The work-from-anywhere trend is in full swing, including at the luxury Shangri-La Singapore, which has added a swish new mini-office setup to its Horizon Club Business Rooms. It’s perfect hotel for anyone on business travel or those in Singapore who might want to change up their workspace for a time. Plus, you get the chance to fit in some top-notch dining at the Shangri-La Lobby Lounge!
Did you know that Shangri-La Singapore was the first Shangri-La hotel to open? That was back in 1971. (There are now more than 100 worldwide.) Yet, it maintains a sparkling modern feel thanks to a regular programme of renovation and renewal. When I last stayed, a US$52-million overhaul of the Garden Wing had just been unveiled. More recently, I visited soon after the launch of the hotel’s Horizon Club Business Rooms.
New work-friendly rooms at the Shangri-La hotel
The new rooms in the higher floors of the Tower Wing are unsurprisingly luxurious – think king-sized bed, marble-clad bathroom, L’Occitane bath amenities and views over city, gardens or pool. All the usual five-star touches are in place too.
An upgraded workspace is the key feature of the new Business Room category, and it includes an Omnidesk ergonomic chair and desk, adjustable for sitting or standing. The Dell 27-inch dual-screen monitor lets you tackle a few jobs at once. (It’s a simple one-cable connection to your laptop to get started.) And anyone on Zoom will think you’re in the same room as them, thanks to the high-quality webcam and speakerphone. Marie Kondo would love that everything’s wireless and clutter-free, too.
You also get access to the Horizon Club Lounge, perfect for business travel with panoramic views on the 24th floor of the Tower Wing. Here, you can grab complimentary breakfast, light refreshments, evening cocktails and canapés on a daily basis. These are classy canapés too. My picks included a deconstructed curry puff and an amazing meat-free rendang.
Speaking of eats, another recent Shangri-La Singapore hotel addition is the Premium Breakfast menu, which you can pre-order to enjoy at the hotel’s destination restaurant The Line, or even have it served in your room. The nasi lemak comes with lobster or wagyu beef, and the steak and eggs with caviar!
5 things to do at the Shangri-La Singapore when you need a business travel breather!
You know what they say about all work and no play… Here are some ways to let off some steam between meetings or research.
#1 Clink a glass
There are plenty of inviting places for a beverage at this hotel, but my tip is a sundowner by the pool at Waterfall Ristorante Italiano. The area looks across the water to a giant lit-up frangipani and palm trees.
#2 Enjoy some tunes
The music you hear in hotels is often so bland that it’s barely noticeable. At Shangri-La Singapore, the music choices varied nicely across the different hotel spaces. And I found them well chosen to suit the surrounds, whether it was relaxing ambient vibes or sultry French jazz.
#3 Take a walk
Orchard Road is only 400 metres away for shopping up a storm – and Tanglin Mall is super close too. You can also head the other way for a Botanic Gardens nature escape or an early morning jog.
#4 Eat local
Order a heritage hawker dish from the Shangri-La Lobby Lounge. I chose a bowl of bak chor mee at lunch and it was an absolute flavour bomb. It also paired superbly with an IPA by Singapore’s Trouble Brewing.
#5 Entertain the kids
Got children in tow? Let them go nuts at buds by Shangri-La, the hotel’s interactive play space for little ones.
Shangri-La Singapore is at 22 Orange Grove Road. Find out more about what’s on offer for business travel here.
Looking for more great places to stay in Singapore and further afield? Have a look at our Travel section.
