Singapore’s
wealth is conspicuous, especially compared to other Southeast Asian nations,
and the good news for travellers is that countless billions of dollars have
been innovatively spent on quality infrastructure and superlative visitor
attractions, which together with the countries highly dedicated personnel,
deliver world-class service.
If you
arrive by air, even the airport itself shimmers with exuberant vitality, with
unusual and stimulating features, such as a nature trail, Orchid garden,
Sunflower garden, Butterfly garden, interactive displays and extensive
entertainment facilities and shopping.
For
luxury and VIP guests, welcome can be provided at your aircraft with expedited
luggage collection and visa formalities ensuring smooth passage to your onward
transfer, for which a wide range of luxury cars and limousines are available.
Luxury helicopters, aircraft and yachts are also available should these be
required for you travel needs.
The most
famous of Singapore’s many very fine hotels is the Raffles, a global icon of
the British colonial era, and which has from 1887 welcomed the most famous
personalities of every decade from Royalty and Presidents to the most revered
of leading cultural luminaries, many of whom have exclusive suites named after
them.
Exuding
colonial charm, the Bar and Billiard Room relives the past, while the Raffles
grill, Tiffin Room, Raffles courtyard, Ah Teng’s Bakery, Writers Bar and Long
bar with steakhouse provide the gastronomic and liquid pleasures, including the
original Singapore Sling.
The
luscious interiors of the Fullerton Bay Hotel immediately declare its refined
mix of modern design with sophisticated elegance. The Lantern rooftop terrace
bar has a swimming pool and is an excellent evening location for its views over
Marina bay and the city skyline. Refined dining is available in the La
Brasserie and The Clifford Pier restaurants, both beautifully designed sitting
areas with fine views. The hotel has a range of finely decorated luxury rooms
and suites each with a balcony affording access to the fine city vistas.
The
Shangri La Hotel is located in the business district and one of Asia’s leading
hotels, set in peaceful gardens. The hotel is comprised of three distinct
areas, The Tower, Garden Wing, and Valley Wing, each providing high class
accommodation choices. The Valley wing is the most exclusive of all, its luxury
suites having been the choice for heads of state, leading business figures and
many other luxury guests. A range of cuisines is available in the Nadaman, Shang
Palace, The Line and Waterfall restaurants, and the tropical gardens feature a
large swimming pool.
Another
luxury hotel that cuts its highly distinctive presence into the Singapore
skyline is the Marina Bay Sands, an unusual structure featuring the vast
rooftop SkyPark, a truly amazing feature of which is its infinity pool lipping
the dizzying 200 metre drop, from which you can look over the city skyline. The
elevated SkyPark also has lounge areas, restaurants, bars and a shop.
The
dining options are immense, truly global in scale, and many of the dozen restaurants
are run by some of the world’s most renowned celebrity chefs. The accommodation
in the three fifty five storey supporting towers, offers 2,500 rooms, of which
230 are luxury suites of varying grades up to the Presidential, all of which
come with the services of a personal butler.
The
entertainment is first class, featuring Broadway musicals, Artscience Museum,
Casino and luxury designer shopping mall, with its very own canal and gondola
rides, truly a world away from the reserved charm of Raffles. Even if you don’t
stay here, the SkyPark alone is well worth the visit.
There
are many other very fine luxury hotels in the city, which you might consider,
such as the Capella, Intercontinental, Grand Hyatt, Ritz Carlton Millenia,
Marriot, Fullerton, Fairmont, Regent, Four Seasons, St. Regis and Mandarin
Oriental among others. Boutique style luxury is ably provided by the Parkroyal
and Sofitel So.