In Singapore: The Naked Truth

AMANDA BROAD is invited to try a traditional Japanese onsen bath, not in Kyoto or Kobe, but right here in the Lion City.

Tucked away on the fifth level of Clarke Quay Central shopping mall is Ikeda Spa Prestige, which offers a 90-minute Japanese Onsen Spa and massage experience. Just as in a traditional Japanese onsen, participants are invited to enjoy the bath completely nude.

There is a constant flow of white ion steam running into the Hinoki wooden bath, whose temperature is to set to more than 40 degrees Celsius; a huge mural of Mount Fuji in winter overlooks the tub.

Here are some tips for first- timers to the experience.

#1 Wash before entering

Begin with a cold shower seated on a stool; it’s important to observe the tradition of showering before entering the bath. Make sure your properly clean all your nooks and fannies – I mean, crannies.

#2 Maintain modesty

Use the small towel provided to maintain modesty as you approach the bath, but be careful not to dip the towel into the water, as this is seen as dirtying the bath. Leave the towel on the side for when you are exiting, or, for a traditional twist, balance it on your head.

#3 Soak and hydrate

The delicious scent of the Hinoki wood (Japanese cyprus) and the calming sound of the white ion pouring into the water have an instantly relaxing effect as you ease into the hot bath. I was a little awkward with the nudity at first, but after a few minutes floating in the hot water and watching the steam roll around the water’s surface, it was hard not to relax.

Stay hydrated, and keep drinking water! I alternated with a cool shower and drink of water after 15 minutes; this quick change in termperature is thought to be good for circulation and for boosting the metabolism.

After 30 minutes, I dried off with the towel, wrapped myself in my pretty yukata (robe), and headed for a soothing 90-minute body massage. The whole experience was so relaxing, despite my nerves over the nakedness, and I would definitely do it again!

How to book

I discovered that there was a Japanese onsen in Singapore with the help of Anita Ngai, General Manager of Viator for the Asia Pacific region. Viator is a Tripadvisor company, with a website and app offering thousands of tours and activities, and over a million verified reviews from people who have already enjoyed the experiences.

Along with a visit to the onsen, you can make bookings and check reviews for a wide range of activities in Singapore, such as Breakfast with Orangutans at the Zoo, the Tiger brewery tour, Lamborghini joyrides, or horseracing at the Singapore Turf Club, to name a few. There’s also a huge range of experiences available for overseas trips.

Within a flying time of less than an hour, the Malaysian capital can be a great short-break destination. Here are five reasons to think about staying at the Suites Kuala Lumpur on your next visit.

#1 Stay for as long or as short a time as you like

The serviced suites don’t just cater for long-stay visitors, as there is no minimum length of stay. Prices for a studio suite start from $130 per night, inclusive of continental breakfast, internet access and daily housekeeping.

#2 Choose from a wide range of room types

There’s a choice of studios, one- and two-bedroom suites, and an executive suite; so, something to suit everyone, from the business traveller to families with children. All suites have a kitchenette and dining area, 40-inch LCD television and a CD and DVD player. The two-bedroom suites have a separate living and dining area for added privacy, and, in addition to the second bedroom, a sofa bed to provide an extra sleeping spot if required.

#3 Enjoy flexible dining options

Guests can cook for themselves, using their suite’s kitchenette and buying produce from one of the two mini-markets a stone’s throw away. There’s also the option of ordering food from the in-room menu.

In addition, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants near the Parkroyal. These include Chinese restaurant Marco Polo, famed for its Peking duck and dim sum; Neroteca, a two-minute walk away, renowned for its imported Italian meats and cheeses; and, for something a little different, Dining in the Dark, the first restaurant of its kind in Malaysia.

#4 Take advantage of all kinds of facilities

For those who are travelling for work, there’s a fully equipped business centre, and for fitness fans there’s a sizeable gym. Families with small children will enjoy the dedicated play area, with a pool on the same level. Then there’s the rooftop pool, which boasts great views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

#5 Explore the neighbourhood and beyond

Raja Chulan monorail station is a short walk away, giving great access to various parts of the city. Recommended places to visit within walking distance include Bukit Nanas (Pineapple Hill), which has the only virgin tropical rainforest left in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Immediately behind the serviced suites is Changkat Bukit Bintang, a street of colonial shophouses that have been converted into trendy bars and restaurants. The nearest shopping mall is Pavilion KL, a ten-minute walk away and home to brands such as Jimmy Choo, Chopard and Prada.

Then there’s Chinatown, a bargain hunter’s paradise. At night, its main market area, Petaling Street, transforms into a lively night market, filled with hundreds of stalls offering all kinds of goods at dirt-cheap prices. Haggling is expected, so you should be able to bring the prices down even further.

Also nearby

While the views from the Grand Hyatt rooms are spectacular in their own right, for a ( free) 360-degree view of Hong Kong from even higher up, walk two minutes to Central Plaza and ride the lift to the 46th-floor Sky Lobby.

The Peak Tram is a three- minute taxi ride away. If the season and weather are right, avoid the crowds and get there for the very first tram (7am), spend a couple of hours strolling around the Peak, then come back for a late breakfast. Breakfast, by the way, is another smashing hotel highlight; the Grand Café has had a fresh, swish makeover, and the food is outstanding. Speaking of hotel dining, there are multiple restaurants to choose from at the Grand Hyatt – everything from a steakhouse and Italian to Cantonese and Japanese – but if you choose to dine out in Wan Chai, excellent options within walking distance include Pirata, The Optimist, Le Bistro Winebeast, The Pawn, 22 Ships and El Mercado. Not nearby, but simple to get to from the Grand Hyatt, Ocean Park is a giant theme park with stunning sea views, great rides, majestic marine life and more. It’s a less obvious choice for a day out with kids than Hong Kong Disneyland, but still loads of fun.

Last word

Aside from its welcome family-friendliness, the Grand Hyatt feels like a hotel of note; a significant place. Rooms have an elegant, expensive feel; the sizes are generous – especially on an island that’s so notoriously short on space – and the modern Chinese look, punctuated by black-and-white photos of old Hong Kong, is charming.

And the view? Well, it’s a jaw-dropper; the floor-toceiling windows serve as a kind of giant movie screen, with one of the world’s great cities as the main feature. At different times during our stay I caught members of my family standing there, one hand on the glass, simply gazing at this iconic place and its relentless activity, from the junks and Star Ferries on Victoria Harbour to the giant cluster of towers at Central, and up to the swirling clouds gathering at the Peak.

I, too, stood there and surveyed the scene, one hand reaching down to my foot to extract a freshly embedded Shopkin.

Also right on the doorstep is the lotus- inspired Artscience Museum at Marina Bay Sands, which houses major international touring exhibitions and renowned collections. We took in the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition during our visit, including a 400-piece collection of rare and fine jewellery, and the fascinating permanent exhibition Future World – great for kids – which featured interactive digital artworks across a 1,500-square-metre space.

Speaking of art, while the Ritz offers easy access to many of Singapore’s popular attractions, it’s also home to some of its own, such as a 4,200-piece contemporary art collection including works by Frank Stella, Dale Chihuly, David Hockney and Andy Warhol.

Enticing extras for kids

The Ritz Kids Night Safari room package (available until 31 December 2016) is perfect for children. Arrivals are always exciting, but this one took my little ones by surprise when they walked into our room to find their separate section of the suite set up with a tent for an in-room camping experience. Bedecked with mini lamps, children can sleep in the tent, along with a safarithemed lion beanie.

At turndown time, our room was transformed: the lights were dimmed, and a small lamp set up to create a scene of stars moving across the room.

Speaking of treats, the hotel’s Ice Cream Pass entitles young guests between the ages of four and 12 to one scoop of ice cream daily at The Patisserie, in its Colony restaurant on Level 3. Even better: when kids stay in the hotel on their birthday, they receive a complimentary cake and a special turndown gift. And all young guests are presented with a personalised Polaroid image to commemorate their stay at the Ritz.

Not all the indulgences are for children. Any adult who has stayed at this hotel is sure to remark on the panelled rooms in muted tones, and the incredible views from the bathrooms. And the luxurious pastime of wallowing in a large bath can now be enhanced with a new collection of Asprey bath and body products, featuring their signature scent, Purple Water, that come in jacquard-print tubes specially designed for the hotel. It’s said that the fragrance was originally created to be a distillation of the rich and creative past of Asprey, and its exciting present; a fresh citrus fragrance blended with spicy undertones.