 A COLLEAGUE recently paid more than $2000 to spend a single night at
one of the great hotels of the world. It's a blow-your-mind amount,
but he explained it somewhat sheepishly in much the same way
explorers explain why they risk life and limb on an outlandish feat:
because it was there.
Fortunately, you don't have to spend anywhere near that amount to
live like a king, to be waited on by discreet butlers, to be
collected at the airport by limousine and have your every whim
indulged.
A clutch of fine hotels in Asia offer service and style that is
so legendary that they need no introduction. They're simply known as
The Pen, Raffles, Oriental, Shangri-La ... and they'd be delighted
to welcome you and me, even if only for one unforgettable night.
RAFFLES HOTEL
1 Beach Rd, Singapore
NOEL Coward slept here, as did Charlie Chaplin, Ava Gardner,
Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and a bevy of
beautiful people.
Some have suites named after them, many have visits commemorated
in the little museum, a light and airy room in the shopping arcade
full of fascinating tidbits of Raffles' place in history at the
crossroads of Asia.
Although draped in colonial finery, this grande dame isn't a
musty relic. A full restoration has retained the grandeur of white
iron lace and dark polished floors, marble bathrooms and cool
verandahs just made for sipping Singapore slings as the sun goes
down.
Yet, seamlessly incorporated within, are all the modern touches
required by travellers today, from spa to pool to computer access
and wonderful restaurants. For butler service, just press the bell:
he or she will be there in an instant, to give your clothes a quick
press or arrange a private dinner in your suite's dining room.
 Raffles
Hotel Singapore
Raffles Hotel is the grand old dame of buildings in Singapore, located
on Beach Road. Nevertheless its location is within the colonial district
where much of Singapore's colonial heritage lies. |
THE FULLERTON
1 Fullerton Square, Singapore
NEARBY is another Singapore institution, The Fullerton, once the
GPO and the largest building in Singapore. Its solid presence,
towering Doric columns, coffered ceilings and liberal use of stone
and marble were designed to show the world that Singapore had
arrived.
Now, the majestic building is dwarfed by high-rises and the
traveller must look within to see why its conversion into a hotel
caused so much excitement.
An atrium lobby soars eight storeys, but most regulars are too
busy people-watching in the ultra-cool Post Bar to look up.
Those who prefer peace can choose from the restaurants and
bistros overlooking the Singapore River and the historic civic
district, or retreat to their guest room or suite and sink into the
largest and highest beds I've encountered.
Then, there are the enormous bathrooms with their slick Phillippe
Starck bathroom fittings New Asia at its contemporary best.
 Fullerton
Singapore
Lying at the forefront of Raffles Place, Singapore's financial and
business district, Fullerton Singapore is 25 minutes from Changi
International Airport, and enjoys close proximity to Singapore's vibrant
riverside entertainment belt. This 400-room award-winning luxury hotel
successfully blends the old and new to present an unsurpassed
world-class accommodation experience for business and leisure
travellers. |
THE ORIENTAL BANGKOK
48 Oriental Ave, Bangkok
ANOTHER venerable institution that's had a complete makeover is
The Oriental, once a seamen's lodge on the banks of the Chao Praya
River.
It, too, can boast that Somerset Maugham slept here, and has
preserved the age of whirring fans, louvred windows, potted palms
and elegant tea service in the two-storey, 1876-built Authors'
Residence that celebrates four of the greats: Joseph Conrad, James
Michener, Noel Coward and Maugham.
In fact, so many authors liked to bed down in the Oriental's
rooms that they've converted suites in the River Wing so you, too,
can sleep (in the non-literal sense) with Graham Greene, Norman
Mailer, Gore Vidal and John Le Carre or, if you like pink, Barbara
Cartland.
But if your fascination with their lives ends at the local
library, opt instead for the contemporary riverfront elegance of the
other River Wing suites or the pretty rooms in the Garden Wing. All
have views of the tropical garden or bustling river, the same
discreet and attentive service and an address which is the envy of
Bangkok.
 Oriental
Hotel Bangkok
The historic and legendary Oriental Bangkok is located on the banks of
the Chao Phraya River. It enjoys a well-deserved reputation for
distinguished hospitality in a country house atmosphere. The hotel is an
ideal meeting place for celebrations, seminars and conferences as it has
ideal facilities and also operates a restaurant in a wonderful location
nearby. The hotel offers 393 spacious accommodations that are elegantly
appointed for the utmost comfort. It also offers personalized service
that adapts the needs and assures the pleasure of each moment of one's
stay. This is a place where one can enjoy total relaxation and have a
rendezvous with cheerful experience. |
THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL Orange Grove Rd, Singapore
THE secret of the mystical Shangri-La, wrote James Hilton in Lost
Horizon, is its "elixir of longevity for all who live therein".
Certainly, if you could live in the sanctuary of this hotel's
Valley Wing you might lower your stress levels and elongate your
life. No luxury has been forgotten; no request is too trivial for
its guests, who include presidents and prime ministers.
Sweep up the private driveway in the hotel limousine, enter the
foyer with its 8.6m high mural of misty Tibetan mountains and you
have arrived in your own Shangri-La.
There are the complementary champagne and canapes in the lobby
bar, and breakfast on Wedgwood in the private Summit Room; the
elegant guestrooms said to be among the biggest in the city; deep
baths with their own LCD television; impeccable and discreet
service, and 6ha of cocooning gardens. But it's the little touches
that stand out: jasmine tea delivered before you ask after a hard
day's shopping on Orchard Rd, and the special amenities for women
guests.
This is an exclusive wing without the formality or clubbiness of
the Club floors a real sanctuary in one of Asia's great cities.
 Shangri-La
Hotel Singapore
The Shangri-La Hotel Singapore is one of the worlds most renowned
hotels, strategically located in the heart of the island city, a short
stroll from the main entertainment and shopping belt of Orchard Road.
Each of the Shangri-La Hotel's guest rooms and suites has been
tastefully decorated and designed to give you maximum comfort, privacy
and relaxation throughout your stay. |
THE PENINSULA
Salisbury Rd, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
THERE is an elegance about The Peninsula that defines the term
"this is living". From the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur fleet that serves
for airport transfers to the beautifully appointed rooms, The
Peninsula is luxury and comfort.
Suites have spectacular views across the harbour to Hong Kong
Island and in some even the spa baths have windows so you can enjoy
the view while you bathe.
Centrally located on Kowloon, the hotel exudes quiet refinement
inside contrasted by the bustle and noise of the famous neon-lit
Nathan Rd outside. This hotel is such an icon that, even if they
don't stay there, people still drop in for a drink in the lobby or
afternoon tea in The Verandah.
And, to top it off, there's the helicopter service from the roof,
which is available for airport transfers and sightseeing.
You can continue your enjoyment in Beijing where there is a
sister hotel The Peninsula Beijing.
The Peninsula doesn't so much offer a service as an experience
one that should be tried at least once.
 Peninsula
Hotel Hong Kong
Location The legendary Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong is located in
the heart of Kowloon's business and entertainment district, overlooking
the Victoria Harbour. Three of Hong Kong's most important cultural
attractions such as the Cultural Center, Hong Kong Museum of Art and the
Hong Kong Space Museum are close by. |
DUSIT RESORT HUA HIN
1349 Petchkasem Rd, Cha-am, Petchburi, Thailand
THE ex-prime minister's holiday mansion is next door, the king's
holiday palace just up the road so when you stay at the Dusit
Resort Hua Hin in Thailand, you enter a rarefied world of class.
The resort itself is a sprawling beachfront compound with huge
pools, ponds, restaurants and all with impeccable service.
The foyer is a study in opulence; the flower arrangements alone
look like they're worth a king's ransom.
Whether relaxing in the spa or hitting a ball on the tennis court
or golf range, calling for limousine service or choosing between its
five restaurants and bars the peace of this gem overlooking the
Gulf of Thailand will envelop you.
And here's a tip: when all the luxury gets too much, just walk
down the beach to a small thatched hut with plastic tables on the
beach and enjoy delicious Thai meals with a smile.
 Dusit
Resort Hua Hin
The Dusit Resort Hua Hin is situated on a commanding and unspoilt
beachfront area, which retains its reputation in preserving the Cha-Am
Hua Hin aristocratic tradition. The main location of the hotel faces the
sunrise side of the Gulf of Siam, which is an easy drive from many other
tourist spots. This resort provides 300 guestrooms with private
balconies overlooking either the nearby sea or the beautiful garden.
Every room is equipped with the latest luxuries of a modern lifestyle
and the hotel succeeds in delivering the best ever hospitality for its
precious guests. |
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