Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
84
The Best of Singapore's Spas
In the mid-1990s, spas began making a splash in the Singapore hotel scene. By
the millennium, every luxury hotel was either planning a full-blown spa facility
or at least off ering spa ser vices t o its r esidents. A t the same time , da y spas
sprouted up in shopping c enters, and despite the economic downturn, these
businesses have stayed afloat. Now the Singapore Tourism Board is positioning
Singapore as an urban spa hub in S outheast A sia, luring visit ors fr om the
region and beyond with luxurious facilities that go abo ve and beyond the call
of relaxation and hedonistic pampering. Here are the best among the many:
Singapore's most celebrated spa,
Amrita
(The Fairmont, Level 6, 2 Stamford
Rd.;
&
65/6336-4477;
and Swissôtel Merchant Court, Level 2, 20 Merchant Rd.;
&
65/6239-1780;
www.amritaspas.com), is operated by Raffles International
and has proven so wildly successful that the hotel chain has opened Amritas in
Germany, S witzerland, and bey ond. This flagship spa at The Fairmont is the
largest spa in Singapor e, with S outheast A sian-inspired int eriors and tr eat-
ments—over 1,000 to choose from.
Amrita is c onvenient if y ou want t o stay in the cit y center; however, if y ou
want more of a r etreat spa experienc e,
Spa Botanica
(2 Buk it Manis Rd., The
Sentosa;
&
65/6371-1318;
w ww.spabotanica.com) is a gor geous pick . I t is
located at the S entosa, a sc enic r esort dripping with laid-back , y et elegant
tropical Southeast Asian decor. Spa Botanica has 6,000 sq . m (64,583 sq. ft.) of
designated spa space, with pools, mud baths, and treatment pavilions nestled
in lush gardens. Treatments center around natural recipes for beauty and relax-
ation, including spice and floral treatments.
5
EXPENSIVE
Concorde
Formerly Le Meridien, this Orchard Road hotel has been losing its appeal
in r ecent y ears, but the ne w management pr omises a major r enovation pr ogram will
restore its former glor y by early 2010. Club r ooms and suites hav e already been r efur-
bished, and the r emaining deluxe rooms are scheduled for similar tr eatment in 2009.
Public areas, including the impr essive atrium lobby, aren't due to change much, and it 's
a shame ther e are no plans y et to o verhaul the rather shabb y shopping ar cade outside.
Business facilities hav e a way to go to make the Concor de a gr eat choice for business
travelers, but if you're here to shop, then you can't beat this location; the Concorde's large
refurbished r ooms makes an enviably conv enient place to stash y our shopping bags
before heading to the Historic District nearby.
100 Orchard Rd., Singapore 238840.
&
65/6733-8855.
Fax 65/6732-7886. www.concordehotel.com.sg.
407 units. S$336 (US$225/£151) double; fr om S$568 (US$381/£256) suit e. AE, DC, MC, V. 5-min. walk t o
Dhoby Ghaut MR T.
Amenities:
2 r estaurants; lobby lounge; out door pool; health club w/sauna; c on-
cierge; airpor t transfers; room ser vice; babysitting; executive-level rooms.
In room:
A/C, TV w/satellite
programming and in-house movies, minibar, hair dryer.
Goodwood Park Hotel
The Goodwood Park is a N ational Landmark, built in
1900 as the Teutonia Club, and may be Raffles ' closest riv al for historical significance.
