Hotel Name: Shangri-La Hotel
Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore
If you had shown me this photo of a hotel swimming pool and palm trees and gave me ten guesses, I would not have picked Singapore. I knew that the Shangri-La was an iconic luxury hotel but I didn’t know that their Singapore hotel was set in such a tropical oasis. I was invited to stay as a guest of the hotel so I spent a night here to see for myself.
The Shangri-La Singapore is on a road that is an extension of Orchard Rd, the famed shopping street of Singapore. Looking at its location on the map I was surprised to find it so far away from the action. When I arrived I could see the logic of its location. The hotel is set on 15 acres of lush tropical gardens that you would expect to find by a beach on a tropical island.
There are three wings that make up the hotel complex; Tower Wing, Garden Wing and Valley Wing.
The Tower Wing is the original building that was opened in 1971. This is the building you see hiding behind the greenery as you approach from Orange Grove Road.
The main entrance is here which has the impressive lobby that overlooks the pool and garden.
The Garden Wing was opened in 1978 and they are the rooms that you see facing the swimming pool in the first photo.
I stayed in the Valley Wing, which is billed as a “prestigious sanctuary” in what is already a prestigious sanctuary. This is where rock stars and captains of industry go to stay. I was in a deluxe room, which is like a large studio with a separate bathroom and a little parlour rooms between them.
As you would expect it is spacious and lavishly decorated.
The bed was ridiculously comfortable; so much so that when I returned to my room after wandering around I couldn’t bring myself to do my work from the desk.
The room comes with tea and coffee making facilities, including a capsule espresso machine.
The bathroom was spacious and had a separate shower and bath, plus a toilet room within the bathroom.
Next to the bathroom at the entrance to the room is this parlour room, where you can take off your shoes and hang items.
Singapore is year-round swimming weather so I made the most of the pool. There are lounge chairs by the pool as well as in the surrounding gardens. The little valley at the back of the hotel reminded me of being in Ubud, Bali. I had to remind myself that this hotel was in the middle of Singapore.
While I was by the pool I met the roving frozen yogurt man who handing out complimentary refreshments. Don’t mind if I do, sir.
A walked into the afternoon tea room which was laid out with all sorts of amazing looking cakes and treats that I was trying to avoid the temptation. There is also a chocolate fountain.
I had breakfast in the Valley Wing. It’s a smaller buffet than the main wing of the hotel but there is breakfast menu to order so it’s the same menu.
This hotel is an all-out luxury treat, and it is easy to see why it is so popular for those wanting to make a special occasion of their visit to Singapore. For other hotel ideas read where to stay in Singapore.
For more information about Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts visit their website at www.shangri-la.com.
To view photos of my stay visit the Shangri-La Hotel photo gallery.
