Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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The Mandarin Orien tal Singapore The Mandarin Oriental is the most
elegant of the M arina Bay atrium-style hotels, with its subdued lobb y of dar k polished
marble, rich fabrics, and stunning or chid arrangements. Even the central elev ator lobby
is surrounded by softly trickling limpid pools. The king- and queen-size bedrooms have
a sophisticated contemporary Asian look and beautiful silk prints and upholstered wicker
chairs. Bathrooms have a separate bath and sho wer, separated fr om the bedr oom by a
glass wall (with wooden blinds, for modesty). O ceanview rooms overlook the Singapore
Flyer and the bay , though only suites hav e balconies with a seating ar ea. The ne wly
refurbished city-facing r ooms have attractive modern oak par titions and marble bath-
rooms. The Mandarin O riental's r estaurants and bars ar e excellent, though expensiv e,
and its hushed, exotic spa is to die for. Service is superb.
5 Raffles Ave., Marina Square, Singapore 039797. & 800/526-6566 in the U.S. and Canada, 800/123-693
in A ustralia, 800/2828-3838 in New Z ealand or the U .K., or 65/6338-0066. F ax 65/6339-9537. w ww.
mandarinoriental.com/singapore. 524 units . S$458 (US$307/£206) double; fr om S$786 (US$527/£354)
suite. AE, DC, MC, V. 10-min. walk to City Hall MRT. Amenities: 4 restaurants; bar and lobby lounge; out-
door pool; health club; spa w/Jacuzzi, sauna, and st eam; c oncierge; airpor t transf ers; r oom ser vice;
babysitting; smoke-free rooms; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-
house movies, minibar, hair dryer.
Raffles Hotel Walking into Raffles has a palpable sense of ev ent. Liveried Sikh
doormen usher y ou through the ornate wr ought-iron por tico into a lobb y that seems
faithfully unaltered from the hotel's 1930s heyday. If price is no object, then Raffles will
deliver a blend of luxury, history, and colonial ambiance no other hotel can match. Only
residents are allowed into the priv ate inner lobb y, or to str oll across the polished teak
verandas overlooking tropical courtyards to suites decorated with a small elegant lounge,
period furnishings, and a lo vely four-poster bed. Although suites ar e on the small side,
every detail is tr ue to the hotel 's heritage, making a stay her e the ultimate in r omance.
Butlers provide customized ser vice for each suite. There is a small landscaped r ooftop
pool and a spa that can arrange individualiz ed treatments with the utmost discr etion.
Residents also hav e the benefit of eight ex ceptional dining choices in house. A stay at
Raffles is an event in itself.
1 Beach Rd., Singapore 189673. & 800/232-1886 in the U.S. and Canada, or 65/6337-1886. Fax 65/6339-
7650. www.raffleshotel.com. 103 suites. From S$907 (US$608/£408) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Next to City Hall
MRT. Amenities: 8 restaurants; 2 bars and a billiar ds room; outdoor pool; health club w/Jacuzzi, sauna,
steam, and spa; c oncierge; free airport transfers; room service; babysitting; personal butler ser vice. In
room: A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-room VCR, fax, high-speed Internet, minibar, hair dryer.
The R itz-Carlton, M illenia Singapore No one could accuse the Ritz-
Carlton of looking like just another international hotel. A little less than 3 hectar es (7
acres) of landscaped grounds give a sense of peace, despite its busy M arina Bay location.
Inside the award-winning Kevin Roche's building, the lobb y and public ar eas showcase
extraordinary art: Hockney and Warhol brush shoulders with more than 4,000 works by
international artists. You can't miss Dale Chihuly's vivid glass tendrils, which exude from
the walls of the lounge and r estaurant areas on either side of the lobb y. Guest rooms are
quiet and larger than most in S ingapore, and each has stunning vie ws of either the Kal-
lang or M arina bays. D ecor and furnishings ar e sumptuous and comfor table, from big
wood-posted beds dressed in crisp white linens, to lounges, walk-in closets, and, for Club
rooms, even Bulgari toiletries. Best of all are the huge octagonal picture windows placed
next to the bathtub in ev ery room, surely the most luxurious way possible to unwind
after a long day's business or sightseeing.
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