EIC On The Move Goes The Luxe Route In Singapore

There’s always something new to see in Singapore. As a diverse melting pot of culture and races, it has a vibrancy that gives it an ever-changing character. 

“Singapore never ceases to amaze me,” shares Raul Manzano, EIC on the Move host. “I have been here many times, but there is always something new to unearth. Whether known or hidden to some, you will never feel lost when traveling through this garden city,” he adds in the second episode of EIC on the Move in Singapore. 

He traveled to Singapore to experience some of the most exclusive offerings that business and leisure travelers might be interested in. 

Revenge travel is the word on the street, and one of the top-of-mind destinations is Singapore. This is what brought EIC on the Move Raul Manzano to this gorgeous city to experience some of the most exclusive offerings that business and leisure travelers might be interested in. 

In the second episode, he explores more of Singapore’s best–from resorts, spas, to heritage hotels and award-winning cuisine. 

Equarius Villa Tour in Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

First is a visit to Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, where not many know about this one-of-a-kind luxury beach villa: Equarius Villas. Each comes with a personal butler and chauffeur, and if you want a private pool or jacuzzi, this place has that as well. This tropical sanctuary offers several room types: a one-bedroom villa that opens into a private timber sundeck and verandas that frame the free-form pool; a two-bedroom villa with two generous bedrooms that open into a personal, secluded pool, a three-bedroom villa with a private pool that overlooks the ocean, and what they call The Palace, which is the epitome of luxury living as it comes with a private entertainment room and four oversized bedrooms overlooking a private lap pool. 

In Raul’s escapade all throughout Singapore, he visits some of the most luxurious hotels and restaurants and gets a glimpse of Singapore’s nightlife, spectacular tours and wellness spas—proving that there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant city. 

“This is amazing,” Raul exclaims upon entering one of the villas overlooking Keppel Bay, with the Reflections villa on the other side. The villas have the largest bedroom size in Singapore, according to Equarius Operations Manager, Dominic Chong, and also come in with their own massage room. 

Equarius Ocean Suites in Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

Also, within Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, is Equarius Ocean Suites, which offers a unique view of land and sea. It’s a deluxe two-storey townhouse suite unlike any other, as its upper level is an outdoor patio with jacuzzi, while the lower level shows an aquarium view of over 40,000 marine species, including manta rays and hammerhead sharks.

“I’m just totally floored,” shares Raul. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a room with a view of an aquarium with sea life. What a thing to wake up to in the morning!”

He sums up his exciting experience with a recommendation for families with kids: “For families that want to stay in extravagant rooms and enjoy the best theme parks in Singapore, I think the Equarius Villas and Ocean Suites should be on everyone’s hotel checklist,” says Raul. 

Yacht Cruise SG

Adventures on the open sea can be another exciting experience in Singapore, so for Raul’s next stop, he went on a Yacht Cruise SG speedboat. The company has an array of speedboats for all traveling thrill-seekers or those who want a scenic tour. 

For the Southern Islands Speedboat Tour, he was joined by Kogu Segaran, Director of Yacht Cruise SG. It’s an interesting tour because it showcases a seafarer’s route that once connected Singapore to the world. The one-hour tour shows views of the beautiful beaches of modern Sentosa; and includes narration from a professional guide and a drink. 

“This is another way to see the city from this side, it’s something different,” Raul says of seeing it from the sea. “Sometimes I have a need for speed, and this is something right up my alley,” shares Raul after the experience. 

And if you wish to go on a bigger ship, head on to The Royal Albatross, a luxury tall ship that brings about romance in sea travel by way of its majestic undulating masts. It offers a breakfast cruise or a dinner cruise, and there are different packages for birthdays, anniversaries, and even proposals. But here’s something that is truly unique: it also offers a dog cruise, where there are breakfast and dinner experiences for both the dogs and their owners, with your beloved fur friend joining you at the table, too! 

In their website, Tall Ship CEO Pete Pela talked about being the first company in the world with a dedicated dog cruise. “It’s a fun and entertaining time for the entire family with some amusing opportunities for their dogs to impress,” he says. 

“This ship is originally built in 2001, floating in Chicago waters, at that time it was a typical, white-navy sailing ship,” explains Sylvia Lee Quian Wei, Partnership Sales Manager from Royal Albatross. “It’s named after a beautiful seabird, the albatross. When we open up the full sail, we have 22 sails.”

“I loved watching the beautiful skyline of Singapore, it was quite an experience,” Raul raves about his evening cruise. 

D. Bespoke 

Raul then headed out to Tanjong Pagar where D.Bespoke bar is located. It’s a Ginza-style bar that takes you to another era of customized cocktails and elegance. The idea for the bar was from Daiki Kanetaka who believes that drinks should be made to the same standards as a Savile Row suit–perfectly tailored to the individual’s preferences. He speaks of the concept of monozukuri which translates to “making things” in Japanese, and can also be understood as craftsmanship. This famed bar was part of Asia’s 50 Best Bars from 2016 to 2021. 

“Our style is bespoke style, there’s an interview first before a cocktail will be created, each one unique for the customer,” explains Kentaro Satoh, Group General Manager of D.Bespoke Bar.

Satoh prepared a signature Japanese cocktail called Mariel for Raul, an award-winning cocktail.

“Wow, it’s all so sweet because of the honey. The Mariel is a very good drink, now I know why it’s number 3 in the world,” he exclaims. “Which is why I asked for one more drink, and this time, it was a Manhattan. I loved how it’s a different take on the Manhattan,” he adds. 

As one of the most influential chefs of modern Chinese cuisine, celebrity Master Chef Jereme Leung first restaurant in Singapore, 藝 yì by Jereme Leung, is considered a long-awaited homecoming. ‘Yi’ stands for art in the Chinese language, which alludes to “the art form of fine dining to awaken the appetite and the senses.” It showcases Chef Jereme’s artistic adaptations of ancient Chinese provincial cuisine, with his modern take, of course.

“It’s a beautiful space. Before you get to the restaurant, you’ll pass through an enchanting art installation by Moss and Lam featuring 1,000 handcrafted flowers,” he shares of the experience. “It’s a gorgeous dining room, with a beautiful spread in front of us,” he shared his insights with Serene Lim of Yi by Jereme Leung. 

He first gets a taste of the Hundred-Ring Cucumber and Poached Sea Whelk with Soy Sauce Vinaigrette, as well as one of Chef Jereme’s signature dishes: Hokkaido Scallops on Cordyceps Flower & Spinach Rolls in Spicy Sesame Sauce, Golden Roast Duck with Rose & Fermented Bean Sauce & Rainbow Pancakes, and Poached Rice with Assorted Seafood in Shrimp Broth.

Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar

Finally, the last location for this episode is in a well-known historical landmark named Dempsey Hill, located minutes away from Orchard Road. This famous restaurant is Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who created a menu of contemporary Asian-inspired European flair with creative combinations and the ingenious use of fresh, locally-sourced produce. What’s interesting here is that his signature cuisine abandons the use of meat stocks and creams, and instead gets the intense flavors from vegetable juices, fruit essences, light broths, and herbal vinaigrette. Some of the favorites include Egg Caviar and the Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Pizza. 

“This restaurant is known for its brunch, and true enough, it’s packed! Even before coming in, I’m quite interested in the Asian-inspired European fare, the open kitchen, the famed pizza oven, and this bar also that serves appetizing Bloody Marys!” 

Raul sums it up by describing the sensorial delights of Singapore: “The sights and sounds of Singapore will make you breathless and long for more, time and time again. For someone who frequently visits this city, my mind readies itself for discovery every time I come back as the experiences are endless. From visiting world class restaurants and hotels to meeting the people who cater to their guests, Singapore never ceases to amaze me.”

Watch the full second episode here: 

Check out the pages of Visit Singapore on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, or go to Visit Singapore for more, and watch the second episode of EIC on the Move on Metro Channel.