Upcoming Hotel Indigo Changi Airport to offer indoor ‘rainforest' and control tower views
An artist's impression of Hotel Indigo Changi Airport's indoor rainforest. ILLUSTRATION: OUR
SINGAPORE – Hotel Indigo Changi Airport, set to stand beside Terminal 2, will offer a 'distinctive local experience' and incorporate sustainable elements into its design, said property developer OUE.
The Hotel Indigo Changi Airport will celebrate the spirit of Changi, said OUE at the May 29 groundbreaking ceremony of the hotel it is developing under a joint venture with Japanese non-banking financial services company Tokyo Century.
The 255-room hotel, scheduled to be ready and fully operational by 2028, will also be Singapore's first hotel to attain 'zero-energy' certification level under the Green Mark Scheme of the Singapore Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the group said.
Under the scheme, zero-energy buildings are those that consume energy entirely from renewable energy sources.
The top floor of Hotel Indigo Changi Airport, level eight, will feature an infinity pool, a gym and a bar that offers panoramic views of the airport, OUE said.
An indoor rainforest in the hotel will blend urban architecture with seven storeys of lush greenery.
Upon arrival at the Floating Forest, hotel guests will be greeted by a foliage-enveloped lobby furnished with lanterns and a water-covered skylight with views of hanging plants.
The glass and timber lifts that bring guests to their rooms will take them up through the 'forest' on an immersive journey with nature.
Locally inspired features
Hotel Indigo Changi Airport will pay homage to Changi Airport's ongoing evolution as a gateway to the world by drawing inspiration from its past, present and future, OUE said.
Locally inspired design and curated artwork will be incorporated into the hotel's public spaces and guest rooms, it said.
The hotel has direct access to Terminal 2.
It will provide views of key airport landmarks, including the tree-lined Airport Boulevard that leads up to the iconic control tower, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport.
A rooftop oasis on the eighth floor of the hotel will provide views of Changi Airport.
ILLUSTRATION: OUE
Beyond incorporating nature in its design, the hotel will deploy sustainability initiatives to minimise environmental impact while ensuring guests' comfort and well-being, OUE said. These include green building strategies, smart energy management systems and eco-friendly technologies.
Notably, there are plans to install photovoltaic solar panels on the hotel's rooftop and its adjacent coach stand, as well as on selected facades, OUE said. These solar panels will harness renewable energy to minimise the facility's carbon footprint and achieve zero-energy operations.
Naturally ventilated corridors integrated with hybrid cooling systems will reduce the hotel's reliance on air-conditioning; its shaded facades provided by the Floating Forest and its use of rainwater-harvesting technology will be among its other sustainability features. THE BUSINESS TIMES
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Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
Savour seven high tea sets from $25.90
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High tea remains operationally strategic for restaurants too, allowing them to maximise business and manage costs with forecasted covers. Ami Patisserie chef-director Makoto Arami, 36, says: 'It fills the post-lunch, pre-dinner lull, turning what would usually be quiet hours into an opportunity.' Here are seven afternoon tea sets to check out in June. Taiwan-inspired high tea Choose from two high tea sets at Typhoon Cafe. PHOTO: TYPHOON CAFE Where: Typhoon Cafe, 04- 63 Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Road When: 2 to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays Info: Get a taste of Taiwan's bustling night markets without having to jostle through a sweaty crowd. At Taiwanese eatery Typhoon Cafe, these treats are served on a tray and interspersed with cups of Gifel Tea, a home-grown brand that prides itself on handpicked exotic brews. Opt for the Exploration Menu, which pairs golden chicken fritters with fruity black tea, mala pancake with lemongrass detox tea, lu rou Momofuku bun with melon oolong tea, and coffee tiramisu cake with earl grey tea. Or try the Discovery Menu: deep-fried shimeiji mushrooms with white ginger pear tea, chilli oil dumplings with Moroccan mint tea, mei cai Momofuku bun with breakfast tea, and ondeh-ondeh cake with a blend of goji berries, tea leaves and floral scents. Each set, available only at Typhoon Cafe's Plaza Singapura branch, can be shared among two people and costs $25.90++. Guests have the option to add free-flow tea for $5.90++. Bubble tea high tea High tea at Kebuke in Sembawang Shopping Centre. 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'By incorporating our signature brews into freshly made pastries, we offer a refined yet approachable way to enjoy tea culture in every bite.' The high tea set is available only at Kebuke's outlet in Sembawang Shopping Centre. Peter Rabbit-inspired high tea Peter Rabbit-inspired high tea at Skai Restaurant. PHOTO: SKAI RESTAURANT Where: Skai Restaurant, Level 70 Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road When: Till June 30, 3 to 5pm daily Info: Hop over to Skai Restaurant for its Peter Rabbit-inspired high tea. Themed after English writer Beatrix Potter's beloved character, it injects pastoral flair into classic high tea bites. The foie gras and apple filled tartlet, for instance, is fashioned into one of Mr McGregor's – the antagonist in the children's book – shiny red apples. The croissant with tomato, melon and honey ricotta pays tribute to the garden's vibrant bounty, while the wild mushroom mousse with parmesan, cep and sherry vinegar recalls the secret hideaways of another character, Squirrel Nutkin. There are sweet treats too, like a waffle basket brimming with blueberries and edible flowers, as well as a toadstool-shaped vanilla raspberry cheesecake. 'Themed afternoon teas are part of how we stay relevant and creative. It's not just about food, it's also about storytelling. Peter Rabbit offers a nostalgic yet whimsical lens that resonates across generations,' says Mr Marshall Orton , 59, general manager of food and beverage at Swissotel The Stamford, where Skai is located. He adds that by tying in cultural icons or artistic inspiration, the restaurant is able to surprise and engage guests, who are starting to skew younger. Alongside families and mother-daughter duos are now Gen-Z clients, who are drawn to the Instagram- worthy experience. 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There are skewers spiced up with Asian influences – think teriyaki salmon, bulgogi wagyu beef, chicken masala and miso eggplant – alongside sliders in the form of mini cheeseburgers, smoked beef brisket and crispy fish fillet combos. A trio of desserts consisting of a cheesecake and dark chocolate brownie with hazelnut creme completes the set. 'We wanted to move away from a traditional afternoon tea – where sweets often take centre stage – and have curated a menu with a more savoury-forward approach,' says executive chef Dean Bush, 53, of voco Orchard Singapore , where Opus Bar & Grill is located. Since diners prefer personalised experiences , the restaurant invites them to pick a teacup that resonates with their mood and style from its eclectic collection. It can accommodate dietary preferences where possible – for instance, by swopping proteins for plant-based alternatives or adjusting marinades. The Skewers & Sliders Stack is available at $54++ for two diners, including free-flow speciality coffee, artisanal teas and soft drinks. Spring journey The Chef's Table Discovery Experience at Ami Patisserie includes a Hokkaido crab tartlet. PHOTO: AMI PATISSERIE Where: Ami Patisserie, 27 Scotts Road When: Noon and 6.30pm, Wednesdays; noon, 3 and 6.30pm , Thursdays to Sundays Info: Spring at Ami Patisserie brings with it a fresh six-course journey ($118++ a person) through chef Makoto Arami's pastry finesse. Light and airy yet filling, the menu highlights seasonal ingredients like citrus, young ginger and tender asparagus. It starts with a miso madeleine topped with a smoky puree of charred eggplant, before diving into a Hokkaido crab tartlet encased in buttery layers of honey-brushed filo pastry. Bits of ginger and green apple add a burst of springtime brightness. Next comes the chef's version of a wagyu sando – smoked Omi beef on pan-seared brioche, crowned with uni and wasabi cream – followed by an asparagus tart with Parma ham and sauteed shiitake mushrooms. To round off the meal, there are three desserts featuring the season's bounty of mandarin oranges, dark chocolate and strawberries. 'Each course draws from my food memories and favourite flavour combinations,' says chef Arami , 36. For example, the strawberry sakura dessert that includes rice pudding and coconut is a tribute to his grandfather's traditional sakura mochi . 'I aspire to change diners' perspectives on the role of pastries with the Japanese concept of ' tsudo' – a pastry should be savoured at any time of the day, even as a meal in itself.' As such, the menu is available for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Guests are served in a nine-seater room, where pastries are assembled and plated on a counter before their eyes. 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'We wanted to create something that felt both indulgent and intentional. Comvita's manuka honey not only adds a naturally sweet, floral complexity to our creations, but also aligns beautifully with the growing desire among guests for ingredients that offer health benefits alongside taste,' says executive chef Jason Goh, 40. Wash it all down with Queen Bee ($20++), a cocktail that packs a citrusy punch, stirred with kumquat liqueur , lemon, yuzu, lemon bitters and manuka honey. For a non-alcoholic option, try the Honey Buzz mocktail ($16++), which blends Comvita Manuka Leaf Blend Tea, manuka honey, cloudy apple juice and lemon. Each foray into this candied colony costs $65++ a person on weekdays and $70++ a person on weekends, inclusive of a serving of coffee or loose-leaf tea, and free-flow ice cream. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available too, as well as a vegan afternoon tea set – one of few in Singapore. Tropical Fruits Afternoon Tea Tropical Fruits Afternoon Tea at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. PHOTO: SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL Where: Lobby Lounge, Level 1 Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road When: 3 to 5.30pm, Mondays to Thursdays; 2 to 3.30pm and 4 to 5.30pm, Fridays to Sundays Info: Nothing spells summer like a basket – or delicately plated tray – of tropical fruit. And in the sun-speckled Lobby Lounge of Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, they sit ripe and ready for picking. Passionfruit, coconuts, mangoes, kiwis and bananas are turned into pastries like a sponge cake topped with tangy kiwi compote and silky yogurt chantilly, as well as a chocolate banana choux finished with hazelnut praline. There is also a tart draped with mango-passionfruit jelly, and a coconut and mango panna cotta dotted with nata de coco. Balancing out these sweet nibbles are savoury bites, such as a smoked salmon seaweed roulade with wasabi mayonnaise and a Thai-style chicken with pineapple tartlet. 'Our high tea experience distinguishes itself by embracing local culture and flavours. We curate themed menus that celebrate our rich heritage, incorporating local produce and ingredients to create unique and memorable offerings,' says Ms Marisa Ng, 40, the hotel's director of sales and marketing. The set, served until the end of June, costs $68++ for two people from Mondays to Thursdays, and $58++ a person on Fridays to Sundays. Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
Straits Times
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Business Times
19 hours ago
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Trump celebrates Nippon Steel 'deal' with rally at Pennsylvania plant
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US Steel is headquartered in Pennsylvania, which symbolised both the one-time strength and the decline of US manufacturing power as the Rust Belt's steel plants and factories lost business to international rivals. The state's population swings between supporting Democrats and Republicans, making it a major prize in presidential elections. 'We would not be here today without President Trump, who has secured the company's future by approving our partnership,' said Nippon vice-chair Takahiro Mori at the Pennsylvania rally before Trump. But in a sign of the many open questions that remain, Japan's top trade negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, told reporters on Friday that he could not yet comment on the tie-up due to a lack of any official announcements. 'I am aware of the various reports and posts by President Trump on social media. 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Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the Democratic nominee in 2024 after Biden stepped aside, also said US Steel should remain domestically owned. Following a previous review, Biden blocked the deal in January on national security grounds. The companies sued, arguing they did not receive a fair review process, a charge the Biden White House disputed. The steel giants saw a new opportunity in the Trump administration, which opened a fresh 45-day national security review into the proposed merger last month. But Trump's public comments, ranging from welcoming a simple 'investment' in US Steel by the Japanese firm to suggesting a minority stake for Nippon Steel, did little to shore up investor confidence in an eventual green light. Reuters reported last week that Nippon Steel had floated plans to invest US$14 billion in US Steel's operations including up to US$4 billion in a new steel mill if the Trump administration green lights its merger bid, in response to requests from the government for more investment. 'This will be a planned partnership between United States Steel and Nippon Steel, which will create at least 70,000 jobs, and add US$14 billion dollars to the US Economy,' Trump posted last Friday, breathing new hope into prospects for the tie-up. 'I will see you all at US Steel, in Pittsburgh, on Friday, May 30th, for a BIG Rally. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!' REUTERS
