As fate wills my husband and I happen to visit Singapore for the third time in four years and this not only for a stopover but for several days each time. So, we had ample opportunity for checking out what this global finance and commerce hub has to offer in terms of staying and dining in style. And you will not be disappointed in this regard!

If the question arises where to stay in Singapore when appreciating the finer things in life, the “places to be” are the Raffles on the one hand and a high-end accommodation in the Marina Bay area

on the other hand.

As to the latter, I personally would refrain from staying at the hotel adjacent to the Gardens of the Bay – I do not want to name names. And this for the following reasons. First, it is pretty far away from everything else, at least if you are on foot. Second, in my opinion it is too big and impersonal. And last, if you stay here, you will only have one of the city’s best sights on your picture if you leave the place!

After choosing the Raffles

for our first trip to Singapore – see here my review, please note that this hotel has just reopened after undergoing an extensive renovation –, my husband and I opted for the Fullerton Bay Hotel

on our second stay. It is favorably located in terms of views to be enjoyed from here and also as to closeness to top attractions and hip restaurants. In addition, it offers everything you wish for a hotel of this class, be it generous, well-appointed rooms – go for a bay view room because of the panorama –, flawless facilities – the pool/bar area on the rooftop is great – and a high service level – staff knew you by name from the second time you go for breakfast.

And now is the question where to go next after ticking off these two iconic places off your list.

After long consideration, we decided on a hotel barely twenty minutes by foot away from the one we stayed last time in the Marina Bay area, and this in the historic Tanjong Pagar district, just south of Chinatown. This hip neighborhood is a food lover’s paradise yet complete with a central location, and best of all, featuring lots of beautiful ancient shophouses lining the streets.

End of last year, Hotel Six Senses Maxwell opened here, completing the brand’s first ever city hotel project after the opening of the nearby sister property Six Senses Duxton. And it was a great choice!

The Six Senses Maxwell hotel is set in a row of colonial-style heritage houses. Exposed brickwork on the outside,

elegantly yet modernly decorated on the inside,

I loved it how the property has been magnificently restored!

In terms of facilities, there is a restaurant (Cook & Tras Social Library), which transforms into a bar by night, I adored the beautiful interiors with thousands of books that can be borrowed by hotel guests!

The breakfast, which was great, is served here. The other restaurant, Murray Terrace Brasserie, was out of business on our stay. Furthermore, there is a gym and a 25 m (82 ft) outdoor lap pool can be found on the rooftop.

Six Senses Maxwell has 138 rooms, which are – with the exceptions of suites – not huge (it is a historic building), but cleverly furnished. They are stylish and nicely decorated.

My husband and I went for the largest room category (before suites), a Terrace Room, although the narrow balcony is not of much use. It was spacious enough (36 sqm./409 sqft.), kept in ruby reds and elegant yet somewhat eclectic. The bathroom, not exactly sizable, offered astonishingly much: a retro bath tub, a large separate shower and a likewise toilet.

As to the service quality, nothing can really be criticized. And they mean well with their guests, not only a welcome drink is offered, but daily complimentary ice cream is served from a cart, a nice touch!

This hotel, only a few minutes away, is the smaller Singapore sibling of Six Senses Maxwell with fewer (49 units) and also smaller rooms. As its bigger sister, it is housed in a historic building, this time in a row of conservation shophouses.

Where to dine in style in Singapore

Six Senses Maxwell location is great if you want to indulge in the city’s vibrant dining scene. As always, my husband and I made sure that we did not have to go to the other end of town to have dinner. We did not have any troubles in finding adequate fine dining spots, with one exception, on Sunday evening when many restaurants are closed. Because of this, we headed a bit further, to the Orchard Road shopping belt area (Les Amis, a 12 minute-taxi ride), the three other dining-spots we visited could be reached in less than then minutes by foot.

I am going to briefly introduce the four restaurants, and this starting with the most casual (but still fine dining) and ending with the most sophisticated one.

Located in the super-trendy Keong Saik Road

at the edge of Chinatown, here modern European cuisine with Asian touches is on offer. This was already our second visit to the dimly-lit casual fine dining establishment (the first was in 2016), headed by the Irish chef Andrew Walsh, and we loved again what we got.

The chef has a good hand for playing skillfully with various flavors and textures without going too far. What I liked most, was the array of perfectly executed and tasty snacks at the beginning, amongst them the Austrian inspired Linzer biscuit cookie with foie gras, what an original approach!

Staff is friendly and competent, the ambiance is relaxed, and it is reasonably priced, at least for Singapore. The only complaint I have is that I wished they would have played less hard music. It was quite annoying having to listen to it throughout the whole evening!

This upscale Italian restaurant where you get authentic Mediterranean dishes with a modern touch is located in an area, which is known to be one of the most popular after-work hangout spots in town, the Club Street.

It is a new place, just opened late last year. Chef Marco,

from the south of Italy, knows his stuff, my Melanzana, an arrangement of caramelized eggplant, ricotta, parmesan and pine nuts,

was super tasty, also my raviolis were a hit and the tiramisu was one of the best I ever tasted. And the place’s character is convincing as well, urban modern with an open cuisine, and the chef, a likeable guy, took his time after dinner to talk to us.

Are you into progressive cooking? Then this new restaurant, opened late 2018, is the place for you! Think of author’s cuisine, which calls itself boundless and where only the chef’s vision is the determining factor. Or have you ever heard of a menu where all the dishes are inspired by black and white? And what about two successive courses invoking a sense of déjà-vu? All this and more can be found at this ultra-modern, minimalist restaurant,

located at Frasers Tower

and helmed by the Colombian chef Fernando Arévalo. There is a sole menu, either with six or eight courses, and it has its price, but it is totally worth it, at least if you like well-made avant-garde cooking. The chef is a wizard weaving some pretty special magic, what showed most in the first two courses looking absolutely identical yet being completely different from each other, once white beetroot with burrata and yoghurt foam,

the other wood ear mushroom with bone marrow and mushroom potato mousse. While I considered the experience as a pure foodie’s delight, I found it a pity that they did not serve any bread. I am fully aware that you usually eat too much of it, especially at the beginning, but maybe it would be a good idea to bring it in after the first one or two courses as I have noticed it with others chefs recently.

When seeking a restaurant for a special occasion and that is open on a Sunday evening at the same time, we came across the award-winning Les Amis restaurant (2 Michelin Stars, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, ranked 33^rd) serving classic French cuisine. While we had been a bit apprehensive about what to expect – we had been unsure whether the high prices promised a comparable performance –, we were pleasantly surprised! Not only had we a memorable evening with the best hospitability you can imagine but we had a truly exquisite meal, however I still think it is price wise a bit over the top. In this context, you have to acknowledge that everything is very elaborate, e.g. all the ingredients are imported from France as many of them are rarely available in Asia. In terms of interiors, it is an impressive place with high ceilings, velvet panels on the walls and an elegant feel.

And as to the food, I adored the richly stocked bread trolley accompanied by a heavenly butter!

This is the place to go if you are into authentic yet sophisticated French cuisine without chichi, best illustrated by our main course, wagyu beef tenderloin with side dishes in quite generous portions (pommes soufflés & carrots).

In case you are a lover of (French) wines, you will be astounded by the extensive wine list and the beautiful wine cellar, my husband was blown away when having the chance to cast a glance at all these “trouvailles”!

The post Singapore for (repeat) visitors being into staying & dining in style first appeared on Swiss Traveler

 

Exterior by night

 

The Raffles Singapore is not only a luxury hotel, but an iconic one. This can be claimed without exaggeration. It was first opened in 1887 and it is named after the founder of Singapore. A century later, the Singapore Government declared it a National Monument. Nowadays, no trip to this city is complete without visiting the Raffles, and be it only for a Singapore Sling at its famous Long Bar where this drink was created. The hotel ranks as the perfect blend of luxury, history and colonial design.

Multi-story atrium lobby

 

I start with this topic because our arrival at the Raffles left a lasting impression and proved an old saying right: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. When our two families got there after arriving at the airport at 6 AM after a 12-hour flight, we were tired and hoped that there would be a chance to change into lighter clothes at a decent place. Not only was this granted, but we were also invited to a full breakfast by the hospitable German guest relation manager, what a touch! Throughout our stay, this friendly gentleman took care of us, inquiring about our wellbeing or exchanging a few words with us. This was highly appreciated by us! But this was not the only highlight in terms of service. Time and again, we got the feeling that the staff at the Raffles goes the extra mile to achieve guest satisfaction.

Hallway (photo credit by Raffles)

 

When the Raffles was opened in 1887 it overlooked the beach, which is hard to believe nowadays! Because today it is surrounded by ultramodern skyscrapers in the heart of the business and civic district about fifteen minutes away by foot from the Marina Bay. It is a small green oasis amidst a vibrant high tech city.

Main building from the back with palm court

 

It is breathtaking arriving at the main entrance, where liveried Sikh doormen welcome you, entering the lobby, which seems to be unaltered by time, and admiring white marble colonnades around a multi-story atrium. The Raffles is all about old world elegance and charm, felt in almost every spot, so that you get a deep sense of a by-gone-era, beautiful! It is such a nice thing to sit on the veranda in front of your room enjoying the view of lush tropical gardens with the colonial buildings in the background.

Veranda in front of the Palm Court Suites

 

 

Long Bar with famous Singapore Sling (photo credit by Raffles)

 

 

Palm Court Suite (photo credit by Raffles)

Staying at the Raffles Singapore with its fantastic colonial ambiance is a wonderful experience. The old world charm of this small oasis in the middle of the ultra modern city is captivating. Another plus is the high service level, you feel well looked after by motivated and well-trained staff. The current restoration works will ensure that this grand heritage will be preserved, but also adapted at the present time in some aspects.

Exterior with liveried Sikh doorman

Date of stay: July 2015

Singapore is known as a global commerce, finance and transport hub. You find there everything what makes a modern city, but it also is influenced by its different inhabitants which coming from China, Malaysia and India; and there also is a large group of workers and expatriates from all over the world. In addition, Singapore excels due to its tropical climate, tasty food, good shopping possibilities and a vibrant nightlife scene. Therefore, it is the perfect springboard into the region of Southeast Asia.

Boat Quay & Central Business District

This island city-state has – of course – a lot to offer for discerning travelers. The number of luxury hotels and superb fine dining spots is impressive. What I find especially interesting is the varied restaurant scene. It is heavily influenced by the many nationalities living there and therefore a unique mix between east and west. After looking into where to stay as demanding traveler, I will go into more detail on where to eat.

When it comes to which location to choose in Singapore, I would suggest that you go for a hotel near the Marina Bay because by doing so you are close to the major attractions and many restaurants. Having said this, I would not opt for the hotel adjacent to the Gardens of the Bay – there you are away from almost everything.

There are numerous luxury hotels in Singapore, which is not surprising …  Here are the two we picked out for our vacation.

Exterior of Raffles

 

2. Fullerton Bay Hotel: perfect location, modern luxury

When we were in Singapore just a few weeks ago (our son does an exchange semester there), we opted for an even more favorably situated, contemporary hotel, the Fullerton Bay Hotel. Also this hotel’s performance was convincing. The room – go for a bay view room because of the view – is nicely equipped, there is a great pool/bar area on the rooftop and the staff is eager to please you.

View of Bay from Hotel Room Fullerton Bay Hotel

 

After having clarified where to stay, I am going to outline where to eat when looking for restaurants offering high-quality, modern and tasty food. I have to admit that we did not eat at the hotels mentioned, for various reasons. Mostly, it had to do with the style, the ratings with TripAdvisorand/or the price level.

As a fan of innovative restaurants – although not such where the chef’s head is too much in the clouds –, where checks are not excessive, I can recommend the following ones. The places are divided into the categories of dinner, light lunch and other establishments in order to cover not only gourmet restaurants, but also places for a quick bite, especially for ones who have a sweet tooth – as I have it.

2. Cure: modernist cooking in relaxed atmosphere

3. National Kitchen byViolet Oon: real local food in a truly unique setting

4. Izy: modern Japanese

5. Halia at Raffles & Singapore Botanic Gardens: great locations, interesting menu

There are two Halia Restaurants, one in the Raffles Shopping Arcade, the other in the Botanic Gardens, both suitable for casual dining. They have similar menus, which are interesting, a bit off the beaten path. Dishes are well prepared and tasty, although portions are rather small and a little pricey. The atmosphere is pleasant – especially with the outlet in the green.

You have the best views of the city from this bar/night club on the 63^rd floor, but that’s it. You have to pay an entrance fee including a (weak) drink. Most of the tables are reserved, even if you arrive early and there are few people. But when asking, we were assigned a table. Go there for the unrivalled 360-degree views of the island, but not for a pleasant bar experience.

View of Gallery & Bar at 1-Altitude to Marina Bay Sands

8. Southbridge: perfect bar

9. Cold Stone Creamery: made-to-order ice cream

In this ice cream shop they have a unique way to do ice cream. Ice cream is mixed with your choice of ingredients like fruits, nuts, cakes a.s.o. on a cold stone. This is certainly a new experience and yummie, too.

10. Tiong Bahru Bakery: top quality bakery goods

11. SweetSpot: fine patisserie

out of business

If you want to satisfy a sweet craving, go there and make your choice. They have a fantastic range of quick bites, sweet and savory. It is located in the lobby of tower 3 in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

12. Non Entree Desserts: fancy creations

out of business