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With its stacked, biophilic design, this new hotel provides a vision for sustainable high-rise hospitality.
<figure id="attachment_135112" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-135112" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135112 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Lobby.jpg" alt="Inside the lobby at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Lobby.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Lobby-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Lobby-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Lobby-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-135112" class="wp-caption-text">Inside the lobby at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore. (All photos: Studio Periphery)</figcaption></figure>
When discussing architecture, Wong Mun Summ likes to reference “systems thinking”—a holistic form of organizational analysis that asks how systems act and influence one another within a larger system. It’s an approach that informs much of the work produced by WOHA, the much-laureled Singapore-based architectural studio Wong cofounded with Richard Hassell in 1994. His latest project, the 347-room <a href="https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-orchard-sg.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific Orchard</a> (doubles from US$340), is no exception in the way systems thinking is folded deep into the design.
Looking for all the world like the love child of a one-night stand between an Escher print and a Jenga block, the hotel rises 23 stories above the western end of the Orchard Road neighborhood, its perspective-defying silhouette a stark contrast to the more staid skyscrapers around it. And yet, despite its bulk and its room count, the hotel feels intimate, almost cloistered. Standing on a balcony of one of the admittedly compact guest rooms—most of which weigh in at either 25 or 30 square meters—there is the sensation that you’ve just checked in to a much smaller, cozier boutique property rather than one that caters to a broader market.
This sleight of hand is achieved by the novel act of breaking the height of the skyscraper into four stacked volumes, carving out an enormous 26-meter-high void within each L-shaped stack that’s open to the elements, and then inserting guest rooms and other facilities along the interior edges.
This interlocking system, Wong explains, “domesticates the scale” of a large skyscraper hotel, allowing the individual volumes to create the illusion of a more intimate setting. “You wouldn’t know that there are floors and rooms above or below you,” he says.
Each stack features a vast terrace measuring almost 1,350 square meters. They are anchored by a reception area and cascading water plaza on the ground floor; a swimming pool on the fifth story; gardens and fountains on the 11th; and a ballroom, decorative pools, and boxed garden on the 18th. Even more remarkable are the terrace ceilings, which have been entirely clad in polished stainless steel panels. Instantly, the spaces are converted into giant mirrors that reveal their landscapes and activities to the street below and that, by extension, allow the external community to interact with the hotel’s occupants. “This humanizes a skyscraper,” Wong says.
<figure id="attachment_135113" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-135113" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135113 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard-Day_Suite-Balcony_Night-view-2.jpg" alt="The balcony of a suite at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard-Day_Suite-Balcony_Night-view-2.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard-Day_Suite-Balcony_Night-view-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard-Day_Suite-Balcony_Night-view-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard-Day_Suite-Balcony_Night-view-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-135113" class="wp-caption-text">The balcony of a suite at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_135114" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-135114" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135114 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Mosella.jpg" alt="The hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, Mosella." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Mosella.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Mosella-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Mosella-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Mosella-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-135114" class="wp-caption-text">The hotel’s Mediterranean restaurant, Mosella.</figcaption></figure>
The voids also serve a less obvious, but equally crucial role: their open-air, cross-ventilated yet sheltered spaces provide passive cooling for the building and shade to the guest rooms, reducing the air-conditioning load. This feature is part of Wong’s larger concern—another instance of systems thinking at work—which is to reduce the hotel’s energy consumption, a bête noire of most modern buildings. In turn, the roof is sheathed with photovoltaic cell panels that generate clean energy to power the common areas. Rainwater is harvested to irrigate the gardens, while low-energy dry mist fans cool the air. And in the guest rooms—dressed in light woods, 400-thread count sheets, and attractive furnishings—a built-in water filter does away with single-use plastic bottles.
Meanwhile, the massive support columns at the outer corner of each terrace are lushly entwined with Javanese treebines that, over the coming years, will drop dense strands of vivid red vines like tropical maypoles. Elsewhere, the landscapers have been busy seeding the gardens with an Edenesque bounty of Norfolk Island pine, sweetly scented tabernaemontana, umbrella trees, sea hibiscus, angel wings, satin pothos, and figworts. Besides being a boon for the eyes, the dense foliage, along with the pool and water features, helps regulate the ambient air quality while absorbing carbon dioxide.
Not that Wong bashes you on the head with his greening evangelism. The architect is far too subtle for that. Instead, the Pan Pacific Orchard’s mechanical, environmental, and sustainability features are largely invisible. Most guests will only see the surface aesthetics without ever realizing the deeper functions and the systems thinking underlying the whole experience of their stay.
“When designing hotels, we are very aware that guests are looking for experiences, rather than just a place to spend the night,” Wong says. “Other hotels focus on the gold and marble lobby, but this building proposes new and better ways of living.”
<figure id="attachment_135111" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-135111" style="width: 1380px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135111 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Exterior_Day.jpg" alt="The eye-catching exterior of Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore." width="1380" height="920" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Exterior_Day.jpg 1380w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Exterior_Day-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Exterior_Day-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Exterior_Day-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1380px) 100vw, 1380px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-135111" class="wp-caption-text">The eye-catching exterior of Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_135115" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-135115" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-135115 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Deluxe-King.jpg" alt="A deluxe room at the hotel." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Deluxe-King.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Deluxe-King-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Deluxe-King-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Pan-Pacific-Orchard_Deluxe-King-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-135115" class="wp-caption-text">A deluxe room at the hotel.</figcaption></figure>
This article originally appeared in the <a href="http://www.destinasian.com/magazine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">August/September 2023</a> print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Open Plan”).

The eye-catching exterior of Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore.

A Closer Look at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore

With the recent surge of wellness properties opening on the island, it’s never been easier to reset and recuperate in style.
<figure id="attachment_134911" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134911" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134911 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-1.jpg" alt="An immunity-boosting loloh (Balinese herbal drink) of cucumber and bitter gourd at Gdas; the bedroom of a teak-walled gladak suite at The Asa Maia." width="1200" height="745" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-1.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-1-300x186.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-1-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-1-768x477.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134911" class="wp-caption-text">Left to right: An immunity-boosting loloh (Balinese herbal drink) of cucumber and bitter gourd at Gdas; the bedroom of a teak-walled gladak suite at The Asa Maia. (Courtesy of Gdas Bali; Courtesy of The Asa Maia)</figcaption></figure>
Perhaps no destination is better suited to finding balance than Bali. The confines of its size mean opposing energies constantly commingle. The island’s commanding volcanoes can humble, while its sweet floral breezes uplift. Bright and sunny Bali mornings turn into wet and stormy afternoons. And expat enclaves like Canggu and Ubud bring Western culture right alongside the Balinese-Hindu rituals of traditional village life.
This yin-meets-yang quality draws throngs of visitors to the island each year fleeing stress, burnout, and other symptoms of our frenetic world. To cure what ails them, the average wellness resort won’t cut it. They seek a more spiritual brand of self-care, purveyors of which have proliferated here of late. And while there’s plenty of snake oil to watch out for, some new spaces have managed to get it just right. You could say, they’ve struck the perfect balance.
<a href="https://theasamaia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Asa Maia</a> (doubles from US$480) in Uluwatu, Bali’s surfer paradise, is one example. Ensconced in tropical greenery, the retreat is an oasis despite being a stone’s throw from the busy surf shops, cafés, and restaurants along Pantai Padang Padang road. Its Sanskrit name means “hope beyond illusion,” representing the renewal that takes place when we feel safe enough to unmask our authentic selves. I experienced this firsthand during a private breathwork session that had me shedding tears I hadn’t known needed to be shed. Breathwork is an ancient healing modality that served the resort’s founder, Martha Booke, when she battled and overcame cancer for the second time in her adult life. Other guided experiences include meditation, hypnotherapy, and contrast therapy by way of daily two-minute dips in a 6°C plunge pool.
Every wellness experience at The Asa Maia has been carefully curated, along with the Indonesian artwork, the books in the resort library (I picked up Jellyfish Age Backwards: Nature’s Secrets to Longevity during my stay), and the copper hardware used throughout the bath facilities, chosen for its natural antimicrobial properties. Each of the 10 guest suites, which occupy a cluster of restored Javanese wooden houses called gladak, features a tub carved from salvaged Belgian bluestone used centuries ago as ballast in Dutch merchant ships. The communal dining table is also intentional, meant to bring guests together to share and celebrate their individual healing journeys. It was around the breakfast table one morning, over green juice and gluten-free banana pancakes, that a fellow guest recommended yet another newly renovated, women-only retreat center, <a href="https://escapehaven.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Escape Haven</a> (six-night retreats from US$2,495 per person).
<figure id="attachment_134912" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134912" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134912 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-2.jpg" alt="Escape Haven features a saltwater lagoon pool with a built-in fire pit; a massage treatment for two at The Asa Maia’s spa." width="1200" height="745" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-2.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-2-300x186.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-2-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-2-768x477.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134912" class="wp-caption-text">Left to right: Escape Haven features a saltwater lagoon pool with a built-in fire pit; a massage treatment for two at The Asa Maia’s spa. (Photos: Bali Interiors; courtesy of The Asa Maia)</figcaption></figure>
Located in a beautifully appointed 18-bedroom mansion in the Canggu area, Escape Haven feels a bit like a sorority house, if sorority houses also had world-class spa facilities. Having grown up with three sisters and no brothers, I immediately felt at home. Here, women of all ages come together to escape the common pressures placed on them—to get married, be good caregivers, delay aging, and so on. Norwegian retreat leader Emilie Nyman and her incredibly welcoming staff allow each woman to drop those pressures at the door, warmly embracing each one exactly where they are.
On any given week the house is full of women on specialized retreats for detoxing, healing, surfing, or Pilates. When not taking part in designated spa treatments or experiences, they gather in shared spaces for meals, yoga classes, or cozy conversations. The intergenerational groupings impart another meaningful aspect of Escape Haven. While chatting around a beach bonfire or during a cooking class, young women learn from the wisdom of their elders as older women are exposed to new perspectives from Gen Z and millennial guests. In all cases, lifelong friendships are forged here, and Emilie will often receive photos from previous groups of guests who have gathered together again.
The strong bonds guests create at Escape Haven make the ceremonial cacao send-off all the more emotional. Women take turns blessing each other’s cups, sending specific messages of love and encouragement so that drinking the cacao feels like drinking all that supportive energy. A guided meditation follows, and the ceremony concludes with endless rounds of tearful hugs and a bittersweet celebration of shared growth and healing.
<figure id="attachment_134913" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134913" style="width: 1380px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134913 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-3.jpg" alt="A two-story pool villa at Gdas Bali overlooks the paddy fields of Ubud’s Mas village." width="1380" height="920" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-3.jpg 1380w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1380px) 100vw, 1380px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134913" class="wp-caption-text">A two-story pool villa at Gdas Bali overlooks the paddy fields of Ubud’s Mas village. (Courtesy of Gdas Bali)</figcaption></figure>
But perhaps the part of Bali most synonymous with holistic healing is Ubud. Located in the island’s central foothills and awash in ancient temples and fluorescent rice paddies, Ubud has plenty of retreats to choose from. But two newcomers stand out, not least for the famous names attached to them.
American reggae-rock musician Michael Franti and his wife, Sarah, opened <a href="https://www.soulshinebali.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Soulshine Bali</a> (doubles from US$320) in 2016 as a gathering space for close friends. In 2022, however, they expanded with 33 new guest accommodations so others could experience the healing that takes place there. Peace and playfulness exist side by side here. I loved the barefoot luxury, colorful lounge, and communal pool with sunny accents, like the adults-only waterslide. The rooms, on the other hand, induce calm, with each designed to feel more like your best friends’ guesthouse than a resort.
Just up the road is <a href="https://gdasbali.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gdas Bali</a> (doubles from US$300), the new all-vegan wellness resort from music mogul Russell Simmons. Inspired by Simmons’s own healing journey in Bali, guests are treated to a Balinese purification ceremony at Tirta Empul Temple before consulting with a local balian usada, or traditional plant-based medicine specialist, who gives feedback on health conditions in order to curate an appropriately tailored retreat. When the 27-room property completes its wellness center—the largest in Bali—later this year, guests will benefit from a wide menu of East-meets-West therapies ranging from massage and meditation to hyperbaric chambers, cryotherapy, and IV drips.
Reflecting on my experiences at each retreat, I realize they all share a palpable, come-as-you-are hospitality that reveals the secret to living a balanced life: learning to be okay with who you are in any given moment. Feeling accepted by others in that space between settling and striving helps you internalize that acceptance, and imparts an ability to find balance both in Bali, and beyond.
<figure id="attachment_134914" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134914" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134914 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-4.jpg" alt="Michael and Sara Franti at their recently upsized wellness resort, Soulshine; dragon fruit limeade and cauliflower poppers at Escape Haven." width="1200" height="745" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-4.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-4-300x186.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-4-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Bali-New-Wellness-Retreats-4-768x477.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134914" class="wp-caption-text">Left to right: Michael and Sara Franti at their recently upsized wellness resort, Soulshine; dragon fruit limeade and cauliflower poppers at Escape Haven. (Photos: Bali Interiors; Adam Rasyid)</figcaption></figure>
THREE MORE PLACES TO RECHARGE IN BALI
<a href="https://www.revivoresorts.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Revīvō Wellness Resort</a> 
Nestled in a three-hectare teak forest in the hills of Nusa Dua, this 16-suite property provides a tranquil setting for reviving guests through movement, mindful practices, and nutrition. As well as the regular spa offerings, there’s IV vitamin infusion therapy, a hydrotherapy circuit, and a far-infrared and dry charcoal sauna.
<a href="https://fivelementsbali.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fivelements Retreat</a> 
Its verdant riverside grounds near Ubud are rejuvenating in their own right. But Fivelements also blends traditional Balinese healing philosophies with a modern, holistic approach to wellness, with specialists on hand to guide guests through meditation, yoga, somatic therapy, vibrational healing music, and more.
<a href="https://www.comohotels.com/bali/como-shambhala-estate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">COMO Shambhala Estate</a> 
This longstanding five-star refuge above the Ayung River combines a natural jungle setting with expert spa and wellness facilities. Programs include yoga, Pilates, meditation, rice field walks, massages and body care treatments, and nutrition-optimized cuisine.
This article originally appeared in the <a href="http://www.destinasian.com/magazine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">August/September 2023</a> print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Calm and Get It”).

A two-story pool villa at Gdas Bali overlooks the paddy fields of Ubud’s Mas village.

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<h5>Why stay?</h5>
While the term “iconic” may be overused when speaking about Tokyo’s landmarks, The Okura is without question an establishment that lives up to its icon status. Indeed, it occupies a special place in the city’s modern history. Originally launched as the Hotel Okura Tokyo ahead of the 1964 Olympic Games, the original property was a modernist masterpiece that captivated design aficionados the world over. So when the owners announced a complete rebuild in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics, there were fears the landmark’s inherent charm would be lost. Happily, the 2019 rebirth strikes a perfect balance between maintaining the artisanal elegance of its predecessor and bringing the storied hotel into the 21st century, embodying the old-meets-new ethos of Tokyo itself.
<h5>The neighborhood</h5>
The Okura is located in the skyscraper-filled Toranomon business district, a corner of central Tokyo frequented by the city’s elite and affluent. Notably, the American Embassy lies just down the road and the U.S. ambassador’s residence stands across the street from the hotel entrance. A 10-minute stroll to the south will bring you to the upscale neighborhood of Roppongi, home to countless fine-dining restaurants and world-class galleries. Three metro stations—Kamiyacho, Toranomon Hills, and Roppongi-itchome—are all within easy walking distance from the hotel, while another two can be found about 15 minutes away on foot.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-135118 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Prestige-Corner-King-Room.jpg" alt="A Prestige Corner (King) room at The Okura Tokyo." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Prestige-Corner-King-Room.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Prestige-Corner-King-Room-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Prestige-Corner-King-Room-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Prestige-Corner-King-Room-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h5>The feel</h5>
Don’t be fooled by the sleek glass-and-steel facades of the two towers that make up the property. Stepping into The Okura Tokyo feels like traveling back in time while experiencing Japan at its most modern. Yoshio Taniguchi, son of the architect who was among those responsible for the original hotel, oversaw the design of the new build to ensure it stayed as true to form as possible. Hence the careful reconstruction of the famed lobby with its matcha- and sand-hued checkered carpets, geometric latticework, and fine art details (the distinctive pendant lights and mid-century modern armchairs were thoughtfully retained). That painstaking precision and attention to detail is woven throughout the public and private spaces. Traditionalism lives strong here, but it’s a melding of eras that never feels unharmonious.
<h5>Guest quarters</h5>
Split between The Okura Prestige Tower—a 41-story mixed-use skyscraper—and its 17-floor counterpart The Okura Heritage Wing, rooms and suites unite timeless Japanese luxury with up-to-date features designed for the modern traveler. More Western-inspired spaces abound in the Prestige Tower, where rooms feature elements you’d expect from international luxury hotels, like neutral textiles, soft carpets, cushiony sofas, and warm, soothing lighting. As its name suggests, the Heritage Wing is more reminiscent of traditional Japanese aesthetics but with a contemporary twist: think plush oversize beds framed by shoji-inspired sliding partitions, and minimalist wooden furnishings. All the rooms have an uncluttered layout and floor-ceiling windows that wrap around the spaces, framing vistas of the surrounding cityscape.
<h5>Food and drink</h5>
Seven restaurants and bars take up residence across the two buildings. The Heritage Wing has the bases covered for rich French cuisine and high-end Japanese classics like sushi and tempura with Nouvelle Epoque on the fifth floor and Yamazato at ground level. The Prestige Tower is where you’ll find the rest of the hotel’s dining destinations. On the top floor, teppanyaki restaurant Sazanka serves up sizzling plates with a side of sweeping city views. Next door at the aptly named Starlight Bar and Lounge, you can sip cocktails while marveling at the glittering lights of Tokyo at night. On the sixth floor is Toh Ka Lin, which offers excellent Chinese cuisine. A delicious and satisfying buffet breakfast awaits at international all-day dining venue Orchid, and for some 1960s-style elegance, you can’t miss the hotel’s flagship Orchid Bar, which has been faithfully recreated using original fittings from the old Okura.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-135117 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Yamazato-Chirashi-Sushi.jpg" alt="A box of delicate chirashi sushi served at Yamazato, The Okura Tokyo’s high-end Japanese restaurant." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Yamazato-Chirashi-Sushi.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Yamazato-Chirashi-Sushi-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Yamazato-Chirashi-Sushi-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Okura-Tokyo-Yamazato-Chirashi-Sushi-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h5>Wellness factor</h5>
The Prestige Tower has a large fitness center on the 26th floor, complete with a 25-meter lap pool bathed in natural light, a rectangular jacuzzi, and deck chairs for soaking up the incredible city views. Upstairs, the spa is staffed by bilingual professionals; in the seven treatment rooms, customized facials and therapies inspired by the five elements of nature utilize products by beauty brand Annayake. One of these full-body treatments combines Japanese and Western massage styles.
<h5>Family matters</h5>
Kids’ amenities including pajamas, slippers, toothbrushes, and towels are available; in-room babysitting can be arranged. Orchid offers a breakfast and special menu for junior guests, while all other restaurants except for Nouvelle Epoque allow children under 12, with kid-size tableware, cutlery, cups, and chairs provided on request. The Club Lounge welcomes under-13s until 5 p.m.
<h5>Sustainability cred</h5>
Half of the development’s site area has been turned into two publicly accessible parks. Inside the hotel, single-use plastic items are being replaced with more eco-friendly options, while The Okura has also introduced rainwater harvesting and energy-saving equipment. Aside from reusing furnishings from the original building, the new design incorporates traditional crafts from Japan’s 47 prefectures.
<h5>What else?</h5>
Next to Yamazato, the hotel’s secretive and reservations-only tea room has been recreated to conjure up the elegant charms of its predecessor. Book a tea ceremony session in conjunction with lunch or dinner at Yamazato for the full Okura experience. Guests are eligible for free admission to the on-site Okura Museum of Art, home to a priceless trove of Japanese paintings, sculpture, and calligraphy.
Reviewed by Lucy Dayman
<a href="https://theokuratokyo.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">theokuratokyo.jp</a> 
+81 3 3582 0111 
<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/17Q9mUi7g1AWvpVG7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2-10-4 Toranomon, Minato Ward, Tokyo, Japan</a>

The 1960s lobby of The Okura Tokyo’s storied predecessor has been recreated in the Prestige Tower.

The Okura Tokyo

<h5>Why stay?</h5>
Alila means “surprise” in Sanskrit and given the wow factor of the resort’s minimalist design and maximal location, the name is spot on. Located on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula and just a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, this eco-chic retreat by Singapore-based WOHA Architects sits on the edge of Uluwatu’s dramatic limestone cliffs. Its contemporary flat roofs, geometrical pools, cloud-reflecting ponds and exquisitely framed lines-of-sight over the Indian Ocean give it an architectural edge like no other.
<h5>The area</h5>
The resort’s cliff-edge locale covers 14.4 hectares of gardens festooned with flora native to Uluwatu. Using permaculture principles, landscapers have made use of plants, creepers, and trees that can survive typically dry and rainy seasons, along with aesthetically pleasing ponds and flowing subak (traditional Balinese irrigation channels) for a water-wise natural approach. The Bukit Peninsula’s famed Uluwatu Temple is 15 minutes away as is Jalan Labuansait, a charismatic road punctuated by local warung eateries, fancy cafés and diners, and shops with an “island life” aesthetic.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-134988 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-6.jpg" alt="Alila Villas Uluwatu is at its most magical at dusk." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-6.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-6-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-6-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h5>The feel</h5>
Alila’s villas, tucked into the natural landscape under lava rock rooftops, enjoy a rare sense of escapist privacy. They’re sustainably designed to disappear into the hillside so only the recycled timber poolside cabanas rise from the greenery. Countering this is the sleek modernity of the main resort, with its orthogonal water gardens, white stone corridors and picture-perfect pin-thin coconut trees. A stay here makes the most of both vibes.
<h5>Guest quarters</h5>
Of the 65 pool villas, it’s the enormous three-bedroom villas that have incredible oceanfront views. But most guests stay in one of the 56 one-bedroom hillside abodes measuring a generous 290 square metres. The look is mod-masculine luxe with dark-toned woodwork and furniture softened by white stone tiled walls and occasional Balinese accents such as batik fabrics. Guests seeking downtime could fill their days lounging in the cabana, dozing in pool recliners, soaking in the two-person bath and spread-eagling on the bed without feeling the need to ever leave the villa.
<h5>Food and drink </h5>
The Warung is as much a favorite of guests as it is a go-to for island residents craving authentic Indonesian and Balinese cuisine with a refined touch. The culinary journey begins with a sambal taster platter and continues with choices like sate lilit ikan (grilled minced fish wrapped around a lemongrass stalk), soto ayam (herbed chicken soup), and dadar gulung (coconut crepe filled with coconut and palm sugar). Cire, the Mediterranean and Pan-Asian restaurant, scores just as highly for its fresh produce and organic approach. Jutting over the cliff edge, Sunset Cabana Bar is the place for a day-end tipple with the sea breeze blowing and the sound of the waves crashing below. Open until midnight, cozy indoor bar Batique specializes in top-notch Scotch and cigars.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-134989 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-7.jpg" alt="Balinese cuisine as served at The Warung; an aerial view of Alila Villas Uluwatu." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-7.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-7-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-7-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Alila-Villas-Uluwatu-7-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h5>Wellness factor</h5>
Western-style massage, facials, scrubs, and manicures are outshone by Eastern modalities with a local touch. Balinese beauty rituals include a traditional lulur body scrub, said to remedy aching joints and skin problems, and a creambath to hydrate hair and indulge the scalp. Free daily hatha yoga classes are offered on the dramatically positioned cliff-edge yoga shala, while guests can also book private meditation and mat Pilates sessions.
<h5>Family matters</h5>
Kids are well catered to, from the Twinkle Toes spa pedi to activities such as a “movie under the stars” set up on the terrace of your villa. The latter is among a quintet of stimulating half-day experiences, with archery and gardening being two of the other choices.
<h5>Sustainability cred</h5>
From its design stages, Alila Villas Uluwatu opted to be at the forefront of regenerative tourism in Bali. This plays out with a no-plastics policy, an on-site water purification plant and the Sustainability Lab where all waste streams—from ear buds and toothbrushes to left-behind shoes—are processed for reuse, recycling, or upcycling. It’s genuinely impressive.
<h5>What else? </h5>
The Bukit Peninsula’s legendary surf breaks are hands down the best in Bali, rolling onto the nearby beaches of Jimbaran, Balangan, Bingin, and Padang Padang. Explore them onshore with a professional surf coach or onboard a traditional jukung fishing boat.
Reviewed by Penny Watson
<a href="https://www.alilahotels.com/uluwatu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alilahotels.com</a> 
+62 361 848 2166 
<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/1uH5UbK3sFpcbtJ5A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jl. Belimbing Sari Tambiyak, Pecatu, South Kuta, Bali, Indonesia</a>

An indoor-outdoor living space at Alila Villas Uluwatu's three-bedroom Hillside Villa.

Alila Villas Uluwatu

Bustling Berawa, in the happening hub of Canggu, is known for its international restaurants and world-class bars, of which Bella is a shining example of both. The colorful fit-out features mosaic floors, velvety bucket chairs, sparkly fittings, and art installations that manage to garner attention even in the low lighting. The open kitchen is another focal point. Executive chef Oğuz Karadoğan has drawn on his Turkish roots to create a menu that favors cuisine from the Mediterranean and Anatolian regions. Start with house-made sesame bagels and a smoky aubergine dip, then share a plate of chargrilled octopus with potato cream and harissa. For mains indulge in truffle steak tartare with cognac, mustard, and salted capers; and crab ravioli with Parmigiano cheese and caviar. Turntables and a DJ make Bella an all-evening kind of place. Indulge in dinner, sip on a coffee martini cocktail, and stay up all night dancing. —Penny Watson
<a href="https://bellacanggu.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bellacanggu.com</a> 
+62 811 3988 2777 
<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/7kzj8YFzkHMmUHnb7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jl. Pantai Berawa No.99, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia</a>

An appetizer at Bella, a new Canggu restaurant.

Bella

Sprawling across 850 hectares of uplands on Mount Kawi in East Java, Kawisari Coffee Plantation was founded in 1870, making it the island’s oldest. The Bali branch of the eponymous Farm Shop and Eatery—just meters from Batu Bolong Beach and next door to the Tugu Hotel—pays homage to its long history. Downstairs, a coffee lounge and shop are replete with old tin coffee cannisters, antiquated furniture, and the bump and grind of a barista-manned coffee machine. Upstairs, the new café has the air of a bygone era, thanks to teak floors and wooden fittings and arched windows. Double doors open to a pretty umbrella-shaded deck where cane chairs with floral cushions set the scene. The brunch and lunch menus have something for everyone. Homely Indonesian dishes include bubur (congee), soto ayam (chicken soup) and nasi campur (a mix of rice and various Indonesian sides). Western favorites get a look-in too: smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, juicy wagyu cheeseburgers, wraps and salads. Check out the storyboards around the walls for a backgrounder on the 150-year-old plantation. —Penny Watson
<a href="https://kawisaricoffee.com/cafe-outlet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kawisaricoffee.com</a> 
+62 811 3883 553 
<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/9hnhAe3CpkhK2RBA7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia</a>

The upstairs café at Kawisari Coffee Farm Shop & Eatery Bali.

Kawisari Coffee Farm Shop & Eatery Bali

Quirky old warehouses, design stores, furniture showrooms, and creative studios are all on the itinerary of Bali’s newest tours hosted by Interior Design Retreats. Founders Henne Mercer and Anna Powers, both long-time Bali residents and interior designers by trade, saw the need for an insider experience that taps into the heart of Bali’s design and creativity in all its forms. Their full-day itineraries focus on different neighborhoods across the island (namely Sayan and Mas in Ubud, Canggu, Kerobokan, and Sanur), giving design-lovers and interiors-shoppers a shortcut to creative inspiration. According to Mercer, “visitors often sign up to more than one tour. Some people have done them all.” On the Krazy Kerobokan tour, for example, design hot spots include Budiman Ong’s Ong Cen Kuang lighting studio; Nyaman Gallery, which has art from across the Indonesian archipelago; and a business specializing in locally sourced petrified wood and the fast-cooling volcanic lava known as obsidian. —Penny Watson
<a href="https://www.interiordesignretreats.com/private-tours/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interiordesignretreats.com</a> 
+62 878 0321 2953

Scenes from the full-day tours led by Interior Design Retreats.

Interior Design Retreats

Following a more than 20-year hiatus, SIA will be touching down in the Belgian capital next spring.
<figure id="attachment_134879" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134879" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134879 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Brussels-Belgium-n-unsplash.jpg" alt="A sunset view of Brussels, Belgium from the Mont des Arts garden. Singapore Airlines will be returning to the city next spring." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Brussels-Belgium-n-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Brussels-Belgium-n-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Brussels-Belgium-n-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Brussels-Belgium-n-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134879" class="wp-caption-text">A sunset view of Brussels, Belgium from the Mont des Arts garden. (Photo: n/Unsplash)</figcaption></figure>
Nonstop services between the Lion City and Brussels are set to become a reality on April 5, 2024, when Singapore Airlines launches four-times-weekly flights on the route. The carrier is deploying the long-haul variant of its Airbus A350-900s, which feature 42 seats in business class, 24 in premium economy, and 187 in standard economy for a total capacity of 253 passengers.
Subject to regulatory approval, outbound flight SQ304 will depart Singapore on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11:55 p.m. to arrive at Brussels-Zaventem Airport at 7:20 a.m. the next morning. The return sector, operated as flight SQ303, will then depart Brussels on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 12:10 p.m. and return to Changi at 6:55 a.m. the following day.
Brussels—a vibrant regional crossroads that is home to both the European Union and NATO—will become the 13th destination in Europe for the carrier. Dai Hao Yu, Singapore Airlines’ Acting Senior Vice President for Marketing Planning, said in a statement, “The launch of this service adds another historical and charming city to SIA’s list of destinations. It also gives our customers who are traveling from Europe an additional point to connect to Singapore, as well as the wider Asia-Pacific region via our hub at Changi Airport. SIA will continue to review its network and find opportunities to offer more options for our customers.”
<a href="https://www.singaporeair.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">singaporeair.com</a>

A sunset view of Brussels, Belgium from the Mont des Arts garden.

Singapore Airlines is Returning to Brussels

This adults-only retreat in Singapore offers cozy contemporary rooms, a lively rooftop pool bar and restaurant, and a roster of fun-filled workshops and guided workouts.
<figure id="attachment_134198" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134198" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134198 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-Sunset.jpg" alt="A sunset view from the infinity pool at 1-Altitude Coast, the rooftop entertainment venue at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa. " width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-Sunset.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-Sunset-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-Sunset-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-Sunset-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134198" class="wp-caption-text">A sunset view from the infinity pool at 1-Altitude Coast, the rooftop entertainment venue at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa. (All photos courtesy of the property)</figcaption></figure>
Embarking on a brief weekend getaway at Singapore’s adults-only Outpost Hotel Sentosa was an enticing prospect that left my teenagers intrigued. Neither of them had reached the requisite age of 16, so my partner and I left them in the care of our housekeeper and drove across the causeway to Sentosa for a one-night Outpost Xperience.
Located just a stone&#8217;s throw from the Sentosa Gateway and Imbiah station, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa has 193 rooms and forms part of a cluster of properties run by Far East Hospitality, including the wellness-centric Oasia Resort Sentosa, family-oriented Village Hotel Sentosa, and The Barracks Hotel for history buffs with an eye for bespoke luxury. I was immediately taken with the contemporary aesthetics and the view of the Singapore Strait upon stepping into the elegant third-floor lobby. The front desk provided us with breakfast options at the poolside restaurant Sol &amp; Ora, insider tips for exploring the island, and details about the exciting activities we had pre-booked for the Outpost Xperience.
As a tea enthusiast, my partner couldn’t contain his excitement over the Palawan Dawn welcome mocktail, a refreshing blend of pineapple juice, grapefruit syrup, and a tea infusion that had been steeped for eight hours. It came served in Insta-worthy copper pineapple mugs; understandably, plenty of previous guests have purchased them as souvenirs. We also got to customize our own complimentary minibar, choosing from a selection of premium snacks and drinks, including two small bottles of soy-based wine by Sachi, a sustainable local brewer.
<figure id="attachment_134199" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134199" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134199 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Lobby.jpg" alt="Inside the lobby at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Lobby.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Lobby-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Lobby-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Lobby-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134199" class="wp-caption-text">Inside the lobby at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_134200" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134200" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134200 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Minibar-selection.jpg" alt="Hotel guests can choose their own snacks and drinks from a minibar selection at the lobby." width="1080" height="746" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Minibar-selection.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Minibar-selection-300x207.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Minibar-selection-1024x707.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Minibar-selection-768x530.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134200" class="wp-caption-text">Hotel guests can choose their own snacks and drinks from a minibar selection at the lobby.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_134201" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134201" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134201 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-King-Sea-View.jpg" alt="A 24-square-meter Deluxe Room Sea View at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-King-Sea-View.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-King-Sea-View-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-King-Sea-View-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-King-Sea-View-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134201" class="wp-caption-text">A 24-square-meter Deluxe Room Sea View at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_134202" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134202" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134202 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-Vanity-Area.jpg" alt="The vanity area of a Deluxe Room." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-Vanity-Area.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-Vanity-Area-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-Vanity-Area-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Deluxe-Room-Vanity-Area-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134202" class="wp-caption-text">The vanity area of a Deluxe Room.</figcaption></figure>
Compact as it was, our 24-square-meter Deluxe Room had a serene ambience, with modern black furnishings, rose-gold chrome accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing views of nearby Siloso Beach and the lush green surroundings. The sleek contemporary design incorporates a moveable screen that separates the sleeping area from the sink and corridor, hiding any untidiness in the vanity area. Quenching your thirst is easy, as there’s a premium filtered water tap, Nespresso coffee machine, and sachets of bespoke heritage tea blends courtesy of Pryce Tea. Plush fleece-lined bathrobes and toiletries by Australian beauty brand Appelles Apothecary &amp; Lab added a touch of luxury in the bathroom, which featured a rain shower and a Japanese Toto electronic washlet.
Booking an Outpost Xperience means you’ll get to sign up for various activities, such as soy-based cocktail making master classes with Sachi and oyster shucking workshops. Eager to try new things, we joined the former to create our own light, antioxidant-rich, vegan drinks using different ingredients. The result? Low-alcohol and low-calorie tipples that were big on flavor but totally guilt free.
All guests of the hotel enjoy exclusive access to the rooftop pool and day club at 1-Altitude Coast, which hosts themed parties on weekends. Bathed in the golden rays of the late afternoon sun, the vibrant alfresco bar/day club is just the place for dancing and socializing well into the night. From this vantage point, we enjoyed an elevated view of the fireworks from Sentosa’s Wings of Time show, which light up the sky at 8 and 9 p.m. on a daily basis.
My partner and I opted for a romantic dinner at Sol &amp; Ora, washing down our hearty Latin-Mediterranean dishes with chardonnay while watching the bustling kitchen prepare platters of food for the partygoers. Next up was a postprandial stroll to the nearby Mess Hall. Formerly a military recreational club dating to 1904, the heritage building has found new life as a home for restaurants offering traditional Eurasian food, Indian fare, and French bistro favorites. Determined to be fresh for our complimentary yoga class the next morning (other fitness-centric activities like street dancing are offered depending on the date), we decided to retire early to bed.
<figure id="attachment_134203" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134203" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134203 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Sachi-Soy-Cocktail-Making.jpg" alt="Enjoying a soy-based cocktail making with Sachi." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Sachi-Soy-Cocktail-Making.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Sachi-Soy-Cocktail-Making-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Sachi-Soy-Cocktail-Making-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Sachi-Soy-Cocktail-Making-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134203" class="wp-caption-text">Enjoying a soy-based cocktail making with Sachi at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_134204" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134204" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134204 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1AC-Cocktail-and-Sol-Ora-Food.jpg" alt="A cocktail at 1-Altitude Coast; hearty international dishes await at Sol &amp; Ora." width="1080" height="715" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1AC-Cocktail-and-Sol-Ora-Food.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1AC-Cocktail-and-Sol-Ora-Food-300x199.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1AC-Cocktail-and-Sol-Ora-Food-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1AC-Cocktail-and-Sol-Ora-Food-768x508.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134204" class="wp-caption-text">Left to right: A cocktail at 1-Altitude Coast; hearty international dishes await at Sol &amp; Ora.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_134205" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134205" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134205 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool.jpg" alt="An aerial view of the pool and day club at 1-Altitude Coast, which crowns the hotel." width="1080" height="809" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-300x225.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-1-Altitude-Coast-Rooftop-Pool-768x575.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134205" class="wp-caption-text">An aerial view of the pool and day club at 1-Altitude Coast, which crowns the hotel.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_134206" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134206" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134206 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Partner-Yoga.jpg" alt="A couples’ yoga session can be included as part of the Outpost Xperience." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Partner-Yoga.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Partner-Yoga-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Partner-Yoga-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Outpost-Xperience-Partner-Yoga-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134206" class="wp-caption-text">A couples’ yoga session can be included as part of the Outpost Xperience.</figcaption></figure>
So it was that I found myself shuffling to the lobby of the adjoining Village Hotel Sentosa at 8 a.m. to reach the Pool Deck and Bar. As we settled onto our yoga mats, a breathtaking view of the sea and a gentle sea breeze embraced us, a reward for having made it to this morning. Unsurprisingly, we were the only couple there—the other guests must have been sleeping in after last night’s rooftop party! Our experienced instructor took us through warm-up stretches before some easy-to-accomplish couple yoga poses suitable for beginners.
After the invigorating yoga session, we had the option to cool down with a dip in one of the four pools at Village Hotel Sentosa or continue our workout in the gym. However, my partner and I opted for a sumptuous breakfast back at Sol &amp; Ora instead. We relished the oven-baked shakshuka—a hearty combination of tomato sauce, onions, onsen eggs, feta and mozzarella cheese, served with toasted sourdough—and devoured a plateful of Indonesian nasi campur. Centered on a mound of steamed white rice, the latter featured chicken satay, a sunny-side-up egg, fish otah, pickled vegetables, ikan bilis, and chili sambal for a truly satisfying smorgasbord of flavors.
The remainder of our stay was spent in the rooftop pool, savoring its relative peacefulness before the Sunday party commenced. As a fitting conclusion to the Outpost Xperience, we ventured to Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett to brave the world’s only giant double swing of its kind. Adrenalin coursed through our veins as we were propelled to a height of 45 meters at an exhilarating speed of 120 kilometers per hour. Screaming with both fear and exhilaration, the two of us marveled at the panoramic views of the beach and the Singapore Strait spread out below. Once the kids have grown up and hit their late teens, perhaps we will bring them along.
<a href="https://www.theoutposthotel.com.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">theoutposthotel.com.sg</a>
<figure id="attachment_134208" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-134208" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-134208 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Welcome-Drinks.jpg" alt="Welcome drinks at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa are served in pineapple-shaped copper vessels." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Welcome-Drinks.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Welcome-Drinks-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Welcome-Drinks-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Outpost-Hotel-Welcome-Drinks-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-134208" class="wp-caption-text">Welcome drinks at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa are served in pineapple-shaped copper vessels.</figcaption></figure>

What It’s Like to Stay at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa

This landmark property on Orchard Road is conveniently positioned for business and leisure travelers wanting to be in the thick of the action.
<figure id="attachment_133918" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133918" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133918 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pool.jpg" alt="Poolside at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pool.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pool-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pool-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pool-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133918" class="wp-caption-text">Poolside at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. (All photos courtesy of the hotel)</figcaption></figure>
When it comes to the Lion City’s famed shopping street, there are few buildings as recognizable as the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. It’s not the tallest or most modern, but its Chinese pagoda-style tower soaring 30 stories into the air is impossible to miss. The hotel has been a stalwart of the area, having first opened in 1995, and sits conveniently on the corner of Orchard Road and Scotts Road. While renovations have brought the hotel into more modern times with a sleek, gray-toned palette, there is still an air of nostalgia and old-school hospitality about the hotel—making it just the place for a short weekend staycation with my husband.
Upon check-in, we were upgraded to an Executive Premier room located high on the 29th floor. This offered us excellent views of Orchard Road’s bustling traffic from windows running the length of the room, as well as a lounge chair and Lavazza coffee machine. One of the larger accommodation options in the hotel, the Executive Premier room features premium amenities from This Works as well as both a walk-in rain shower and a bathtub.
The room category also gives you access to the M Club on level five, a recently renovated business lounge overlooking the hotel’s impressive outdoor pool and the ION Orchard mall across the street. The lounge serves non-alcoholic drinks and snacks throughout the day, and cocktails and wine plus hot food after 5 p.m. The food selection is impressive and enjoyable, with a range of Western and locally-inspired options such as beef-fat fried rice and spicy chicken wings. You can sip your sparkling wine or draft beer while looking out at the cabana-flanked pool. Guests wanting to make the most of the pool can consider the two-bedroom Pool Terrace Family suite, or the Pool Terrace Premier Suite with a veranda, sun bed, and private whirlpool. Both offer a more resort-like feel, which contrasts with the urban shopping haven around it. There is also a 24-hour fitness centre on the fourth floor.
<figure id="attachment_133920" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133920" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133920 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Executive-Premier-King-Room.jpg" alt="Executive Premier rooms afford sweeping views of the surrounding cityscape." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Executive-Premier-King-Room.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Executive-Premier-King-Room-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Executive-Premier-King-Room-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Executive-Premier-King-Room-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133920" class="wp-caption-text">Executive Premier rooms afford sweeping views of the surrounding cityscape.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133924" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133924" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133924 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-M-Club.jpg" alt="The hotel’s pool-facing M Club lounge." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-M-Club.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-M-Club-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-M-Club-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-M-Club-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133924" class="wp-caption-text">The hotel’s pool-facing M Club lounge.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133921" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133921" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133921 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pasta-Station-at-Crossroads-Buffet.jpeg" alt="A pasta cooking station at Crossroads Buffet." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pasta-Station-at-Crossroads-Buffet.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pasta-Station-at-Crossroads-Buffet-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pasta-Station-at-Crossroads-Buffet-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Pasta-Station-at-Crossroads-Buffet-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133921" class="wp-caption-text">A pasta cooking station at Crossroads Buffet.</figcaption></figure>
For food options, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel packs a lot into its compact space. Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant on the third floor serves up authentic Cantonese cuisine in a classical setting decked out in Chinese gold leaf calligraphy and artwork. Popular dishes include roasted Spanish suckling pig wrapped with wok-fried glutinous rice and lap cheong sausage, and the classic Peking duck with Chinese crêpe.
The Lobby Lounge was bustling the day we checked in, with many guests partaking in the afternoon high tea, a three-tiered affair with sweet and savory options accompanied with tea and coffee, or a spot of bubbles if you prefer. Beside it, Java+ sells freshly baked breads and pastries ideal for a quick on-the-go snack or a treat to take up to your room. For a sneaky tipple, we highly recommend The Other Room, a secret bar in the lobby serving up craft cocktails in a cozy, chic environment (if you can find it).
As part of our “Stay for Breakfast” package, we fueled up for the day ahead at Crossroads Buffet, the hotel’s all-day dining venue. Clearly a popular place to enjoy a full buffet breakfast, it was packed at 9 a.m. when we headed down. The buffet spread is a good balance of Asian and Western cuisine with perennial favorites such as hash browns, a very busy egg station, and waffles on offer alongside samosas, a noodle station, and dim sum.
<figure id="attachment_133926" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133926" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133926 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Night-View-from-Room.jpg" alt="A nighttime view of Orchard Road from one of the guest rooms." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Night-View-from-Room.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Night-View-from-Room-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Night-View-from-Room-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Night-View-from-Room-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133926" class="wp-caption-text">A nighttime view of Orchard Road from one of the guest rooms.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133922" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133922" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133922 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe.jpg" alt="The semi-outdoor dining room at Crossroads Cafe." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133922" class="wp-caption-text">The semi-outdoor dining room at Crossroads Cafe.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133927" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133927" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133927 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-Burger.jpg" alt="One of Crossroads Cafe’s specialty burgers." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-Burger.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-Burger-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-Burger-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Crossroads-Cafe-Burger-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133927" class="wp-caption-text">One of Crossroads Cafe’s specialty burgers.</figcaption></figure>
We also had a chance to check out Crosswords Cafe for dinner. This semi-outdoor space sits on the cusp of Orchard and Scotts Road and promises a relaxing, chilled-out environment for a good meal. Dinner portions are hearty. The Marriott “Mighty Mo” Burger comes with two beef patties, cheddar cheese, lettuce, secret sauce, and onion rings, while their take on local favorite char kway teow is packed with prawns, fish cake, and squid. The Hawaiian Spam Burger, a new addition to the menu, features a wagyu beef patty, crispy spam, grilled pineapple, and Swiss and cheddar cheese sandwiched between English muffins; naturally, it comes served with fries and sriracha sauce.
With its prime location, amenities, and varied food options, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel offers just about everything a business or leisure traveler might need for a stay in the heart of Singapore. While the city buzzes around it, the hotel is a respite from the bright lights and bustle of the shopping district, and while it might not offer the latest in technology or have the most luxurious rooms, it is comfortable and enjoyable if only to sit by the window and watch the traffic zoom by in the night.
<a href="http://marriotttangplaza.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">marriotttangplaza.com</a>
<figure id="attachment_133925" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133925" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133925 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Exterior-View.jpg" alt="Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza hotel as seen at blue hour." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Exterior-View.jpg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Exterior-View-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Exterior-View-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Singapore-Marriott-Tang-Plaza-Exterior-View-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133925" class="wp-caption-text">Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza hotel as seen at blue hour.</figcaption></figure>

Poolside at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel.

A Staycation at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

The latest chefs’ collaboration at the Jakarta restaurant features recipes from a little-visited part of Sulawesi.
<figure id="attachment_133848" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133848" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133848 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-It-Takes-Two-to-Tango-Menu.jpg" alt="Sudestada - It Takes Two to Tango menu." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-It-Takes-Two-to-Tango-Menu.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-It-Takes-Two-to-Tango-Menu-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-It-Takes-Two-to-Tango-Menu-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-It-Takes-Two-to-Tango-Menu-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133848" class="wp-caption-text">Five limited-edition dishes pay tribute to the culinary diversity of Indonesia.</figcaption></figure>
While Indonesia’s Independence Day may have passed on August 17, the celebrations at Sudestada—an Argentinian steakhouse in the heart of Jakarta—are continuing until the end of the month. The “It Takes Two to Tango” menu is a tie-up between Sudestada’s executive chef Victor Taborda and Fernando Sindu from Cork &amp; Screw, bringing together Argentinian asado cooking techniques and the richness of Indonesian flavors. Chef Fernando was deeply inspired by a recent weeklong trip with NGOs to Central Sulawesi, a province that briefly made global headlines in 2018 when it was struck by a powerful earthquake and tsunami. There, he learned a number of local recipes and sought to bring them to the attention of diners back home.
Hence the spice-rubbed biromaru chicken cooked on a flat-top grill. This star of the show is a specialty of Sigi, a mostly rural region outside the provincial capital of Palu. Its satisfyingly complex, peri-peri adjacent flavor contains a slow-building heat that is undeniably punchy but never overwhelms. The addictive rust-red sauce used to baste the poultry was flown in straight from Sulawesi: a conscious decision on Chef Fernando’s part to support local small and medium-sized enterprises in the disaster recovery zone. Served alongside the chicken, the creamy moringa soup is based on an everyday dish specific to Central Sulawesi, and has a coconut milk base with an aromatic hit of galangal and lemongrass.
The two head chefs have also looked to other islands to develop their collaborative menu. Indonesia’s ever-popular Padang cuisine gets a nod in the grilled striploin beef and toothsome rendang mushrooms. Topped with crispy fritters of morning glory leaf coated in tempura batter, the meat rests on a trio of sauces: mild white opor paste featuring pureed candlenut, a sambal ijo chimichurri, and a red sambal more commonly used for skinless fried chicken known as ayam pop.
<figure id="attachment_133850" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133850" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133850 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-1.jpg" alt="Chefs Victor Taborda and Fernando Sindu at work in Sudestada’s kitchen." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-1.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133850" class="wp-caption-text">Chefs Victor Taborda and Fernando Sindu at work in Sudestada’s kitchen.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133851" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133851" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133851 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Grilled-Striploin.jpg" alt="The grilled striploin with three sauces was inspired by Padang cuisine." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Grilled-Striploin.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Grilled-Striploin-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Grilled-Striploin-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Grilled-Striploin-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133851" class="wp-caption-text">The grilled striploin with three sauces was inspired by Padang cuisine.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133852" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133852" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133852 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Salad-Nusantara.jpg" alt="A bowl of Salad Nusantara from the It Takes Two to Tango menu." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Salad-Nusantara.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Salad-Nusantara-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Salad-Nusantara-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Salad-Nusantara-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133852" class="wp-caption-text">A bowl of Salad Nusantara.</figcaption></figure>
Of course, no Indonesian meal is complete without fluffy rice, and the garlicky nasi minyak is so delicious you’re bound to order seconds. A testament to the Arab-Indian influence in the Malay cuisine of Jambi and South Sumatra, the well-seasoned dish comes flecked with raisins and slices of fresh grape; more traditional versions are typically stir-fried in ghee. For something lighter, Salad Nusantara drizzles passionfruit vinaigrette over greens, pearls of barley, and pumpkin batonnets; Indonesian touches come by way of serundeng (roasted coconut shavings) and the inclusion of ceciwis, which resembles Brussels sprouts but are nowhere near as pungent.
Add to this Taborda’s crowd-pleasers from the year-round menu—perhaps his homemade chorizo or a platter of empanadas stuffed with mozzarella, spinach and ricotta, and beef—and you have an impressive cross-cultural feast to be savored in the company of family and friends.
The “It Takes Two to Tango” menu is only available at Sudestada until August 31, 2023.
<a href="https://www.sudestadagrill.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sudestadagrill.com</a>
<figure id="attachment_133849" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133849" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133849 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-2.jpg" alt="The chefs had been wanting to collaborate for the past two years." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-2.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Chef-Victor-Taborda-and-Chef-Fernando-Sindu-2-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133849" class="wp-caption-text">The chefs had been wanting to collaborate for the past two years.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_133853" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133853" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133853 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Biromaru-Chicken.jpg" alt="Biromaru chicken, a Central Sulawesi specialty, is featured on the It Takes Two to Tango menu." width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Biromaru-Chicken.jpg 1080w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Biromaru-Chicken-300x200.jpg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Biromaru-Chicken-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Sudestada-Biromaru-Chicken-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133853" class="wp-caption-text">Biromaru chicken is a Central Sulawesi specialty.</figcaption></figure>

Sudestada is Serving Up Hearty Indonesian-Argentinian Fare

The celebrated Dutch chef will be showcasing some of the specialties that might be served at his upcoming Bali restaurant.
<figure id="attachment_133752" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133752" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133752 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-2.jpeg" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-2.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-2-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-2-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133752" class="wp-caption-text">All photos courtesy of Syrco Bakker</figcaption></figure>
Southeast Asia–based gourmands do not need to wait for the opening of Ubud’s Syrco BASÈ to taste Syrco Bakker’s inventive cross-cultural dishes. The maestro who led Pure C in the seaside Dutch town of Cadzand to two-Michelin-star status has embarked on an Asia tour ahead of the Q4 launch of his latest venture in Bali. After successful pop-ups at the Four Seasons Sayan resort in Ubud and Modena in Jakarta, Bakker will be bringing his craft to the ultra-luxe Capella properties of Singapore and Bangkok. Here’s what we know so far:
<h5><a href="https://capellahotels.com/en/capella-singapore/dining/cassia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capella Singapore</a>: August 18–19</h5>
Bakker is set to demonstrate his culinary innovation at Capella Singapore, where he will join forces with the resort’s Chinese Executive Chef Alan Chan for an exclusive two-night event at Cassia. Guests will be treated to a six-course menu blending Cantonese, Dutch, and Indonesian flavors, with Chef Bakker’s own heritage expressed in specialties influenced by his Dutch-Indonesian upbringing. Diners can look forward to a memorable preview of culinary creations that will be revealed at Syrco BASÈ before the year’s end.
For reservations, call +65 6591 5045 or email <a href="mailto:cassia.singapore@capellahotels.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cassia.singapore@capellahotels.com</a>.
<h5><a href="https://capellahotels.com/en/capella-bangkok/dining/cote-by-mauro-colagreco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capella Bangkok</a>: August 25–26</h5>
Later this month, chef Bakker’s journey continues to Capella Bangkok, where he will team up with chef Davide Garavaglia at Côte by Mauro Colagreco. The epicurean adventure involves an eight-course dinner that marries the flavors of the French Riviera and Bali. Enjoyed against the backdrop of the Chao Phraya River, this experience promises to be a celebration of sustainably sourced ingredients, the chefs’ deep connection to their culinary roots, and a shared respect for seasonality and utilizing the local produce.
For reservations, call +66 2 098 3818 or email <a href="mailto:cote.bangkok@capellahotels.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cote.bangkok@capellahotels.com</a>.
<figure id="attachment_133753" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133753" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133753 size-full" src="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-1.jpeg" alt="Syrco Bakker’s inventive cuisine is influenced by Dutch, Indonesian, and Mediterranean cooking." width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-1.jpeg 1200w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://staging.destinasian.com/wp-content/uploads/Syrco-Bakker-Asia-Tour-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-133753" class="wp-caption-text">Syrco Bakker’s inventive cuisine is influenced by Dutch, Indonesian, and Mediterranean cooking.</figcaption></figure>

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