Singaporeis both a hotel tradition embodied in truly historic monuments, and a bold vision of the future. It's the timeless elegance of the Rafflesand the exaggerated modernity of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS). The use of the most great architectsbased on the traditional precepts of feng shui. These apparent paradoxes, and an acute sense of hospitality, have made the destination one of the most dynamic and qualitative on the international hotel scene. With - almost invariably - MICE infrastructures to match. Here's a look at some of the many good places to stay in the City-State. Or those that will be opening in the coming months...
Marina Bay Sands
There are establishments whose size and style change the profile of a destination. Such is the case of the Marina Bay SandsIts silhouette, firmly planted on its three towers, is indisputably one of the symbols of Singapore. But a small revolution is underway, and we must now prepare ourselves for a new postcard of the City-State. Visit "MBS is going to set up a fourth round. The project - in which the original architect of the complex is involved - has yet to be refined. But we already know that this new tower is set to focus on the MICE segment, including an Entertainment Arena for events.
Yet the MBS complex is already well equipped, with no fewer than six exhibition halls and four Hybrid Broadcast Studios, the largest of which can accommodate up to 6,000 face-to-face participants. The hybrid offering has even moved upmarket over the months, and has been perfected with the widespread use of holograms and 'mixed reality' technologies.
Expected for 2026the fourth tower of the Marina Bay Sands should also include almost a thousand rooms, all of which are expected to be suites. And anyone who has been to the top end of the MBS - suites with pool tables or a private karaoke room with state-of-the-art hi-fi - is bound to be impatient to discover the resort's new tower... The Marina Bay Sands thus confirms the move upmarket already initiated with the vast renovation plan undertaken not only to the rooms - their number has been reduced from more than 2,500 to around 2,200 - but also to the resort's restaurants and shops. A renovation clearly placed under the sign of luxury, and which will be completed at the end of the year. 2023.
The Marina Bay Sands is therefore looking to the future with even greater ambition, riding on a recovery in MICE activity that began in mid-2022. " The first half of the year was characterised by uncertainty and fragile customer confidence, while the second half saw an upturn in customer confidence. rapid growth in MICE activitieswith customers eager to engage their respective communities It's a very special event," says Ong Wee Min, vice-president in charge of sales and MICE at Marina Bay Sands. He goes on to say that the Marina Bay Sands has organised no fewer than 2,164 events last yearHe is optimistic about the future, thanks in particular to the experience gained during the crisis: " The challenges we faced during the pandemic have made us even stronger, both as a venue and collectively as an industry. ".
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay
With the inauguration of the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, the UOL Group has made green its primary colour. And is justifiably proud to claim the first "garden in a hotel. "From March to December 2020, 33 million have been invested to transform the Marina Mandarin hotel into the Park Royal Collection Marina Bay Singapore."says Kigston Too, from the school's marketing and communications department. " For this transformation, the hotel's owners and designers opted for rejuvenation rather than destroying and rebuilding the hotel. They have therefore retained the building as a whole, with its atrium, and have thus saved 51300 tonnes of CO2. This carbon emission saving is equivalent to save 8.7 million trees, more than there are in Singapore. This coincided with the launch of the new Parkroyal Collection brand, focused on sustainability" Kingston Too explains.
The project has been a success: as soon as you open the doors of the hotel, you are plunged into a lush oasis, with a sense of calm that is much appreciated in such a dynamic business destination. The attention to detail of the Parkroyal Collection's management is evident down to the smallest detail. Like the exotic birds - or birds that look like exotic birds - brought to their individual cages each day by the venerable 'Uncle Chia' to make their gentle vocalizations in the middle of a verdant lobby. And to ensure that the efforts of the Parkroyal Collection delight all the senses of travellers, they can find local produce on their plates. The establishment is home to theone of the largest urban farms in the business districtIts vegetable garden supplies the hotel restaurant with over 60 varieties of vegetables, aromatic herbs and edible flowers.
The Parkroyal Collection's commitment to responsible business practices obviously extends to the MICE sector, another of the hotel's strong points, with constant attention paid to reducing the carbon footprint and tracking down all forms of waste. Particularly popular with government groups because of their ease of access, the meeting areas on the 1st floor comprise eight rooms which, combined, form the Garden ballroom. Another function room has taken up residence on the 5th floor, while the spaces on the 6th floor - a new reception room - have been refurbished. ten rooms - have the significant advantage of being bathed in natural light, thanks to their balcony.
Continuing to grow, the UOL Group will do it again in 2023 through its other brand: Pan Pacific. Another green establishment (7,300 m² of foliage) will be built in a highly strategic location in the City-State. The Pan Pacific Orchard will take the form of a 347-room urban resort. The new address will feature four landscaped terraces, whose names already set the scene: Forrest Terrace, Beach Terrace, Garden Terrace and Cloud Terrace. Cloud Terrace will cater to the MICE market with its 420-seat ballroom.
In the same vein of urban resorts combining luxury and greenery, theArtyzen Singapore will also open its doors this year. The 142-room establishment will feature a rooftop garden and a suspended swimming pool.
Indigo Singapore Katong
In keeping with the specifications set by IHG for its lifestyle brand, the hotel Indigo Singapore Katong advocates an authentic experience, based on a decor rooted in the destination. The establishment has therefore drawn on the peranakan culture - a source of inspiration so aesthetically rich that we couldn't imagine anything but a resounding success - to pay tribute to it with colour and finesse. Strolling through the establishment is a pleasure for the eyes. And taking a dip in the rooftop pool overlooking Singapore does nothing to detract from the charm of the establishment. For the more pragmatic, the hotel is also close to a number of key centres for business travellers, including Singapore Expo and Changi Business Park, with the international airport just a 15-minute drive away. When it comes to meetings, Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong targets small meetings: by combining meeting rooms Joo Chiat 1 and 2, organisers can invite a maximum of thirty participants.
A busy schedule of openings
On the strength of these different assets, Singapore is nevertheless continuing to strengthen its catalogue, as shown by the schedule of openings expected this year. And the French group Accor is set to shine particularly brightly. The brand Pullmanwell known to business and MICE customers, will soon be joined by a second representative. Visit Pullman Singapore Hill Street (342 rooms) is expected in the middle of the year. In a completely different vein, Accor will be launching the Mondrian (302 rooms) next month in the trendy Duxton Hill district.
The Group Hilton is also helping to boost Singapore's hotel capacity with the opening of a new Conrad. The second local representative of the luxury brand is taking up residence in a former Regent Hotel on Orchard Road. It will be targeting MICE clients in particular, with 1,500 m² of meeting space. These are due to open early next year, along with the hotel's 440 rooms. The gastronomic section is already open, with around ten bars and restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Summer Palace.
Orchard Road will therefore - once again - be in the spotlight over the coming months. Especially as a hotel EDITION is also expected to open this autumn. The luxury lifestyle hotel co-developed by Marriott and Ian Scharger will add 600 m² of meeting and event space, in addition to the hotel's 190 rooms. The EDITION hotel will also feature five bars and restaurants, and a rooftop swimming pool. Not far from here, The Standard (143 rooms) is due to open in 2023. And the Crest Collection of the Ascott Group will be making its debut in Singapore at the end of the year. "The Robertson House by The Crest Collection will replace the former Riverside Hotel Robertson Quay.
