There was a time when a swimming pool was just a body of water in which to exercise, but in recent years, exclusive and luxury hotel builders seem to have been playing a game of one-upmanship against one another in a race to create the most amazing swimming pool imaginable.
Now personally, gimmicks aside, I think a serene swimming experience depends a lot on the surroundings, so in this post I have picked out 5 incredible hotel swimming pools with simply breathtaking views to help with your relaxation.
so, this is the pool for you. The massive infinity pool at the luxurious Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore sits atop the roof on a platform 55 storeys above the city. From here you can see for miles and you will feel like you are literally about to swim off the edge of the building. Enjoy!
If you like a more natural sort of beauty when you swim, the Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania might be just what you are looking for. Whilst the pool itself may not be as astounding as others you could mention (although each villa does have it’s own private infinity pool), the view over the Singita Grumeti reserves is second to none. Where else could you relax in your own pool (1:03 in the video) with a genuine opportunity to see wild game wonder past?
This has to be about as opulent as swimming can get. The Seychelles are world renowned as a picture of paradise and if you have the money where better to spend your time off than in your private infinity pool on the edge of the island with expansive views over the golden sands and crystal clear ocean?
Villa D’este in Italy is about as exclusive as a hotel gets really, certainly worth checking out in more detail if you are so inclined. But it’s the swimming pool that interests me – literally floating in Lake Como this simple but exquisite pool has 360 degree views and the stunning hills surrounding the lake, as well as of the fabulous Renaissance building that is the Villa D’este of course.
I have saved the best till last: I honestly can’t think of anything more beautiful than the view from one of the private infinity pools at the Hanging Gardens in Bali. This private resort is nestled in the Bali rainforest and offers it’s guests the unique chance to relax in luxury whilst watching tropical birds and wild monkeys in their natural habitat, not to mention the presence of an ancient temple in clear view from your sunbed.
This is a heads-up on how you can enjoy a luxurious hotel stay without paying five-star prices. It’s “simple luxury”. The concept is that a premium room in a four-star hotel can offer better facilities and services at a price cheaper than a standard room in a five-star. We tried it and here’s how we got on.
The Peninsula Excelsior, which is located in Coleman Street, Clarke Quay, is primarily a business hotel. Spokeswoman Corina Teo explained that in these days of economic recession, many businesses are cutting back on the business travel expenses of their executives. Thus the Peninsula Excelsior is offering a different kind of service. Companies can save money by accommodating their executives in a premium room in a four-star hotel and yet the executives still have a better room and facilities than they would in a basic five-star room.
Despite billing itself as being mainly for business travellers, the Peninsula Excelsior has a lot to offer for luxury tourists too. It’s only a few minutes’ walk to many of Singapore’s best attractions. You have the night-life of the waterfront area, Clarke’s Quay and Robertson Quay where there are lots of restaurants to try, the Raffles City shopping centre is only a stone’s throw away, and St Andrew’s Cathedral is virtually on your doorstep. I don’t usually get excited about cathedrals, but this one is so pristine, so beautiful, and so strange, sited as it is in this space-age cityscape that it almost seems like something from a computer fantasy game. (It’s even better if you get a room on a high floor overlooking the Marina Bay. The Premier Club rooms are on the 19th floor and upwards!) It’s also only a five-minute taxi ride to the Marina Bay Sands casino, Chinatown and the posh shops in Orchard Road, ten minutes to the Universal Studios Theme Park and the Resorts World Sentosa casino, and only 20 minutes’ drive away from the airport.
The rooms are clean and newly refurbished. The hotel recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. The process is not yet totally complete but they expect to finish in the first quarter of 2012. Our room on the 19th floor had already been done with new furniture, attractive soft furnishings, large flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a good-sized well-stocked mini-bar, a generously proportioned safe and a large, comfortable bed which we estimated as being at least 6′6″ wide. Broadband Internet access is free, as is the daily shoe shine service, and laundry facilities are discounted by 20 per cent.
One of the main benefits of staying Premier Club class at the Peninsula Excelsior is that you get access to the Sky Lounge on the 22nd floor – from the beginning of your stay to the end, as you get to check in and out there too. Much more comfortable than queueing in reception. I wrote about the Sky Lounge before and am still of the opinion that the view from up there is possibly the best you could find in all of Singapore.
In addition to the spectacular view of Marina Bay (including a clear view of the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, which offers what is considered to be one of the most amazing swimming pools in the world), the Peninsula Excelsior Sky Lounge also has a clear view of the many events staged in this central area of Singapore city. It’s in a prime location to watch the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix every September. If your need for speed is of a more aquatic nature, there’s F1H₂O – the Nations Cup for power boat racing – which is being held in Marina Bay this month (19-20 November 2011). In addition to their usual room stays, the Peninsula Excelsior is also offering daytime packages for guests to watch the action from the Sky Lounge whilst enjoying food and beverages.
It seems there is nearly always something going on here. As with many other hotels, the Peninsula Excelsior enjoys high occupancy levels (they were recently running at 100% occupancy!) so you need to book reasonably early to avoid disappointment. However, you can’t book too far ahead for some of these events, as the government imposes a charge on those hotels which have the privileged vantage points. And the hotels need to know what the service levy is before they can set their room rates. The levy goes towards providing the infrastructure required to stage these events.
Even if your stay doesn’t coincide with a specific event, you can enjoy a nightly light show from the Marina Bay Sands complex. Lights and lasers change the colours of the various architectural features of Marina Bay. It really is a space-age scene and one almost expects to see flying cars and space ships going about their business. Given Singapore’s rate of innovation, perhaps we will see that in a few years time.
The Sky Lounge’s facilities include a complimentary buffet breakfast with eggs cooked to order (you can choose to breakfast in Coleman’s on the fifth floor along with the standard-class guests if you prefer), sundowner drinks with canapés, free WiFi, freeflow tea and coffee all day, and newspapers and magazines. If you need to conduct business, a private meeting room’s available – two hours of complimentary usage per room per stay, subject to availability. Smoking is not permitted in the Sky Lounge, but there is an area set aside for the human chimneys outside on the balcony. I was pleased to note that there is a disabled-accessible toilet in the Sky Lounge and stuck my head around the door for a look. It’s clean, spacious, and fully equipped with grab rails.
There is also a menu for snacks and meals beyond the complimentary offerings. We spent a leisurely evening over a four-course dinner, and couldn’t have wished for more congenial surroundings to eat it in. As for the food itself, the cream of mushroom soup was a tasty affair made with proper mushrooms and cream, with an added herby dimension – far more satisfying than the cappuccino soups that seem to be ubiquitous just now. The Caesar salad was good, with fresh Cos lettuce leaves, crisp bacon, and even crisper croutons. And the main course – a rib-eye steak – was done perfectly medium-rare as ordered, and came with a pepper sauce that was pleasantly piquant rather than bland or overly fierce, as well as gratin potatoes Dauphinoises (which we chose rather than fries) and mixed vegetables. The Tiger beer we ordered to wash it all down with was perfectly chilled, and everything we needed was brought to us by staff that were friendly, polite and eager to please.
If you’re feeling guilty about over-indulging – or if you’re already fit and want to keep that way – the hotel has a gym, a sauna and not one but two swimming pools!
So if you want “simple luxury”, try staying in a Premier Club room in the Peninsula Excelsior rather than a standard room in a five-star. You’ll get a lot more bang for your buck.
Tripadvisor recently published ‘10 unique luxury hotels you’ll never forget’. Strangely, it’s just a list – albeit with pictures – but with no explanation as to what, precisely, makes each one memorable. For what it’s worth, though, I’ve reproduced their list below. Please post a comment and tell us what hotels you think are unforgettable… and, of course, why!
1. Banyan Tree Al Wadi, UAE
2. Goldeneye Resort, Jamaica
3. Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
4. Playa VIK Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
5. Borgo Egnazia Villas Hotel Golf Spa, Italy
6. Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, France
7. The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi, India
8. Fullerton Hotel, Singapore
9. W Retreat & Spa, Maldives
10. Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Brazil
A bottle of Scotch whisky priced at 250,000 Singapore dollars (around 200,000 USD or £125,000) and displayed at a duty-free shop in Singapore’s Changi Airport, has been sold to a Chinese businessman. The bottle of Dalmore 62 hails from The Dalmore distillery in Alness, Scotland. It is one of just 12 bottles of this 62-year-old single malt ever produced and, at this price tag, a single measure equates to around 12,000 USD. Although this might seem like an awful lot, it could prove to be an excellent investment. This particular malt has risen in value by £100,000 (157,000 USD) in the last 10 years. How much will it be worth in another 10 years, I wonder?
As a prosperous 21st Century city, Singapore is well known for glittering skyscrapers, bustling trade and thriving tourism. It has grown significantly as a city-break destination, as more and more holidaymakers opt for a long weekend break or a 3 night stopover before flying to a luxury beach island like Sentosa, Bintan or Langkawi. The city’s stunning architecture, busy streets and luxury city hotels attract people from all over the world every year.
And in the not-too-distant future, Singapore is set to attract even more visitors and tourists, as several events, celebrations and attractions are planned over the next year or so. The showcasing of these tourist events and attractions will further develop Singapore’s thriving economy and will affirm its place as one of the world’s leading cities.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the vast tourism plans from exhilarating themeparks to cultural museum openings. One of the main attractions in Singapore is The Universal Studios Theme Park, filled with over 20 movie-themed rides and shows such as Revenge of the Mummy, Shrek 4D, Accelerator and WaterWorld. The park is an entertainment hub for the latest blockbusters and movie spectaculars, making it a perfect day out.
For the more refined visitors to Singapore, a trip to the Art Science Museum is not to be missed. The 50,000 square foot Lotus shaped building is home to an array of modern and fascinating art displays. The museum holds dozens of impressive exhibitions throughout the year and attracts tourists from across the world.
An announcement that got me quite excited was the opening of the Louis Vuitton Island on 18th September 2011. The prestigious retailer is opening a unique ‘island store’ at the Marina Bay Sands which will simply float on the water… sounds very lavish and well worth a visit to me!
Future tourist attractions in Singapore include Marine Life Park and the River Safari. Both of these are superb for family holidays and both are based around wildlife and water creatures. Set to open in 2012, the Marine Life Park is reckoned to become the largest aquarium in the world while the River Safari will be a river-themed zoo, highlighting distinct environments from across the world, allowing guests to experience scenes from the Nile and the Amazon.
The line-up of shows and events in Singapore is also impressive over the next few months. This month, the award winning Swan Lake on Ice is performing at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre as part of a two year tour. The F1 Singapore Grand Prix also takes place on the 23rd, 24th and 25th September 2011, including a spectacular night race event.
November sees another Formula 1 event with the Power Boat Race at Marina Bay. This high speed event will set the waters alight as super powerboats compete in the race. And just in time for the festive season, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra is hosting Christmas Concerts throughout December 2011, with contributions from the enchanted Singapore’s Symphony Children’s Choir.
Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.
Here we’ve selected two of the most amazing hotel swimming pools in the world. Watch the videos to see what makes them different. And if you know of any other amazing hotel swimming pools, please let us know in the comments!
Instead of having your feet scrubbed to get rid of dead skin cells, how about a fish pedicure? This is a practice that first became popular in Turkey before moving to other parts of Asia and on to the US where fish feed on the dead skins cells on your feet. Supposedly, it’s therapeutic although most people trying it seem to describe a mildly uncomfortable tickling sensation. Here’s various pieces of footage for you to ‘enjoy’.
Singapore Airport:
Cambodia:
USA:
Meanwhile, others are questioning the safety of such a treatment. See the BBC article here. If faced with the opportunity, would it be something you’d try?
Although certainly a rather contentious subject, it is undoubted that everyone can appreciate the matchless beauty and colour of an unspoiled sunset. Similarly we all have our own favourite spots from which to warmly embrace the majesty of Earth’s astral ballet with the sun; sunsets are personal things, so whether it is from your kitchen window or the coast of California every one is special. Fond memories of days gone by are often typified with a single image and for me few reflections can resonate quite as powerfully as a picturesque sunset; the end to a beautiful day, the promise of a rebirth to come, or simply a moment to embrace the overwhelming command of nature. Where would our Hollywood heroes and heroines be without their sunsets, a moment for a stolen kiss or a dramatic farewell; the timelessness of an unspoiled sunset will be forever emblazoned into the human consciousness. Here are five luxury destinations where you can catch that perfect sunset.
Sentosa Island, Singapore – For the ultimate juxtaposition between natural beauty and metropolitan bustle, Singapore’s Sentosa Island is a must. Sentosa is a popular tourist destination with beaches and varied attractions and just off its coast operates one of the busiest shipping lanes in South East Asia with several established oil refineries. Although this last disclosure may not immediately portray Sentosa as the ideal location to embrace the ephemeral splendour of a sunset, for a completely unique experience there is no place quite like it. Lurching just beyond the bay the tankers appear more like great metallic sea monsters than freight ships lending an almost surreal grandeur to the scene.
Serengeti, Tanzania – A place synonymous with the beguiling power of nature and the cyclical drama of life in the wild, the Serengeti is often considered the ultimate safari destination. Whether you are embarking on a night-drive or simply looking out from the comfort of your lodge, sunsets on the Serengeti are humbling experiences. Watch as the sky burns with the most spectacular wash of crimsons, oranges and pinks, defiantly opposed by the black silhouettes of solitary acacia trees or the slow melodic gait of a herd of elephants.
Milford Sound, New Zealand – Referred to by Rudyard Kipling as the Eighth Wonder of the World; Milford Sound is consistently ranked as one of the most beloved and celebrated tourist destinations in the world. The primordial drama of this landscape is truly breathtaking with expansive fjords stretching 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea. The sparkling clear waters, permanent waterfalls, towering rocky outcrops and resident pods of bottle nose dolphins makes this place a theatre of natural spectacle at anytime during the day, but particularly beautiful are the sunsets. As the piercing rays of light flicker through the grand peaks and reflect off the tranquil waters the Sound transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour and light.
Cape Town, South Africa – A city of contrasts, Cape Town offers the perfect symmetry between cosmopolitan living and rugged wilderness. Perched on the Western Cape overlooking the expansive Indian Ocean, this is an exceptional place to watch the sunset; whether you experience it from aloft Table Mountain or from the V&A Waterfront the views are just as glorious. Similarly wonderful is Blouberg beach, nestled within Table Bay offering excellent views looking back towards the Mountain.
North Malé Atoll, Maldives – A genuine island paradise, the Maldives is a name that is now so utterly intrinsic to tropical luxury and picture postcard beauty that it has almost become a cliché. It is very difficult to talk about the Maldives in terms of any individual region because the entire catalogue of individual islands, atolls and cays offer something so individually unique but simultaneously unmistakably Maldivian that it almost seems an incongruity to discuss them separately. Complete seclusion; cloudless skies; tranquil, azure waters and soft powdery sands, what more could a person ask for? With a profusion of fiery hues that would render even Monet’s Venetian waterways a picture of inadequate gloom the Maldives promises one of the most enchanting sunsets in the world.
Whilst in Singapore recently, we spent a couple of comfortable nights in the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel. Unfortunately we weren’t staying in their executive class accommodation so I don’t have a special feature for you. However, we were able to meet with the charming Ms Corina Teo, who showed us around the Sky Lounge and then invited us for lunch in the hotel’s Coleman’s Cafe!
The Sky Lounge is “for the privileged few” and consists of a 4,000 square feet, two-level executive lounge with outdoor balconies and a spectacular 270-degree unobstructed view of the Marina Bay cityscape and skyline. It’s breathtaking. I can’t imagine how you could get a better view in the whole of Singapore.
The views from some of the guest rooms are quite spectacular too. We had a corner room on the 16th floor and the views were superb! So much so, that one day we even got up at dawn to try to take views of Marina Bay at sunrise. Good views, yes, but you’re looking for something more perhaps?
If you are a Formula 1 fan, then have I got news for you! The Singapore Grand Prix will be held from 23-25 September 2011 and, you’ve guessed it, you’ll have a prime view of the race from the Sky Lounge – or indeed from your room if you get one on the Marina Bay (eastern) side of the building.
Why would anyone want to stay at an airport hotel? Prior to having the pleasure of staying at the Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport, the only answer to that question which I could have come up with would have been “convenience”. Sometimes you’ll stay at an airport hotel just to be handy for moving on to your next destination.
Well, the Crowne Plaza certainly ticks the convenience box – with a huge tick! Literally, you can exit via one of the hotel entrances and you are in Terminal 3 of Singapore’s International Airport. The hotel does offer airport transfers, but they are done on foot with one of their staff and a hotel luggage trolley. That’s all that’s needed. Now that is convenience.
The hotel has a lot more to offer than its superb location, which is strategically placed for the Singapore Expo, Changi Business Park, and several golf courses, as well as the airport. It’s also only about 20 minutes’ drive away from the business, shopping and dining areas of the city centre. All very convenient, but is there anything more to recommend about it? Absolutely, yes!
The building itself is totally unlike any airport hotel building you’ll have seen before. With the guest rooms facing onto open-air corridors, a structure planned to make the most of natural light and shade, and its theme of “wood and water”, it’s a temple to eco-chic. An abundance of tropical greenery and clever use of water features make it an oasis of tranquillity in the bustling city-state of Singapore. The deluxe guest rooms have excellent soundproofing and you’d never know you were so close to an airport.
Yet for all the luxury and calm, the hotel is also very high tech and offers excellent facilities to cater for business travellers as well as those on leisure trips. A capacious ballroom, and several Smart Meeting Rooms designed to promote creative discussion, can host events for numbers from 10 to 300.
The deluxe rooms are comfortable, with an ample 36 square metres to stretch out in. A decent-sized desk ensures plenty of working space if you need to take care of business, but you may prefer to relax in front of the wide-screen TV, gaze out of the picture windows at the tropical greenery, or perhaps plug your iPod into the bedside CD player and lull yourself to sleep with your own choice of music. Bathrooms come with a generously-proportioned bathtub and a separate rain shower.
The suites are even more luxurious, with more than twice the space – 75 square metres! The living/reception area has room enough to work in and hold meetings, with a separate toilet for guests, while the bedroom has its own LCD television, superbly appointed bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, allowing you to withdraw to your own private area when you wish. And in-room dining is available throughout the hotel, 24 hours a day.
Of course, you don’t have to be confined to your room – lovely though it is. The resort atmosphere is sustained in the Aspara Spa, where you can have all the knots smoothed out of those travel-weary muscles with a relaxing massage. And if you need to blow the cobwebs out and get the blood pumping round your body again, then take a turn in the well-equipped gym – or if swimming’s your thing, then how about a few lengths in the 30-metre landscaped swimming pool? I can guarantee you’ll never have been in a pool like it!
Guests staying in Executive Club level accommodation gain access to the Crowne Plaza Club on Floor 3. You can go online using the Club computer or with your own equipment with the Club’s free WiFi access, or unwind with a quiet early evening cocktail and appetisers (perhaps over a game of chess or Chinese chess!) before dinner. Complimentary continental breakfast is also laid on in the Club. It’s a great place to chill out, and heightens the sense of staying at a resort rather than a hotel at a major international hub airport.
But even those not lucky enough to have Club access are well provided for. The Lobby Lounge is a great place to meet friends or business contacts, with a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. If sports are your thing, then you can follow the latest match or shoot some pool in Bar ’75 – a three-zoned bar with a distinctive ’70s Asia theme.
And when you’re hungry, you’ve got the choice of Azur – a funky all-day dining restaurant with not one, but two show kitchens preparing a variety of international cuisines – and Imperial Treasure, a branch of the renowned Chinese restaurant chain that serves fine-dining Cantonese and speciality food.
This award winning hotel, which was on Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List 2009, is well worth a stay – even if you don’t have a flight to catch the following day.
The Wangz Hotel, 231 Outram Road, Singapore is an amazing new boutique hotel and quite different from anywhere I’ve ever stayed before. I highly recommend it! Let me tell you why.
This barrel-shaped building is noticeable from a distance in its urban oasis in the heritage area of Tiong Bahru. There are 41 guest rooms, all beautiful, with many features such as free internet access, rain shower, DVD player and 37-inch flat screen television. This place oozes luxury. I loved it!
But it wasn’t just the amenities that made it so good. After all, you can find luxury just about anywhere – if you know where to look. What made this place so great, above and beyond all the comforts, was the friendliness of the staff.
Headed up by Mr David Yap, a hotelier with many years’ experience in the hospitality industry, the Wangz team know how to make their guests feel at home. (If only home were so luxurious.) The jovial Mr Yap, assisted by Ms Wang Zhiling, devotes much time and energy to ensuring the comfort of the guests.
And it shows. Every guest had a big smile on their face; whether it was from spending a comfortable night on the posturepedic bed or by being greeted by the perennially smiling staff, I don’t know. It was such a happy place. All the staff seemed to thoroughly enjoy being there and making sure all their guests were happy too.
As for the hotel itself, it is unique. The public areas and the rooms display an art collection valued at around $400,000 – none of your mass-produced stuff here – and most of it has been specially commissioned to complement the nature and floral theme of the hotel. Some of these art works would make you gasp with pleasure. My favourite was Andre Tan’s metal wall mural of wild geese. I regret that I wasn’t able to get a good photo of it so I could share this with you. If you want to see it, you’ll have to go to the Wangz and see for yourself! It was details like this that made the place so enjoyable.
There are a variety of different rooms here. The building was converted from its previous uses and retained its quirky shape, which perhaps restricted what could be done to some extent. Nevertheless the architect and designers made full use of the idiosyncrasies of the building to create an incredible living environment. There are 19 Superior Rooms, 9 Deluxe Rooms, 9 Canopy Rooms (four with a bathtub), 2 Balcony Rooms, 1 Soak Room (with a bath big enough for two!), and 1 Deep Suite.
The Wangz has two restaurants: Nectar, an all-day dining restaurant on the ground floor, where Chef de Cuisine Jeffrey Cheong serves up his culinary magic; and Halo, the rooftop lounge.
The Nectar, where we had dinner, has an eclectic menu of modern Asian dishes. We opted for the set dinner and it was superb. The torched tuna was gorgeous, as were all the other dishes. The set lunch and dinner change daily and are designed to tempt every gourmet. I have to say the mushroom cappuccino soup – one of Nectar restaurant’s signature dishes – was the best I’ve ever had too.
The Halo on the rooftop is a great place to relax. You can enjoy the views of the Singapore cityscape, or watch sporting events in the big screen, whilst enjoying cocktails or trendy beers and snacks. That is, if you can tear your eyes away from the cocktail barman entertaining the guests with his juggling skill. I was on the edge of my seat anticipating the crash of glass hitting the floor but he never failed to make the catch. Whew!
There is free WiFi throughout the hotel premises. The hotel’s rooms are all non-smoking, but if you smoke there are two areas which do allow smoking – al fresco at Nectar and an area at the Halo.
The hotel also caters for disabled people. I wasn’t able to see the room adapted for the disabled but I did see a lady in a wheelchair at breakfast time and she looked very cheerful, just like everyone else in the hotel.
I would recommend this hotel to anyone who would enjoy a feel-good experience. Mr Yap certainly knows the meaning of hospitality. For more information and booking, please see their website at http://www.wangzhotel.com/ or email inquiry@wangzhotel.com or telephone (65) 6595 1388.
The Rembrandt Hotel and Towers, one of the most renowned hotels in Bangkok, has undergone a new makeover this year. This also resulted in the promotion of Simon P. Rindlisbacher to the position of Hotel Manager – one of the youngest hotel managers in town. Simon’s rise in the ranks has been quite meteoric. From his start in the industry as a waiter whilst still at school in Switzerland, his homeland, he raced up the career ladder to his current position. Simon graduated from the Hotel Management School Belvoirpark, in Zurich in 2002, and speaks German, French, Spanish and English. It’s a perfect background for a hotelier, especially in cosmopolitan Bangkok.
What is it that you do exactly?
I am responsible for the entire operation at the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, making sure that all our guests are happy and want to come back and recommend our hotel to their family, friends and colleagues. It’s lots of fun to work closely with all the different Heads of Department towards the same goal of offering outstanding guest services.
Competition is huge, but because of the Rembrandt’s more than 17 years’ experience, combined with the famous Thai hospitality, our international clientele enjoy a guaranteed “above my expectations” experience. During the last four years we have also renovated all our guest rooms, lobby area and bar. We’ve also completely re-done our wellness area with “The Rembrandt Spa”, fitness centre and swimming pool, with which I have been very actively involved. I also work closely with the Rembrandt’s General Manager, Mr Eric Hallin, whose great experience helps me to further develop myself.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
To be privileged to do what I am passionate about. I love all the various aspects of a large city hotel. It’s the contact with the guests at the lobby, welcoming them to our executive lounge, inviting people for an exciting wine dinner in one of our award winning restaurants, as well as working with my colleagues and associates. I am proud of what I do, and of the hotel I work for. When you feel that you are representing a brand like this, then you just can’t go wrong.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
The Beau-Rivage Lausanne in Switzerland. This is a must-visit, even if you don’t stay there, to enjoy all the little details in an environment of very beautiful scenery.
Six Senses Hide Away on Koh Samui, as it was a great experience in enjoying something different. I also like their way of living their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibilities).
My parents’ home in Gossau, Switzerland.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
A BBQ in the rain forest close to the “Angel Falls” (tallest waterfall in the world) in Venezuela. Don’t ask me what food it was but it just tasted unforgettably good.
OK, this probably won’t surprise you, but also my Mum’s food.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
Yes, and it is always nice to see that they very much appreciate if we treat them as “one of us”. For sure there are some, who like the big bang or just need the polite distance, but I believe it’s nice for them too in just having a quiet time. Here at the Rembrandt Hotel, Bangkok, the Prime Minister is a frequent guest. We also have many Ambassadors and famous entertainment personalities from Switzerland, due to the hotel’s strong and well-known brand there.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
I love being in cities, such as Singapore, and seeing their continued development, but would really enjoy being up the mountains back home in Switzerland for a couple of weeks. Living away for over eight years makes my home country really beautiful again. Living the life of a farmer, making cheese, getting up with the sun and being with my family and good friends. All this without TV and Internet, etc.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, Simon. I wish you all the best in your current position and look forward to hearing more great things about your achievements in the future.
Embark on a journey of discovery into the vibrant art, culture and heritage of Singapore with Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s newly launched Heritage Exploration room package. Available from 1st October 2010 to 31st March 2011, the package features accommodation in one of the hotel’s well-appointed Premier Ocean rooms combined with visits to a selection of Singapore’s best and most interesting museums, making for a refreshing and enriching holiday experience.
Included in the package is a visit to Singapore’s oldest museum, the National Museum of Singapore, where eleven National Treasures of Singapore are safeguarded, dating from the 14th century to modern day. Guests can also enjoy one of the world’s largest public collections of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artwork at the Singapore Art Museum, which is housed in an historic building, or embark on an Asian heritage tour to the city’s Asian Civilisation Museum. This is the first museum in the region to present a broad yet integrated perspective of pan-Asian culture and civilization. Another fascinating stop is at Singapore’s Peranakan Museum, which explores the culture of Asia’s Peranakan community, and where the world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of Peranakan artefacts are housed.
The Heritage Exploration package is priced at SGD 450 per night and includes:
• Accommodation in the hotel’s Premier Ocean room with uninterrupted views of the horizon, Singapore Flyer and the hotel’s newly refurbished swimming pool
• Daily American buffet breakfast at award-winning restaurant MELT ~ The World Café
• Complimentary Merlion chocolate on arrival
• Exquisite coffee table sketchbook of Singapore’s architectural heritage as a souvenir
• Admission to the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilisation Museum and Peranakan Museum for two persons
Love primates? Here’s another top 10 from Tripadvisor and this time they’re swinging from the treetops with the ‘top 10 places to monkey around’. Here’s the list:
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore is the latest addition to the sparkling Marina Bay waterfront, with breathtaking architecture and stunning interiors that combine modernity and heritage. Seated on Marina Bay’s prime waterfront location in the Central Business District and the historical Arts and Cultural precinct, the Hotel will offer impeccable service and hospitality. Comprising 100 rooms, five individually themed suites and a luxurious Presidential Suite, each with magnificent Marina Bay views and exclusive balconies, The Fullerton Bay Hotel appeals to the discerning jetsetters and travellers.
With three signature dining destinations designed by Asia’s highly sought-after design wunderkind Andre Fu, the Hotel is set to elevate waterfront dining to new heights.
The hotel’s inspiring glass façade, designed by Singapore-based DP Architects, embodies the true spirit of the Marina Bay waterfront. The diamond-shaped glass structure stands out against the city skyline as it illuminates above the waters. LCL Architects, the group responsible for the creation of the luxuriously-appointed hotel rooms, while the arrival 2 experience and restaurants are the latest projects by design wunderkind, Andre Fu. Guests will enter the hotel through a 17-metre wide lobby at the historic Clifford Pier, an important heritage site which saw the arrival of many of Singapore’s early settlers.
The hotel’s glamorous and exquisite interior designs are richly steeped in Singapore’s vibrant history with Fu using vintage nautical maps and commissioned contemporary art that reflect the celebration of heritage and modernity in the Lion City.
Utilising materials and designs such as polished rosewood and latticed screens, as well as leather and chrome, LCL Architects has created an elegant and refined atmosphere in the bedrooms with a predominantly natural palette throughout. This classical look is combined with state-of-the-art in-room technology to ensure that the hotel’s modern travellers are always kept in touch.
Each of the hotel’s six suites, including the Presidential Suite, are individually themed to reflect the wealth of cultures in Singapore’s cosmopolitan population, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Colonial and are situated on the upper three storeys of the hotel, in prime-angled positions facing the stunning views of Marina Bay waterfront. Named after the former Governors of the Straits Settlement (Sir Hugh Clifford, Sir Shenton Thomas, Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, Sir John Anderson and Major General Sir William Orfeur Cavenagh), each will be adorned with bespoke artwork and antiques alongside contemporary pieces that embody the spirit unique to the suite’s theme.
The hotel’s trio of culinary experiences, designed by Andre Fu, include the signature restaurants of The Landing Point, Clifford and Lantern. Lantern is a stylish rooftop bar, surrounding the hotel’s 25-metre rooftop swimming pool, where guests can relish delectable gourmet snacks and tantalising grilled meats, accompanied with fine champagnes, signature cocktails, wines and beverages whilst watching the world go by with panoramic views of the Marina Bay waterfront and the world- famous Singapore skyline. This urban oasis is the perfect location for an idyllic afternoon respite, take an invigorating swim in the pool while enjoying the tranquil waterfront sea breeze or the sultry cocktails conjured by the bar’s mixologist. View the beautiful sunset at Lantern with your partner or friends as it transforms 3 into a dazzling rooftop bar illuminated by glittering lights, ideal for a romantic tête-à-tête, glamorous cocktail parties or fashion launches.
Set amidst the resplendent skyline of the Marina Bay waterfront, Clifford, the modern brasserie is illuminated by splendid 10-metre high floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sparkling waters of the bay, and guests are greeted by an opulent 800-bottle fine wine library meticulously handpicked from all over the world. Seated adjacent to Clifford Pier and named after this historical landmark upon which the first immigrants landed in Singapore, Clifford retains the spirit of the seafarers as it embodies waterfront destination dining. Clifford is furnished with layers of theatrical salons and offers breathtaking views of Marina Bay be it from the private dining room, main dining section that seats up to 76, or the stylish al fresco dining terrace. One of three dining destinations at the hotel, Clifford celebrates discreet and attentive service with its clever play of vintage furnishings in warm grey, burnt orange and dark aubergine set against the towering ivory French panelling and masculine herringbone oak floors. From influential business lunches to idyllic afternoon teas, or romantic dinners under the stars, Clifford sets to redefine destination dining by the bay with personalized service.
Elegantly positioned alongside an impressive indoor promenade paved in bespoke marble mosaics, The Landing Point is the gourmand’s lounge du jour. Designed in hues of gold; indulge in sensuous cocktails as guests engage in the waterfront panorama. With a majestic 13-metre long bar and spacious outdoor terrace, The Landing Point is designed to captivate the sophisticated chic.
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore is located at 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326.
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!
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There was a time when a swimming pool was just a body of water in which to exercise, but in recent years, exclusive and luxury hotel builders seem to have been playing a game of one-upmanship against one another in a race to create the most amazing swimming pool imaginable.
A bottle of Scotch whisky priced at 250,000 Singapore dollars (around 200,000 USD or £125,000) and displayed at a duty-free shop in Singapore’s Changi Airport, has been sold to a Chinese businessman. The bottle of Dalmore 62 hails from 
As a prosperous 21st Century city, Singapore is well known for glittering skyscrapers, bustling trade and thriving tourism. It has grown significantly as a city-break destination, as more and more holidaymakers opt for a long weekend break or a 3 night stopover before flying to a luxury beach island like Sentosa, Bintan or Langkawi. The city’s stunning architecture, busy streets and luxury city hotels attract people from all over the world every year.
Although certainly a rather contentious subject, it is undoubted that everyone can appreciate the matchless beauty and colour of an unspoiled sunset. Similarly we all have our own favourite spots from which to warmly embrace the majesty of Earth’s astral ballet with the sun; sunsets are personal things, so whether it is from your kitchen window or the coast of California every one is special. Fond memories of days gone by are often typified with a single image and for me few reflections can resonate quite as powerfully as a picturesque sunset; the end to a beautiful day, the promise of a rebirth to come, or simply a moment to embrace the overwhelming command of nature. Where would our Hollywood heroes and heroines be without their sunsets, a moment for a stolen kiss or a dramatic farewell; the timelessness of an unspoiled sunset will be forever emblazoned into the human consciousness. Here are five luxury destinations where you can catch that perfect sunset.
Whilst in Singapore recently, we spent a couple of comfortable nights in the 
Why would anyone want to stay at an airport hotel? Prior to having the pleasure of staying at the 
The deluxe rooms are comfortable, with an ample 36 square metres to stretch out in. A decent-sized desk ensures plenty of working space if you need to take care of business, but you may prefer to relax in front of the wide-screen TV, gaze out of the picture windows at the tropical greenery, or perhaps plug your iPod into the bedside CD player and lull yourself to sleep with your own choice of music. Bathrooms come with a generously-proportioned bathtub and a separate rain shower.
The suites are even more luxurious, with more than twice the space – 75 square metres! The living/reception area has room enough to work in and hold meetings, with a separate toilet for guests, while the bedroom has its own LCD television, superbly appointed bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, allowing you to withdraw to your own private area when you wish. And in-room dining is available throughout the hotel, 24 hours a day.
Of course, you don’t have to be confined to your room – lovely though it is. The resort atmosphere is sustained in the Aspara Spa, where you can have all the knots smoothed out of those travel-weary muscles with a relaxing massage. And if you need to blow the cobwebs out and get the blood pumping round your body again, then take a turn in the well-equipped gym – or if swimming’s your thing, then how about a few lengths in the 30-metre landscaped swimming pool? I can guarantee you’ll never have been in a pool like it!
Guests staying in Executive Club level accommodation gain access to the Crowne Plaza Club on Floor 3. You can go online using the Club computer or with your own equipment with the Club’s free WiFi access, or unwind with a quiet early evening cocktail and appetisers (perhaps over a game of chess or Chinese chess!) before dinner. Complimentary continental breakfast is also laid on in the Club. It’s a great place to chill out, and heightens the sense of staying at a resort rather than a hotel at a major international hub airport.
But even those not lucky enough to have Club access are well provided for. The Lobby Lounge is a great place to meet friends or business contacts, with a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. If sports are your thing, then you can follow the latest match or shoot some pool in Bar ’75 – a three-zoned bar with a distinctive ’70s Asia theme.
The 
But it wasn’t just the amenities that made it so good. After all, you can find luxury just about anywhere – if you know where to look. What made this place so great, above and beyond all the comforts, was the friendliness of the staff.
And it shows. Every guest had a big smile on their face; whether it was from spending a comfortable night on the posturepedic bed or by being greeted by the perennially smiling staff, I don’t know. It was such a happy place. All the staff seemed to thoroughly enjoy being there and making sure all their guests were happy too.
There are a variety of different rooms here. The building was converted from its previous uses and retained its quirky shape, which perhaps restricted what could be done to some extent. Nevertheless the architect and designers made full use of the idiosyncrasies of the building to create an incredible living environment. There are 19 Superior Rooms, 9 Deluxe Rooms, 9 Canopy Rooms (four with a bathtub), 2 Balcony Rooms, 1 Soak Room (with a bath big enough for two!), and 1 Deep Suite.
The Wangz has two restaurants: Nectar, an all-day dining restaurant on the ground floor, where Chef de Cuisine Jeffrey Cheong serves up his culinary magic; and Halo, the rooftop lounge.
The Halo on the rooftop is a great place to relax. You can enjoy the views of the Singapore cityscape, or watch sporting events in the big screen, whilst enjoying cocktails or trendy beers and snacks. That is, if you can tear your eyes away from the cocktail barman entertaining the guests with his juggling skill. I was on the edge of my seat anticipating the crash of glass hitting the floor but he never failed to make the catch. Whew!
