Island Retreat R Shangri-La s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa Singapore
shangri-la s rasa sentosa resort & spa singapore
THERE S NO GREATER ACT OF HOSPITALITY THAN TO EMBRACE A STR ANGER AS ONE S OWN.
the sounds of the bustling city faded quickly into the distance as our limousine coasted over the bridge and on to the luscious green island of Sentosa. I gazed out at the powder blue sky above and watched the tiny cable cars looping their way from the island to the mainland and back again. I could only imagine what breathtaking views could be admired from such heights, overlooking this island nation that was one minute a thriving metropolis, and the next, a lush tropical oasis, depending on which angle you looked at it. As our limousine curled through the streets of the island, I caught a glimpse of a most fascinating statue soaring high into the sky Singapore s most famous icon, the magnificent Merlion, looking over us with its intense golden eyes. Feeling strangely protected under the watchful gaze of this mystical creature, I lay my head back, closed my eyes and let the limousine take me deeper into this bountiful island where our resort awaited. 1
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the limousine rolled slowly up the driveway of the resort, where we were greeted with pristine landscaped gardens and a quaint little waterfall cascading gently by the lobby entrance. A young bellboy donning a most heart-warming smile, graciously opened the car doors for us, and when we emerged from the limousine we were met by a remarkably cool breeze, a welcome respite from the heat and humidity of the city. We sunk into some plush sofas and looked out at the South China Sea beyond, whilst a fresh ocean breeze sailed through the lobby teasing us with its invigorating scent. The air glittered with a mischievous energy, as if inviting us to play, ahead on this grand tropical oasis. 8
that afternoon, we found ourselves between the sandy shores of the South China Sea and the sparkling cool waters of the resort pool, at a quaint little spot called the Siloso Beach Bar. There, civilisation felt miles if not galaxies away, as we sipped on deliciously sweet and sour Singapore Slings, letting all our thoughts drift away with the gentle ocean breeze leaving us without a care in the world. Later that evening, amidst the magenta glow of twilight, we met again at the vivacious Casserole restaurant adorned with a colourful collection of shisha pipes, teapots and plush dining chairs. An assortment of casseroles, from every continent of the globe, infused the air with a mouth-watering medley of aromas, and we sampled and savoured until we could not possibly fit any more in. Then, feeling a little dizzy with satisfaction, we sat back enjoying a moment of somnolence, until a most spritely Moroccan tea brought us back to life with its sweet and minty freshness, and just like that, we were recharged and ready to take on dessert. 14
the stars above twinkled down on us affectionately as we curled up on the outdoor loungers of our private garden, thinking back to all the exciting adventures of the day. Memories of twisty water slides, beach volleyball through our minds as we sunk deeper and deeper into the loungers, our bodies relaxing to the verge of numbness. I could feel my eyelids becoming increasingly heavy, opening and closing like a sleepy tomcat, when all of a sudden out of the corner of my eye I saw him a rather striking peacock with iridescent green and blue plumage, peering curiously at us from behind the bushes. Excitedly, I turned around to tell the others, and I must have looked away for only a second or two, but when I turned back the peacock was gone and only the faintest rustling of the bushes remained. 19
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Shangri-La s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, Singapore 101 Siloso Road, Sentosa 098970, Singapore Tel: (65) 6275 0100 Fax: (65) 6275 0355 sen@shangri-la.com 2013 Shangri-La International Hotel Management Ltd. Published in Hong Kong 2013. Printed and bound in China. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. www.shangri-la.com SEN0613
There, to his joy and surprise, he found a friendly and prosperous population who made haste to display what I have always regarded as our oldest tradition that of hospitality to strangers. Lost Horizon, James Hilton It was through this 1933 classic that we found our name. And it was this novel that inspired our heartfelt hospitality. Every hotel around the world has its own story to tell and, in keeping with how it began, each captures its account in a little book. Collect as many books as you can from over 80 hotels and resorts around the world.