Singapore: Pan Pacific Hotel
This review originally ran in Emirates airline magazine words/images (c) Gilly pickup
37 levels of luxury living – that’s Singapore’s Pan Pacific hotel located in the heart of Marina Bay, a shopping haven of over 500 shops and restaurants near the Singapore River. Voted the World’s Leading Business Hotel for three years running, this blockbuster has 778 contemporary rooms and suites. All are plushly decorated in soothing tones with great views courtesy of the floor to ceiling windows.
As you might expect with a hotel like this, rooms come with all the bells and whistles you could possibly need – as well as a few you probably don’t. Roll those credits for remote controlled window roller blinds, IDD telephone with voicemail and data port, flatscreen television with 36 channels, Herman Miller ergonomic chair and spacious work desk, wireless Internet access, the latest automatic Bartech mini bar, marble bathroom with separate shower and bath configuration and abundant toiletries by ‘YU’I’, an abbreviation of the Japanese word ‘Yuiitsu’ signifying a bond. In Mandarin it means ‘friendship’ or reads as ‘You and I’.
As you might expect with a hotel like this, rooms come with all the bells and whistles you could possibly need – as well as a few you probably don’t. Roll those credits for remote controlled window roller blinds, IDD telephone with voicemail and data port, flatscreen television with 36 channels, Herman Miller ergonomic chair and spacious work desk, wireless Internet access, the latest automatic Bartech mini bar, marble bathroom with separate shower and bath configuration and abundant toiletries by ‘YU’I’, an abbreviation of the Japanese word ‘Yuiitsu’ signifying a bond. In Mandarin it means ‘friendship’ or reads as ‘You and I’.
Those fortunate/rich enough to be able to afford the hotel’s roomy Presidential Suite are able to enjoy even more extras including mood lighting, Bose home entertainment systems, Pharo whirlpool tub, steam room, wooden sauna, pillow menu, a Hollywood style pop up television in the bedroom and a round-the-clock pantry stocked with all manner of tasty things including ice cream.
The hotel’s six prize winning restaurants which consistently find their way into ‘Singapore’s Top Restaurant’ lists include classy ‘Global Kitchen’, a white-walled eating space complemented by marble floors and elegant dark wood fittings which offers Asian and European selections. On Saturdays, all-you-can-eat high teas for $32 offer classic temptations like delicate finger sandwiches, scones, French pastries and local temptations including fried carrot cake and Nonya kueh, which are traditional desserts made from ingredients like coconut milk, palm sugar and pandan leaves. Under the ‘Petit Gourmet’ programme, it costs a dollar for each year of their age for children up to 12 years to eat here.
At the top of the hotel on level 37 famed for its panoramic views is ‘Hai Tien Lo’, a circular Cantonese restaurant with a priceless Chinese porcelain collection. Guests can choose between a la carte or set menus and at weekends, the all-you-can-eat brunch is popular with residents and non residents alike. It features up to 60 highlights including classic dim sum, roasts, noodles, rice, soups, meat, seafood and a stunning variety of desserts.
Japanese restaurant ‘Keyaki’ on level 4 is approached through a typical Japanese garden and footbridge over a koi pond. The key design feature here is the wood, assembled using a traditional Japanese architectural system of building without using nails. Guests can choose to eat in the main dining room or in a semi-private dining area. Cuisine here is top notch and those who are greedy, hungry or just love Japanese food can unwind with a ten-course brunch. From sashimi, steamed egg custard and assorted tempura to deep-fried sand borer, sea urchin with seaweed salt and teppanyaki beef or pork, the only problem is deciding which to choose. From $60 per person it is a good deal.
Sophisticated Zambuca Italian restaurant and bar is on level 3. Opulent black silk panels, ebony fittings and a floor-to-ceiling wall of sparkling black quartzite make this the place to celebrate a special occasion. The menu here is a clever combination of Asian truffles, traditional risotto, classic game dishes and fishing-net-fresh seafood. Cosy banquettes are perfect for people-watching while the main dining area features a modern glass private dining room perfect for events or dinner parties.
After all that indulgence, the swimming pool with underwater acoustics is an attractive option, or those who prefer their exercise to be a little more serious may prefer one of the two tennis courts or round-the-clock gymnasium with state-of-the-art equipment. Or, of course, you could just chill in the spa.
Hover cursor over images for captions and click to enlarge
The hotel’s six prize winning restaurants which consistently find their way into ‘Singapore’s Top Restaurant’ lists include classy ‘Global Kitchen’, a white-walled eating space complemented by marble floors and elegant dark wood fittings which offers Asian and European selections. On Saturdays, all-you-can-eat high teas for $32 offer classic temptations like delicate finger sandwiches, scones, French pastries and local temptations including fried carrot cake and Nonya kueh, which are traditional desserts made from ingredients like coconut milk, palm sugar and pandan leaves. Under the ‘Petit Gourmet’ programme, it costs a dollar for each year of their age for children up to 12 years to eat here.
At the top of the hotel on level 37 famed for its panoramic views is ‘Hai Tien Lo’, a circular Cantonese restaurant with a priceless Chinese porcelain collection. Guests can choose between a la carte or set menus and at weekends, the all-you-can-eat brunch is popular with residents and non residents alike. It features up to 60 highlights including classic dim sum, roasts, noodles, rice, soups, meat, seafood and a stunning variety of desserts.
Japanese restaurant ‘Keyaki’ on level 4 is approached through a typical Japanese garden and footbridge over a koi pond. The key design feature here is the wood, assembled using a traditional Japanese architectural system of building without using nails. Guests can choose to eat in the main dining room or in a semi-private dining area. Cuisine here is top notch and those who are greedy, hungry or just love Japanese food can unwind with a ten-course brunch. From sashimi, steamed egg custard and assorted tempura to deep-fried sand borer, sea urchin with seaweed salt and teppanyaki beef or pork, the only problem is deciding which to choose. From $60 per person it is a good deal.
Sophisticated Zambuca Italian restaurant and bar is on level 3. Opulent black silk panels, ebony fittings and a floor-to-ceiling wall of sparkling black quartzite make this the place to celebrate a special occasion. The menu here is a clever combination of Asian truffles, traditional risotto, classic game dishes and fishing-net-fresh seafood. Cosy banquettes are perfect for people-watching while the main dining area features a modern glass private dining room perfect for events or dinner parties.
After all that indulgence, the swimming pool with underwater acoustics is an attractive option, or those who prefer their exercise to be a little more serious may prefer one of the two tennis courts or round-the-clock gymnasium with state-of-the-art equipment. Or, of course, you could just chill in the spa.
Hover cursor over images for captions and click to enlarge
