Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INEXPENSIVE
Hotel 1929
Finds
This trendy, inexpensive little place is a real gem in Chinatown,
operated by the same people behind the swish N ew Majestic. Though its target mar ket
is very different, there are some clues to the shared parentage in its love of vintage chairs
and retro design. The hotel's shophouse location means that rooms are small and quirkily
shaped—many of the toilets ar e extremely close to the sho wer, but clever design and an
eye for detail makes for pleasant, well-organized spaces with real personality. Some of the
cheapest rooms have no windows, and facilities ar e limited to a J acuzzi and sun deck—
though its busy and sometimes noisy location doesn 't really lend itself to sunbathing.
Staff is friendly and helpful, and the E mber restaurant is popular.
50 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089154.
&
65/6347-1929.
Fax 65/6327-1929. S$200 (US$134/£90) double;
from S$350(US$235/£158) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk to Outram Park MRT.
Amenities:
Restaurant;
Jacuzzi.
In room:
A/C, TV, minibar, hair dryer.
81
3
ORCHARD ROAD AREA
VERY EXPENSIVE
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
The Four Seasons has a r esidential atmo-
sphere, and ther e's a sense of intimacy and peace that 's unusual among international
hotels. The hotel is smaller than many of its competitors, and the personable staff deliv-
ers ultraefficient ser vice. Located just off O rchard R oad, extensiv e gar dens block out
much of the sights and sounds of the city center . As well as the elegant pools, ther e are
indoor and outdoor tennis cour ts (with a r esident professional), a spa, and fully staffed
fitness area. A 2008 refurbishment has added state-of-the-art entertainment systems and
plasma TVs. Premier r ooms and suites ar e huge, with antiques and ar tworks selected
from the F our S eason's large collection. S uperior r ooms ar e also unusually large and
comfortable, decorated in tasteful ivory and chestnut with high ceilings and the kind of
comforts that come at a pr emium else where. Consider a standar d room here before a
suite in a less expensive hotel.
190 Orchard Blvd., Singapore 248646.
&
800/332-3442
in the U.S., 800/268-6282 in Canada, or 65/6734-
1110. Fax 65/6733-0682. w ww.fourseasons.com. 254 units . S$550 (US$369/£248) double; fr om S$720
(US$482/£324) suite. AE, DC, MC, V. 10-min. walk t o Orchard MRT.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; bar; 2 out-
door pools w/adjac ent Jacuzzis; 2 out door lighted tennis courts and 2 indoor air- conditioned tennis
courts; Singapore's best equipped fitness center; spa w/sauna, steam, massage, and full menu of beauty
and r elaxation tr eatments; c oncierge; airpor t transf ers; r oom ser vice; bab ysitting; smoke -free r ooms;
executive-level rooms; billiards room.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite programming and in-r oom laserdisc
player w/complimentary disks available, Wi-Fi, minibar, hair dryer.
Shangri-La Hotel
On 6 hectar es (15 acr es) of tr opical gardens, the Shang's
750 rooms are spread across three wings, each tailor ed to meet the needs of differ ent
travelers. The vast lobby features columns that rise up from the marble floor, and a series
of spar kling chandeliers o verhead. The Tower Wing r ooms ar e aimed at the business
traveler, with modern blond wood, unclutter ed appearance, and large wor k areas. Bay
windows offer floor-to-ceiling views over the city. Leisure travelers prefer the tropical feel
of the Garden Wing, where large rooms have balconies that overlook the gardens. Celeb-
rities, government leaders, and high r ollers favor the ultraex clusive Valley Wing, which
has a separate priv ate driveway and entrance, butler ser vice, complimentary champagne
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