Bino

Hotel Staycation Review: The St. Regis Singapore – The Most Over-the-Top Hotel in Singapore?

March 9, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

I’ll start off by jumping straight to the point – the St. Regis Singapore has got to be the most opulent hotel in Singapore. Situated in Tanglin Road which is just a few minutes away from buzzing Orchard Road, there is an air of grandeur in this Marriott property that prevails in just about every aspect, from the in-house brunches where they serve all-you-can-eat caviar and lobsters to the personalized butler service in every room. Of course, there’s also the extensive collection of sculptures and artwork from the likes of Fernando Botero, Cheong Soo Pieng and Marc Chagall scattered around the property. If there is one thing that this property wants guests to remember, it is undoubtedly the unmatched luxury.

reception area – st. regis singapore

One thing that always impresses me about Marriott – given the SPG legacy – is how effectively this hotel chain segments its various brands. Each has a distinct personality. When I stayed at the W Bangkok last year, the vibe was unmistakably hip and happening so coming to St. Regis Singapore and witnessing its unabashed luxury during my staycation definitely made for a wonderful contrast.

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Review: Restaurant Kin – Singapore Heritage Cuisine in Straits Clan

March 3, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

A members-only club probably isn’t the first place you would expect to find a Singapore heritage restaurant. It works somehow for the case of Straits Clan given its local inclination – a modern version of the clan associations one finds next door. Restaurant Kin, located in the ground level of the club and accessible to the general public, is one of the club’s newest additions – having opened in 2019.

Restaurant Kin is helmed by Chef Damian D’Silva who has made a name for himself with his take on Singapore ethnic cuisine – a mishmash of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Eurasian flavors. I have previously encountered his culinary stylings at Folklore where many of the dishes were inspired by his family and the Singaporean food he remembered having as a young boy. In Restaurant Kin, these stories and window to the past continue but at a heightened level with sleeker interiors and dimmer lighting.

I have been to Restaurant Kin a couple of times myself and love the food there – even more than Folklore. I always have a sweet spot for their Chee Pow Kai, Buah Keluak Fried Rice and Kueh Koh Swee. For this particular visit to Restaurant Kin, I was set to try some of their new dishes.

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Review: Peach Blossoms – What to Order in This Aesthetically Pleasing Cantonese Restaurant

February 28, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

Following the revamp of the former Marina Mandarin to PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, the inhouse Chinese restaurant – Peach Blossoms – has undergone its own facelift as well with a change not just in its interiors but also a deliberate focus in aesthetically pleasing dishes in the Cantonese dining repertoire.

While some of the previous signature dishes such as the Roast Tomahawk and Braised Fish Paste Noodles have been retained, the revamped menu also includes some unique new dishes which I was able to try during my staycation at the property. With this revamp, it can perhaps be said that Peach Blossoms is ready for the social media age. Many of the dishes are as pleasing to the eyes as they are to the tastebud. Here are the dishes to order when you visit the reopened Peach Blossoms.

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Hotel Staycation Review: The Westin Singapore – Of Stunning Bathtubs & Infinity Pools

February 16, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

It is easy to categorize the The Westin Singapore as a “business hotel.” Located squarely within Singapore’s central business district, the Marriott property has the regional headquarters of several banks and multinationals right at its doorstep. But to dismiss it simply as such would be a travesty. The property boasts of a stunning infinity pool and a jacuzzi overlooking the bustling seaport, to name a few bells and whistles. The lobby which is situated at the 32nd floor – is the highest hotel lobby in the country and affords guests with plenty of sumptuous views.

the westin singapore lobby – highest hotel lobby in singapore

If you are staying here on a weekend, you will find The Westin Singapore relatively quieter as the bulk of its guests are business people. The lack of warm bodies is great news for leisure travelers as well as locals on a staycation. During weekends, rates are markedly cheaper compared to its peers – the St. Regis Singapore and W Singapore Sentosa Cove.

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Review: Rockon Tokyo – Kyoto Style Homecooked Meals in Tanjong Pagar

February 8, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

Rockon Tokyo at Tanjong Pagar is an intimate 22-seater Japanese restaurant that serves traditional Kyoto homecooked-style meals with an emphasis on fresh seasonal ingredients without using MSG or preservatives. The type of cuisine is called obanzai in which at least half of the ingredients are supposed to be sourced from the Kyoto area. The cuisine is also usually identified by the heavy usage of vegetables and seafood.

rockon tokyo

Entering the venue for the first time, the homecooked style becomes palpable. It’s a quaint eatery and bar – and reminded me immediately of those charming family-run restaurants that I encountered during my trips to Japan – the types that have their menus purely in Japanese and cater mostly to locals. In Rockon Tokyo, all staff members are Japanese – adding more to that overseas vibe.

Although Tokyo is part of the name, the cuisine here is decidedly more in keeping with the Kansai region. The name “Rockon” on the other hand, is derived from the Japanese word for 6 – roku.

Rockon Tokyo has a number of dishes in its ala carte menu but for this particular visit, I tried their omakase menu which starts at S$88 and could go higher, depending on addons that one chooses.

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Free Sony True Wireless Headphones WF-1000XM3 or Fitbit Versa 2 for Standard Chartered Credit Cards New Cardholders

February 8, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

There is a new credit card promotion with Singsaver this month where you can receive a brand new Sony Noise Cancelling True Wireless Headphones WF-1000XM3 (UP S$349) or Fitbit Versa 2 (UP S$288). New Standard Chartered (SCB) cardholders (those who have not held a Standard Chartered card in the past 12 months) who apply for a credit card and get approved are entitled to the Sony Noise Cancelling True Wireless Headphones WF-1000XM3 or Fitbit Versa 2. This Standard Chartered Sony headphones / Fitbit offer is valid until 28th February 2021 (11:59PM). You make the selection for your preferred gift at the time of application. If you are an existing cardholder, you will receive S$30 as sign-up gift.

sony true wireless headphones WF-1000XM3 for standard chartered credit cards (source: sony)

Note that this offer is valid only if you apply via the below exclusive links (direct application with Standard Chartered doesn’t count for the promotion). Why is that so? Singsaver actually acts as an aggregator and affiliate partner for Standard Chartered cards and from time to time, Singsaver and Standard Chartered may jointly fund the gift in order to split the marketing expense between them.

After clicking submit on your credit card application, make sure to take note of your Application Reference Number. You will have to fill out a redemption form (automatically sent to your email once you make a card application) in order to be registered.

Once your card is approved, remember to spend at least S$80 within 30 days of receiving your card in order to receive the Sony wireless headphones or Fitbit Versa 2. You will get an email within 60 to 90 days with instructions on how to claim your gift.

Here are the Standard Chartered cards that qualify for the promotion:

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YouTrip Card Review – Multi-Currency Wallet & Better Exchange Rates

February 4, 2021 by Bino Leave a Comment

While it may not be practical to travel at the moment, possessing a card that allows one to pay for overseas transactions with as little charges as possible is as relevant as ever. Online shopping has become a major pastime in the current situation – more so if you consider that the only way to get one’s coveted items from abroad these days is to have them shipped here. Enter YouTrip – one of the digital wallets available that allow you to make foreign currency transactions both online and in stores using wholesale exchange rates and with no extra charges.

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Hotelux – Enjoy Exclusive Hotel Benefits Without Elite Status Or Owning High Annual Fee Credit Cards

January 20, 2021 by Bino 1 Comment

You may have seen some higher tier credit cards – case in point The Platinum Card by American Express which carries an annual fee of S$1,712 – that come with special hotel benefits such as free breakfast, US$100 dining/spa credit, late check-out and perhaps room upgrade and wish there was a way that mere mortals like us who don’t want to fork out more than a thousand dollars on a credit card and at the same time, aren’t elite members of hotel loyalty programmes to enjoy those same kinds of perks.

This week, Hotelux launches in Singapore as a way for the public to access those luxury travel advisor benefits without having to go through those hoops. The app acts as a booking platform with a similar interface where you input your preferred stay dates with the app showing you its best rates with Hotelux partner hotels as well as a set of benefits that come with the stay.

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