Singapore is one of the world’s great food cities. In my opinion even better than NYC or Paris: because the huge range of quality and variety of cuisines on offer.

Singapore Clarke Quay

Singapore is a polyglot city with sizable communities of Indians and Malayasians as well as Chinese. On top of that a bit of ex-colonial master England’s cuisine and you have some seriously good food available. In fact you don’t have to even go expensive to get authentic and tasty. Many of the locals live in tiny apartments and see no reason to stay in and cook when they can go out and eat for a few dollars at the local hawker centre. But if more up market is your style then there are plenty of options available.

You won’t go far wrong by heading towards the touristy but popular Clarke Quay where excellent, expensive restaurants line the waterfront many with river-side or balcony dinning. Singapore’s hot, tropical climate really encourages evening outdoors evening dinning and Clarke Quay is the place to do it. If you can’t decide on which Indian/Cantonese/Mexican/Italian place to choose then move after the first course or two! The people watching will keep you entertained between courses but in general you will find the food quick to come and the service top notch.

Ritz Carlton Lobby

With day time temperatures around 30C and the humidity nearly 100% the middle of the day is great time for a siesta, and you will be needing one if you indulge in the Ritz Carlton’s Sunday Brunch. The vintage pink Moet flows freely and there are 10 varieties of freshly shucked oysters from around the world on offer, not to mention specialist stations cooking and serving goose liver, lobster, sashimi, pasta and ice-cream. Run by Executive Chief Australian Geoff Bone and Nicholas Anthony the Ritz-Carlton Millenia is gaining a great reputation with foodies world-wide.  Served in the visually stunning Glasshouse Restaraunt the all inclusive price of S$116 (+tax) includes unlimited Moet & Chandon so remember to pace yourself through this 3.5hour extravagance.

If bubbly is not your think at 11:30am on a Sunday then you can also choose from an extensive wine list and selected cocktails to wash down the freshly shucked oysters, seafood, roasts, 50 French farmhouse cheeses and freshly baked soufflés.

Popular with the well-heeled locals and ex-pats as well as tourists, you may be wise to get a reservation. If you are unlucky enough not to be in Singapore on a Sunday then drop by to try out Singapore’s iconic dish: chili crab everyday of the week at the Glasshouse Buffet. Or for a more formal setting check out the Ritz Carlton’s signature restaurant Summer Pavilion which features Cantonese cuisine

Brunch, Glasshouse

In fact from the sounds of it you would probably be wise to be staying in-house after that unlimited Moet deal, so why not check out the hotel itsself which has an awesome collection of 4,200 of Asian and other modern art and large rooms, which in their words feature:

• Modern-style decor
• Light, timber finishes and Tibetan-style, woven floor coverings
• Raised, feather beds with unobstructed views of the Singapore skyline or Marina Bay
• Large, marble bathrooms positioned on the outside walls of our hotel in Singapore provide panoramic views from octagonal windows
• Luxurious bath amenities
• Plush terry bathrobes
• Walk-in wardrobes
• Private, in-room safes
• LCD television with DVD player
• Bedside alarm clock
• Refreshment bar
• Multi-lingual voicemail
• High-speed Internet access

If you are looking for somewhere else to stay then check out our review of luxury central Singapore hotels

Photo Credits =Fairy Tales=

In September, Singapore will host the first round of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship. As a first for Formula One the event will be run as an evening event.

The timing of course is to benefit the TV-networks and prime-time TV viewing in Europe: but it will certainly make for a spectacular face against the Singapore skyline. The race is a street circuit which will extend around the downtown and financial districts of Singapore’s compact centre. The track is a total of 5.1-kilometres (3.15-miles) which should offer specatcular backdrops of Marina Bay.
Although Singapore has no shortage of 5-star luxury hotels it would seem silly to not take advantage of the prime location of the hotels which are actually on the circuit. Don’t complain about traffic noise to management though!

Fullerton Hotel Transformed from the Fullerton Building which was built in 1928, this luxury hotel features views of the sunlit atrium, city, river or sea. Its also on the one of the hairpin bends of the Formula One race so this is an ideal spot to see all the action.

Marina Mandarin Choose one of the award-winning club level floors here which include free drinks and canapes every evening. Dark wood panelling off-sets the personal in-house coffee maker, power shower and broadband internet access. Located at the Marina and with direct access to the exclusive Suntec shopping centre this hotel couldn’t be better positioned for all your sightseeing after the big race is finished.

Pan Pacific Singapore Also in Marina Bay, the Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel is adjacent to three shopping malls including Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre and suites offer magnificent views of the city and harbour.

Now be warned: although 5-star rated, these hotels have received mixed reviews from recent guests.
Swissotel, The Stamford The Stamford boasts seventy-three-story Tower Hotel, the tallest hotel in Asia and with 1261 rooms this is not a initmate hotel. Located on Marina Bay too so central to Suntec City and the business district. Unfortunately The Stamford appears to have some issues with poor-sound proofing in the rooms and minimalist decoration not to everyone’s taste. Currently undergoing a refurbishment program, but you’d expect better from a luxury hotel.

Peninsula Excelsior Another central business district hotel: if you stay request a renovated room we have reports of carpet stains and so-so bathrooms in the older rooms

Sentosa Cove is a luxury residential development on Sentosa Island, Singapore. Once building is complete,  eventually housing about 2,500 units. The Island is mostly made of reclaimed land and the development is it is being marketed as a "exclusive oceanfront residential community.”

The master developer of the site is Sentosa Cove Pte Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Sentosa Development Corporation. SDC purchased the site from the Singapore Land Authority for a sum of about S$800 million.

The idea was originally conceptualized by Bernard Spoerry (Port Grimmaud, France) then updated by McKerrell Lynch. The first offering of apartments were apparently sold out within the first few days of being offered, which makes it surprising that so many luxury real estate agents are still offering them for sale.

Sentosa Cove represents the first, and thus far, only opportunity, for foreign investors to own residential land in Singapore,. Sentosa Cove investors receive a variety of financial benefits, in addition to 48 hour fast-track approval when purchasing properties or plots. The marina and associated berths attached to luxury waterfront housing estates will ultimately cater for more than 700 boats, of which ten of the marina berths will house 50 meter mega-yachts.

Sentosa Cove Home Page

Although if you hate websites that prevent you from using the “back” button – do not visit

Sotheby’s International Realty announced Singapore will be home to its newest franchise. The new office, Singapore Sotheby’s International Realty, joins a Sotheby’s network of 8,000 sales associates in 400 offices worldwide. This event marks the continuation of a slew of new openings for Sotheby’s International Realty. Fledgling offices in Tokyo and Moscow have also joined their global nest of franchises.

The sizzling Singaporean luxury real estate industry is worth a look. In fact, real estate isn’t the only thing thriving in Singapore; it’s everything business. Just weeks ago the World Bank released its annual “Ease of Doing Business” report. Singapore, yes Singapore, topped the charts. New Zealand and the United States had to take a back seat. With a thriving business environment Singapore will continue its rapid accent into the luxury market.

Source: Realogy

Picture: Asianpassages