What a delight  it was to stay two weeks at at the New Majestic Hotel in Singapore! This was our second time to stay at this trendy art hotel, in Singapore’s China Town, and we enjoyed it even more than ever. We discovered on this trip just how convenient the hotel is located. In the past, Henry and I had walked from Chinatown to the Financial Center. This time, we learned  how to use Singapore’s pristine subway system, and traveled farther afield. It was a breeze to return by subway only one block’s walk from the front door of the hotel. And, it was so refreshing  to take a dip in the pool upon our return. Henry and I stayed in a room entitled “Squint, 7 AM”, a bright blue room which overlooked the pool. Though small in square footage,o our was big on organization, which made life smooth and easy in this fun, pitched roof space. We also enjoyed breakfast beneath the circular windows that revealed swimmers in the pool above. This boutique hotel has only 30 rooms, so  Henry and I were especially thrilled when American friends from San Francisco showed up for two nights. We had mentioned the New Majestic as our “home in Singapore” when we met Scott and Kathy at the Amari Vogue in Krabi. Their around-the-world ticket brought them here on our recommendation. Our friends even had the nerve to stay in one of the mirrored rooms-- something we wouldn’t dare do;  or we’d have to diet forever after!  We also enjoyed the Majestic Bar next door, a “gastrobar” with excellent hors d’oeuvres. The hotel’s manager, Bastion Germer treated us to drinks there one evening -- and the cuisine he ordered for the table ended up being a full meal! Staying two weeks here really made me appreciate the constant care and maintenance required of this “work of art”. Among other painting and polishing projects accomplished by a very cheerful staff, I  managed to capture a photo of the lawn sculpture being carefully trimmed by hand with hedge clippers.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. View of the Majestic Restaurant, with tables set for banquets during Chinese New Year. 2. A triptych mosaic of a swimmer at the pool of the New Majestic Hotel. 3. View of “Squint 7AM”, our room at the New Majestic  Hotel. 4. Jourdan & Henry standing before the Chinese New Year orange trees at the New Majestic Hotel, Singapore.  Center, Top: Yet another chair, a tri-shaw art chair in the lobby of the New Majestic Hotel.  Center, Bottom: Three Dedon brand sculptures, made of woven plastic on the veranda of the New Majestic  Hotel. Right Column: 1. A swimmer in the pool, revealed in the round windows which overlook the restaurant. This photo was taken at breakfast. 2. The swimming pool with its mosaic clad floor and round fishbowl windows that decorated the ceiling of the restaurant below. 3. Chairs and tables by Dedon, unstacked from their tall sculptural storage units. 4. Landscape gardener trimming the grass of the lawn sculptures at the New Majestic Hotel.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE