5 hotspots to overcome post-Christmas blues
Roll off the sofa and head for these luxurious venues for the ultimate in eating, drinking, shopping and pampering
It's drinks with the top-of-the-world view at New Asia Bar in Swissotel the Stamford.There's so many options to wine, dine or have a sloshing good time in Singapore it's easy to feel overwhelmed. CNNGo rounds up some of the best places to eat, drink and make merry.
The White Rabbit at Dempsey Hill.
Dempsey Hill's the current 'it' place for dining, wining and whining about the crazy conference schedules. Formerly the British army barracks in Singapore's colonial glory days, it's now home to more than 20 hip eateries and bars. One of our Dempsey favorites is the White Rabbit, which sits in an old restored chapel and serves up fare that's almost sinful. The atmosphere's large and airy, with magnificant stained glass windows that smack of Ye Olde Britannica. The food's classic continental cuisine and the drinks are excellent. We highly recommend the macaroni and cheese with truffle sauce and the wagyu cote de boeuf if there's two or three in your party. For drinks and desserts, the vodka martinis and the White Rabbit's re-invented version of the Black Forest cake.
39C Harding Road, Singapore
tel +65 6473 9965
Restaurant: Tuesday-Sunday 12-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 11am-3:30pm
Bar: Sunday-Thursday 6pm-1am, Friday-Saturday 6pm-2am
www.thewhiterabbit.com.sg
New Asia Bar at Swissôtel The Stamford.
It's just a skip and a hop from the main APEC venue at Suntec City, but New Asia Bar will give you the best view of Singapore. At 71 stories, it's the highest bar or nightspot in Singapore with views that are unmatched. Take the express elevator from the Equinox Complex at Swissôtel The Stamford all the way to the top and watch tipsy tourists and party-goers try to make sense of its tilted 72nd floor; it slants 20 degrees downwards for that eye-in-the-sky effect. And if that's not enough to get your vertigo going, move on up to the top floor helipad for a 360-degree view of the island. With clear skies and some luck, you can see as far as Indonesia. If this sort of height's not your thing though, check out some of the best rooftop bars in town.
Swissôtel The Stamford
Level 71, Equinox Complex, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore
tel +65 6837 3322
www.equinoxcomplex.com
Amrita Spa & Wellness at Swissôtel Merchant Court.
For a mid-event break, Amrita Spa and Wellness at the Swissotel Merchant Court is a city spa with the kind of cosy resort-style facilities that makes you feel like you're no longer in the big bad city. They offer a whole menagerie of different massages and treatments, including the famous Ayurveda therapy, which comes in three different programs -- Purva Karma, Abhyanga and Shirodhara. Amrita Spa is literally equipped to take care of your body from head to toe. There are eight private treatment rooms, an outdoor jacuzzi, a free form swimming pool, a manicure and pedicure station, landscaped gardens and changing rooms with yukata, slippers and personal amenities. Fitness buffs can sweat it out at the two-story gym with attached aerobics studio. Day spa packages and both full-day and off-peak hours gym memberships are available. If you want so shop around, we're got other luxury spa options for you.
Swissotel Merchant Court
20 Merchant Rd, Singapore
tel +65 6337 2288
email amrita.merchantcourt@swissotel.com
www.amritaspa.com/swissotel_merchant_court.html
Opens daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm
Gym open daily from 6:30am to 11:00pm
Haji Lane in the Arab quarter.
There are tons of malls and mega-department stores for shopping in Singapore. The entire stretch of Orchard Road is devoted to tourist-friendly shops and international brands that would send Paris Hilton into a spending-induced stupor. But for local finds and indie labels, nothing beats Haji Lane, just off the Islamic quarters and a short walk away from Suntec City. This is where you'd see the best of local enterprises and designers, with new boutiques popping up constantly. The more established ones regularly clear inventory to make room for the newest ranges. Vintage shopping is particularly attractive here, with shops like Dulcetfig, Soon Lee and Onsofickle carrying a goodly range of 'old-is-in' merchandise.
Haji Lane, Singapore
Between Beach Road and North Bridge Road, parallel to Arab Street
The Hästens bed at the Scarlet.
If you've heard of the Hästens bed, you'd know what type of sleep experience it can deliver. But for the rest of us, the Hästens bed is handmade by the oldest manufacturer of beds in Sweden (since 1852), using only natural filling materials such as horsehair, flax, wool and pine. For the first time in Asia, the Scarlet Hotel will be bringing the Hästens bed experience to their Lavish suite, which is very appropriately named. It's fully decked out in mahogany furniture and silk drapes, while the bathroom is lined with Tavertine Nuts marble and accessorized with Schonbek gold and crystal wall sconces. If 1950s art deco opulence is not your Christofle cup of tea, then here are some other hip boutique hotels to try.
The Scarlet boutique hotel
33 Erskine Road, Singapore
tel +65 6511 3333
www.thescarlethotel.com
