The Mandarin Oriental
             Singapore

When alighting post-flight punchy, the Mandarin’s atrium lobby welcomes with a cheerful calm. Covered in polished wood, it is partially enveloped by an artful pool for faultless Feng Shui. Feng Shui translates literally as "wind-water." A Chinese system of arranging things assures that earthly energy flow of the environment harmonizes with people.

Whatever. With genial greetings, I was to my room in a Singapore minute. Chinese green tea waited in an antique Chinese wicker tea basket. After an in-room check-in and how-to-demos, I sipped and scanned my wide-angle view of flashy Singapore. To my left, the new Singapore Flyer carries gawkers in a Ferris wheel like the London Eye. Straight ahead, there is a floating stadium. To my right, the Esplanade—the city’s new cultural center—emerges from the harbor capped with spiky glass domes. Beyond the Esplanade, the towers of commerce stretch into the blue. There’s even cheap-eat hawker food right outside.

If I ever go out.

Passing on the DVD, TV and all, I drag the big coffee table books on Singapore’s architecture and history to my many-pillowed bed. Leaning against polished a wood-paneled headboard and surrounded by textured ivory cloth walls, I explore Singapore the prosaic way. Then, with a glossy magazine in tow, I soak in the big granite tub soothed by Molton Brown gel. Twice a day, my Molton Brown lotions and potions are replenished and lined up along with my own sundry cosmetics on a fresh cloth.

Early in the morning mist, I take a yoga class by the spiffy-looking gym with all its new TECHNOGYM equipment. Afternoons, I head for the rooftop pool—big, blue and cool. The pool staff materialize with a cold bottle of water and escort me to a sun (or shade) chaise set among the tropical plants. I’d come here even if I didn’t like to swim.

My favorite Mandarin Oriental Singapore pastime, however, is taking their art walk. Acting as modern mandarins, the Hotel has commissioned a superb collection of modern Asian artworks to add to its fine antiques. My favorite, Jason Lim’s, "A River Runs True" is a large Impressionist sculpture on the first floor. Looking straight down onto the sculpture, it appears as a collection of earthy-looking aboriginal huts winding along a river. However, these same structures, silhouetted by hidden lights against the wall, appear to be an urban riverside skyline.

The walls along part of the restaurant floor are of rough granite block and Baet Yeok Kuan has created a series of sculptures for them called Birds. His exuberant flocks, of rusted steel, take wing against the granite. Kuan says they "represent success, power, freedom and harmony."

On the atrium's fourth floor, ancient and large Chinese paintings tell the story of a noted 16th century calligrapher’s daughter. Captured by little-known northern tribes, she returned home to write about her captivity and these paintings depict her tales.

My tale continues up to the Club level. The Oriental Club is exceptionally nice. If you have a late evening flight, it is also an exceptionally good value, because one gets a guaranteed late checkout until 8 PM.

I hate to go out for breakfast, so fancied the complimentary champagne breakfast. With everything from organic fruits to English sausages and American pancakes with maple syrup to Chinese fish cakes with pickles, its hard to come up with someone who might not enjoy breakfast here. Newspapers in four languages, magazines and books are available for the don’t-talk-to-me-I’m-reading breakfasters.

Oriental afternoon tea service, evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres are served at set hours and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day. Once again, a cheerful staff is on top of things. Including, in my case, worrying about me missing my plane while I ate one last crumpet.

I made the plane...but I’ll be back.

 Kate Crawford      February 2009

LINKS WITH ATTITUDE   
                        
The Mandarin Oriental on the web.