Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
7 Raffles Ave., Singapore 039799.
&
800/241-3333
in the U.S. and Canada, 800/241-33333 in Australia,
800/241-33333 in New Z ealand, 800/234-000 in the U .K., or 65/6337-8888. F ax 65/6338-0001. w ww.
ritzcarlton.com. 610 units. S$475 (US$318/£214) double; from S$681 (US$456/£306) suite. AE, DC, MC, V.
10-min. walk t o City Hall MR T.
Amenities:
3 r estaurants; lobby lounge; out door pool; health club w/
sauna, st eam, and massage; out door Jacuzzi; c oncierge; airpor t transf ers; r oom ser vice; bab ysitting;
smoke-free rooms; executive level rooms; outdoor lighted tennis court.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite pro-
gramming and in-house movies, high-speed Internet, minibar, hair dryer.
73
EXPENSIVE
Carlton Hotel Singapore
This Carlton property comprises two buildings, the
26-story Main Wing and the 19-story Annex Wing. Leisure travelers will be most inter-
ested in the lower-priced superior and deluxe rooms in the Main Wing. While rooms in
both categories are the same size, deluxe rooms have broadband Internet access in-room,
a flatscreen TV, plus marble bathr oom decor (superiors ar e humble ceramic tile). The
Annex houses pr emier deluxe rooms, which, for a pr emium, feature larger bathr ooms
with separate bath and sho wer stall, an in-r oom safe to fit y our laptop, and access to a
coin-operated launderette. All public spaces hav e been upgraded as w ell, including the
lobby entrance, alfresco coffee shop, and tiny wine and cigar r oom. The location, in the
center of the historic district, is gr eat. Ask for a r oom with a vie w of the city, but try to
avoid the building noise from the Carlton's new Executive Wing, due to be completed in
2009.
76 Bras Basah Rd ., Singapore 189558.
&
65/6338-8333.
Fax 65/6339-6866. w ww.carltonhotel.sg. 627
units. S$315 (US$211/£142) double; from S$500 (US$3350/£225) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk to City
Hall MRT.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; lobby lounge; outdoor pool; health club w/sauna, st eam, and mas-
sage; concierge; airport transfers; room service; babysitting; smoke-free rooms; executive-level rooms.
In
room:
A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-house movies, minibar.
Grand Park City Hall
Formerly the Grand Plaza Parkroyal and the Parkroyal on
Coleman Street, this property changed hands in 2007. B uilt on top of (and incorporat-
ing) 2 blocks of pr ewar shophouses, there are still hints of shophouse detail thr oughout
the lobby. Renovation of the public ar eas, including the lobb y, restaurants, and spa, ar e
newly completed, and executive rooms are due to be refurbished by the end of 2009. The
hotel is located at the corner of Coleman and Hill streets, close to the Armenian Church,
the Asian Civilisations M useum, and F ort Canning P ark—plus ther e's a shuttle to
Orchard Road. Guest rooms are of smaller siz e than av erage, have decent closet space,
and sport sharp Italian contemporary furniture in natural tones, with homey touches like
snuggly comforters on all the beds.
10 Coleman St., Singapor e 179809.
&
65/6336-3456.
Fax 65/6339-9311. w ww.parkhotelgroup.com/
gpch. 326 units . S$336 (US$225/£151) double; fr om S$500 (US$335/£225) suit e. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min.
walk to City Hall MRT.
Amenities:
3 restaurants; lobby lounge; outdoor pool w/view of Armenian Church
across the str eet; health club; spa w/Jacuzzi, sauna, st eam, and massage; c oncierge; airport transfers;
room service; babysitting; executive-level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite programming, minibar.
5
Hotel InterContinental Singapore
InterContinental has brilliantly incorpo-
rated a block of prewar shophouses into its design. While the hotel remains unmistakably
modern and efficient, it 's been admirably successful in infusing signatur es of the local
Peranakan style, evident in the car ved panels dotted ar ound the hotel, and the use of
ornate fabrics and por celain in the vivid Peranakan palette. Deluxe rooms on the upper
floors are large, pleasant, and w ell equipped, but in my vie w, it's worth paying extra to
get one of the S hophouse rooms or suites in the original par t of the building. Although
they are slightly smaller, they have been beautifully and atmospherically renovated, with