an intimate Botanical Garden setting, and part of the award-winning Les Amis group. A maximum of 45 diners can enjoy a thoroughly elegant lunch or dinner – Friday lunch is delightfully ‘Ladies only’. Details, +65 (0) 6466 8812. | |||||
| - Raffles Grill (Raffles Hotel) – As Singaporean as the ‘Sling’ itself, with the timeless appeal of crisp white tablecloths, dainty ferns and shiny chandeliers – the perfect choice for hotel guests and visitors alike. Details, +65 (0) 6337 1886. | |||||
| - My Humble House – A theatrical mix of black and red, oversized highbacked chairs, seriously stylish service, delicate Chinese taste sensations and a marina-view Esplanade location. Details, + 65 (0) 6270 7998. | |||||
| - The Cliff – (The Sentosa Resort and Spa). A balmy dining experience, punctuated with candlelight, 180- degree views from Sentosa Island across the South-China Sea, and most importantly, delectable seafood. Details, +65 (0) 6275 0331. | |||||
| - Imperial Herbal – Metropole Hotel, 41 Seah Street, +65 (0) 337 0491. Chinese Cuisine with more than a nod to therapeutic herbal health. Simple décor, and a definite favourite with the locals. | |||||
| PARTY - Crazy Horse, Paris, in Singapore. Recently opened, this spectacular L’art du Nu (Art of the Nude) show, lounge, bar and restaurant experience brings a touch of Parisienne theatre to Asia. Details, + 65 (0) 6336 1800. | |||||
| - Balaclava – Hip and happening. Details, + 65 (0) 6339 1600. | |||||
| - New Asia Bar – The Equinox Complex. Details, + 65 (0) 6431 6156. | |||||
| SHOP - Amor Mues – 8 Raffles Avenue, Esplanade Mall, +65 (0) 6336 6930. Ready-to-wear and made-to-measure treasures featuring glorious local fabrics, beading and design, with a stylish nod to European fashion. | |||||
| - Asian Civilisations Museum Shop – by Banyan Tree, 1 Empress Place, +65 (0) 6336 9050. Visit both the shop AND the museum, and you won’t be disappointed. Fabulous curios and tasteful artistic pieces abound at this central riverside location. | |||||
| - Escentials – Raffles Hotel Arcade +65 (0) 6339 7727. Colonial elegance at its five-star best, Raffles Hotel maintains its enviable position as a signature experience in Singapore. This arcade boutique helps clients select the perfect perfume, in a ‘fragrance personified’ appointment, www.raffleshotel.com | |||||
| - Sincere Haute Horlogerie – The Shopping Gallery at the Hilton, +65 (0) 738 9971. A slick new not-to-be-missed watch boutique specialising in ultra-special timepieces and customized watches. Think ‘champagne shopping,’ when only the best will do. | |||||
| - The Link – A series of up-market theme stores throughout Singapore. Try The Link Bagbar in the Paragon (+65 (0) 6235 5965 ) – ornate beaded evening bags served from ‘the bar’. | |||||
| - The Planet Traveller – Paragon Shopping Centre, Orchard Road, +65 (0) 6732 5172. ‘Asia’s only travel concept store’. | |||||
| - Victor York – 40B Boat Quay, +65 (0) 6220 5908. Worth scaling the stairs above Boat Quay’s restaurant strip to find this young bespoke tailor, if you like innovative shirts and suits (Prices start from $220 per shirt). Local fashion converts won’t be dressed by anyone else. - Palais Renaissance – Stylish mall shopping on Orchid Road’s ubiquitous ‘mall mile’. 380 Orchard Road. | |||||
| INDULGE - Spa Botanica – (The Sentosa Resort and Spa). Stunning resort gardens make an idyllic backdrop for Singapore’s first outdoor spa. Details, +65 (0) 6275 0331. | |||||
| - Chinatown Experience – Be inspired by a personally guided tour through Chinatown’s Thian Hock Kheng Temple, and to the Chinatown Heritage Centre. Details, The Traveller, +65 (0) 6225 2777. | |||||
| - High Tea at The Fullerton – Try a taste of this historic five-star hotel. Details, +65 (0) 733 8388. | |||||
| - Esplanade Theatres on the Bay – A hop, skip and jump from Marina Mandarin Hotel for a night of real culture, www.esplanade.com | |||||
| - The Night Safari – Escape to ‘Africa’ in an awe-inspiring zoo under-the-stars. Details, www.nightsafari.com.sg | |||||
| - Future plans – A multi-faceted casino linked Integrated Resort is on the local agenda. | |||||
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