Singapore is a city with an incredible story. A small country, born in the British Colonial times, that has become a world leader in finance, shipping and trade and now tourism. One can easily stay for two weeks or more and barely begin to scratch the surface of what this amazing destination has to offer. The hotel that makes an elegant base to check out this vibrant destination is the Four Seasons Singapore.
Singapore’s British Colonial past is evident throughout this exuberant and multicultural melting pot. It seems that the world comes together in Singapore with a large expat population of Aussies, Brits, and other Europeans co-habiting with Singaporeans of Malaysian, Indian and Chinese descent.
This vibrancy has created an exciting mélange of cultural experiences only to be found in Singapore from the food to entertainment. The city in a short time has become a mecca for both business and pleasure travellers.
First time visitors to Singapore will find it easy to navigate around town. Everything is relatively close with a bustling downtown financial district area and nearby Marina Bay Sands casino and conference centre. Other areas of town worth a visit include India and China town where the remnants of British Colonial times are on display in the architecture of the buildings.
A bit further away in the south west is the amusement park and beachside island of Sentosa. For the high-end shopping area filled with glitter malls and tony shops look to Orchard Road. It is the Rodeo Drive of Singapore and just happens to be steps from the Four Seasons.
Years ago wise city fathers set the goal for Singapore to be a green city so there are wonderful city parks all over the city and natural reserves for a short walk during lunch or to get lost in for hours such as the park near the hotel.
There’s something about this place, the Four Seasons Singapore. The doorman seems to remember every guest who enters and greets them with a sincere smile and hello as they come and go while offering assistance along the way.
Indoors is cool and chic as one would expect. This is the Four Seasons in one of the top destinations in the world for both business and leisure travellers; all of whom you’ll see in their bespoke business suites or dressed to the nines for an evening on the town.
The hotel guests gather in the first floor bar 190 for cocktails before dinner or during the day for their renowned afternoon tea. Just beyond is an outdoor terrace and the place for a nice bite of lunch, an al fresco terrace surrounded by lush foliage.
The hotel was recently renovated with a multi million dollar update from famed American interior design firm, Hirsch Bedner. Now the décor is exquisite with a rich colour pallet of mocha, beige and ivory with the decadent chinoiserie touches throughout.
The Four Seasons does the big things well, as well as the smallest of details. From the towering fresh cut flower arrangement in the entrance to their noteworthy collection of 1500 original Asian art pieces located throughout the property, the hotel exudes a refined hotel experience.
The hotel’s 255 room and suites are contemporary and modern with an Asian and British Colonial aesthetic. Warm earth tones along with Asian artwork and accent pieces as well the elegant furnishings provide a comfortable environment. The view from the upper floors is excellent overlooking the Singapore skyline.
All the rooms are spacious with the latest technology and mod cons for the worldly traveller. The decadent marble bathrooms are spacious with separate shower and large bath. The Executive Suite is a perfect place to stay and stretch out for a week of comings and goings at over 800 square foot.
The hotel is family friendly as well but not on the 11th floor which is reserved for adults only. In addition, the hotel is pet friendly so the pooches are welcome although there is a fee attached for the service.
The Four Seasons is known throughout Singapore as having one of the top dining experiences in the city. Any time of day locals mix with hotel guests at the hotel’s two gourmet restaurants or in the lounge.
The Jiang-Nan Chun is their signature restaurant serving authentic Cantonese cuisine where one must of course have their Signature Peking Duck roasted over a mesquite wood fire and served with caviar.
The flavours of each dish compete with the restaurants delicious décor with antique Chinese doors and walls and artefacts and bold accents of jade and oxblood colour.
One Ninety is their award winning all day dining restaurant serving western and Asian cuisine, as pots rattle, meats sizzle, and steam rises in a flurry of activity from the open kitchen. One of their many specialties are Singaporean specialities like spicy laksa and warm noodles and other gourmet dishes from their apple-wood fired grills, brick pizza oven and tandoori oven.
At any time of the day or evening you’ll find hotel guests gathering at the One Ninety Bar and Terraza for a light bite or cocktail. The terrace is a wonderful spot to take in some fresh air in a garden-like setting.
This is really a complete urban oasis with all the amenities one could want, and all done at the Four Seasons standards. The hotel has two outdoor pools, one family friendly and one adult only, one of which is located on the 20th floor for sweeping panoramic views of the city skyline. There’s also a large full service fitness centre with state of the art facilities as well as air conditioned tennis courts.
For a bit of a more relaxing few hours, visit the Four Season’s spa. It’s a massive spa spread over two floors and the first L’Occitane spa in the city. There you’ll find a full complement of Asian and European treatments to revitalize the most road weary of bodies.
There’s so much to do and see in the area and Singapore is small so everything is either a short walk from the hotel or a short taxi ride away. The National Museum is nearby with a diverse range of exhibits from culture, politics and even street food.
The 175 acre Singapore Botanical Gardens is close too with an endless variety of flowers and gardens as well as beautiful ponds with black swans and a great place to get lost for a few hours. One area there worth a visit is the National Orchid Garden, Singapore’s first UNESCO World Heritage site, which showcases more than 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids, in fact they’ve been cultivating orchids there since 1928.
As the night goes down, Singapore holds its own to other big cities as far as entertainment is concerned, with Boat Quay filled with a gaggle of bars and bistros and clubs. Singapore also always seems to be hosting some type of major international event from Formula One races to BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore tennis championships and a full schedule of concerts and events.
If you haven’t been to Singapore, you’re a bit behind on your “must visit” travel list. This ultra-modern destination has it all for the most seasoned of travellers. From the exotic location, vibrant city life and great outdoor spaces. The ideal place to stay in the most pampering of accommodations is the Four Seasons Singapore.
Address: 190 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore
Phone: +65 6734 1110
