A Luxury Travel Blog

Air travel needn’t be boring any longer! Changi Airport is now home to Singapore’s tallest slide. The 12-metre tall slide can be found at Terminal 3 and riders can look forward to a top speed of 6 metres per second!

With the increasing dilution of the term ‘luxury travel’, a group of like-minded luxury companies, encompassing art, architecture, air charter, and travel have come together to organise a truly luxury fair in Singapore.

Attendees are by invitation only, and consist of past clients, whom have been identified to be true connoisseurs of all things luxe. Developing synergies through complementary services, they aim to create an event that satisfies a select group of people – people who have moved beyond ego validation and a life defined by appearance, position and status, deferring instead to a life that is an intriguing mix of serene convenience and fulfilling adventure. These people often indulge in private eccentricities and are answerable to no one.

The event is titled “Discovery of the Senses”, with emphasis on the sixth sense – imagination. It is organised as a sit-down dinner at the Four Seasons Singapore, and features the culinary cuisine of Emmanuel Stroobant of St Pierre.

Companies who are co-hosting the event include: Collectors Contemporary (Art), Richard Ho Architects (Architecture), Silversea (Luxury Cruises), Air Chartering (Chapman Freeborn), Relais & Chateaux (Hotels and Gastronomy), Aracari (Peri Destination Experts), Wild China (China Destination Experts), and Quotient TravelPlanner (Customised Travel Planning).

A true travel connoisseur, CEO and Founder Drew Patterson brings more than a decade of experience to Jetsetter, the private sales site that helps leisure travellers discover and purchase some of the world’s best vacations.

An industry pioneer, Patterson was part of the founding team at Kayak.com where, during his five-year tenure as Vice President of Marketing, he played an integral role in reshaping the online travel landscape by evolving the distribution model and initializing the concept of “search”.  Prior to that, Patterson cut his teeth as Director of Distribution and Revenue Management at Starwood Hotels, where he forged new distribution channels with online travel agents, including Expedia and Travelocity.

Patterson received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University before earning his Masters in Business from Columbia Business School.  He resides in New York City.

What is it that you do exactly?

No two days are the same for me. I might start the day building partnerships with suppliers on the inventory side or marketing partners that might get Jetsetter in front of new customers on the audience side. Then, I might have a meeting with our engineering team to talk about new functionality or the marketing team to talk about new products. Jetsetter is growing fast, so I spend a lot of time these days reviewing resumes. In my downtime, I surf the web to see what competitors are doing, what the media is saying about the travel space, and what consumers are talking about in Twitter or Facebook. Finally, I pour over the numbers, making sure the business is on track to beat expectations and communicate progress to our investors.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I really love working with the team I’ve built here at Jetsetter. We have a really smart, experienced, hard working team. But, I also look for people with personality and we spend a lot of time laughing which is what makes me excited to go to work each day.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Casas Brancas, Búzios, Brazil: There is just something magical about Buzios which is a very relaxed and charming destination. Casas Brancas is more than just a beautiful boutique hotel. The people who run the hotel are incredibly warm and hospitable.

The Hotel Gritti Palace encompasses charm and history along the Grand Canal in Venice. I was traveling with a group of friends for art opening and the stars just aligned to create a memorable vacation: great friends, fantastic dinners, spectacular art, no crowds. Perfetto!

After several weeks traveling through India, The Westin Singapore was exactly what the doctor ordered. I can still remember how good it felt to take a hot shower; sleep in a big, comfy bed; and eat a Western-style breakfast.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

My brother’s friend interned at Per Se, arguably the best restaurant in the US. As a thank you from the restaurant, he was invited to bring friends for a complimentary dinner. This was more than a dinner, it was a six-hour tour through the most amazing ingredients and flavors I’ve ever experienced or will ever experience. In addition to the usual tasting menu, the kitchen prepared about 18 other courses. Food was ethereal. Service unimaginable.

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I am not the guy who notices celebrities. But, I was in LA and checked into celeb magnet Chateau Marmont alongside Jarvier Bardem (before he started dating Penelope Cruz unfortunately). We went to dinner at Nobu that night and were seated next to Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I would like to go to Alaska before it melts.

Thank you, Drew.  That’s been a great insight. And even if you read the most pessimistic reports, I think you’ll find you’ve still got ample time to ’see Alaska before it melts’.  Afterall, it is home to more than half the world’s glaciers.

The first Capella property in Asia, Capella Singapore has set a new benchmark for personalised service in a region already known for its outstanding service standards. Personal assistants, a Capella hallmark, are well equipped to facilitate individual needs – from planning a culinary tour of Singapore specialties, to booking a corporate meeting, to arranging a romantic dinner, deep sea fishing or even a private jet.

Capella Singapore is situated just ten minutes from the city state’s bustling business and shopping district; however, once within the 30 acres of lush greenery, guests are instantly captivated by the serenity and discreet splendour of the resort.

The Auriga spa will relax and rejuvenate. It offers four signature treatments, each based on a corresponding lunar phase. Within the 12,000 square foot area, you can choose from among nine treatment rooms, including three suites with shower and bath, separate steam shower and dressing area.

All-day dining is available at The Knolls, serving a blend of international, regional and Singaporean cuisine. For a relaxing and invigorating Afternoon Tea, the restaurant also has a broad range of almost 100 varieties of Japanese, British and Indian teas. Guests can also opt for a fine-dining experience at the contemporary Cantonese restaurant – Cassia.

Further resort facilities include three cascading pools, a fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment from Technogym® and limousine services with the distinctive in-house Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Daily rates are upwards of S$1250 for villas and S$800 for guestrooms.

The Leading Hotels of the World annual directory for 2010 was released worldwide this week.  There are 13 new Leading Hotels in the handsome hardcover volume which showcases more than 450 members in over 80 countries across the globe.  They are as follows:

Royal Spa Kitzbühel, Jochberg, Austria
The Augustine, Prague, Czech Republic
Kameha Grand Bonn, Cologne, Bonn, Germany
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily, Agrigento, Italy
Hotel Villa Magna, Madrid, Spain
One&Only Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Chateau Star River, Guangzhou, P.R. of China
Zendai Hotel Yin, Shanghai, P.R. of China
Capella Singapore, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Bristol Buenaventura, Buenaventua, Panama
Tivoli São Paulo Mofarrej, São Paulo, Brazil

The results of the World Airport Awards from Skytrax are out. Congratulations go to Incheon International Airport in Seoul which beat last year’s winner (Hong Kong International Airport) into second place.  The top 10 were as follows:

1. Incheon International Airport
2. Hong Kong International Airport
3. Singapore Changi
4. Zürich
5. München
6. Kansai
7. Kuala Lumpur
8. Amsterdam
9. Centrair Nagoya
10. Auckland

What is your favourite airport in the world and why?

The Park Hotel Group has ’soft opened’ their latest property – Park Hotel Clarke Quay – in Singapore. Distinctive by its striking red-tiled roof and towers with spires, the 10-storey hotel can be found on the historic Singapore River, exuding classic colonial architecture reminiscent of Singapore in the early 1800s.

Its 336 rooms and suites are designed with a view of the Singapore River, offering the comforts of modern living. For dining and entertainment, Brizo Restaurant & Bar raises the bar with its seafood offerings cooked in both Western and Asian styles.  The hotel also has a swimming pool complete with pool bar, gym facilities and Spa Park Asia, offering an outdoor spa experience.

Discover Singapore by air, land, and sea with a stay at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore. The hotel’s central location – on the cross-section of Marina Bay and the historic and financial districts – is ideal for easy access to the destination’s premier sights and attractions. From now until December 2009, The Fullerton is offering an Explore Singapore package for guests looking to experience historical, cultural, and entertainment activities in Singapore.

The Explore Singapore package encourages travelers to uncover the best of Singapore through pre-arranged tickets and reservations to the destination’s hottest attractions.  Also included in the package are accommodations within the spacious Quay Room level featuring picturesque views of the Singapore River and a daily breakfast buffet.

After fueling up for the day, take the destination by air, land and sea:

By Air – Take to the skies with two tickets to the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel where unrivalled views of the city provide a new perspective from 492 feet high.

By Land – Walk the walk like a true Singaporean by strolling the city’s streets to the Peranakan Museum and the Asian Civilizations Museum, located just across the historic Cavenagh Bridge in front of the hotel. Two tickets to each museum are included in the package.

By Sea – Cruise along the Singapore River with two tickets for a traditional river boat tour where travelers can admire the varied architecture of the city which contains elements of colonial and modern styles.

Diners at Grand Park Otaru in Hokkaido, Japan will get the chance to sample Singapore’s culinary favourites when the hotel holds a Singapore Food Fair at Terrace Brasserie, its all-day dining restaurant, from 21st January to 15th February 2009. Comprising a wide and rich variety of Asian cuisines including Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan (Nonya or Straits Chinese), the fair will feature Singapore’s all-time favourite dishes such as Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chilli and Black Pepper Crab, Laksa (thick rice noodles served with rich gravy), Fish Curry and Chicken Curry in buffet style. Other delectable dishes available include Gado Gado (Indonesian-style mixed salad), Mango Prawn and Mee Goreng (fried noodles).

There will also be a live cooking station serving items such as Prawn Noodle and Popiah (Chinese springroll), while the dessert counter will feature popular items like Pulut Hitam (steamed black rice with coconut milk) and Bubur Cha Cha (yam and sweet potato cubes served in coconut milk and sago). The world-famous Singapore Sling cocktail will also be served.

Overseeing the preparation of the Singapore culinary selection will be Park Hotel Group’s Corporate Chef Ivan Yeo, assisted by Executive Chef Chua Yew Hock. Chef Ivan oversees the Group’s culinary and kitchen operations and has won many culinary awards. He is also theCoach for the Singapore National Team which won 3 Gold and a Silver medal last year in the IKA HOGA Olympic Competition in Erfurt, Germany.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Take a flight of fancy with Eastern Safaris
• The rustic-chic yoga resort of Amansala
• The finest chateau hotel in France?  Check out Bagnols!
• Find more… in Singapore

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Concierge services by Concierge deLuxe
• Rome Hotels from Luxique
• Discover the benefits of Club 21 Card membership
• Villas in Europe from My Perfect Villa

• Layana Resort and Spa - Ko Lanta, Thailand
• Shangri-La Hotel - Singapore
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Rangali Island, Maldives
• Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel – Ko Samui, Thailand
• Oriental Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand
• Lebua at State Tower – Bangkok, Thailand
• Oberoi Amarvilas – Agra, India
• Kurumba Maldives – North Male Atoll, Maldives
• Royal Park Hotel – Tokyo, Japan
• Park Hotel Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

Come back tomorrow for the best in the South Pacific!

With demand for business class only flights seemingly on the rise, Singapore Airlines has revealed that it too will be getting in on a piece of the action. They are converting all five of their Airbus A340 long-haul planes to a business class only configuration, reducing them from 181 seats to just 100.  Flights from Singapore to both New York and LA will operate daily.  The service begins in mid-May 2008, but not all the aircraft will be converted until later in the year.

‘Preferences by Pan Pacific‘ is a new ‘package’ from the Singapore-based hotel company. But is it truly a package? With Preferences by Pan Pacific, guests get to design their own experience. Valid until 1st January 2009, guests have a choice of accommodation, a guaranteed late check-out and a choice of one of the following preferences: daily complimentary breakfast for two; complimentary high speed Internet access; dining credit of $25.00 per night; exclusive hotel or resort preference; or 50% savings on second booked room.  Is it me or is this not really a package when you’re choosing what you want yourself?

As of tomorrow, the Negara on Claymore will be rebranded as the Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore. It is the brand’s second property to be established in the city state of Singapore, within the commercial, retail, dining and entertainment enclave of Orchard Road. The 20-storey hotel offers this close proximity to retail therapy at nearby shopping malls, a variety of culinary pleasures and many of the city’s key attractions. For business travellers, the central business district is only a ten-minute drive or ride via the MRT train. Following refurbishment, the hotel has 200 guest rooms, of which 48 are Pacific Club luxury executive suites and rooms. These premium Club rooms are newly styled in a contemporary décor, with improved furnishings and fittings. Additional hotel facilities include a well-equipped business centre, six meeting rooms, a boardroom, a lobby lounge, the popular Vibe restaurant featuring a signature modern churrasco, a Straits-Chinese restaurant specializing in authentic Peranakan cuisine, a spa and a fitness centre, as well as a mineral water swimming pool which uses NASA-patented ionisation technology to destroy bacteria 1,000 times more effectively than chlorine – a first for a Singapore hotel.

The St. Regis Singapore – the first new internationally branded hotel in Singapore for over a decade – opened on Tanglin Road just before the New Year. The hotel – the first for St. Regis Hotels and Resorts in South-East Asia – has 299 rooms and suites, the first premium Remède Spa outside of the United States, a ballroom with two skylights and a fleet of customized Bentleys at the ready. Rates start from 680 Singapore dollars per night.