Bino

The New Sunday Champagne Brunch at The Line in Shangri-la Singapore

October 24, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

One of Singapore’s most established and go-to place for hotel buffets, The Line at Shangri-la Singapore has recently upped the ante by revamping their Sunday champagne brunch offering. I’m amazed at how this place manages to keep itself so popular over the years despite the many competitors that have tried to outpace it in terms of variety, opulence and theme. While The Line can no longer boast of having the most extensive hotel buffet in Singapore, it stays within the minds of diners by offering exciting themes from time to time while maintaining freshness and high quality in the food. I last visited some 2 months back when the restaurant featured creative interpretations of Singapore dishes in the buffet and that was a hit among local diners. Most recently, I was invited to The Line to check out the new food offerings brought in by the recently-appointed chef de cuisine, Vincent Wong.

Regulars at The Line will be pleased to note that old favorites such as the satay counter, wide variety of sushi as well as fresh seafood are still there. But there are many new highlights. Here is a review of what to expect at The Line’s Sunday Champagne Brunch:

…

Hotel Review: Ann Siang House – An Unexpectedly Hip Staycation

October 23, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

It has been a while since I’ve stayed in a boutique property. Most recently, I was invited to Ann Siang House, a boutique 20-room hotel right smack at one of my favorite places in Singapore, in Ann Siang Road near the tourist attractions of Singapore’s Chinatown. While most boutique hotels do not come with full-service F&B options, Ann Siang House boasts of not one but four bars and restaurants with each having a distinct proposition.

During the grand opening, I was able to try out the various wine and dine venues. Right by the lobby of the hotel is the former Mr and Mrs Maxwell, a casual dining venue by day and a speakeasy in the night. Upon check-in, I was served a welcome drink by the bartender – a refreshing lychee concoction that served to mark the beginning of my stay. A staff member then led me to my room.

…

Ambassador Transit Hotel – Everything You Need to Unwind from a Flight

October 21, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

As travellers grow more demanding of stress-reducing amenities, more hotel chains are inclined to open more branches near airports to give passengers a chance to relax from a long day of flying. As an example how pricey airport hotels are becoming, it was recently announced that MCR Development won the bid to develop a luxury hotel at JFK Airport, anticipated to open towards the end of 2018. Together with JetBlue, they plan on restoring the 1960s splendor of the TWA terminal, which will integrate with the design of the hotel. A nice concept, but it’s also going to be a very expensive one in the long run.

…

Capella Singapore Staycation Review – Still My Favorite Resort

October 18, 2015 by Bino 1 Comment

A staycation over the weekend is something I always look forward to after a busy week at work. Despite the dozens of hotel stays I’ve had in Singapore in the past few years, there is none other that gets me all perked up than at the property where I had one of my first staycations in Singapore, Capella Singapore. A popular venue for weddings, brunches and staycations, the property sits at the apex where getaways in Singapore are concerned. I have such fond memories of the service standards from that stay, so much so that certain elements of it have gone on to become anecdotes that I use sometimes as a conversation starter.

…

Let Me Tell You About Krakow – Poland’s Historic Gem

October 14, 2015 by Bino 2 Comments

While personally, my preference is for Wroclaw’s old town attractions, Poland’s star is undeniably its second largest city, Krakow and that is where the bulk of visitors to this deeply fascinating country flock to.

I arrived in Krakow on a wet and misty spring afternoon from a 5 hour or so drive from Poland’s capital, Warsaw. While the latter is noted for its skyscrapers, Krakow remains mostly low-rise and past the Soviet apartment buildings lining the suburbs, I could glimpse a bit of the Stare Miasto or the old town, with its walls, cobblestone streets and turn of the (20th) century buildings. For the casual tourist, there are two districts which are of interest in the city. Aside from the obvious old town, the other is the neighborhood of Kazimierz, the traditional Jewish enclave, which is fast emerging as a hip and happening locale.

…

My Stay At the Fun & Vibrant Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore

September 12, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

Of all the Hotel Jen properties around the world, none probably encapsulates the travel-savvy persona as much as the Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore which is currently undergoing a major transformation. I remember visiting a couple of times when it was known as Traders Hotel, back when the brand proposition was unabashedly for business travelers. The property’s current incarnation as Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore – aside from the retention of the hotel facade – sure doesn’t give any hint of the property’s history. A pervasive youthful vibe runs through the halls of the hotel. Gone are the staff members in suits. The same folks are now wearing bright and cheery outfits while little details add a sense of wonderment to guests’ experience which the property calls “that Jen feeling.”

I had the opportunity to check out the Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore during one weekend. Located at a quieter side of the Orchard shopping belt, it is close to Tanglin Mall as well as walking distance to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Although I’m no stranger to the Hotel Jen chain or to the Shangri-la Group (which the brand belongs to), I wanted to witness the transformation process that’s being implemented by the group as a result of the rebranding of Traders hotels to Hotel Jen in 2014. When I stayed at Hotel Jen Manila earlier this year, I managed to witness the change in the soft product. With Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore, it was a peek into both the soft and hard product – the property’s at the tail-end of segueing into the Hotel Jen look.

…

An Exquisite Sunday Brunch at St. Regis Singapore’s Brasserie les Saveurs

September 2, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

Brasserie les Saveurs, the French restaurant at St. Regis Singapore Hotel needs no introduction. Known for its elegant dining hall and decadent Sunday champagne brunches, this dining outlet definitely sits at the apex where hotel buffets are concerned.

I managed to try the Sunday brunch at Brasserie les Saveurs during my weekend stay at St. Regis Singapore. Though this was not my first time trying a hotel champagne brunch in Singapore, I was bowled over by the quality of food this brunch had to offer.

…

Visiting the Romantic Niagara Falls

August 11, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a romantic getaway, a long weekend at the Niagara Falls is a great option. It has been a favourite destination for couples since the 1800s, and there is a good reason for that. rainbow over the niagara by diana robinson | by CC 2.0

The falls are exciting, spectacular and, most importantly, memorable. They really are special, so they are perfect for a couple looking for a way to enjoy something unique together and create lasting memories of this mystical natural wonder.

…

Page 86 of 114

« Previous 1 … 84 85 86 87 88 … 114 Next »