spot_img
28.4 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

When in Singapore, do the Ascott

- Advertisement -

THE next time you’re on a trip to Singapore, no need to flee the high-rent belt of Orchard Road for more atmospheric digs in satellite neighbourhoods. 

The Ascott group of serviced apartments has ostensibly clung  to a tried and true business model of offering upmarket accommodation in central locations.

The Ascott Orchard recently gave the Manila Standard a tour of its latest offering, a mixed-use development by local architects RSP, that straddles Orchard Road and tony Cairnhill Road. Of the 220 apartments, it’s the eight penthouses that had us reconsidering our check-in options. 

A TRYST IN THE CLOUD. Ascott’s penthouse suite.

Occupying the 20th floor, the penthouses are offered, unusually, in several permutations—studio units and one- and two-bedroom units—each designed in-house by Kian Liew and Cher Lynn Tan. Even more unusually, each is furnished by Fendi Casa—a subtle wink to the glittering stable of fashion houses for which Orchard Road is justly famed.  

In addition to the Fendi Casa sofa, rugs, armchairs, dining chairs, tables and lamps, the luxury quotient is amplified by Italian walnut veneer wall panels, oak timber floor, Christofle tableware, bathroom fixtures by Patricia Urquiola for Hansgrohe, and silver mink marble with solid bronze trimmings—all of which makes you wonder just how any of this will look on the company expense claim form.

- Advertisement -

Specialized residences on the rise 

“We had our soft opening  last December which basically marked the return of the Ascott The Residence brand to Orchard Road after a decade-long hiatus.” said Judy Yong, area manager of the Ascott Orchard. “So far, we’ve gotten a lot of corporate travellers, who comprise 80 percent of our market, as well as leisure visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand who want to shop, and generally pamper themselves.”

BATHROOM FROLICS. Doing one’s morning ablutions in style.

“These clients prefer not to stay at a hotel, but a specialized residence like this one. We believe this market segment is definitely on the rise,” she said.

The 20-storey Ascott Orchard comprises 220 luxury units ranging from 323 sq ft studios to 861 sq ft two-bedroom units. With a hotel licence, Ascott Orchard offers both short- and long-term stays.

The online rates for a studio unit for a one-night stay start from $352 a night, excluding taxes. Meanwhile, the two-bedroom penthouse suite is going for $1,224 a night. 

WORK OUT THE KINKS. Sweat off calories  at the gym before shopping till you drop.

The eight penthouse suites on the top floor are furnished and fitted out by Fendi Casa, the lifestyle living subsidiary of the Italian high fashion house. 

For business, leisure, medical travellers

Ascott Orchard is currently running at about 60% occupancy, two months into operations, according to Winston Lim, operations manager. “There is an equal mix of short- and long-term guests. With its proximity to Orchard Road and world-class medical facilities at Paragon Medical Singapore and Mount Elizabeth Orchard, all less than five minutes away, this serviced residence is ideal for business, leisure and medical travellers,” he said.

ENTERTAIN, AND BE ENTERTAINED. Get a celebrity chef to whip up a culinary party for your friends at the resident’s lounge.

Facilities at Ascott Orchard include a gym, swimming pool and residents’ lounge. Breakfast is served at Kith Café, a favourite haunt among foodies and brunch enthusiasts. 

Ascott The Residence ceased its Orchard Road operations about a decade ago. In 2004, The Ascott Group entered into a conditional agreement with Wheelock Properties, formerly known as Marco Polo Developments, to sell its Scotts Shopping Centre and The Ascott Singapore serviced residence located above the mall. The site is now occupied by Scotts Square, a luxury mixed-use development comprising a four-storey retail mall and 338-unit freehold apartments.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles