First Class Singapore: Experiencing Luxury Like a "Crazy Rich Asian"
Singapore, known as the "Little Red Dot," offers travelers an abundance of luxury and opulence, far exceeding its size on the map. This is a glimpse into how the super-rich experience this city-state.
Five-Star Accommodation
Singapore boasts a variety of five-star accommodations.
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Marina Bay Sands: Famous for its rooftop infinity pool, the invite-only Chairman Suite is the true hidden gem.
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Capella Singapore (Sentosa): Renowned for hosting high-level international meetings, the Colonial Manor is perfect for prestigious events.
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Raffles Hotel Singapore: A historical landmark with two presidential suites.
Raffles Hotel Singapore: A Legacy of Luxury
Raffles Hotel Singapore, a world-renowned establishment, has a rich history dating back to 1887, founded by the Sarkis brothers. General Manager Christian Westbelt oversees the hotel's day-to-day operations and strategic positioning.
From its earliest days, the hotel attracted the rich and famous with its luxurious amenities and service. Celebrities like Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, and Charlie Chaplin have stayed there.
Christian emphasizes treating every guest like royalty. "Our luxury happens in the way we relate to our guests, we talk to our guests, we entertain and excite our guests." The hotel was the first in Singapore to offer air conditioning, electricity, butler service, and French chefs.
Renovations and Modern Innovations
In 2019, Raffles completed a renovation rumored to cost close to $200 million. The renovation preserved the hotel's original charm while adding modern elements to meet the demands of today's luxury travelers.
Christian gave a tour of the hotel, highlighting the Palm Court garden, a sought-after space for hotel residents. Half of the three-hectare property is dedicated to hotel residents, offering a sense of spaciousness and luxury. The hotel features 115 suites, nine restaurants, and bars.
The Singapore Sling and the Million Dollar Cocktail
Raffles is the birthplace of the famous Singapore Sling. However, the hotel also boasts the "Million Dollar Cocktail," created in the 1910s, a mix of egg white, gin sour, sweet vermouth, homemade grenadine syrup, and pineapple juice.
Declared a national monument in 1987, Raffles aims to provide guests with a unique experience. Christian explains, "The most luxurious element of any stay with us is that you get a feeling when you enter our premises that time just ticks in a different way."
Retail Therapy
Singapore offers diverse shopping options for every budget, solidifying its position as a travel destination.
Orchard Road
Orchard Road boasts over 5,000 stores along its 2.2-kilometer route. ION Orchard is a must-see for luxury labels, housing over 400 high-end stores.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands features 270 boutiques and 19 duplexes. "We pride ourselves on being the one-stop luxury shopping destination," offering everything from watches and jewelry to fashion and beauty.
The mall offers a personal shopping service to chauffeur VIPs around. The service provides multiple stylists from various brands.
Architectural Wonders
Marina Bay Sands collaborates with top designers and architects, showcasing unique and visually stunning buildings within its 74,000 square meters. The Apple Store, inspired by the Roman Pantheon, is the only floating spherical Apple Store. An underwater tunnel connects the main mall to the floating Louis Vuitton store housed in a crystal pavilion.
Rain Oculus
Designer Ned Kahn conceived Rain Oculus, a 21-meter whirlpool that is both a skylight and artwork. The collected water is recycled and fills a canal running through the atrium.
Culinary Delights: Michelin Stars and Local Flavors
Singapore is renowned for its cuisine, offering a global array of options, including 55 restaurants with Michelin stars.
Michelin-Starred Restaurants
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Les Amis: Achieves three stars, offering French cuisine with Asian twists.
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Zen: Features neo-Nordic cuisine with premium ingredients.
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Odette: Features head chef and co-owner Julian Roya, known for his signature Kampot peppercorn pigeon.
Odette and Chef Julien Roya
Julian's award-winning cuisine blends classic Asian influences with techniques learned from his French family. His restaurant, Odette, is named after his grandmother, who inspired his passion for food.
Chef Julien emphasizes using every part of the product, like using all parts of the pigeon in different dishes. He sources ingredients from artisanal, ethical, and local producers. He states, "It's the produce and the raw material, the raw ingredients that will be the starting point of any recipe."
Wine Selection
Odette also boasts an impressive wine selection curated by wine director Vincent Tan, featuring rare and expensive wines like Domaine Romain de Conti, priced at $30,000 a bottle.
Odette aims to provide guests with a welcoming and enjoyable experience. Chef Julien wants people to "feel home, have a good time, and hopefully forget about their daily worries of life as soon as they pass the door."
Must-See Tourist Spots
Singapore offers several must-see attractions.
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Gardens by the Bay: A horticultural treasure trove.
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Buddha Tooth Relic Temple: A place of worship in Chinatown.
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The Merlion: Singapore's national icon.
The Royal Albatross: A Luxurious Maritime Experience
The Royal Albatross offers a memorable and luxurious maritime experience with panoramic views. Peter Pellar redesigned the Grand Saloon multiple times. The ship features solid wooden beams that act as air conditioning ducts.
Artisans were trained for nine months to sail the ship. Past guests include celebrities and even Princess Anne. Peter says, "You really have to experience it to understand it but we really focused on the whole ambience and the setting with the mood lighting and the music and the dining experience."
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