Travel, Itineraries & Guides, Hotel Reviews
The mother of all buffets – Sunday brunches have practically become synonymous to lazy (but indulgent) afternoons spent feasting on delicious seafood and downing glasses of champagne. Plenty of venues in Singapore offer Sunday brunches. I’ve tried quite a few and these are my favorites:
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Looking for the perfect tan? It’s time to take your much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore some of the sunniest destinations of the world. From the lush forests of Madagascar to the world-famous parties in Ibiza, here are 6 destinations for an exceptional summer. These cities are bound to leave you hot under the collar, so remember to pack your shades and sunblock!
To help you make the best Sunshine Destination choice, Kayak devised the KAYAK Sunshine Index. By indexing the following:
(1) Hours of Sunshine in a Day,
(2) Average Temperature, and
(3) Activities You Can Do at the Destination,
Locations are rated on a 10-point Sunny Scale.
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Mention Tokyo and the first impressions that come to mind probably won’t stray away from neon lights, innovative gadgets and concrete jungles. What many do not realize is that Tokyo is one of the oldest big cities in the world. Its population had already topped 1 million in the year 1800 which would have given rise to a large swathe of historical sites scattered around town. Unfortunately, many of them were destroyed during the war. Today, it is still very much possible to see the other, more traditional side of Tokyo if you know where to look. With their narrow streets, colorful shops as well as remarkable architecture; these pockets of nostalgia offer a great contrast to the modernity which Japan’s capital is known for.
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It has been around 8 years since Philippine Airlines obtained its very first Boeing 777-300ER which marked the beginning of the carrier’s modernization where widebodies were concerned. While most airlines were already looking at fully flat seats and challenging what was then being offered in First Class and tailoring those for Business Class, the 777-300ER marked PAL’s first foray into the angle-flat seats. While by no means at the cutting edge; at the very least, it marked a slow transition out of the bulky and archaic recliner seats that the airline offered for the entirety of its Business Class products up until that point in time.
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I went last week to Rosso Vino (Italian for “red wine”) near the Robertson Quay Hotel to sample their dishes. The small, privately-owned restaurant prides itself on serving homemade Italian dishes prepared using traditional methods from Southern Italy. Sourcing the freshest ingredients they can get both locally and internationally, the restaurant provides guests with delicious, authentic Italian cuisine paired with excellent wines.
Rosso Vino is nestled between the Singapore River and Robertson Quay Hotel. Guests have the option to dine outside by the river’s edge or inside the cozy restaurant. Since it was a warm night, I opted to dine indoors where I enjoyed examining the various knick-knacks adorning the venue. There is warm lighting all around the restaurant, providing a nice, warm ambiance suitable for family get-togethers, small parties with friends, and even date nights.
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For a luxury hotel complex, I’ve always thought the F&B outlets at both Fullerton Hotel and Fullerton Bay Hotel offered good value for money. At Jade, the Chinese restaurant, the weekend dimsum brunch is always booked out well in advance due to the reasonable pricing while the picturesque Clifford Pier enables one to dine with marvelous views of Marina Bay for below $20 before tax.
some gin and tonic to start with
Similarly, the French restaurant, La Brasserie seems to look far more opulent than the prices in its menu suggest. I’ve dined here a few times and even came for breakfast once during a staycation at Fullerton Bay Hotel and found the food to be of high quality and the prices to be affordable for a high-class French restaurant in the CBD.
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A luxury beach haven with a buzzing nightlife to boot, Pattaya knows about style. With beachfront accommodation and sprawling tropical landscapes, Pattaya boasts a thriving boutique hotel and villa scene. You’ll find sleek accommodation with plenty of luxury amenities, such as private pools to soak in the alluring island atmosphere.
A thriving beachfront city, Pattaya is a high-end lifestyle destination with the finest shopping, sports and contemporary culture outside Bangkok. Home to a range of uber-luxury villas and elegant hotel suites that feature private pools, a holiday in Pattaya means you can stay cool and dive into your own tropical oasis.
Best of all, a rock star bank balance is not required to experience the good life here, with its array of affordable Pattaya pool suites, apartments and private villas that cater to every budget and taste.
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Among all hotel restaurants serving buffet, none probably got me smitten in terms of ambiance as much as Ash & Elm at InterContinental Singapore. I’m always for natural lighting and it’s a joy to come here in the day with the morning and afternoon sunlight penetrating the ceiling. To be honest, I have had no prior experience with their buffet (aside from the ones I tried for breakfast during my staycation at InterContinental Singapore). While I do love the ala carte – I still have fond memories of the Iberico pork from the menu – I’ve heard pretty good things about the brunch offerings here. The buffet here is not about offering as much variety as possible. That is not the intention. Instead, what one gets is a well-curated assortment of items on the spread plus a decent amount of ala carte dishes to enjoy. I recently visited Ash & Elm to try out their revamped Sunday champagne brunch – one that incorporates a breakfast theme.
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