Republished from The Stylish Dish - for more stories on curated experiences check out www.thestylishdish.com.
The Valley Wing at the Shangri-La Singapore redefines exclusivity as it hosts a red-carpet experience with talented service in lavish surroundings, The Stylish Dish indulged to tell the tale.
You know you are in the lap of luxury, when you get a personalised welcome as you step out of your flight gate. Holding an iPad with the Shangri-La logo, the team organised a private buggy to take us till immigration, and then we hopped into our Mercedes-Benz making our way to the famed Shangri-La Singapore property. Now spanning more than 100 properties across the world, the landmark property in Singapore was the start of the famous chain when it opened its doors in 1971.We were told our room was in the iconic Valley Wing, built in 1985 it was the last edition to the Shangri-La Singapore.
While the Shangri-La Singapore boasts of the Garden Wing and Tower Wing, the Valley Wing is a popular choice for royalty and dignitaries, it was no surprise that this wing had a private driveway on a quiet lane, a measure made easy to cordon traffic and grant private access whenever required. From Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela to Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, and artists like Paloma Picasso - The Shangri-La Singapore is the hotel of choice for a long list of loyal A-Listers.After undergoing refurbishment in 2003, the brand invested $55 million to give the 131 room tower a make-over.
The urban jungle of Singapore transformed into a dense foliage of greenery, as we entered the palatial property. Nothing could prepare me for the sheer opulence to come, the lobby had Italian marble of the Bianco Staturio variety - the pearly white marble of choice for sculptures built by Michelangelo, Canova and other prominent historic artists. The lobby chandeliers glittered in their gold-plated frames over furniture draped in the finest Italian fabrics.
The exquiste champagne bar at the Valley Wing Lobby
The Stay
The Valley Wing bathroom is something Cleopatra would approve of
The Valley Wing deluxe room on the 16th floor was to be our little abode for the next 2 nights. A spacious room, with a oriental partition of black and gold for the dresser area and bathroom entrance. The room was tasteful and unabashed with a window wall opening to Singapore’s twinkling lights.
After the Valley Wing deluxe room, the other luxurious options range from one bedroom suites, deluxe suites to the Shangri-La suite that has its own private elevator, boasting of splendid views of the city.
Right, can we all just take a minute to admire the private entrance of the Shangri-La Suite
It’s about the little things
The best part of the room, was the little gifts for us to discover. The mini-bar came with many complimentary goodies; all the rooms of the Shangri-La Singapore also have a mini Nespresso machine with a selection of espresso capsules. The bathroom had sweet scented cosmetics of bergamot and jasmine from L’occitane, and a mini-dessert would be placed by our bedside every night as part of the turn-down service. The dressing table drawers had a silk pouch with a cosmetic kit from La Prairie.
Mints on your pillow is a thing of the past, we devoured this little creation of marshmallow with elderflower essence
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
The Valley Wing is not just an opulent space as the grandeur and level of service extends to The Summit Room - a private dining facility that caters to lavish breakfasts for Valley Wing guests. A circular conservatory and intimate seating with a glass facade overlooking the garden palms, dine like royalty with a menu curated by Chef Christophe Moret from the Michellin starred L’ Abelle at the Shangri-La Paris. It was the first time we tried the delicious cocotte - a baked breakfast dish of olives, sundried tomatoes and truffle oil. Apart from the a la carte enjoy a small buffet of breakfast options, with fresh baked breads. Watching the service staff manage a full house is a feat in itself, as they discreetly move through tables, and provide the most efficient service without being the centre of attraction.
Coffee and this view
Champagne ‘o’ clock
Lush pours of Perrier Jouët Champagne await you at the Champagne Bar of the Valley Wing Lobby, with a selection of tea, canapes, curated wine and liquor, yet another exclusive experience for the Valley Wing guests. From 2pm - 5pm, enjoy afternoon tea, champagne, scones and dessert to the background tunes of a harpist, post 5pm the menu changes to evening canapes.
The Garden Tour
When a five star hotel has its own website dedicated to its orchid garden (link), you know they don’t take gardens lightly. The award-winning gardens of the Shangri-La Singapore are absolutely stunning and run for acres with exotic vegetation from all around the world, from varieties of palms to fruit trees and herb gardens, set with waterfalls and koi fish ponds - it is safe to say the gardens of the Shangri-La Singapore run their own little ecosystem. A garden tour is hosted daily, by the Garden Ambassador - the very animated and knowledgeable Mr. Kassim. Looking over his gardens with pride, he narrates stories, scientific names and shares snippets of history.
Dîner de Fleurs - The Garden Jewel of the Shangri-La Singapore
An open- air green house, clad in orchids is the perfect romantic setting as the Shangri-La Singapore create a special eight course menu, in this private setting for two. Choose from a selection, as a special menu is curated beforehand that is paired with wines.
An orchid canopy awaits with a dinner for two
Of Heritage Character
As there are many facets of the hotel to see, from a historical point of view - the property has a tiny pavillion known as the Dutch pavillion which is used as a banquet hall. The architecture immediately stands out, and I am told that the property was earlier a Dutch school in 1928. After shutting down numerous times due to riots after the World War II, the hotel bought the land as the school moved elsewhere. Even though the interiors underwent renovation, the exterior charm was maintained with its signature roofs and bell tower, a part on the brand to preserve history.
A postcard from the past , pictures of The Dutch Pavillion, then and now
Art and Soul
An art-collector’s heaven, there are over 41 pieces of art in the Valley Wing alone, following a theme of contemporary whimsy and oriental elegance. In fact, one cannot miss the floor to ceiling mural by the entrance, which is about 8 feet high. Created by artist Lam Chung, it depicts lofty mountains, misty streams and hazy golden trees. But the oriental painting is more than a pretty portrait, it is symbolic of the story from where the Shangri-La got its name, which is inspired by the fictional Tibetan mountain in James Hilton’s novel ‘The Lost Horizon’, published in 1933. Described as a scenic paradise with a harmonious community of people - the name and ideology stands as the vision for the brand till this day.
In fact, if you observe the new logo of the Shangri-La, the curves of the ‘S’ depict a mirror image of the mountain, with a line representing the water to symbolise the reflection.
The Shangri-La Singapore is opulent to a level that makes luxury feel like an understatement, but what adds warmth to your experience is the hotel staff. Their genuine smiles, approachable demeanour and discreet efficiency illustrates the famed hospitality of the East of how a guest is welcomed home. There is much debate whether the Shangri-La mountain mentioned in James Hilton's novel ' The Lost Horizon' existed or not - but one thing is for sure, the brand has surely paid ode to recreating its essence that makes you feel like you have indeed arrived in paradise.