Prestige Citi presents LUXE City Guides The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated traveler www.luxecityguides.com

Singapore may be but a dot on the world map, but don’t be fooled by the size of the city, which packs an entire country’s worth of punch.

Once Asia’s role model for prim and proper, the Lion City has dynamically reinvented herself into a fast and furious force to be reckoned with. The skyscraper-laden city is also wonderfully lush and green, refreshingly clean and tidy, and spaciously laid out but easy to get around in. A uniquely spicy melting pot, Singapore is made up of a spectacular blend of cultures, resulting in world-renowned and fabulously eclectic cuisine, diverse avenues of retail opportunity, and a hip, happening nightlife scene. Compact and convenient it may be, but this city’s heart is large and in charge.

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Singapore is fabulous for two A 10% service charge is added at main reasons – great shopping most restaurants and bars, but and fantastically eclectic cuisine it’s still nice to round up

There are two types of weather Not all stores do GST rebates, here: wretchedly hot and humid, but if they do, you’ll be given a or wretchedly hot, humid form to hand in at the airport and raining GST counter

Changi Airport to CBD by taxi: 30 Mall, mall, mall, mall, this town mins / ~SG$20 has malls everywhere

Taxis are affordable, but vanish Hawker centers might look drab in rain and peak hour, though and lack air conditioning, but you should book at all times. they can’t be beat for delicious Most taxis will take credit cards local fare, so be brave (10% surcharge)

International country code for The MRT is super clean, efficient Singapore is +65 and goes most places

Dial 100 for directory enquiries; English is spoken just 104 for international, and about everywhere police is 999

The currency is the Singapore dollar and there are banks and ATMs everywhere

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LUXE insider

Loh Lik Peng

Awarded the ‘Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2011, Loh Lik is an hotelier and restaurateur who also serves on Singapore’s Tourism and National Heritage Boards. Since opening his first property in London in 2000, Loh Lik has amassed a total of 14 award-winning hotels and restaurants all over the world, including Restaurant ANDRE in Singapore, Waterhouse at South Bund hotel in Shanghai, and Town Hall Hotel & Apartments in London.

restaurantandre.com waterhouseshanghai.com www.townhallhotel.com

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LUXE insider

Loh Lik Peng

1) What’s the one thing every visitor to Singapore must do and why?

I think checking out a hawker center is a must – eat like a local! A good place to start is perhaps Smith Street and/or Maxwell Road. They are both authentic and also centrally located with plenty of very good stalls, but I always tell people to avoid Newton Circus hawker center… it’s terrible.

2) What do you most love about Singapore and why?

I love the green spaces and parks such as the Botanic Gardens, MacRitchie reservoir and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Gardens by the Bay!

3) Where do you recommend friends stay?

Boutique hotels all the way! New Majestic Hotel, Naumi, Wanderlust, Scarlet Hotel – there are plenty of very good options in Singapore nowadays. www.newmajestichotel.com • www.naumihotel.com wanderlusthotel.com • www.thescarlethotel.com

4)What’s your favorite museum or exhibit in Singapore and what do you love about it?

I love the Asian Civilizations Museum and the Peranakan Museum. For art, my favorite by far is the Tyler Print Institute. And best for children? Definitely the Philatelic Museum. www.acm.org.sg/home/home.asp • www.peranakanmuseum.sg www.stpi.com.sg • www.spm.org.sg

5) Where do you go for bespoke or antique shopping, and what’s your favorite neighborhood for a day of retail?

I deal with Mr. Keng on Craig Road or CK from CK Collections in Little India for really good vintage and antique pieces, Kevin Seah to get clothes tailored, and I think the best spot for a day of shopping is Haji Lane in Singapore’s Muslim quarter. CK Collection / 586 Serangoon Rd / +65 6293 2301 www.kevinseah.com.sg

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LUXE loves

Hotel

Fullerton Bay Hotel

Swap the downtown bustle for the Fullerton Bay’s decadent, deco-inspired suites, most with balconies overlooking the Marina Bay waterfront and floor- to-ceiling windows. The Andre Fu- designed Clifford brasserie is excellent, and Lantern bar on the roof offers dazzling panoramas by the pool.

1 Fullerton Sq / 80 Collyer Quay / +65 6333 8388 www.fullertonbayhotel.com

Dining

Restaurant ANDRÉ

Sitting pretty at the heart of the city’s haute-cuisine scene, this 3-story 1920s building houses chef’s tables, a private atelier, wine cellar and main dining room, where André Chiang turns out 8-course French degustation menus. Extremely popular, so book ahead.

41 Bukit Pasoh Road / +65 6534 8880 / lunch Tue-Fri, dinner Tue-Sun / degustation menu only www.restaurantandre.com

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LUXE loves

Bar Shopping

Ku Dé Ta Ana Boutique

Don’t come for the food, but do come Aussie label-haven stocking for the best vistas in Singapore – established and emerging brands from occupying 40,000 sq ft of rooftop Down Under, like flirty, feminine Fleur space, this Bali import is the spot for Wood and cult favorite Zimmermann. sky-high alfresco drinks at sunset. Catering to ‘the country that has Later on, the space becomes a club, so no seasons’, the two-level shop only dress to impress. stocks summer wear, and also carries in-house label Ana Vu. North Tower / / 1 Bay Avenue / +65 6688 7688 / from noon daily / no shorts, slippers, 86 Club Street / +65 6221 2897 / singlets or tank tops www.anaboutiques.com www.kudeta.com.sg

Spa Activities

Remède Spa National Museum

Modern, airy and sumptuous pleasure Beautifully restored C.19th building for palace with heated marble wet lounge, an introduction to Singapore’s history, Zen garden for outdoor soaks and ‘living galleries’ about local food, customisable East-West menu (try the fashion, art and film, plus rotating art black olive scrub or the warm jade exhibits. Peckish? Novus restaurant massage), plus hotel pool access and serves up modern European fare to champagne and chocolate too. hordes of hungry museum-goers, but book ahead. The St. Regis Shanghai / 29 Tanglin Road / +65 6506 6896 93 Stamford Road / +65 6332 3659 / www.nationalmuseum.sg

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LUXE loves

Shopping Bar

Julinda Chia Morgan Royal Room

A local go-to for bespoke jewelry, Occupying 3,000 sq ft on the ground Julinda creates bold and beautiful one- floor of the Pan Pacific Hotel, this off pieces that combine 18-carat gold, luxurious, velvety members-only platinum or silver with precious gems champagne and cocktail lounge is in every hue to extraordinary effect. where the Lion City’s VIPs and CEOs can be found after hours. Call Julinda for an appointment on +65 6344 8165 / Pan Pacific Hotel / 7 Raffles Blvd / www.julinda.com +65 6374 0205 / closed Sun / a good concierge should get you in

Dining Dining

Straits Kitchen East Coast Lagoon Food Village The city’s best local street food in a sleek designer setting, complete with Admittedly, the lack of air con, stark marketplace buffet and fiery show strip lights and plastic plates aren’t for kitchens. Inspired by Singapore’s everyone, but hawker centers really myriad culinary influences, everything are the best way to sample Singapore’s from Laksa to Beef Rendang to wonderfully varied cuisine – this one Hainanese Chicken Rice is cooked offers sand and sea views and is fresh to order. famed for its pepper crab, so pull up a stool and enjoy. Grand Hyatt / 10 Scotts Road / +65 6738 1234 / all day daily / 1220 East Coast Parkway www.singapore.grand. yattrestaurants. com/straitskitchen

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LUXE loves

Activities Dining

Collectors Contemporary Hua Yu Wee A bit of a trek to get here, but this A lofty, modern space for the sale and fluorescent-lit, plastic chair-packed exhibition of global contemporary restaurant keeps Singapore families standouts both emerging and coming for stellar Sino fare and established, featuring artists like Ed excellent chilli pepper crab. No air-con Ruscha, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy outside, and the inside’s drab – but Warhol among others. you’re here for the food.

#01-03 Petro Center / 5 Jalan Kilang 462 Upper East Coast Road / +65 6442 Barat / off Jl Bukit Merah / +65 6878 9313 / dinner daily 0103 / 11am-7pm Tue-Sat / www.collectors.com.sg

Activities Shopping

Singapore Tyler Print Dean & Deluca Institute (STPI) Fab shopping and fantastic cuisine If you prefer your art in print and come together with the arrival of this paper form, STPI is the jackpot, with New York-based gourmet giant. Famed an art gallery of expertly curated for its multi-national and imported exhibits spanning all types of printed artisan ingredients, D&D Singapore media, and collaborations with is stocked full of cheeses, meats, emerging and established artists. produce and more, plus an onsite café There’s also a printmaking workshop and bakery, all conveniently located in and paper mill, all housed inside a retail hub Orchard Road. restored 1920s warehouse. Unit 24 / Level 4 Orchard Central / 181 41 Robertson Quay / +65 6336 3663 Orchard Rd / +65 6509 7708 / 10am-6pm Tue-Sat, Mon by appt www.deandeluca.sg only, closed Sun / call ahead to book a studio tour www.stpi.com.sg

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LUXE loathes

Weather

This is a four shirt per day kind of city, so come prepared

Boat Quay

Overrated tourist trap of noisy bars and alfresco dining

Lah

On the end of everything, lah

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Drab vs. Fab

Shopping Cuisine Historical Tours

Eschew the city’s ubiquitous malls for Navigating Singapore’s famed hawker Why learn about the city’s history with a visit to the lovely local, independent food centers on your own can be fun, your head down in a book when you shopping hubs, like the string of but take a gourmand tour with K.F. can simply call Geraldene Lowe and stores on Purvis Street or on C l u b Seetoh of Makansutra, the guru of Diana Chua for a personal tour – they Street in Chinatown. hawker food and you’ll find all the are encyclopaedias of local history, and city’s very best bites. if you book well ahead, their tours can be tailored to suit your interests. www.makansutra.com Geraldene +65 6737 5250 / [email protected] Diana +65 9489 1999 / [email protected]

Getting Around Private Charter

Attempting to hail a taxi in the rain or Singapore has a plethora of at peak hour can be near impossible, entertainment and interests that make so download the ‘ComfortDelGro Taxi it all too easy to forget the wonderful Booking’ app to book one and it’ll track waters surrounding the city. Get out you via GPS, or call Comfort/City Cab on the briny by heading to top marina on +65 6552 1111 or +65 6553 8888. One15 for a luxury boat charter, or rent a speedboat and jet up the coast www.cdgtaxi.com.sg with William Water Sports.

www.one15marina.com www.williamwatersports.com.sg

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LUXE ITINERARY

Romance

Where the mercury’s always high and here, grab a taxi over to Sentosa Resort the temperatures never fall, scorching for a spa session at Spa Botanica, with Singapore is a unique lover’s paradise its terrific tropical gardens, waterfall all year round. But take advantage of pool and alfresco mineral mud bath. the cooler mornings and start your day Refreshed, go for dinner now at Min with a long walk in the lush, beautifully Jiang at One-North, an atmospheric manicured Botanic Gardens, and be restored black and white bungalow sure to see the meticulously landscaped serving Chinese cuisine and well known National Orchid Gardens (open from for its mouth-watering Peking Duck. 8.30am), with over 1,000 orchid species Next, zip up the lift to Marina Bay Sands’ and 2,000 hybrids. Later, take a seat rooftop bar Ku De Ta (see LUXE Loves) at charming Au Jardin, in an elegantly for sky-high sips against the Singapore restored 1920s colonial residence, to skyline, but escape before it turns into a enjoy a lunch of fine French fare while full-fledged party pad later. Finally, retreat you look out on the verdant greenery. to your balconied waterfront suite at the For a spot of post-prandial retail therapy, romantic Fullerton Bay Hotel (see LUXE head to the Raffles Arcade and make Loves) or take nightcaps and panoramas stops at Lotus Arts de Vivre for OTT by the hotel pool at Lantern. Asian bijoux, Jim Thompson for all things silk, and upstairs Front Row for fashion- forward footwear. When you’ve put away your purse, go for a giggle on the cable car ride over to Sentosa Island (if you’re brave, take a glass-bottomed one from Mt. Faber), then whisk up the Sky Tower for choice views across Singapore, Sentosa and the Southern Islands. While you’re

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Gourmet

Singaporean cuisine is a spectacular translated into dishes like rabbit loin with blend of Southeast Asian influences – a pancetta and mustard seeds, and chef melting pot of Chinese, Indian and Malay staple foie gras jelly with black truffle flavors, and certainly reason enough to coulis. In the afternoon, amble along visit this spice-loving, taste bud-tingling the streets of Chinatown and admire the city. If you’re here for the food, start with vestiges of old Singapore mixed with breakfast at hawker center Lau Pa Sat, the new and hip, before arriving at Qi or the East Coast Lagoon Food Village Mantra for a remedial session of Chinese (see LUXE Loves) if you want sand and acupressure with Western finesse. At sea views. There’s no air-conditioning and sunset, it’s dress down, sleeves up as no décor to speak of, but dig into a bowl you head to dinner at Hua Yu Wee (see of curry laksa and you’ll instantly forget LUXE Loves) for an epic feast of chilli the drab surrounds. After you’ve eaten it, and pepper crab, followed by digestifs why not learn to cook it? At Shermay’s at the Tippling Club, where inspired Cooking School, classes are taught by mixology masters deliver cocktails in award-winning and celebrity chefs, so a charming greenhouse complete with you can put on an apron, pick up a tried- tippling terrace. Finally, check in at and-true recipe and head home with a colonial charmer , stellar souvenir. Next, get a culture fix at ex-military headquarters turned swanky the Peranakan Museum, celebrating the pied-a-terre, and take nightcaps at the unique hybrid heritage of Singapore’s Tissetanta Lounge. ancestors, before getting a taste of the city’s modern haute-cuisine scene at Restaurant ANDRÉ (see LUXE Loves). Chef André Chiang turns out 8-course avant-garde French menus following eight key characteristics including ‘terroir’ and ‘memory’, which have previously

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Business

With the mix of its old ethnic quarters, hotel pool access before going back the influx of new hip shops and eateries, to the grind. For dinner, impress your and the recent development of integrated client or guests with a reservation at resorts throughout the islands, the Lion the city’s top table Iggy’s, which has City of Singapore has risen to stand as claimed a spot on the World’s 50 Best a major international business hub. If restaurants list for four years running you’re in town for work, kickstart your day by flawlessly combining seasonal Asian with an espresso at Oriole, boasting the ingredients with classical French cooking city’s most knowledgeable baristas and technique. There are only set tasting state-of-the-art machinery. Following your menus, but with the option to order a morning meetings, take lunch at Marina vegetarian menu, this refined fusion Bay Sands’ db Bistro Moderne, where spot is every epicure’s favorite. After business people and frequent flyers alike dessert, have your concierge gain you gather for Daniel Boulud’s iconic Parisian access to members-only Royal Room classics in a smart, sophisticated setting. (see LUXE Loves), a plush, hush-hush In the afternoon, grab an hour or two lounge where you’ll hobnob with the city’s between appointments to partake in the A-list before retiring for nightcaps by the national sport of shopping – ladies beeline rooftop infinity pool at business boutique to My Mandarin Collar or We Love Yu Naumi Hotel. for bespoke qipaos, and gentlemen to Aston Blake or Victor York for tailored shirts and suits with English style and Italian flair. If you can manage it, schedule a visit to the St. Regis’ Remède Spa (see LUXE Loves) for a relaxing black olive scrub or warm jade massage, and be sure to take advantage of the complimentary

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The Essentials

Romance

Botanic Gardens Front Row 1 Cluny Rd / +65 6471 7361 / 5am- #02-08 Raffles Arcade / +65 6224 5501 midnight / check website or call for open-air concert details / Sky Tower www.sbg.org.sg 41 Imbiah Rd / +65 6276 1453 www.skytower.com.sg Au Jardin EJH Corner House at Botanic Spa Botanica Garden Visitors Center / Cluny Rd / 2 Bukit Manis Rd / Sentosa / +65 6466 8812 / +65 6371 1288 www.lesamis.com.sg www.spabotanica.sg

Raffles Arcade Min Jiang at One-North / Beach Rd / 5 Rochester Park / +65 6774 0122 / +65 6337 1886/ www.goodwoodparkhotel.com www.raffles.com/Singapore Ku De Ta Lotus Arts de Vivre (see LUXE Loves) #01-28 Raffles Arcade / +65 6334 2086 Fullerton Bay Hotel Jim Thompson (see LUXE Loves) #01-07 Raffles Arcade / +65 6336 5322 / www.jimthompson.com

Gourmet

Lau Pa Sat Qi Mantra Junction of Robinson Rd and 83A Club St / +65 6221 5691 / Boon Tat St noon-10pm Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm Sat-Sun / +branches East Coast Lagoon Food Village www.qimantra.com (see LUXE Loves) Hua Yu Wee Shermay’s Cooking School (see LUXE Loves) Blk 43 / #01-76 Jl Merah Saga / Chip Bee Gardens / +65 6479 8442 / check Tippling Club website for schedule and book ahead / 8D Dempsey Rd / +65 6475 2217 / www.shermay.com Mon-Sat / www.tipplingclub.com Peranakan Museum 39 Armenian St / +65 6332 7591 / Hotel Fort Canning closed Mon am 11 Canning Walk / +65 6559 6769 / www.peranakanmuseum.sg www.hfcsingapore.com

Restaurant ANDRÉ (see LUXE Loves)

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The Essentials

Business

Oriole Victor York Pan Pacific Serviced Suites / 96 40b Boat Quay / +65 6220 5908 / Somerset Rd / +65 6238 8348 / 9.30am-7pm Mon-Fri, 1am-4pm Sat / www.oriolecoffee.com shirts can be ready in 3 days

db Bistro Moderne Remède Spa Marina Bay Sands / 2 Bayfront Ave / (see LUXE Loves) +65 6688 8525 / Iggy’s www.danielnyc.com/ The Hilton Hotel / 581 Orchard Rd / +65 dbbistrosingapore.html 6732 2234 / lunch Mon-Fri, dinner daily / set menus only / My Mandarin Collar www.iggys.com.sg #02-04 Willyn Ville / +65 8383 5252 / www.mymandarincollar.com Royal Room (see LUXE Loves) We Love Yu #03-01 / 8 Mohammed Sultan Rd Naumi Hotel +65 6235 7781/ 41 Seah St / +65 6403 6000 / www.weloveyu.com www.naumihotel.com

Aston Blake #01-83 Millennia Walk / 9 Raffles Blvd / +65 6337 3504 / 11am-8pm daily / www.astonblake.com

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YOUR LUXE notes

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