Destinations

Slumdog Millionaire, the big winner at the Golden Globes, has prompted clients to again plan there trip to India with a stopover in Mumbai. One of my very well traveled clients in her 20ies can definitely rave about the InterContinental in Mumbai. It is definitely up there for one of the top hotels in the world!  For 300.00 (depending on dates) you can get a room with floor to ceiling views of the Arabian Sea, complimentary 20 minute massage when you check in , the “spa”comes to your room, amazing restaurants, the rooftop bar is one of the trendiest in the city, and there is a pool on the roof as well!

Next week its Goa! Stay connected.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Singapore but stayed like a local. I was visiting family who have been there now for about two years on a work assignment. Although I did some sightseeing, most of the time was spend visiting parts of the this city where the residents live, shop, pay observances to their varied religions, and just ‘get around town.’ I had been to Singapore several times before but since I was staying out in Yishun district (one of the suburbs) getting into and out of central district meant using the Metro, buses walking and “going local.”

Singapore’s government is very involved in the life and comfort of its residents — all apartments subsidized by the government and supplied at good rates of sale to the local residents ensure a balance of races and cultures occupy each apartment block or group of blocks. These blocks are supplied with shopping centers, activities rooms, schools, and nearby houses of worship. One block a Hindu temple, the next a Chinese columbarium, and just across the road from the local grammar school is a large open/covered market with fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, meats for sale and innumerable small shops ringing the market with everything a local householder might require.

The famous Singapore “food courts” range in quality from the fully enclosed, indoor dining cafeterias to the more relaxed semi-open table-strewn dining areas with small family run stalls providing a wide range of foods. Pig-organ soup stands, fresh cane juice and fruit juices dispensaries, vegetarian Chinese/Malay stalls vie for your attention and the difficult decision-making process. Everything is carefully inspected and products fresh and tasty. As there are peoples from all over South East Asia living in Singapore along with a large ex-pat community, dining is never a problem. It seems as if someone is eating something vigorously no matter what time of day or night.

The multi-cultural aspect of life in Singapore and a complex history of colonial, wartime and post-war development means that the government ensures that museums, urban development planning, transportation and varied cultural entertainments address a broad range of topics, cultures and interests. It seems that there are often more things going on than is humanly possible to see. That doesn’t count the local district events, holidays, religious festivals and celebrations either!! If you were to take advantage of the wide range of things to learn, see, do and experience, you would feel as if you were spinning in a whirlwind of learning.

Too many people come to Singapore to see the architecture, the old Malay, Chinese, Indian and Colonial downtown districts and then leave, having seen these parts of town. It is in the living energies of the many peoples who live in Singapore which makes this a much more exciting destination.

“Escape To Paradise!”

       The Five Star Lebua Hotel, at State Tower, lives up to its motto “Life is not worth living unless it is “simply exceptional”.  They provide simply exceptional amenities and exceptional services to make certain that your life is essentially as it should be.”  With that attitude, you know you will be treated like royalty.  Even the messages in the elevator said, “You were born free so break free from the expected, indulge in the exceptional and experience genuine care.”   

       Everything about the Lebua Hotel expresses a feeling of luxury from the lobby to their restaurants, suites, banquet rooms and even cocktail lounges.  Those “extras” really count.  Our spacious suite resembled a condo with a breathtaking view of the Chao Praya River and city of Bangkok from the balcony.  Their suites range from 66-266 square meters.  With over 330 count linens, silky feather Finesse bed mats, Bvlgari bath line amenities and a shower head that makes your shower more like a spa treatment, the Lebua Hotel seems more luxurious than our hotels in the United States.  And the prices are a fraction of the cost!  Lebua is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  You can even have their Conde Nast accredited chefs cook in your suite. 

       The infinity pool on the roof of the Mezzanine provides an outdoor setting next to the state-of-the-art fitness center.  They offer a business center for “away from the office” needs.  The Lebua Hotel is near one of their outdoors markets where I photographed craftsmen weaving their flowers, Buddhist monks and street sellers.

       Lebua offers Wedding, Dining Experience, Luxury Getaway, the World Under Your Feet, and Amazing Experiences packages along with discounts depending on number of night’s stay. 

       Lebua Hotel, at State Tower 1055, Silom Road, Bangkok Thailand.   resvn@lebua.com       www.lebua.com