Reality Check
REALITY CHECK
FLIGHTS / HOTELS / APARTMENTS / CAR HIRE / TRAIN JOURNEYS / CHAUFFEUR DRIVE / AIRPORT PARKING
HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON WESTMINSTER
THE HOTEL: Opposite St James’s tube station and walking distance to Parliament, this new InterConti hotel – complete with division bell – is a great partner to its Park Lane sister. THE CHECK-IN: Doorman addressed me by name, guided me to a good car parking spot and offered to take my bag. A small but stunning lobby is home to the reception desk, quirky art (sculpture of a man on ladder reaching for the skylight) and floral displays, but there was little time to take all this in as check-in was completed in no time. THE ROOM: The calming neutral colour palette complemented the high-spec fittings throughout this luxurious one-bed suite. The bedroom sported a cream leather headboard, waist-high plugs throughout, Bose docking station and giant TV embedded in a floor- to-ceiling-sized framed mirror. Wardrobes separated the bedroom from the beige and coffee-coloured marble bathroom, with separate toilet and power shower cubicles, generously-sized Miller Harris toiletries, robes, slippers et al. There was a guest toilet and a spacious sitting room with cream leather chairs, glass dining table, huge desk, another TV, generous minibar, and coffee machine. THE BUSINESS: A cavernous, light-filled first floor Club Lounge offers multi-use space,
including private meeting room and comfy seating to sink into and complimentary hot and cold canapes throughout the day. Lots of meeting space on the lower ground floor, with seven rooms accommodating from ten banquet style up to 300 reception style. Day delegate rates start from £99 including VAT. THE FACILITIES: One restaurant, the Blue Boar Smokehouse, serves slow cooked smoked ribs, southern chicken, rib eye steaks and the like in an elegant setting, including a private dining room. There is also a large, wood panelled wraparound bar with street entrance and lots of private nooks and
crannies for informal meetings. A coffee lounge and the pretty Emmelines cocktail bar are alternative places to enjoy breakfast. Valet parking is £50/24 hours. THE VERDICT: This is a class act, oozing luxury and style (and wit from the political caricatures that dot the public area) and is a wonderful addition to the InterContinental portfolio in London. THE DETAILS: InterContinental London Westminster, 22-28 Broadway, London, SW1H 9JS. Room rates start from £249 per night. See:
www.intercontinental.com/westminster. GILLIAN UPTON
HOTEL ORCHARD SCOTTS RESIDENCES, SINGAPORE
THE HOTEL: Orchard Scotts Residences comprises 206 superbly appointed serviced apartments, ranging from one-bedroom suites to four-bedroom penthouses. With views over the Orchard Road skyline, they are situated close to Singapore’s Newton MRT station, giving easy access to the city’s tourist, shopping and financial quarters. THE CHECK-IN: Despite arriving unexpectedly early, I was given a warm welcome and a comprehensive tour of the apartment and all the facilities it had to offer by the wonderfully courteous house manager. My bag was delivered as we went through the paperwork. THE APARTMENT: I was staying in a 15th floor, four-bedroom penthouse apartment on two floors, with views down to the pool complex below and out across the city. The master bedroom had an ensuite bathroom and there was a further bedroom with ensuite and two more with shared facilities. The lounge/dining area was huge with a table to comfortably seat ten. The lounge had L-shaped sofas and two arm chairs from which to enjoy satellite TV. The kitchen had an oven, dishwasher, microwave and coffee maker. A separate utility room housed a washing machine and dryer. There was also an outside area with sun loungers and a BBQ.
THE BUSINESS: There is a boardroom and a dining room available for guests to book, while free wifi access is available. A problem with the wireless code was quickly fixed with a call to the technical support team. Meetings can also be planned in guest apartments or at the cabanas around the pool area. THE FACILITIES: Set in 2.5 acres of land- scaped gardens, Orchard Scotts Residences offers resort style facilities, with four swimming pools and a state-of-the-art gym. There are also tennis courts, sauna,
steam rooms, Jacuzzi and 24-hour concierge. THE VERDICT: A wonderful stay in a fantastically well-appointed apartment. The Orchard Scotts staff could not have been more helpful and the pool area and gardens are a fantastic spot to chill out. THE DETAILS: Orchard Scotts Residences, 5 Anthony Road, Singapore 229954. Rates for a weekly stay (minimum seven days) for a one-bedroom apartment start from S$3,300 (£1,695). See:
www.fareasthospitality.com. JOHN SHEEHAN
78 THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE
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