Glance

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, the iconic hotel that first defined luxury in Singapore’s Marina Bay in 1987, is temporarily closing its doors to undergo a six-month transformation. Re-opening in September 2023, the hotel will offer a brand-new look and feel.  “This is a new dawn of exceptional luxury,” says Philipp Knuepfer, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. “As the sun set on the Marina Bay on 7 March, we said farewell to the 527 rooms, seven food and beverage outlets, full-service luxury spa and many other facilities that have proudly served our guests for 35 years.”  “Whilst we are temporarily closed to our guests, we will focus all our efforts on the transformation of what promises to be a spectacular new version of Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. Together with...

The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka will open its doors on June 21, 2023, welcoming guests to the prefectural capital of Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan with the Ritz-Carlton legacy of fine hospitality and sophisticated design. Situated within the main tower of the Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City complex in the tech hub of Tenjin, the 167-room luxury hotel is the first by Marriott International to open in the Kyushu region, whose capital is a major gateway between Japan and other countries of Asia. The hotel’s calm, modernist spaces will incorporate local art traditions such as Hakata-ori weaving and woven bamboo.  Located within fifteen minutes of Fukuoka Airport, the bullet-train-serviced Hakata Station, and Hakata Port by car or by public transport, the 11,900-square-meter Fukuoka...

A highly anticipated new chapter in the Orchard district’s rich history has arrived—Pan Pacific Orchard opens on 1 June 2023. The 347-key, 23-storey luxury hotel is a new gem to behold on the Singapore skyline. Operated by Pan Pacific Hotels Group, a member of Singapore-listed UOL Group Limited, Pan Pacific Orchard anchors the Group’s vision of reframing luxury for a new generation of experience-driven city travellers.  Marcel NA Holman, General Manager of Pan Pacific Orchard and Vice President of Operations for China, Japan and Indonesia, shares: “We’re incredibly thrilled to welcome our guests to Pan Pacific Orchard, come June 2023. We have created a modern retreat in the heart of the city with inspired design, food and drink, and programming that will engage the senses. We look forwa...

The Apurva Kempinski Bali has once again taken another step towards a more sustainable approach to the tourism industry. This luxury resort has partnered with Indonesia’s premium sustainable brands, such as Nissan LEAF, Bank Central Asia and Danone Indonesia, to operate the ‘Electric Vehicle Experience and Solar Panel Charging Hub’. This partnership focuses on creating a more environmentally friendly option for travellers. Those who stay at the resort can now use Nissan’s electric vehicle, Nissan LEAF, and contribute to reducing carbon emissions as they explore the Nusa Dua area and adjacent attractions. To ensure a seamless experience, the resort also has its own EV charging station, making it the only resort in Bali to have this essential site.  The Apurva Kempinski Bali has been cons...

Ambassador Cruise is heralding the dawn of a new day in cruising Halong Bay, with the launch of a day cruise on a new vessel with restaurants and bars, an outdoor jacuzzi and a striking glass bridge. The five-star line behind the UNESCO World Heritage site’s most sublime cruise experiences begin the day-long ‘Ambassador Day Cruise II’ tours on February 10.Elegantly designed, the ship features spacious sundecks across two floors that total 324sqm and 250sqm, affording 360-degree vistas of Halong Bay and its myriad limestone karsts. Two restaurants, two bars, an entertainment area for live music, and the large open-air jacuzzi are among the 45-cabin vessel’s top-notch facilities. The five-metre glass bridge jutting from the vessel’s bow inspires compelling photographs.The 1700-ton five-...

The Ritz-Carlton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of luxury hotel brands, presents a newly elevated experience at The Ritz-Carlton Club across its Asia Pacific hotels, joining a successful launch in Mainland China last summer. From Tokyo to Jakarta, Singapore to Perth, The Ritz-Carlton Club provides a private respite where guests will find unique indulgences, curated culinary journeys, and personalized encounters that create meaningful and memorable moments for both business and leisure travelers.  The newly elevated journey at The Ritz-Carlton Club is designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s luxury travelers and was crafted based on insights from the brand’s Ladies and Gentlemen and valued guests. Understanding that the next generation of luxury travelers will ...