After an extensive six-month transformation (reportedly to the tune of US$100 million), the iconic Mandarin Oriental, Singapore reopened its doors on 8 September 2023, just in time for the Singapore Grand Prix Formula 1 Night Race. Here’s what to expect.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SINGAPORE

The 510-key hotel’s extensive renovations were led by Principal Designer Jeffrey Wilkes of interior design firm DESIGNWILKES, who also designed Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The property’s refreshed interiors draw their inspirations from quintessential Singaporean traditions and elements such as Peranakan-style architecture, Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid motifs and batik patterns.

New suite categories such as the four-bedroom Royal Marina Bay Penthouse and Residential Family Suites have been introduced. A notable change in terms of hotel configuration is that all club rooms in the hotel now boast exquisite Marina Bay views. The hotel’s transformed executive lounge, HAUS 65, is co-curated by the team at the Mandala Club and offers guest privileges, including access to a calendar of cultural, culinary and artistic events such as an expanded wine programme and daily tastings led by sommeliers and winemakers. In the near future, club guests will enjoy complimentary access and transport to the exclusive members-only Mandala Club along Bukit Pasoh Road.

The popular Melt Cafe has been replaced by embu, the hotel’s all-day dining concept. Taking its name from local evergreen tree Tembusu, the lush garden-style space offers both a la carte dining as well as a buffet menu comprising sashimi, sushi and fresh seafood on ice, including freshly shucked oysters from New Zealand, the United States, Ireland and France; a noodle and rice station offering Laksa, Fish Soup, Chicken Rice as well as pastas prepared the way you like; carved fish and meats such as Herb-roasted Prime OP Rib and Whole Baked Atlantic Salmon; an extensive Indian spread comprising Indian specialties such as Butter Chicken, Lamb Boti Kebab and Tandoori Salmon; Asian dishes such as Crispy Salted Egg Chicken, Stir-fried White Pepper Crab, Fried Tofu with Miso, Thai Fried Whole Fish and Winter Melon Oxtail Soup; and an extensive selection of sweets such as Vanilla Cheese Mousse, Clementine Yogurt Mousse, Espresso-soaked Ladyfingers, Exotic Mango Mousse, Cherry Compote and various local kueh such as Ang Ku Kueh. This is no hyperbole, but their Crab Leg is quite possibly one of the best, sweetest crabs I have ever tasted.

The new The Mandarin Cake Shop on the ground level is a chic patisserie offering finely crafted pastries, artisan bread and chocolates as well as afternoon tea, while former concepts such as Morton’s The Steakhouse, poolside Italian concept Dolce Vita, Chinese restaurant Cherry Garden and the award-winning MO Bar make their respective return.

Currently, only three floors of rooms are available for guest stays, with the remaining inventory to be released progressively across the months ahead.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore lobby
Lobby (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Lobby
Lobby (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Elevator Lobby
Elevator Lobby (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore The Mandarin Cake Shop
The Mandarin Cake Shop (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore The Bar at Morton's
The Bar at Morton’s (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore MO Bar
MO Bar (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore MO Bar
MO Bar (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore MO Bar Cocktails
Cocktails, MO Bar (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Dolce Vita
Dolce Vita (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore HAUS 65
HAUS 65 (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore HAUS 65
HAUS 65 (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore embu
embu (Mandarin Oriental, Singapore).

 

Author

Shawn is a full-time lawyer based in Singapore. Neither a professional critic, blogger nor photographer, Shawn is simply somebody who loves food and luxury hotels very much and (likes to think that he has) a quirky sense of humor. When Shawn is not premature ageing and turning his hair further grey due to stress and vicious deadlines, he is somewhere spending an exorbitant amount of money trying out new dining places and hotels.

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