It was often heard at breakfast or even in the elevators: “It’s such a good idea!”, “Amazing!” or “I wish all hotels had it!” And it’s the thing that, when asked for a hotel recommendation in Singapore, made me direct people to PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore.
We all want to travel better. But it’s not always easy. Take drinking water as an example. Not everywhere in the world has the luxury of potable water at the turn of a tap. And even if it does, sometimes travellers, who have invested so much time and money into a much-desired holiday, may not want to risk getting sick from some questionable water. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay has the answer.
It’s an in-room water filtration system. The filtered water comes out of a separate high tap in the bathroom meaning you can fill up drink bottles easily. Didn’t bring your drink bottle? The room comes with two (already filled and sealed) glass bottles. You can borrow these for the duration of your stay.
Yes, tap water in Singapore is drinkable just like in most places in Australia. But a lot of people in Australia still have filters in their homes to get rid of nasties that may have slipped through. It’s peace of mind, a fellow Aussie says at breakfast the next day. It also eliminates 360,000 single-use plastic bottles each year.
This is just one of many things that PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay does to make a difference. Think solar panels, e-vehicles… The hotel’s sustainability initiatives put other hotels to shame. But aside from a couple of things (like the filtered water tap in their rooms), guests don’t really notice. Because the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is a lovely luxury hotel in a great part of Singapore, it just also happens to be this while doing some really amazing things for the world too.
IS IT REAL?
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is stunning. And a large part of that can be attributed to its indoor (massive) garden vibe and that atrium.
Dubbed ‘Singapore’s first garden in a hotel’, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is home to over 2,400 trees (yes, trees), shrubs and ground cover. “Is it real?” People ask. They’ll gingerly go to rub a leaf. Yes. Yes, the plants are real. And while they do give the hotel a ‘living garden’ vibe, they also work as air purifiers in the city-state hotel.
The atrium skylight is made from double-glazed glass that features low emissivity which means that you (and all those plants) get all that fabulous light, without the heat.
But what I really loved was the hotel’s Urban Farm which provides about 20 percent of its food requirements. Stay tuned for Karryon’s chat with a gardener at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay!
THE FOOD
I do feel sorry for hotel chefs in Singapore. They have a lot to compete with. But as a dining destination itself, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is a definite contender. Especially for vegetarians.
In my experience, vegetarian options for in-room dining are usually fairly limited. Not here. Having arrived late, I resigned myself to room service. But with a whole section of the menu devoted to vegetarian cuisine, my interest (and hunger) was piqued. While there were some amazing ‘Western’ options, you don’t come to Singapore for a burger. This is what I got instead.
Breakfast at Peppermint features all you can eat of Asian and international favourites that are changed daily. With, again, a tonne of plant-based options.
If you can tear yourself away from the buffet, step out to the terrace into the Urban Farm, where more than 60 varieties of herbs, edible flowers and vegetables are grown and used in the very food you’re eating. And even in the tea and infused water you’re drinking!
Also, worth noting is the hotel’s use of EcoBurners instead of traditional chafing dishes.
Other restaurants on site that we didn’t get to test out are: Peach Blossoms, which offers a unique take on traditional Cantonese cuisine; Sushi Jiro and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. We did briefly pop into Portman’s Bar for a quick drink and to watch a robot waiter buzz about.
THE ROOM
I’m in an Urban Deluxe Room with a lovely view of the city. On the other side of the hotel, rooms have a fabulous view of the bay.
The room is about 33 square metres and feels quite roomy with a generous workspace. All the usual suspects are present including a lovely bathtub, a fridge with enough space to house your filtered water and Appelles amenities.
THE LOCATION
I shopped vintage…in a mall. Only in Singapore. Across the road (or in Singapore terms, under it) from PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay you’ll find some easy to navigate malls. Marina Square and Millenia Walk are smaller while Suntec City is huge. All are great to go for a quick bite or to buy presents to appease those you left at home. And yes, there are even vintage stores!
But nothing is too far in Singapore. And while you might feel that you’re in the more ‘convention’ side of town, there are a tonne of nearby attractions such as Gardens by the Bay which is just a five minute drive or a 15-20 minute walk away.
Karryon was a guest of Express Travel Group attending their annual conference ETGX.
For more information about the hotel, visit it’s website: www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-collection-marina-bay.
