Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa launches Amara Heritage Trail

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is introducing the inaugural Amara Heritage Trail, a tour to discover the nature, conservation and history hidden within the resort. 

Source: Amara Sanctury Resort Sentosa. The petai tree is one of 26 heritage trees in Sentosa protected by the Heritage Tree Scheme under Singapore’s National Parks Board. The seeds are edible.

Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is built on 10 acres – where old British military barracks and air raid shelters stood. These building complexes were constructed sometime between 1897 and 1905; and upgraded in the 1920s. The resort’s owner, Albert Teo, worked with Miyake Masaki, a celebrated Japanese architect, to convert these old buildings into resort suites while preserving as much heritage and nature as possible. 

“It is an honour and privilege that our resort sits on this piece of valuable land. Not only are we part of the history, we are happy to be able to share this heritage with our guests. For the younger generation, they will have an opportunity to learn and appreciate how far Singapore has come,” said Dawn Teo, Senior VP, Amara Hotels & Resorts.

The Amara Heritage Trail is jointly organised by Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa and the Singapore Tourism Board and takes 60 minutes to complete on foot. Beginning at the resort’s main lobby, participants will be taken on a walk to explore heritage buildings. Along the way, guests will be asked to spot an artefact – a sole cleaner; relive the experience of hiding in a World War II air raid shelter; and identify some of the common herbs and spices used in local cuisine today, including the one that brought the British to Southeast Asia in the 1800s. 

Source: Amara Sanctury Resort
Sentosa. The British Army-era sole
cleaner at the Amara Sanctuary
Resort Sentosa.

Other highlights include uncovering a heritage tree protected by the Singapore National Parks Board; sharing the story of Mrs Helen Hall; and learning the origins of the name “Sentosa” and some of the road names at Amara Sanctuary.

A specially curated colonial set menu, priced at S$38++ for two persons, has been created in conjunction with the launch of Amara Heritage Trail. Guests can taste common dishes enjoyed by British soldiers while Singapore was still a crown colony under the British administration.

Details:

The guided Heritage Trail will be opened to the public from 8 September 2018, and will occur every Saturday and Sunday at 10am. The one-hour guided tours will be priced at S$18 nett for the public; S$12 nett for in-house guests; and is complimentary for Amara Sanctuary Suite and Villa guests.

The trail can be self-guided as well. Download a copy of the self-guided trail brochure

View the Colonial Set Menu (PDF)

Immerse yourself in history and art at Apricot Hotel, Hanoi

Source: Apricot Hotel website.

With plans for a grand opening at the end of summer*, Hano’s newest luxury hotel, Apricot Hotel, has opened for business in the heart of Vietnam’s cultural and political capital. The 10-story Apricot Hotel building has enormous historical significance as it was formerly the Phú Gia Hotel, where the city’s movers and shakers have gathered since the 1920s.

With views of Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi’s Old Quarter at its doorstep, the luxury five-star hotel features 123 neo-classical rooms, two restaurants, a lobby lounge and cafe, rooftop bar, heated rooftop swimming pool, meeting facilities, spa and fitness centre.

“If we liken Hoan Kiem Lake to a stunning ring, our hotel aspires to be the gemstone atop that ring; Apricot Hotel is luxurious yet homely, intimate and cosy with personal butlers and bespoke services including dining in a private garden for certain room categories,” said Steve Tan, the hotel’s GM.

Apricot Hotel pays homage to art created by the nation’s master painters and contemporary up-and-comers. It showcases more than 600 original artworks in the lobby, corridors and rooms. Those by master painters include Nguyễn Dung’s Hát Ả Đào (Traditional Folk Singers) with its earthy colours, Mai Thứ’s Thiếu Nữ (Young Girl), and Phan Kế An’s Nhớ Một Chiều Tây Băc (Recalling One Late Afternoon in Tay Bac) that hints at the heroism of Vietnamese troops during the French-Vietnamese war.

Artists Bùi Hữu Hùng and Hồng Việt Dũng lead the charge on the contemporary front with golden-hued Nhã Nhạc (Royal Elegant Music) and Rừng Cọ (Palm Forest) respectively. The latter work’s muted tones bringing depth to a scene that seems devoid of human influence until the eye is drawn to a tiny boat in the foreground.

“Art is a gateway to the deepest, most profound depths of any culture,” said Steve Tan, the hotel’s GM. “At the same time we’re providing a stationary experience of accommodation, we’re going to take guests on an incredible journey through the history of Vietnamese art and culture.”

In addition to five categories of rooms and suites named Sketch, Canvas, Gallery, Masterpiece and Studio, the hotel’s L’Artiste restaurant boasts an open-style kitchen and menus reminiscent of an artist’s sketchbook while A’telier, located in the hotel lobby, serves a selection of teas from across the globe.

Opening promotional room rates start at VND2,399,128 ++ (USD 110++). A’telier’s Afternoon Tea for Two selection of freshly prepared mini-finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, homemade cakes. pastries and tea is priced at VND520,000++ (USD 23.90++).

*See this blog's definition for summer