When in Singapore: The Lion City's changing landscape through the eyes of Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel

Singapore's iconic Merlion

Singapore was not on my bucket list this time, having visited the place twice in the past. I have experienced enough of the city—Orchard Road, Marina Bay, Sentosa Island, Esplanade—and dined on chili crabs and other local specialties at the hawker centers.

Priceless. Witnessing this magnificent portrait of Singapore's Marina Bay at night in 2011, from the Premier Harbour Room of Mandarin Oriental Singapore

In 2009, I witnessed the Lion City’s skyline's changing hues. The Singapore Bay’s turquoise water glistened in the light of day and turned deep blue as the moon rose. I captured the breathtaking transformation from the best seat in the house—at my suite, the Club Harbour Room of the Mandarin Oriental Singapore. Priceless.

Singapore’s iconic view of the Marina Bay, with the water-spouting Merlion, the Esplanade, the Singapore Flyer, the city skyline, and its rising structures, was the portrait, and it was perfectly framed by the suite’s picture window. The panorama was breathtaking, but the finely appointed “living” space at Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel shared the spotlight. It’s where technology, comfort, and luxury were in a perfect blend.

The Lion City’s roar has been unheard since then. But an airline seat sale was too hard to resist.

"The image on the screen was hypnotic, the temptation high. The mouse hovered on the lion’s image. Finally, I gave in. The click finalized the purchase. I am leaping back into the lion’s lair.

How has Lion City’s landscape changed from my most recent visit? What’s new on their menu?

Once more, Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel gave the nod to host. Plus, the Singapore Tourism Board unlocked more surprises to the Lion City: the Singapore National Museum, Singapore Arts Museum, ArtScience Museum, and access to the Lion King show at the Marina Bay Sands Theater. It was a promising visit.

Now back in the Merlion’s lair, the airport train now runs to the city, making it convenient for travelers. The taxi is still a more convenient option when traveling with luggage.

A few minutes on the road, I alighted at my home for this trip at No. 5 Raffle Avenue—The Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel. The fan-shaped architectural design of the luxury hotel is as exciting as the day I first laid my eyes on it. Has it been two years? It felt like yesterday. It’s good to be back in this home.

No. 5 Raffles Avenue

Oriental chic. Mandarin Oriental Singapore's lobby

Club Harbour Room of the Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel

As expected, the welcome reception was exceptional, and the Harbour Room I was escorted to was familiarly breathtaking in its fine Oriental appointments. The view? The dynamic city of Singapore embracing the bay was captured and framed like a work of art through the picture windows of the room.

Harbour view: Marina Bay Sands

Harbour view: the Esplanade

Since the last visit, the Lion City was roaring in its full glory with the new exciting additions to its landscape. Ensconced in the best seat in the house anew, I whispered, “I am blessed. There can’t be a better way to admire this magnificent view of the Lion City than through the eyes of Mandarin Oriental Singapore Hotel.”