Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
90
YMCA In ternational House
Kids
With a superb location at the lo wer end of
Orchard Road, this budget gem is very convenient for sightseeing and getting around by
mass transit. The guest rooms have been renovated and have private bathrooms that are
better than I' ve seen at some much pricier hotels. All r ooms hav e air-conditioning, a
telephone (with free local calls), color television, and a stock-it-y ourself refrigerator, but
be warned, all standard double-occupancy rooms are twin beds only. The dormitories are
small, dar k, and quiet, with two bunk beds per r oom. A cross the hall ar e men's and
women's locker rooms for showering. Most of the public areas have no air-conditioning,
including the old fitness facility, billiards center, and squash courts—so be warned: They
can become unbearably hot. The rooftop pool is nothing to write home about, but a
full-time lifeguard is on duty. There's a coffee shop in the lobb y. The staff is amazingly
friendly.
1 Orchard Rd., Singapore 238824.
&
65/6336-6000.
Fax 65/6337-3140. www.ymcaih.com.sg. 111 units.
S$105 (US$70/£47) double; S$135 (US$90/£61) family r oom; S$145 (US$97/£65) superior r oom. AE, DC,
MC, V. 5-min. walk t o Dhoby Ghaut MR T.
Amenities:
2 r estaurants; outdoor pool; small gym; I nternet
center; babysitting.
In room:
A/C, TV, fridge.
4
SENTOSA ISLAND
Sentosa's island getaway gets bigger every year, with new attractions, hotels, and facilities
being added all the time. Thanks to a huge land r eclamation and building pr oject, the
island itself is expanding geographically , too. Sentosa's hotels ar e geared toward couples
on romantic breaks and young families, attracted by the beach resort feel and the acces-
sibility of the city.
The S entosa Resor t & Spa
Fashioned after the luxur y r esorts of P huket,
Thailand, designers hav e done a gr eat job combining clean, modern lines with tr opical
touches and courtyard gardens to produce a sophisticated getaway with r elaxing charm.
Lazy terraces and cozy alco ves tucked all o ver the gr ounds invite guests to unwind in
privacy—perfect for intimate candlelight dinners that can be r equested anywhere you
like. The centerpiece is S pa Botanica; its gar den massages, tr eatments, and frangipani
baths are repeatedly voted some of the world's best.
The standar d guest r ooms in the fiv e-story hotel building ar e small but stunning,
featuring camphor burl-wood doors and accents, Thai silk screens in natural browns and
greens, and deep tubs and separate showers in the bathrooms, surrounded by thick cela-
don green tiling and sleek black granite details. Ask for vie ws of the golf course, which
are prettier than the views of the hotel courtyards and buildings. The four Garden Villas
are supr emely r omantic and luxurious. B utlers wait ' round-the-clock to ser ve y ou—a
standard feature for all rooms.
2 Bukit Manis Rd., Sentosa, Singapore 099891.
&
65/6275-0331.
Fax 65/6275-0228. w ww.thesentosa.
com. 205 units. S$392 (US$263/£176) double; from S$565 (US$379/£254) suite; S$1,500 (US$1,005/£675)
villa. AE, DC, MC, V. See “Sentosa Island,” in chapter 7, for public transportation.
Amenities:
3 restaurants;
bar; lounge; gorgeous midnight blue-tiled outdoor pool w/views of the harbor; golf at nearby facilities;
2 outdoor lighted tennis courts w/coach; 2 squash c ourts; health club w/20m (66-f t.) lap pool, Jacuzzi,
and sauna; luxury spa w/private pool, mud baths, steam, Jacuzzis, exercise and relaxation classes, salon,
beauty treatments, and massage; concierge; airport transfers; room service; babysitting.
In room:
A/C, TV
w/satellite programming and in-house movies, high-speed Internet, minibar, hair dryer.
5
