Raffles Singapore has opened its doors after a multi-million-dollar renovation, and the results are remarkable with the original again back to its best RAFFLES REVEAL RAFFLES Singapore is finally back in business after being closed for more than two years during a top-to-tail renovation. The iconic Singapore hotel, which was looking a little rusty andContinue reading “HOTEL – RAFFLES SINGAPORE”
Category Archives: Singapore
Singapore’s A380 cabin upgrade …
SINGAPORE Airlines has set a new standard in sky-high comfort by unveiling the next generation of “cabin products”. The airline, known as an innovator when it comes to aircraft interiors, has invested four years in designing the new passenger spaces that will feature across all four cabin categories in the A380 after a fleet refurbishmentContinue reading “Singapore’s A380 cabin upgrade …”
… Singapore’s Chinatown market …
SINGAPORE is a place that’s making a mad dash towards the future with the Lion City leading the way when it comes to everything from innovative social housing developments to something as simple as finding better ways to check luggage for an international flight. But in a settlement that’s shiny and new there are stillContinue reading “… Singapore’s Chinatown market …”
Singapore’s southern sky …
Where … A suite on the 19th floor at One Ferrar Resort & Spa When … Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 9.23am What … Another day begins in Singapore with the floor-to-ceiling windows in my suite on the 19th floor at One Ferrar Resort & Spa framing a view that stretches across the island’s southernContinue reading “Singapore’s southern sky …”
Singapore’s Shang receives refresh …
SINGAPORE’S Shangri-La hotel is an enclave of elegant excess at the top end of Orchard Road that regularly welcomes everyone from kings and queens to diplomats and politicians as well as discerning tourists in town to indulge in a spot of sightseeing. The hotel’s Tower Wing – built in 1971, it’s an original part ofContinue reading “Singapore’s Shang receives refresh …”
Singapore’s 2017 hot and happening …
NOT too long ago travellers were happy to stop in Singapore on the promise of nothing more than a gin sling at Raffles and an Orchard Rd bargain. But as the city continues to evolve into one of the world’s most dynamic destinations and visitors seek a holiday like no other in a country effortlesslyContinue reading “Singapore’s 2017 hot and happening …”
Asia’s top temples to tempt …
SOUTH-East Asia’s top temples, in settlements from Bangkok to Yangon, are ideal places to find serenity in the region’s bustling cities. Angkor Wat Cambodia’s Angkor Wat isn’t just the world’s biggest temple – the sanctuary occupies a 162ha plot 5km from Siem Reap – but it’s also one of the most famous with more thanContinue reading “Asia’s top temples to tempt …”
Make a base in booming Bugis …
SINGAPORE is celebrating the unveiling of another new hotel with the Mercure Singapore Bugis opening its doors in one of the Lion City’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. The 395-room address sits in the heart of the arts and culture district and offers panoramic views from its rooftop Sky Deck and infinity lap pool as well as Continue reading “Make a base in booming Bugis …”
Singapore’s updated airport stay …
SINGAPORE’S Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has unveiled a new wing that will increase capacity at the award-winning hotel by 75 per cent. There are two room categories in the 10-storey extension – business king suites at 28sq/m and the 38sq/m business twin suites – with all chambers in the 243-room wing “furnished with thoughtful touchesContinue reading “Singapore’s updated airport stay …”
Know non-stop Singapore …
FOR so many years Singapore was simply a place to change planes. Weary travellers transiting through one of the world’s best airports would peer through terminal windows at tropical clouds billowing above the horizon and wonder what there was to see in the city that banned chewing gum. But when flyers started pausing long-haul journeysContinue reading “Know non-stop Singapore …”
Hotels bathrooms with a view …
IT’S not unusual for a hotel room to come complete with a remarkable view. But what about the bathroom? Long gone are the days when this most functional space was placed in a dark corner, out of sight and out of mind, with today’s architects and interior designers positioning the bathroom so those occupying theContinue reading “Hotels bathrooms with a view …”
Orchard Road fresh …
IT feels like I’m doing the Singapore culinary scene a huge disservice by raving about an Orchard Road eatery rather than a fancy Michelin-starred restaurant or a zany cafe doing radical Blumenthal-like creations. But The Provedore, perched above the busy Orchard Road footpath in Mandarin Gallery, is one of my favourite places to eat inContinue reading “Orchard Road fresh …”
Haji Lane …
SINGAPORE is a shopping paradise with everything from luxury brands on Orchard Road to Chinatown’s buzzing markets catering to visitors on a quest to worship the gods of retail. But there are also edgy enclaves around the Lion City where those dedicated to bespoke style have established indie havens that are home to stores sellingContinue reading “Haji Lane …”
Singapore’s Emerald Hill …
ORCHARD Road might be one of Singapore’s top shopping streets but it’s also a place to become emerged in Lion City history. Emerald Hill Road is an enclave of calm flanking Orchard Road – the entrance is right opposite the Somerset MRT station – with longs rows of original houses still lining the laneway. TheContinue reading “Singapore’s Emerald Hill …”
Digs for Singapore fling …
→ Hotel Jen Orchardgateway perfectly places for Singapore stopover or longer stay … IT‘S rich pickings when searching for a place to stay in Singapore. There are more than 250 properties on the TripAdvisor list with trusted brands like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Ramada, Park Royal and Mercure sitting as far down as page three ofContinue reading “Digs for Singapore fling …”
Top-floor tipples …
ASIA has sky-high socialising down to a fine art. Right around the region there are rooftop bars perched in lofty locations that provide the perfect place to match a casual drink with a remarkable view after – or even during – a day playing tourist. 1. Singapore’s 1-Altitude, occupying the 63rd floor at One RafflesContinue reading “Top-floor tipples …”
Hotels with history …
THERE’S a trend in Melbourne – well, a mini trend, at least – with the Victorian capital’s newest hotels moving into territory that once served a different purpose. The shiny new Sheraton Melbourne Hotel (below) sits on the Little Collins St site of the bygone Naval and Military Club, a 127-year-old institution that once counted SirContinue reading “Hotels with history …”
Lion City like a local …
SINGAPORE is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence in August with the island nation creating a calendar of events to mark the significant occasion. Raffles Singapore, the grand colonial-era hotel that stars in decades of Lion City history, is celebrating by offering the Raffles Walk of Fame Tour every Saturday until AugustContinue reading “Lion City like a local …”
Footsteps of the fallen …
SATURDAY’S Anzac Day services will commemorate more than the 100th anniversary of Australian troops landing at Gallipoli. This significant day also signals the start of a century of Australian men and women serving in wars, police actions and peace-keeping missions that have taken our army, navy, air force and merchant mariners to battlefields around theContinue reading “Footsteps of the fallen …”
Sentosa Style …
FOR a small island, Sentosa delivers an impressive array of holiday attractions, hot hotels and beaches lined with palm trees. I’m sitting with my toes in the sand, a cocktail in hand, and peering out from the shade of a palm tree to the cool blue of an ocean lagoon. But I’m having trouble believingContinue reading “Sentosa Style …”
Soaking up the views …
SOAKING UP THE VIEWS IN SINGAPORE … When designing new buildings to decorate the Singapore skyline, architects like to think outside the box. Examples of this include the Singapore Opera House, with two domes that look like giant fly eyes; the Supreme Court, with a “UFO” on the roof; Parkview Square and its Gotham moodiness;Continue reading “Soaking up the views …”
Sacred Singapore …
I TURNED my back on the bright lights of the big city today and headed to a quiet spot on Singapore’s northern edge to remember an important episode in Australian history. With a car and a driver at my disposal for a few hours I decided it was a good time to visit the KranjiContinue reading “Sacred Singapore …”
Black and white …
THE black and white house is just as much a Singapore icon as Orchard Road, salt-and-pepper crab, Raffles, Sentosa Island, Changi Airport, Merlion and afternoon thunderstorms. “The black and white houses of Singapore occupy a fascinating position in the architectural record of South East Asia,” Julian Davison wrote in his book Black & White: TheContinue reading “Black and white …”
Glorious Kampong Glam …
TAKING a deep breath of the cool Shangri-La Singapore air, I headed out into the Equatorial heat to explore two more of this island nation’s colourful neighbourhoods this morning. Today I ventured into Little India and Kampong Glam, the two districts that are home to a couple more of the ethnic groups that came toContinue reading “Glorious Kampong Glam …”
What GFC …
WHEN it comes to the financial side of life, things are pretty good in Singapore. While the rest of the world is feeling like it’s just gone 10 rounds with Ali, and only now thinking about stepping back from a state of being alarmed to alert, Singapore in basking in the golden glow that comesContinue reading “What GFC …”
Now that’s luxury …
HOW do you tell the difference between a good luxury hotel and a great luxury hotel? Seems the difference is in the details. I checked into the Valley Wing at Shangri-La Singapore today, the most opulent accommodations in the luxury hotel and the place heads of state choose to stay when they’re visiting the islandContinue reading “Now that’s luxury …”
A rare thing …
I THOUGHT I would post a picture of something you don’t see very often in this part of the world, and that’s a fiery red sunset. Singapore’s position on the Equator means tropical afternoon thunderstorms blow in most days, covering the horizon is a fluffy layer of menacing clouds at the end of the day,Continue reading “A rare thing …”
Chinatown snaps …
Here are a few more photos taken during my afternoon in Chinatown. Visit the Visit Singapore website … posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Singapore fling …
IT’S Singapore in December, which means today was 35 degrees with 100 per cent humidity. The best thing I could have done was find a spot by the pool, park myself on a lounge under the sun, order lots of cold drinks, and submerge myself in the pond every time my core temperature startedContinue reading “Singapore fling …”
Bathroom with a view …
I HAVE a bathroom with a view. I’m staying at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, which sits on the south-western tip of the little island that snuggles against Singapore southern coast, and my room has a glorious view across the beaches and man-made lagoons to the busy shipping lanes that run between Indonesia and Malaysia. MyContinue reading “Bathroom with a view …”
Far Near Or Here 