Asia/Singapore Friday, 24th July 2026
Page 1013

Do good while meeting in Phuket

0

Planners holding their events at Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort can participate in CSR programmes which form part of the resort’s ongoing collaboration with a local school.

Delegates can show their support for the Ban Bang Rong primary school in the rural north-east of the island through activities such as planting vegetables in the school garden, painting the toilets and canteen, rearranging the library, and donating educational games and materials to the school.

They can also take part in other projects in the greater Phuket community.

Tony Pedroni, general manager of the resort, said: “The primary school has many ongoing needs. In recent weeks we have made repairs to the drinking water filtration system and have installed a playground for the younger kids.

“Outside of the school however, there are several opportunities to provide much needed islandwide community and environmental project support. Ultimately, our aim is to work with clients so that they can give something back to our community in a meaningful way that has a lasting benefit.”

Meanwhile, the 255-key resort has also recently unveiled new meeting facilities, the Similan Ballroom as well as the Tongfah, Tawan and Talay meeting rooms.

Southbridge boasts new views

0

Been there done that with the views at Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark Singapore? The new place to go is Southbridge, which offers, arguably, the sexiest 360-degree sights of the city spanning the historic Parliament House, across the Singapore River, to the iconic Marina Bay Sands and the Boat Quay skyline, which is nostalgic and charming with the roofs of old low-rise houses in Singapore.

Still a secret as it opened only about three months ago, Southbridge is also literally ‘hidden’ at the rooftop of a five-storey building on 80 Boat Quay. To access, you need to go from the back of Boat Quay, which heightens the anticipation for your group, as they will not know where they are being taken to until they reach the rooftop and – lo and behold – find a chic bar-restaurant with a unique panoramic view of a historical area which has become the icon of Singapore today.

The venue is ideal for planners with a group of 100 pax, who are seeking a fun dining experience that can be trusted and offers value for money. The brainchild of established F&B entrepreneur Beppi de Vito, Southbridge serves modern craft cocktails, the world’s greatest boutique champagnes and artisanal sakes. Innovative small plates menu focusing on oyster and seafood as well as other creative delights such as chilli crab croque and truffle and smoked pancetta bikini, complement the specialised drinks menu perfectly.

Opens daily from 17:00 to midnight. Tel: (65) 6536-5818; email: info@southbridge.sg; website: www.southbridge.sg

Innovative One Farrer Hotel & Spa

0

Just when we think the greatest hotel innovation remains the toilet paper origami fold, in comes One Farrer Hotel & Spa which has, not one, but a slew of imaginative ideas.

First up is the audio and visual fibre-optic live feed, which can beam how lunch is being made, by a chef working in the hotel’s cooking studio, to the Grand Ballroom where guests can even ask the chef a question or two about the ingredients or method of cooking. Video streaming connections from Farrer Park Hospital’s 18 operating rooms to the hotel’s conference centre are also available. The 243-room five-star hotel is part of a mixed-use lifestyle complex, Connexion, which includes a medical centre.

Another innovation is an electronic ordering system that allows guests to order any food or beverage from all the hotel’s menus 24/7 and have it delivered to the room or as a takeaway – so wave goodbye to exorbitant room service prices and charges, and the often long wait before the room service order is fulfilled.

The hotel’s location in the Farrer Park district is central and convenient. A colourful, bustling, historical neighbourhood that includes Little India, once inside the property, peace, serenity and greenery (14 gardens over 20 levels) take over. From any guestroom, the view of the city’s skyline and Farrer Park surroundings is unique and gives guests a real feeling they are in Singapore, not just any metropolis.

One Farrer Hotel & Spa also boasts a ‘hotels within a hotel’ concept featuring the Urban Hotel, Loft Apartments and Skyline Hotel & Sky Villas, all with well-appointed and tastefully furnished rooms with the latest in-room technology.

Oh, did we also mention its 600 specially commissioned paintings and sculptures by Asian artists? Pity these aren’t for sale.

Website: www.onefarrer.com – Raini Hamdi

Tina Sim

0

Tina Sim is now general manager of Parkroyal on Pickering. She has 30 years of operations and hotel management experience, and was most recently general manager, special projects at Shangri-La International Hotel Management. She replaces Gino Tan, who has been promoted to general manager of Pan Pacific Singapore.

Ng Wai Meng

0

Ng Wai Meng is now executive chef of Impact Exhibition and Convention Center. He has over 30 years of culinary experience, having worked for many five-star hotels, prestige clubs, spas and airline catering departments.

Martin Raich

0

Martin Raich has been named complex general manager for three Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties – The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas. He has been with Starwood for 20 years at variousproperties in the UK, Netherlands, China, Germany and Fiji.

John Watson

0

Former Diethelm Travel Group CEO, John Watson, is back in the industry as CEO of Trails of Indochina, replacing Matt Masson, who is relocating to Singapore. Watson is based in the agency’s head office in Ho Chi Minh City.

Pietro Delpechitra

0

Pietro Delpechitra is now director of client services at Darwin Convention Centre, joining with a wealth of experience in event management, hospitality and F&B operations. He was most recently Auckland Live venue services and operations manager and previously Novotel & Ibis Rotorua F&B manager.

Rob Nelson

0

Rob Nelson is Brisbane Convention Bureau’s new general manager for conventions and business events. He joins from an extensive career in major events, sport and general management consultancy.

Cyrille Mollé

0

Raffles Beijing has appointed Cyrille Mollé as executive chef of all on-site dining operations. He brings with him more than 18 years of global experience, having worked for Ashanti Dome and Shikumen Bistro in Shanghai, before moving on to become executive chef of Loft 98’s outlets.

 

Reviews

New Zealand International Convention Centre, Auckland

Flooded with natural light and anchored in indigenous design, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) offers an intuitive, state-of-the-art environment built for effortless networking and large-scale global summits

Oakwood Premier Raffles Place Singapore

Oakwood Premier Raffles Place Singapore brings serviced apartment-style accommodation to the heart of the city's financial district, offering business and leisure travellers a base within walking distance of the CBD and key attractions.

The Slate Phuket

Just 10 minutes from Phuket International Airport on the serene northern coast, this 178-key, Bill Bensley-designed resort offers delegates a quiet, tropical paradise steeped in Phuket’s tin-mining heritage