CONCORDE HOTEL SINGAPORE: THE HARMONY OF TASTE AND QUALITY

I am a regular business traveller, which translates to appreciating efficient yet homely accommodation when on the move. Facing another trip – to Singapore this time – and relying on the enthusiastic feedback from satisfied customers online, I booked a Premier Room at the four-star Concorde Hotel Singapore. Initially, this business hotel had attracted me because of its premium location – right at the heart of the renowned Orchard Road with its mega-malls and office towers. More perks were to be revealed later.

The check-in was done in the twinkling of an eye. As a premium guest, I was entitled to private check-in at the Premier Lounge. There, even during the busier hours, guests may wait their turn while snuggling in comfy armchairs and catching up on the latest news on a 42 inch LCD TV or reading newspapers while enjoying refreshments.

I chose to take advantage of the late breakfast served in the lounge until 11am. The Premier Lounge boasts several open-concept functional spaces, so snacks can be enjoyed either in the sitting area with comfortable sofas and coffee tables, or in the dining area with tables and chairs. Alternatively, premium guests may enjoy a complimentary breakfast in the privacy of their room or atSpices Cafe.

What came as a pleasant surprise was that the Premier Lounge also had a private meeting room, which is complimentary to the hotel's Premier guests for up to eight hours for business meetings.

Upstairs, the Premier Suite welcomed me with its earthy tones, which stylishly contrasted with the sleek finishes on the headboards, TV console and bedside tables. Bright and colourful ceramic vases and pots, which I later learnt were Peranakan in style and which prompted me to embark on further research, lit up the contemporary decor. The bathroom was of such a generous size that I couldn't believe it existed in space-scarce Singapore. In addition to the shower cubicle, there was a bathtub big enough to accommodate my European-sized body, in which I couldn't resist taking a soak.

I almost forgot that I was on a business, rather than pleasure, trip, so serene was the room. Even the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road could not penetrate the double glazing of the windows. The room turned out to be perfectly suited for work, too. A spacious worktable and free swift Internet access (also available in the Premier Lounge) enabled me to get ready for my presentation. I had to meet some clients whose offices were scattered around the island, so this is where the meeting room of the Premier Lounge came in handy – it spared me car rides, taxi fares, time and having to repeat my presentation thrice. My clients were happy to oblige, and we had a fruitful discussion behind the closed doors of the meeting room of the Premier Lounge.

Lunch was served atSpices Cafe,with its elegant black interior and titillating fragrances. I finally understood Singaporeans' passion for food. The sumptuous Peranakan buffet sparked not only my appetite but also my curiosity. I learnt from a waitress that Peranakans have their own distinctive culture, which is a combination of Chinese, Malay and several other influences. That explained the stark colours of the vases and pots in the room! Spices Cafe had invited an 82 year-old true-blue Peranakan as a chef-consultant, who shared his culinary secrets with Concorde's team of chefs. I indulged in pineapple prawns, spicy fish in assam gravy, braised pork with preserved yellow beans, crab & meatballs soup, and the list goes on! The fact that the restaurant was full of Singaporean families dining out was indicative of the high quality of the food served.

After lunch, it was the best time to explore the surroundings. Passing by the shopping centre, which occupies the first level of the same building as the hotel, but being under different management, it seemed to be out of place compared to the posh hotel's glamorous interiors. I soon found myself on trendy Orchard Road just a stone's throw away from the Istana, the official residence of Singapore's President. Blessed with such a central location, the Concorde is within walking distance to premium shopping malls, and dining and entertainment hubs. Being a culture vulture and history buff, I managed to visit the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum and Peranakan Museum, which are all within walking distance from the Concorde Hotel. The Peranakan Museum introduced me to the amazing history of the Peranakans, which gave invaluable background to the bits of art and cuisine I had encountered at the Concorde Hotel.

While on a souvenir shopping spree, I received a call from a local friend who wanted to catch up over a great seafood dinner. Guess where As it turned out, the Concorde Hotel had harvested the best from the sea this season, and was very popular with discerning locals!

During dinner, I was overwhelmed by a truly magnificent spread of fresh seafood, meats hot off the grill, an extensive salad bar of fresh greens, as well as an array of mouth-watering deserts. I finally tried the world-famous Singapore must-tries: black-pepper and chilli Crab. Served in just under a minute, they were superb!

From 6 to 8pm, complimentary cocktails, snacks and canapes were served in the Premier Lounge which I as Premier guest was entitled to share with my friend. It made for a perfect round-up of the eventful day. Actually, as a Premier guest, you may invite a friend to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the Premier Lounge at any time of the day! For those who prefer more active pastimes, the Concorde Hotel offers a 4 ft to 7 ft deep swimming pool, a shallow play pool for kids, and a table tennis and billiard table. The fitness centre offers hotel guests a wide range of gym equipment guided by amicable instructors.

An outstanding hotel experience is much more than just a comfortable room and exquisite dining. It is also up to the hotel staff to make a difference. The commitment and efficiency of the Concorde's staff set it apart, with guests becoming loyal repeat customers. In fact, the Concorde's General Manager, Andrew Khoo, attends to every guest letter personally, ensuring that feedback is duly attended to. As for me, I was happy to express my gratitude for an excellent stay and the possibility of experiencing many aspects of Singapore within a single day! by Tatiana Stepanova