HYATT POISED FOR SINGAPORE RECOVERY
Carina Chorengel, senior vice president – commercial, Asia Pacific, talks travel in the city state in 2021
How hopeful are you that the HK-SG air travel bubble is the beginning of travel recovery process for hotels in Singapore?
The announcement of the inaugural bilateral air travel bubble between Singapore and Hong Kong was encouraging, and we continue to see green shoots of optimism in some parts of Asia such as mainland China, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
While the launch of the bubble has unfortunately been postponed due to the surge in cases in Hong Kong, we continue to monitor this constantly evolving pandemic so we can adjust our offerings while extending care to meet the needs of domestic and international guests.
What special measures have been put in place at Hyatt properties in Singapore?
As part of Hyatt’s global care and cleanliness committment, we’ve implemented enhanced hygiene and safety measures at Grand Hyatt Singapore and Andaz Singapore. These include GBAC Star cleanliness and training accreditation and a performance-based cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention programme. The two hotels have also been recognised by local authorities for their rigorous hygiene and safety protocols with the SG Clean Quality Mark. Since last July, all Hyatt hotels in Asia Pacific also have at least one person trained as hygiene & wellbeing leader to ensure their hotel adheres to new operational guidance and protocols for safe and healthy hotel environments.
We are giving guests more control through contactless technology solutions via the World of Hyatt app, from enhanced online checkin to arranging for fitness equipment such as yoga mats and weights to be delivered to the room. We’re also working to roll out enhanced digital amenities through the app, enabling guests to manage preferences like scheduling housekeeping, choosing between pick-up or knock-and-go food orders, mobile key entry, and contactless check-in and checkout.
The air route between Hong Kong and Singapore was among the busiest in the Asia-Pacific region pre-COVID-19. Can it recover?
With the backdrop of travel restrictions and economic uncertainty, recovery will be slow, but Hyatt is confident in our guests’ desire to be in safe environments and gather with close friends & family and business partners. Once a vaccine becomes widely available, we are optimistic that travel demand will rebound quickly and dramatically.
How have you adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic?
With a focus on ‘ Safety first and Wellbeing always’, we are reimagining the hotel experience with creativity and care so that our guests and colleagues feel confident and comfortable returning to our hotels.
Aside from using technology to create a safe guest experience, we’ve reimagined the experience for guests staying, dining and meeting at our hotels. Following a sold-out run last year, Grand Hyatt Singapore has brought back Le Petit Chef, an immersive dining adventure in the hotel’s mezza9 La Cave wine cellar featuring a 3D projection mapping performance. Limited to just eight people per seating, this exclusive dining experience has been mostly fully booked for the weekends since we relaunched it earlier this year.
Will travel ever be the same again post COVID-19?
While the pandemic is ongoing and many regions are seeing a new wave of infections, we are well prepared to navigate these times and emerge in a position of strength. In the last few months, we’ve seen how swift and decisive action by local authorities and the collective effort of communities can help slow the spread of the virus. In places where case numbers decreased and restrictions eased, we’ve seen encouraging signs of recovery at our hotels and restaurants.
What’s next for Hyatt across AsiaPacific?
We are continuing our expansion across Asia Pacific with entry into new destinations in China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Vietnam. Some of our new openings las year included three Park Hyatt hotels in Niseko, Suzhou and Auckland as well as Andaz Xiamen and the debut of the new UrCove brand with three hotels in Shanghai. Andaz Shenzhen Bay and Grand Hyatt Jeju, the largest Grand Hyatt hotel in Asia Pacific with 1,600 rooms, opened in December. In the pipeline for 2021 are Andaz Bali and Alila Dalit Bay in Malaysia. hyatt.com
HIP HANGOUTS & CULTURE
Where is the hippest place in Sing right now? For many, it’s Tanjong Pagar, a historic district where restored shophouses, hip cafes and cool restaurants await. For eats, try new joint Rappu ( rappu.com.sg), for sushi and cocktails against a backdrop of rap music. If you’re just stopping by for a coffee or a quick bite, try Kreams Krafthouse, an autumnal themed café for hand-drip coffee and yuzu scones from Seoul on the menu.
While you’re in the area, swing by the Maxwell Food Centre for herbal broths and Hokkien meat balls, and Jinrikisha station, a former rickshaw depot built in 1903.
If you’re already familiar with Tanjong Pagar, try the old school charm of Dempsey Hill – once a nutmeg plantation then a British army barracks – that’s home to art galleries including RedSea ( redseagallery.com) and Artitude ( artitudegaleria.com) plus antique shops, like Woody Antique House ( woodyantique.com) for recycled teak pieces. Hungry? Try new Portuguese restaurant Tuga for classic dishes like seafood rice topped with fresh mussels, prawns and clams, or
Candlenut ( comodempsey.sg), the first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, where the Blue Swimmer Crab curry is a signature.
The only Chinatown in the world to have a Buddhist & Hindu temple and a mosque along a single street neatly illustrates Singapore’s eclectic mix of cultures and reflects the city’s inclusive approach. Beyond places of worship worth exploring, the city is big on the arts, too. Save some time to explore contemporary arts cluster Gillman Barracks ( gillmanbarracks.com), set in a former military barracks and home to the NTU Centre of Contemporary Art. It also houses several international galleries, including Tokyo’s Mizuma and Rome’s Mucciaccia gallery. Alternatively, try the NUS Baba House ( babahouse.nus.edu.sg), a traditional Peranakan pre-war terrace formerly owned by 19th century shipping tycoon Wee Bin that houses a collection of more than 2,000 Peranakan antiques and curios, including furniture, wood carvings and porcelain. Vintage lovers, meanwhiuke, will adore the retro offerings on Haji Lane, which is also home to quirky, colourful cafes.