Meet at the new M Social in Singapore

Source: M Social Singapore. The Bigger Room.

M Social Singapore, a 293-room lifestyle design hotel that thrives on an interplay of friendship, community and new experiences, is now open. Situated along the Singapore River, M Social overlooks the Robertson Quay enclave and is part of an integrated development which includes UP@Robertson Quay, a luxury apartment project developed by City Developments.

M Social Singapore’s chic interiors are by French designer Philippe Starck. It debuts in Singapore the concept of “democratic design”, where spaces around the hotel are accessible and flexible enough to cater to different needs. The theme is centred around being “snuggish” – cosy guest rooms with warm colour tones, pashmina throws and thick carpets.

Complementing these are communal spaces that encourage gathering and mingling, embellished by customised art and design elements. For instance, the entrance is marked by sculptures of two bronze peanuts, as well as a cube. Underfoot, colourful
tiles make for a psychedelic first impression. The generous use of chandeliers recessed into the ceiling provide hints of contemporary glamour.

Accommodation options have generous ceiling heights of up to 4.1m, and come in varying sizes and configurations. The Nicer Room has a terrace attached to it, while The Bigger Room is actually a duplex-style loft with a terrace.

Source: M Social Singapore. The Nicer Room. 

M Social Singapore also prides itself on embracing technology. It is the first in the country to offer a self-check-in kiosk in the lobby. Placed within each room is a smartphone preloaded with a city guide. It comes with complimentary unlimited data usage and free phone calls both locally and internationally.

Hungry? Beast & Butterflies offers a menu influenced by East and West: the Great Rack of China, a rack of lamb marinated with Sichuan spices; and Demoburger, where a slab of grilled Wagyu beef is accompanied by garlic cheese fries and mesclun salad with sesame dressing.

But this is more than just a hotel; it is a lifestyle experience. The M Social Committee, made up of key opinion leaders, is responsible for curating a digital guide to Robertson Quay and attractions around Singapore for the millennial globetrotter. The Committee, made up of personalities such as Lim Sek (CEO, Music & Movement) and Timothy Go (TV presenter), will also be curating the I M Social Series, a programme that will reinforce the hotel as a lively hub and host of thematic
gatherings and activities, such as morning taichi sessions and yoga on the pool deck.

Regulars can join the M Social Club, where they can enjoy exclusive perks and privileges at the hotel.

posted from Bloggeroid

Katamama to welcome guests in April

Source: Katamama. A rooftop suite at dusk.

Katamama, a 58-suite boutique hotel located on one of the last parcels of land in Seminyak, Bali’s most prestigious oceanfront district, is opening at the end of March 2016.

Katamama embodies “handcrafted hospitality”, with every facet of the hotel personally designed and created by Indonesia’s finest craftsmen. The hotel is the creation of PTT Family, whose award-winning restaurants and bars in Indonesia and Singapore include the Potato Head Beach Club in Bali, a 20-villa estate renowned for its cutting-edge environmental design, and a leading contemporary Indonesian art gallery.

Contemporary design elements pay reference to the Balinese lifestyle and lush green gardens reflect the natural beauty of the island. Renowned Indonesian architect and long-time PTT Family collaborator Andra Matin has designed Katamama, with interiors a partnership between the owners and the Singapore-based design company Takenouchi Webb. The hotel will be finished with Indonesian materials such as Balinese bricks, teak, hand-made tiles from Java and terrazzo made on site.

Katamama's suites will be filled with curated artwork and collectibles, many of them originally part of the owner’s personal collection. All suites boast outdoor spaces, whether balconies, secluded gardens or individual pools. The two-storey Rooftop Suites measure 268 sq m, and offer internal access to a rooftop garden complete with ocean views, a spa bath and rain shower as well as dining, lounge and bar areas. The crowning glory of the hotel will be The Katamama Suite, housing two bedrooms and a private rooftop garden.

According to the TripAdvisor November 2015 Holiday Value Report, which revealed the top 10 most popular international destinations for Singapore travellers in the first quarter of 2016 along with the average one-week costs for hotels, airfare and meals, Bali is the most popular destination for Singapore travellers looking for a beach getaway. This is followed closely by Hong Kong, Taipei, Bangkok, Osaka, Kyoto and Seoul for those who prefer city breaks. Boracay and Langkawi are also popular, coming in ninth and tenth in the top ten list.

Janice Lee Fang, TripAdvisor’s Communications Director, Asia Pacific said at the time: “Travellers can compare prices and book great deals on TripAdvisor, and if they are flexible with their dates they can save even more money by visiting during the least expensive week*, which for Bali is 28th March."

Interested?

Katamama is at JL. Petitenget 51B, Seminyak, Bali, 80361, Indonesia. Call +62 361 302 9999 with enquiries

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the Radisson Bali Tanjung Benoa

*Average costs to visit the top travel destinations are representative of a one-week trip including a seven-night hotel stay, average national roundtrip airfare and three restaurant meals per day. All hotel and airfare prices were based on trips departing and returning between 1 January and 31 March 2016. Rates were correct as of 5 November 2015 and are converted from US dollars to Singapore dollars using xe.com on 18 November 2015. 

Personalised gifts are much more meaningful: Joanne Peh

Recently-wed celebrity couple Joanne Peh and Qi Yu Wu shared how chocolate had figured in their history together when they headlined the launch of Ferrero's first Southeast Asia boutique, Pasticceria Ferrero. 

The Mediacorp stars were at the boutique outside Wisma Atria along Orchard Road in Singapore last evening.

"I used to eat it layer by layer as in the TV commercial," said the Singaporean actress of the classic Ferrero Rocher praline. She used to buy Ferrero Rocher at Chinese new year for the gold packaging, she shared. Gold coloured items symbolise prosperity during the Chinese new year period, while round items symbolise completeness.

Peh recounted a time before they were married, when they were both at work. She remembered that Qi had snacks in his bag and some had melted from the heat. He took out a whole chocolate out of his bag for himself, then offered her a melted one before asking if she would prefer the whole chocolate. 

Qi shared that he had never given her chocolate as a formal gift. "Today might be the first time," he said, explaining that to him, giving chocolate to someone is not done lightly. 

Peh added that personalised gifts can be very meaningful. "What do I want to convey with the choice of chocolates? Knowing your friend and the effort that you put into it - it's that which means so much more," she said.

Read the blog post about the boutique here.

Viva La Fleur starts selling its long-lasting natural floral arrangements online

Since it was set up in October 2013, Viva La Fleur Floral Boutique has been captivating businesses with long-lasting 100% natural floral arrangements and bouquets. The company is the sole distributor for LavieFlo, a technology that enables flowers look freshly plucked for months, without the need to water them or place them in sunlight.

Fresh flowers from Japan, China and other parts of the world undergo an intricate preservation process that replaces the plant sap while maintaining the quality and integrity of petals and foliage. 

"This innovative technique was first developed by a company in France in the late 1980's. Over the years, the technology has been perfected by botanists from Japan and China," said Kayson Wong, Director, Viva La Fleur. "Only non-toxic and cosmetic-grade chemicals are used in the process."

As the first company in Singapore to offer such flowers, Viva La Fleur has been organising roadshows to educate the market. "People thought these were artificial flowers and are amazed that these real flowers can last so long. Most of our customers buy one and when they see the longevity of the flowers for themselves, they buy more and spread the word for us," Wong said.

According to Wong, the average lifespan of each arrangement is three to six months due to wear and tear as well as environmental conditions. "They will not wilt like fresh flowers," he said. "Just use a hairdryer on the cool setting from a moderate distance if they get dusty."

Viva La Fleur has received orders from hotels, hospitality-related companies, retailers, restaurants and country clubs. "Businesses such as hotels like bespoke flower arrangements that resonate with their colour and design philosophy and image," said Wong. "Depending on the occasion, some buy bigger ones for their offices and smaller ones for their desks."

Those interested to view the floral arrangements in person can visit the Floral Boutique at 30 East Coast Road, #02-23, Katong V mall in the Village Katong Hotel, which is open from 11am to 9pm daily. They can also email info@vivalafleur.com.sg or call +65 6440 0642. 

The company has also launched an e-commerce portal as of November 1 with themed collections such as 'Commercial', 'Gifts' and 'Special Events'. A new range of floral arrangements incorporating several new species like roses, hydrangeas, eustomas, gerberas, and carnations can be viewed online. 

"More floral species such as calla lilies, tube roses, pompom mums, spray mums and the all-time favourite dendrobiums will be available," Wong added. "We have an anniversary sale on at up to 50% off for selected floral arrangements now."

Serena Cheu, a business customer who is a Senior Marketing Director, said: "I initially could not believe that these flowers are for real, as I had not seen them around in Singapore. The truth is, they are all 100% natural, do not need water or sunlight and yet, have such prolonged shelf life. The presence of these flowers has brightened up my mood and spirit tremendously. Whenever I need a break from my hectic work, one look and I am instantly rejuvenated with vigour and positive energy. They just always make me smile."

*Images from Viva La Fleur.

Cachet Hotel Group reveals URBN Shanghai's new look

The Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) has completed renovations to the edgy URBN Hotel in Shanghai, which is a converted warehouse space. Under the creative direction of CHG's celebrity fashion designer, Jay Godfrey, the new interiors provide a modernist zen experience for hotel guests. The neutral colour palette also enhances the natural beauty of the recycled and reclaimed wood materials used. 

Source: CHG. The Jay Godfrey Courtyard Suite.

Photo - http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140911/0861406560

The URBN Shanghai hosts a signature Jay Godfrey designer suite. This 40 square meter suite features black lacquer finishes throughout, modern artwork, Tom Dixon pendant lights and an indoor-outdoor lounge 26 sq m terrace that overlooks the hotel's courtyard.

Business travellers will find URBN Hotel's new guestrooms more convenient for work, sleep and relaxation. All the guest rooms have been upgraded with new Mayair Technology air purification systems. Guests can also enjoy in-room Nespresso coffee machines, smart phone docking stations and wall-mounted 46" Samsung HD TV Performance Line televisions featuring international and local channels.

Each redesigned guest room features light fixtures with eco-friendly origins. A customisable lighting installation allows guests to create their own mood setting via remote control. URBN's signature Renewal Bed is also eco-friendly, being made from 100% natural materials, including cactus fibre, seaweed and coconut fibre. The Renewal Bed features a four-layer bed system and 600-thread count Egyptian cotton sheet for a better sleep experience. 

The eco-boutique hotel also features a brand new fitness center called URBNfit. URBN has also partnered with Shanghai art gallery Art+ to display their contemporary artworks throughout the hotel and penthouses. 

"The redesigned and renovated URBN hotel reflects our passion in providing enriching and healthy experiences for today's discerning travellers pivoted by design, sustainability and comfort," said Aaron Griffiths, President of Hospitality Development. "Our guests will find not just a refreshed style but serious substance – that will make their stay at URBN hotel an even more restful and inspiring experience."

This October, URBN will introduce the BeerGRDN restaurant and bar, designed to be a casual dining and social venue, perfect for groups, sharing and celebrations. The bistro-style menu focuses on Italian and American flavours with a contemporary twist. 

Peninsula Boutique opens in Singapore

Peninsula Merchandising and Star Express Merchandising, the distributor of Peninsula merchandise and operator of Peninsula Boutiques in Singapore, have opened their first boutique in Singapore as of late July. Peninsula Boutiques can also be found in Hong Kong, mainland China, Japan, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and the US.

Source: Peninsula Boutique. The Peninsula Boutique at ION Orchard.

The Peninsula Boutique, at ION Orchard, carries exclusive merchandise from The Peninsula Hotels, which offer the best of Eastern and Western hospitality, a tradition which started at its flagship hotel, The Peninsula Hong Kong, in the 1920s. Ideal corporate gifts include signature Swiss chocolates, unique Peninsula tea blends and coffees, cookies and cakes along with the renowned XO Chilli sauce. 

The Peninsula Hotels chain first started selling its celebrated merchandise in Singapore in 2008 with the launch of its gourmet mooncakes at selected retail outlets over the Mid-Autumn Festival (editor's note: mooncakes go on sale this month and culminate on 8 September). With the opening of the new boutique, customers will now be able to enjoy a year-round Peninsula shopping experience in Singapore, as well as feast on the festive mooncakes that have just arrived in-store.

To celebrate the opening of the new boutique, The Peninsula Boutique at ION Orchard will offer great prizes to those who spend over S$50. The prizes are on offer over three stages, from 7 August 2014 to 1 January 2015. First prize winners will enjoy a hotel package for two at The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Beijing or The Peninsula Tokyo over different periods. Other prizes include hampers worth from S$300 up to S$500.

For details of entry, visit The Peninsula Boutique at B1-13 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801, telephone +65 6835 9798, or e-mail peninsulaboutique@starexpress.com.sg.

Peninsula Boutique outlets are located at The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula Bangkok and The Peninsula Chicago. Peninsula merchandise is also available at Peninsula Boutiques throughout Asia including Hong Kong, Beijing, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokohama, Singapore and Taipei. A selection of merchandise is also available for purchase online and delivery in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan at peninsulaboutique.com.