I love the Capelle Singapore, designed by Norman Foster and opened in March 2009 on Sentosa Island. Set in a vast park populated by peacocks, a former British army estate whose main pavilion dating back to the 19th century has been preserved, the hotel is only a few minutes from the City, but it feels like you're in the middle of the jungle. The curving buildings blend naturally into the landscape of hills and lush vegetation. It really is a magical place. Business travellers to Singapore can easily combine work and relaxation here. Not far away, still in Sentosa, I also like the five-star Balinese-style Amara Sanctuary. Both of these hotels have excellent restaurants, The Knolls in the case of the former and Braise in the case of the latter, which are perfectly suited to business meals.
But if you're looking for a more urban atmosphere and don't have a lot of time on your hands, you're better off having a drink at 1 Altitude, a bar perched 282 metres up on the roof of a building in the Financial District. The view of the city from this terrace is breathtaking. What's more, the premises can even be hired out for corporate events. At the moment, though, "the place to be in Singapore is in Chinatown, in a splendidly renovated former colonial house. This is Restaurant André, named after its young chef, a rising star who trained in France with the Pourcel brothers and Pierre Gagnaire. His cuisine is exceptional and uncommonly creative. André is also a draughtsman and sculptor. And everything about him is original, both explosive and refined. But you absolutely must book in advance!
During the day, when I need a little inspiration, I head to the SAM, the Singapore Art Museum, housed in the former Saint Joseph's Catholic Collegiate Church. It's an all-white neo-Gothic style building, renovated to a high standard. Here you can discover young contemporary artists from South-East Asia. Not far from there, I like to wander around the Waterloo Street Arts Belt, an area where beautiful buildings have been renovated to host cultural events. But I also recommend the National Museum, which traces the history of the city and is housed in an imposing nineteenth-century building that was completely refurbished in 2006 after three years of work. You can also take a relaxing break here, or even have lunch at the Café Novus.
When it comes to shopping, one of my favourite Singaporean brands is Hansel, by young designer Jo Soh. I also buy pretty, arty and humorous clothes at the Mandarin Gallery or at Tangs Orchard, the city's iconic department stores'. I also like to shop in the old colonial quarter of Dempsey Hill, at the Beauty Emporium, for example. For a gift that's easy to choose and suitable for everyone, you can head for the best malls, where you're sure to find little sales and tasting counters for TWG, the Singaporean tea brand of the moment. It's the talk of the town and is served in all the top hotels, from Marina Bay Sands to the brand new Fullerton Bay Hotel.
Jaelle Ang's good addresses
Capella Singapore > 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island
- Tel: +65 63 77 88 88
- Internet : www.capellahotels.com/singapore
Amara Sanctuary > 1 Larkhill Road, Sentosa Island
- Tel: +65 68 25 38 88
- Internet : http://sentosa.amarahotels.com
Singapore Art Museum > 71 Bras Basah Road
- Tel: +65 63 32 32 22
- Internet : www.singaporeartmuseum.sg
Waterloo Street Arts Belt > Between Waterloo Street and Selegie Road
- Internet : www.nac.gov.sg
National Museum of Singapore > 93 Stamford Road
- Tel: +65 63 32 36 59
- Internet : www.nationalmuseum. sg
Novus > National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road
- Tel: +65 63 36 87 70
- Internet : www.novus.sg
1 Altitude > 1, Raffles Place
- Tel: +65 64 38 04 10
- Internet : www.1-altitude.com
André > 41 Bukit Pasoh Road
- Tel: +65 65 34 88 80
- Internet : http://restaurantandre.com
Hansel > 02-14 Mandarin Gallery, Meritus Mandarin Orchard, 333 Orchard Road
- Tel: +65 6337 0992
- Internet : www.ilovehansel.com
Beauty Emporium > 8 D, Dempsey Road
- Tel: +65 64 75 77 87
- Internet : www.dempseyhouse.com
TWG Tea Company > Republic Plaza, 9 Raffles Place, #01 - 22
- Tel: +65 65 38 18 37
- Internet : www.twgtea.com
