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Hotel Review: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza (Executive Premier Room) – Refurbished Executive Lounge & Topnotch Orchard Road Address

September 11, 2022 by Bino Leave a Comment

Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza has quietly refurbished several parts of the property in recent years. In 2015, this took the form of the gorgeous swimming pool and Pool Terrace rooms while the award-winning Chinese restaurant, Wan Hao, was refreshed a year later. In between, the corridors of certain floors had also been updated and now come in soothing gray. In 2018/19, the new Executive Lounge opened in the same level as the pool, replacing what was once Pool Grill.

My recent stay at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza coincided with a new weekend staycation package targeted at residents – the Ultimate Urban Staycation. The property’s strategic location at the junction of Orchard and Scotts makes it an ideal place for a weekend getaway and allows one to be a tourist in Singapore.

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Hotel Staycation Review: JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach – Trendy Club Rooms & Compelling Dining Concepts

December 10, 2020 by Bino 1 Comment

JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach probably stands as somewhat of an oddity when pitted against the other JW Marriott properties around the world. The rooms carry a highly trendy look, with an immaculately white shade interspersed by the shine of stainless steel. Indeed, the thought that this is not your usual JW Marriott is palpable even from the time one steps foot into the lobby, with its semi-industrial finish juxtaposed against Peranakan elements while the loud colors emanating from the giant LCD screen serve to arrest the senses.

It was not long ago when the property stood as the independent South Beach Hotel. With no affiliation to any major chain, it was not doing as well and as such the management was handed to Marriott Hotels, where it subsequently became the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach. Business has been brisk since then. During the weekend I stayed at the hotel, the property was running at full capacity. I had deliberated extending for another night but could not get any available room out of the booking portals.

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Weekend Brunch at Akira Back (2018 Revamp) – A Japanese Affair

April 8, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Akira Back at JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has recently revamped their weekend brunch with a new menu revolving around eight dishes that can be personalized to one’s preference. This is a slight departure from the previous weekend brunch concept at Akira Back which had four mains, two desserts and free-flow tempura. Given the venue’s Korean-inspired Japanese cuisine, Akira Back’s brunch menu deviates from your usual Japanese meal. You’ll find pizza interspersed with chirashi, spring chickens to go along with tempura – slight accents to separate it from your usual Japanese affairs.

With the revamped brunch menu and addition of two more courses, the price remains the same at S$98. Those who prefer variety would find the revamp more compelling.

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Hotel Review: Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu – Superb Downtown Location

April 3, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

The Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu is one of the most established hotels in the state capital of Sabah. Located right smack in the city center, just across the seafood and handicraft markets and just a few steps away from the nightlife district; the property is one of a handful of SPG properties in East Malaysia. During a return trip to Kota Kinabalu, I managed to check out the Le Meridien for a couple of nights.

Kota Kinabalu is not a particularly large city but the hotel lobby is more in keeping with large city hotels. It’s hip and happening, with an illuminated ceiling, furnishings decked in gold and plenty of mirrors.

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Hotel Review: Marriott Manila (West Wing Executive Room) – One Of the Largest Hotel Executive Lounges in Manila

August 5, 2017 by Bino Leave a Comment

Marriott Manila opened the West Wing in December 2016 – an annex of the hotel located in a newly constructed building adjacent to both the main building and the Marriott grand ballroom. When I first stayed in Marriott Manila’s main wing back in 2015, I found its Executive Lounge notable for offering themed nights and its landscaped pool akin to a resort. During a recent trip to Manila, I managed to check out the West Wing of the Marriott Manila for the very first time.

lobby of marriott manila west wing

I entered the hotel via its main wing and checked in through the main hotel reception, unaware that the West Wing has its own lobby. The associate at the front desk checked me in and escorted me down a pathway leading to the new wing. The West Wing of the Marriott Manila has a modest lobby but this is accentuated by an attractive bar – Still – as well as the Chinese restaurant, Man Ho, down the hall.

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Man Ho in Marriott Manila – Fine Cantonese Cuisine at the New West Wing

December 8, 2016 by Bino Leave a Comment

After coming back from Hong Kong, I found myself craving for some Roast Goose. It occurred to me that even with the abundance of Chinese restaurants in our country, satisfying my Roast Goose hunger was not exactly an easy task. It all changed when I saw that Man Ho was opening in the new Marriott West Wing.

Man Ho (萬豪) is the literal Chinese translation for Marriott. Bringing the flavors of Man Ho in Manila is none other than Chef Chef Law Wui Wing, a Hong Kong native who has been cooking since he was 15. He has been an executive Chinese chef in several of Marriott’s signature restaurants in China (the Man Ho in JW Marriott Hotel in Shanghai, the Pearl Restaurant in Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall and the Four Seasons Restaurant in Marriott China Hotel in Guangzhou). He also spent time in Japan which can be seen in some of the Japanese inspired Cantonese dishes. Chef Law assures us that there is no MSG in the food he serves. He prides himself in the best ingredients, which is why he imports only from the best places if it cannot be found here in Manila (an example would be the signature Roast Goose). A fan of casual conversations with guests, he makes sure that they are happy so that he can be happy in return. He prides himself in the quality and being honest in the food he serves.

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Wan Hao at Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza – New Look and Menu

November 1, 2016 by Bino Leave a Comment

Wan Hao at Marriott Singapore Tang Plaza has always been one of my go-to Chinese restaurants in the Orchard area. The food is delicious and value-for-money considering its 5-star hotel setting, especially when using their 1-for-1 tie up with the Entertainer app. The restaurant unveiled a new look recently after undergoing refurbishment for the past few months. The new façade is elegant and refined, especially with the “House of a Chinese Scholar” theme now permeating the four walls of the venue. I recently dropped by Wan Hao for a media tasting as the new look also coincided with some changes in the menu. While old-time favourites such as the Crispy Fried Chicken are still very much part of the offering, diners now get to relish in creations such as black truffle dumplings and stewed bird’s nest with a separate soup. During the tasting session, I managed to try quite a few of the dishes from the new menu.

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What’s New at Marriott Cafe at Marriott Manila

April 23, 2016 by Bino Leave a Comment

Marriott Café at Marriott Manila has recently revamped its buffet offerings. I have been there a couple of times and enjoy the nice modern ambiance of the all-day dining restaurant and absolutely love their desserts. Timing their new food offerings for the summer season, one can expect a lot of new refreshing flavors. Recently, we were invited to check out Marriott Café once more after what has been a long while.

Those who have been to Marriott Café previously would no doubt recognize the oldies but goodies – the cold cuts, salads, sushi bar and Chinese station with roast meats and dumplings. I was pleasantly surprised to find the rarely seen mackerel and yellowtail sashimi during my latest visit as I didn’t recall seeing these previously.

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