asia, hotels, singapore, raffles hotel

Raffles the Plaza, Singapore

We arrived around 1pm at Singapore International airport.  Virtuoso had arranged a shuttle transfer so along with about 10 others attending the symposium, we arrived at the Raffles Plaza Hotel around 3pm.  The hotel is ideally located in the city and built above a major Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station - City Hall.  There is also a 4 story shopping mall in the building.  Our room at the Raffles is on the 11th floor overlooking the pool with a south easterly view.  The room is fairly standard for a business hotel, two larger than twin beds, a desk, a couple of chairs, plenty of room for luggage, a small bar and kettle for (instant) coffee - very British!

Once checked in and luggage delivered, we anxiously showered to remove the 22 hours of traveling and left the hotel to go exploring.  I had managed to leave my contact saline on the airplane, so the first task was to find an ATM for cash and a drug store for some saline.  We weren't able to find the saline in "Raffles City" - so we set off toward the river down Bridge Street.  We decided to turn right at the bridge, and found a river walk reminiscent of San Antonio's Riverwalk.   Clark Quay was across the river as we made our way along, eventually to breworkz - a very "American" feeling beer brewery and restaurant.  We managed to down several brews (I enjoyed the IPA(S$7) while Lonie sampled a white wine and a pint of a dark beer) and a nice snack of sausages (S$18) before wandering back toward the hotel.

Back at the hotel around 6pm, we decided it was necessary to continue moving in order to stay awake in the new time zone.  We took the advice of Frommer's and went to Pierside Kitchen and Bar at Fullerton place.  Lonie had the Sommelier's Table (S$95).  I started with the caesar salad (S$16) and then the hazelnut crusted king prawn (S$29) - both were EXCELLENT!  The guide book also recommended the cumin spiced crab cakes (S$18) - but I just didn't have room for those too!  With several Tiger beers (S$12) (the local brew) and Gin and Tonic cocktails (S$15) the bill was (S$236) $145 US, ouch!

We had ridden over from the hotel in a taxi for $5, but the waiter at the restaurant said getting a cab would be difficult for the return.   Consequently we ended up walking back - a bit too far in slacks and a collared shirt. It's hot and humid here!