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As a country which sees a continual influx of travelers of every description from all over the world, it is unsurprising to find that the top Singapore hotels are not merely some of Asia's finest, but among the very best in the world. It is a curious country, not least for containing within its modest land area one of the globe's most powerful economies. A factor which is in itself a great feat, but when you consider that this small island-nation has achieved its wealth and power in around four decades, it becomes all the more apparent how remarkable it actually is.
Despite the large-scale urbanization of this once small port, there remains a sense of the exotic and near mystical. More than ever, the national pride is strong and discernible in both the local hospitality and the striking, bold buildings which have become part of the vibrant cityscape. Like giant welcoming totems to a land of business, pleasure and leisure, these Singapore hotels are generally impressive feats of architecture.
Many top Singapore hotels are located in the Central Business District and are close to the famed Orchard Road area, where shopping and great restaurants entice a cosmopolitan clientele until late at night when the nightclubs and bars open to be filled by locals and visitors. Singaporean nightlife is famous. As with many parts of the country it is characterized by the ultra-modern juxtaposed with elements of the old world.
There is a spirit from the colonial period which survives on the main island, and can still be enjoyed in many fine local hotels. No matter whether it's a well known chain or one of the dramatic contemporary boutique establishments, there is an undertone of tropical trading port timelessness which touches on every aspect of the island-nation.
Like bookends of a vast catalog of exciting and inviting reads, there is Raffles on one end and the New Majestic on the other. The former is the country's oldest establishment. Now a national monument, Raffles dates directly back to the colonial period and aside from its long standing reputation for excellence is famous for its list of notable guests. Many politicians, artists, writers and luminaries of society have found themselves enjoying Raffles hospitality during its gilded history.
Offering the contemporary guest a transcendent elegance replete with an old world charm much the same as its erstwhile visitors would have experienced it, it remains not only one of the Singapore's top hotels, but one of the globe's most prestigious establishments. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the aptly named New Majestic. Located in Chinatown, it is an audacious establishment which has been converted from 5 old shop houses.
The New Majestic offers those with a contemporary sensibility an aesthetic which could never have been envisioned even twenty years ago. This boutique building is popularly known as a haunt for media and entertainment professionals. Perhaps they crave the profusion of pleasing features, each small detail invested with idiosyncrasy while being seamlessly integrated into a luxuriant feast for the senses. Various rooms and parts of the New Majestic have been designed by the country's most revered contemporary artists and designers. Rooms have themes, like 'Wayang' which has been realized in contrasting dark woods and red silk, a sumptuous affair, while the attic suites offer a more lofty, expansive environ.
These two hotels are fine examples of the breadth of style and type of establishment contained within this singular island-nation. Along with many of equal renown and prestige, they furnish a tableau of fine buildings and princely accommodations. Many of the top hotels have been created to meet the needs and expectations of discerning business travelers. Apart from supplying grand banqueting rooms and conference facilities to rival the fiercest international competitor, business orientated establishments are typically endowed with a grandeur which extends beyond the beautifully appointed rooms and into the numerous fine eateries and bars for which the country is celebrated.
Despite the relatively limited space with which local architects and designers have to work, there is an enduring commitment to creating astounding new buildings, each reflective of the local spirit of welcoming international guests as well as championing beautiful and bold design in sometimes unexpected forms. From resort orientated hotels which offer some of Asia's most comprehensive and technologically advanced health and fitness facilities, to intimate rooms disposed to romantic getaways in the heart of exotic South East Asia, Singapore hotels are more than just a place to stay, they are invested with the multi-layered aesthetic and luxuriousness which is a substantial part of this unique destination.
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