Someone once asked me what I love the most about travel. Was it simply the destination or the whole process of traveling? Just being in the airport alone makes me happy. It means I am going somewhere, off to a new adventure, whether in comfy Business Class with that glass of champagne before takeoff or making my little space in economy comfier with my own little neck pillow and blanket, I just love the movement of it all.
During my younger student years, what I didn’t care much for was the hotel. As long as it was clean, safe and well located, all that mattered then was how good a deal it was because my entire budget would be spent on food, drinks, shopping and sightseeing. It was just a place to sleep.
I once went to San Sebastian with a bunch of friends, we took the long train ride from Paris because it was cheaper and stayed in a 14-euro a night-per bed hostel but splurged 300-euros on a memorable meal at Arzak. Older and married, I have learned to appreciate the art of the hotel-stay. The recent past years have had me scouring the Web for the best boutique hotels and good deals at luxury resorts. Having someone to share breakfast in bed with also means that we take things easy in the morning. I enjoy the baths, the little amenities, I like lounging in the fluffy bathrobes, room service, exploring the gym, peeling off the starched white sheets to reveal a nice soft bed and big poufy pillows. I am more willing to spend more on quality and the overall experience of feeling special. That, hey, in case of inclement weather, I can happily enjoy my room.
Although work does take me to nice places, I am not a business traveler. I usually shy away from very large chains unless there is something unique about the property or location. I like boutique hotels, places with charm and great interiors. I often like historical hotels or unusual buildings or simply places with warmth and soul. This is where Pan Pacific Singapore truly surprised me. At first glance, it may seem like a large luxury business hotel, but after its recent 2012 renovation the feeling is far from that. With all its cozy corners, design touches and personalized service it’s easy to forget that it has almost 800 rooms.
The first thing I noticed is its stunning lobby. The atrium looks all the way up the 38 floors framed in a triangular architecture with lit-up glass elevator pods climbing the towering lengths. It feels a little futuristic, like something out of a Stanley Kubrick movie, surreal and spacey. Instead of the usual couches and armchairs, the multi-level lobby has been outfitted with rising pods that look like cozy little nests, creating small private nooks for guests, some of which seem to float on water as part of it is perched on top of a shallow pool. Instead of checking in at the counter we were checked in our room being on the Pacific Club floor, however regular guest also get a personalized check-in service as the staff use iPads to check them in from anywhere that’s convenient in the lobby. You could order a cocktail by its 22-meter long bar and be checked-in at a leisurely pace.
When the doors opened to my room, my husband and I let out a collective gasp. It was much more beautiful and cozy than I expected. There’s a fine line between modern and cold, and some hotels sacrifice coziness and warmth for sleek interiors. This wasn’t the case with its soft neutral contemporary design accented with touches of burnt orange and natural elements. Apart from the jaw dropping view of the Marina Bay, my favorite feature was the incredibly large bathtub, which the warm staff who checked us in, enthusiastically said “You can swim in it!†For someone living in an old house with no tub, this is the ultimate luxury. I love a good hotel bathroom. The shower was outfitted with not just a rain showerhead but my new favorite bathroom fixture with these Grohe double shower heads. You can move them anywhere and when paired with a super strong water pressure, it’s the best form of relaxation.
Like most travelers I like to get a good deal and often that means having breakfast included in the room rate. However, one of my pet peeves is having to get up and go down to eat at the buffet, which usually closes by 10 a.m. Already on a regular workday, my brain does not function without coffee or food. I don’t like getting dressed before breakfast so I often grumpily throw on a cardigan and yesterday’s jeans, messy hair and eyeglasses to have my breakfast. Way to kill the holiday spirit. When I travel for leisure there’s nothing better than a room service breakfast. I absolutely loved the fact that with the Pacific Club Rooms you had three options for your inclusive breakfast: a well curated champagne breakfast at the Pacific Club, the large expansive buffet at Edge and the luxury of eating in your room in pajamas. Small details like the prompt and cheerful person taking your order to serving the juice in glasses nestled in silver bowls full of ice to keep it cool. The room service trays were always full of polished silverware, fresh flowers, the bread basket still warm a top starched whites. Old-world sensibilities that make the experience more pleasurable. During our three-day stay, despite the gloriously tempting buffets, we indulged ourselves with breakfast in bed.
From the fabulous buffet at Edge to which my buffet-hating husband exclaimed “You know I’m not the buffet type, but I have to say this one is really nice†to the tasty nibbles set against a stunning view during cocktail hour at the Pacific Club everything was delightful with extremely personal service. As soon as my friend was done with his guava juice, a waitress came up to him with a fresh glass to replace it without asking. It’s these small details that are so often overlooked that can make the difference between a good hotel and an excellent one.
As we were getting into the taxi to leave, the friendly doorman wished us farewell by saying with a big smile and jolly laugh alluding to my protruding belly, “Now you leave two, next time you will come back as three!†After such a wonderful experience, there definitely will be a next time.
* * *
Pan Pacific Singapore is conveniently located at 7 Raffles Boulevard by Marina Square; there is an MRT station right next to it, there are always taxis in front of the hotel and taxis know exactly how to get there. With such a wide variety of rooms there is one kind for every purpose. For information http://www.panpacific.com/ For the best rates book via Agoda.com.