An urban oasis set amid 15 acres of landscaped gardens, and mere minutes away from bustling Orchard Road and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the leading property of the Shangri-La group, this is where its fabulous Asian hospitality took root.
Hotel
Spanning 15 acres, the hotel’s lush, landscaped gardens house over 110 varieties of flora and fauna – from ornamental flowering trees, to aquatic plants, and vibrant tropical flowers to shady fruit trees. In the Garden Wing, a tropical oasis can be found at its heart. A visit to The Orchid, which was unveiled in 2016 to commemorate the hotel’s 45th anniversary, is a must. The striking seven-metre-tall, open-air greenhouse showcases the beauty of Singapore’s national flower. About 25 varietals also dot the hotel’s grounds – best discovered through a 30-minute, self-guided walk.
The hotel is crafted of three towers. The Tower Wing exhibits a contemporary design with an elegant Asian touch; the Garden Wing is a resort-like haven replete with private balconies with breath taking views; and the Valley Wing bids characteristic grace and is ultra-exclusive.
A renewed facelift to the Tower Wing has puffed new life into the capacious lobby. While preserving its soaring ceiling of cathedral-like extents, the colonnaded lobby now sports a striking Tree Canopy art installation highlighting metallic leaves swathed from the ceiling by Japanese designer, Hirotoshi Sawada. Neighbouring this is a massive silkscreen tapestry portraying raindrops, which forms the milieu to the magnificent check-in area.
Room
The premier balcony suites come fitted with an outdoor Jacuzzi, barbeque grill and sun lounger, on a sizeable, wraparound terrace. All accommodations come with a Nespresso coffee machine and marble bathrooms, but only certain room categories aka the grand premier room, the one-bedroom and grand suite offer an induction stove and a kitchenette.
In place of elbowing with people at The Line for breakfast, I highly endorse paying for the entry-level Horizon Club room (levels 20 to 23 in the Tower wing) for admission to the outstanding breakfast, afternoon tea as well as DIY cocktails and canapés in the evenings, at the Horizon Club Lounge.
Food and drink
Eleven restaurants and bars dot the hotel serving up a gamut of cuisines from across the globe. The Line continues to be the favourite choice for its breakfast buffet, and the one Michelin star Shang Palace for its Cantonese fare, however every outlet at the hotel offers a top-drawer experience. Located just off the lobby area is the lounge dining venue surrounded by panoramic views of the pool and was my favourite spot for tea.
The main acme of the semi-buffet lunch at the lobby lounge is that you get to pick from one of the seven main courses, which are all indigenous dishes; the a la carte is equally amazing. Go for the Bak Kut Teh, naturally sweet from pork juices, and the soup textures off with a nice piquant kick, the pork meat is also fall-off-the-bone tender. The chilli crab, with fried mantou buns is another good bet. For those who want to taste a good plate of chicken rice this is the best place.
Horizon lounge, on the 24th level of the Tower wing, prides itself on dashi-based dishes, sushi, sashimi and omakase, and with Origin Bar offering some city inspired cocktails, one is spoilt for choice.
To do
A state-of-the-art, round-the-clock gym; four floodlit tennis courts, replete with racquets, balls and apparel on rent; and a free-form swimming pool, there is much to occupy your time here. On offer is also the CHI Spa with a wooden deck and seven treatment rooms offering an array of calming body massage treatments.
You will be absolutely wowed, cheerful at crafty fixtures, up-to-the-minute and well-appointed amenities, cutting-edge design and will be elated to be staying at such an elegant space.
The three days i visited amalgamated into a mist of long, uplifting days. I speedily adjusted to the extravagant lifestyle and modest pleasures – sedentary with a book in my room or having an English Breakfast Tea at the Club Lounge, the access of which was included with our Club Suite. A total delight to unwind in such a manner.
In a nutshell
Understatedly elegant and beautifully spaced. With fresh lines and convivial seating, the décor is poised, sumptuously graceful and relaxing.
Factbox
A Horizon club deluxe room would cost approx. 475++ Singapore Dollars and a Tower wing one bedroom suite would cost approx. 800++ Singapore Dollars including breakfast.
Address: 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350
Phone: (65) 6737 3644
Website: shangri-la.com
Photography courtesy of Shangri-La Singapore
