Not one of the 101,000 millionaires (according to the World Wealth Report 2013) in Singapore? Neither are we. But with F1 just wrapped we’ve got something of a taste for the high life—so we went looking for it. And while in this town it’s easy to chalk up six-figure bills, you can also enjoy luxury for a lot less—and we know just where to go.
Get on Board
Sea Bear Westport 130
Sail the high seas in style on the 40-meter, $14.8-million Sea Bear Westport 130 once owned by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The super yacht, which boasts a snazzy sky lounge complete with a wet bar, gaming table and a Jacuzzi, spreads over three decks and five rooms, and accommodates up to 40 people for cruising trips. A four-hour charter costs $12,000 upwards—not including catering ser vices—via Aqua Voyage.
310 Signature
Take to the waters without busting your credit card limit on yacht charter Pure Lust’s 310 Signature. Small it may be (accommodating only up to 10 pax), but the well-appointed cruiser is no shabby speedboat: interiors are fitted in the lap of luxury with glossy wood, plush leather seats and carpeted flooring. Even better are the affordable rates, with a five-hour charter out to sea setting you back just $899 onwards on weekdays.
The Suite Life
Marina Bay Sands’ Chairman Suite
Marina Bay Sands and Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
The world’s wealthiest will feel right at home in Marina Bay Sands’ $17,000-a-night Chairman Suite, set high on the 54th floor of the multi-billion-dollar property. It has two living rooms, four bedrooms, an exercise room, a study and 24-hour butler service. An alternative is the Ultimate Sanctuary package at Shangri-La Hotel, starting from $35,000 for a two-night stay. It’s pricier than putting up at MBS, but you get to officially name an orchid, and enjoy personalized meals, a wellness consultation at CHI, The Spa, personal shopping and unlimited booze from the hotel’s Champagne Bar.
The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Live it up on a budget (well, sort of) at one of The Ritz-Carlton’s luxurious Club Premier Suites (from $820 for a night), which boast killer views of the Marina Bay skyline (from the room’s marbled bathrooms, too). Guests staying in any of the hotel’s suites also enjoy exclusive access to the newly-renovated Club Lounge, where Champagne breakfast, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, desserts are served alongside free-flowing Champagne, wines, beer and cocktails.
Sitting Pretty
Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
No other chair says you’ve made it like this quintessential classic designed by Charles and Ray Eames, exhibited at art galleries like MoMA and most recently in town at the ArtScience Museum. $6,799 from Xtra.
Elcid Lounge Chair
Based on the original design by the Eames duo, this modern replica ($1,999) by Picket & Rail does the job equally well. Plus, only hardcore furniture and design enthusiasts will know the difference.
Drink Up
Credit: John Yuen
The Jewel of Pangaea
Trust the world’s most expensive club to concoct Asia’s most expensive cocktail. Local mixologist Ethan Leslie Leong is the man behind Pangaea’s $32,000 creation that contains gold-flaked Richard Hennessy cognac and comes topped with a GIA-certified triple ‘X’ diamond from Mouawad.
Cocktails at Maison Ikkoku
Thankfully, it won’t cost you an arm and leg to try Leong’s other delish drinks at Maison Ikkoku. Leong himself recommends the collaborative agnès b. 1941 ($28), a garden-appropriate drink with fruity-green notes, and the salted caramel martini ($28), perfect for ice cream lovers.
The Right Fit
Gym and Personal Trainers vs. Ritual
Personal trainers and gyms are notoriously cagey about sharing their rates. Your luxe option is a personal trainer and the cheaper one (short of just working out by yourself) is large group classes. Ritual, on the other hand, offer something in between: what they call “semi-private training” which translates to no more than 10 people per class, guided by two trainers. Rates vary depending on what you’re trying to achieve.
A Cut Above
Kim Robinson
We’re talking about the celebrity hairstylist, who counts A-listers like Kate Moss and Carina Lau as clients, here, not his namesake studio (#02-12 Ngee Ann City, 391 Orchard Rd., 6738-8006). For red-carpet-worthy hair, go for a cleanse-cut-finish session with the man himself at $2,680.
Kantaro
The director of hip salon Pact +Lim is your go-to hairstylist for edgy yet versatile styles. His cuts are $100 for men and $150 for women, but the jetsetter is only in town for one week a month.
Feast of Eden
Joël Robuchon Restaurant
For a blow-out dinner, this venue at Resorts World Sentosa can’t be beat. At this Singapore outpost by the most decorated chef in the world—with 26 Michelin stars under his belt—the 14-course degustation menu ($488) features expertly executed plates such as roasted frog legs on spelt risotto, as well as crisp-skinned suckling pig with gratinated cannelloni.
Otto Locanda
A steal at $60, the three-course degustation meal at this lovely Italian spot spotlights seasonal ingredients. Head chef Marco Violano creates a different menu ever y day based on what’s fresh, but some past specialities include saffron and cauliflower soup with pan-roasted scallop, plus char-grilled beef tenderloin with spinach and potato cake.
Spa and Away
Harmony Banyan
Slip into a state of utter bliss with this indulgent three-hour treatment ($620 upwards) at Banyan Tree Spa. The pampering session consists of a therapeutic exfoliating scrub, a top-to-toe massage by two therapists and a luxurious bath soak to melt away stresses.
Thai Thai Aroma
One of cool spa Nimble/Knead’s signature massages, the two-hour treatment ($143) combines traditional Thai techniques like gentle stretching with an aromatic rubdown, giving you the best of both worlds. Want a longer session? Opt for the heavenly 180-minute combo package ($218) that comes with a massage, scrub and mask.
Bag It
Hermes Birkin
Arguably the holy grail of luxury bags, the Birkin is notorious for its long waiting lists, unavailability and hefty five-figure tag. As you’d expect, the elusive style icon (in any imaginable variation) can’t be readily bought from any Hermes store in Singapore. But if you’re dead-set on buying one directly from the French label (the one pictured costs $25,000), try your luck in Paris or online—with insurance, no less.
Hermes Birkin
Can’t quite stretch your budget to own the Birkin? Multi-label store The Luxury Galleria offers interest-free instalment plans of up to 36 months for a guilt-free purchase. If you don’t mind a second-hand piece (and saving some cash while you’re at it), there’s a couple retailing at new online store ChicStash for about 30% off its usual price ($16,500).
Suit Yourself
One-off Customized Suit by Kevin Seah Bespoke
What better way to make an entrance than by owning your own bespoke garment? Not only is this piece made-to-measure by local master tailor Kevin Seah himself, each piece will be sent to close friend and collaborator, French street artist Kongo, to be illustrated with the latter’s signature graffiti strokes. The cool price tag? US$35,000. Get measured at Kevin Seah.
Customized Jacket by Benjamin Barker
At $650 upwards for both jacket and pants, Benjamin Barker’s customized two-piece will do the job equally well. Never mind that they’re not one-offs. Spruce up the suit with additional trims like grosgrain ribbons and monogram embroider y for an additional $10.
Dress Up
Club 21 Style Services
For anyone too busy making money to go shopping, there’s Club 21’s fashion experts to turn to at $300 per consultation (or free with a minimum spend of $1,000). Your personal styling session is carried out in the posh Club 21 Style Services Suite, which features a main lounge, spacious fitting rooms, a dining room and a VIP powder room that houses a M.A.C makeup bar to get primped in before an event.
Topshop Personal Shopping
Figuring out what to buy at Topshop can be over whelming. And that’s precisely why you’ll appreciate the UK label’s free personal shopping service. An appointment ranges from a half-hour quickie to a three-hour fashion party. Email [email protected] or call 6733-4608 to reserve a slot.
Table Manners
Velvet Underground
You’d think tables at ultra-luxe clubs like Pangaea would cost way more than one at ever yone’s favorite superclub Zouk, but in fact the minimum spend ($1,500) for a table at Velvet Underground’s members lounge is on par with that at Sabrina van Cleef Ault’s safari-themed playground. Plus, it affords you instant scene status as a member—which, despite Zouk’s long reign, is still priceless.
Kyō
With guest DJ lineups that rival Velvet Underground’s in terms of curation, slick underground club Kyō can clearly hold its own. It’s not the usual beer-y CBD watering hole, either, with lots of Champers and specialty Japanese whiskeys and sakes on the drinks list. Get a table for just $600 on a weekend night.
Get Crafty
Sopra Cucina & Bar‘s Beer 32
Even the nerdiest craft beer geek might baulk at the $36 price tag on Sopra Cucina & Bar’s Beer 32. Fortunately, it’s for a 750ml bottle (wine-sized, in other words) from the elusive Italian microbrewer y 32 Via dei Birrai. It comes in five different varieties, too.
Jungle Beer’s Kiasu Stout
More affordable, but still brewed with real TLC, is the Kiasu Stout ($9) from local brewers Jungle Beer, which recently won “Best Beer in Singapore” and “Best Beer in World” at the Asia Beer Awards 2013. Find the 330ml bottles for $9 at The Good Beer Company.
Stretch Out
Lotus Limo
Channel your inner Vinnie Chase (and bring your entourage) in one of Lotus Limo’s cars. Part of the IndoChine Group, they offer 8-seater Chrysler 300 Super Stretch cars, fitted with TVs, DVD players, fiber optic mood lighting and the always-important vanity mirror. A three-hour package goes for $888 ($250 per additional hour), while the special 10-hour package will set you back $2,500. Bonus: bring your own booze (for an $80 corkage fee, naturally).
Uber
It’s not quite the same, but tech upstart Uber’s iPhone and Android app connects you with your nearest available driver, as an alternative to waiting around for cabs that never come. This on-demand premium limo ser vice is charged by time and distance and, while it isn’t cheap (from Gillman Barracks to Dempsey around midnight on a Wednesday clocked in at around $20), it certainly makes a change from riding in a Sonata. You have to sign up for an account to book, but then that means easy fare splitting with friends as well as a totally cash-free experience. Well, may be “free” is the wrong word.
Fly High
Paramount Business Jets
Forget first-class seats. The way to travel luxe is via a private jet, and consulting firm Paramount Business Jets takes you to any where in the world at a moment’s notice—you can be up in the air in just four hours from the time you book. Charters are priced according to flight hours ans aircraft type—a trip to Bangkok from Singapore on a Turboprop King Air 350 (up to eight people) will cost you around USD29,200 ($37,100) upwards.
JetSuite
Singapore Airlines‘ business or first-class travelers flying to Los Angeles, San Franciso, New York, Newark and Houston (SIA’s US gateways) can charter America’s private jet operator JetSuite transfer to other US states at an exclusive rate (USD3,428 or $4,332 upwards, for destinations within two flight hours. Not holding a business or first-class ticket? Check out JetSuite’s daily deals when you’re traveling from state to state in the US for even cheaper rates (from only USD536, or $677 each way for the whole jet).
