The special asians style of kindness and hospitality finds its expressions in the New Majestic Hotel, located in the heart of Singapore’s Chinatown.
An open-concept period-inspired lobby shows the imaginative possibilities of this marriage of old and new, or “heritage chic”, as the luxury hotel calls its particular design savvy, which also takes into account its period furniture dating from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Individually designed rooms, 30 in all, continue the mix of vintage and designer furniture, customized baths, and can include private gardens and six-meter ceilings in attic-style suites. Five rooms have also been personalized by some of Singapore’s most influential talents from cinema, theatre and fashion. Every detail from bedding (the New Majestic calls it a “bedscape”) to bathroom (freestanding copper tubs) has been re-imagined. Some rooms feature floor to ceiling mirrors; others feature aquarium-themed transparent bathrooms and a great pool.
Back downstairs, The Majestic Restaurant is a sleek reinterpretation of one of Singapore’s favourite Chinese dining rooms and serves modern Cantonese cuisine.
History: the Republic of Singapore, is a southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.
The island country -63 islands- is highly urbanised with very little primary rainforest remaining, although more land is being created for development through land reclamation. Singapore is the world’s fourth leading financial centre, and its port is one of the five busiest ports in the world. The economy depends heavily on exports and refining imported goods.
Singapore has four official languages: English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.
Location of the place: At the edge of Chinatown, the New Majestic is a convenient 20 min drive from the airport, and short walk away from the Outram Park MRT station. The city is located just five minutes drive from the hotel.
Resto tip: Blue Ginger
Inside a restored Chinatown shophouse with antique stained-glass windows, Blue Ginger specializes in the distinct local cuisine called Peranakan, a mix of Chinese and Malaysian influences. Also known as Nonya, Baba, and Straits Chinese, this piquant hybrid cooking style was reportedly born in the 19th century, when visiting Hokkien merchants first took local Muslim brides. Regardless of their origins, Peranakan dishes are fiery and unexpected. Pork is stewed with cinnamon bark; prawns are sautéed in coarse black pepper. Ayam buah keluak is a chicken dish flavored with “Indonesian black nut,” which, when combined with spicy chiles, makes a rich, almost chocolaty sauce reminiscent of Mexican mole. The signature dessert, chendol, a stew of red beans topped with crushed ice, coconut milk, and palm sugar and laced with durian puree, tastes as weird as it sounds—but don’t miss it.
Its worth it.
Resto tip #2 in Singapore Jaan:
The restaurant Jaan is located on the 70th floor of the Swissotel, and as you might expect has a spectacular view over the city. There has been considerable change in the kitchen in the last couple of years and we are always say hello to new faces.
The carpeted dining room had around a dozen well-spaced, large tables, and there was rather unnecessary muzak playing in the background. There was a rather incongruous industrial feel to the ceiling of the room, which doubtless was the result of careful and expensive interior design.
In addition to the a la carte menu there were five and eight course tasting menus, the 30 pages wine list was presented on an iPad rather than on paper, and included wines such as Chablis Domaine St Claire 2008.
Lets start to talk food.
It started with crisp salmon skin with lemon snow and lemon cream with lamb bacon.
A further amuse-bouche was cep sabayon with fresh walnuts and lovage and displayed in a cafetiere was a wild mushroom tea poured out at the table by the waiter, the cep sabayon itself was excellent. Breads are made in the kitchen and consisted of a series of rolls: black truffle brioche, black olive roll, sourdough roll and baguette. The breads were pleasant.
A single scallop had nice flavour but was was a bit overcooked, served with a pea puree and a watery tarragon nage. Boudin blanc of young pheasant had pleasant texture but surprisingly little flavour, served with rather tasteless small trompette mushrooms and a little Madeira sauce. Hmm. Later on we had rib of beef thas was really yummy, served with artichokes, confit tomatoes. Caramelised honey pear was pleasant enough, served with a good ginger ice cream and butter shortbread.
All in all a nice experience but not starcuisine.
Special airport:
For the 18th year in a row, Singapore Changi has been voted the best airport in the world. Its the airport#1 for its overall soothing ambiance, its intuitive layout and friendly staff.
You spend too much cash on luxury things in Singapore, no problem. The airport continues to impress travellers with its comfort and long list of activities.
At Club Changi, travellers can sleep in special relaxation zones that feature reclining lounge chairs and padded seating. After a nap, travellers can connect to the internet using the free WiFi and internet stations, enjoy a free city tour of Singapore, join a cultural activity or walk in one of the seven gardens. Other airport amenities include a movie theatre, music and TV lounges, a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, 24-hour massage and spa facilities, video games, and a 4-storey slide. This year the airport introduced the Social Tree, an interactive attraction designed to share and remember your Changi experiences.
Travellers rave about Changi’s 6 rest zones with special reclining sleep seats. They are popular watch out, if they are busy, showers area available.
The sheer volume of activities and amenities left some transit travellers wondering if they has just arrived at a shopping mall or resort rather than an airport. With its themed gardens, cultural activities, world-class shopping, spas, swimming pool, gym, lounges, 4-story slide, movie theatres, TV lounges, entertainment deck, and free Singapore city tour, a layover here is not likely to be boring. Travellers can enjoy free Wi-Fi and recharge all their gadgets at one of over 800 mobile charging points. In July, the airport opened the Wellness Oasis spa in Terminal 1. The unique feature here is the fish spa that exfoliates your feet and legs. As for sleeping in between flights, there is a transit hotel and lounges with napping rooms and showers. Travellers most appreciate the dedicated rest & relaxation zones. There are currently 6 areas set up with reclining lounge style seating. Often busy and sometimes noisy, these areas are appreciated by those travellers who are not so comfortable stretching out on seats at the gate.
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