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Time Out
4 hours ago
- Time Out
This luxury hotel has themed family suites with slides – here's what we think
What do Bruno Mars, Ayumi Hamasaki, and I have in common? We've all stayed at Mandarin Oriental Singapore – though I'm fairly sure I was the only one flinging myself down a jungle-themed slide here. Fresh from a six-month revamp, this Marina Bay icon is looking exceptional than ever. Gone are the old beige tones, replaced with pink-and-green palettes inspired by Singapore's Garden City charm, plush interiors drawing from Peranakan heritage, art commissioned by local and regional creatives, and a sophisticated new look that still retains its luxurious roots. Add to that some of the best service in town and you've got a hotel that nails both polish and personality. Why stay at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore? Since 1987, MO Singapore (formerly The Oriental Singapore) has been making guests feel like a VIP before even hitting the check-in desk, from the warm greetings by staff to the plush interiors that smell faintly of fresh flowers and quiet opulence. Whether you're here for a romantic weekend, a luxe city staycay, or – like me – a family-friendly getaway with all the trimmings, MO Singapore doesn't disappoint. It's got the vibe of a resort, the heart of a five-star hotel, and the location of your urban dreams. And if you're looking to explore the city in style, it has just the thing for you. One of the hotel's biggest flexes is the Porsche Drive Experience, where guests can book a sleek electric Porsche for up to three hours. Whether you're cruising past the Singapore Flyer or just looping around Marina Bay, it's guaranteed to elevate your stay. What are the rooms like at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore? We checked into the Family Theme Suite, one of the property's most playful options. Choose from themes inspired by safari adventure, outer space, and underwater explorations – ours was decked out in leafy motifs, jungle animals, and a cuddly Mini MO mascot named Rajah lounging in the living room. The lion plushie also makes for a great keepsake and companion for the little one. The highlight? A solid, built-in bunk bed and slide combo that will keep the kids – and kidults – entertained. Word of warning, though: the slide is rather steep, so prepare for a fast descent. The beds, on the other hand, are roomy enough that adults under 1.6 metres like myself won't feel squished. Beyond the wow factor, the suite delivers maximum comfort: separate bedroom and lounge spaces, a balcony, two massive TVs, a washer-dryer, and a fully equipped kitchenette with an induction hob, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee machine. There are also two toilets with remote-controlled bidets, and a bathroom kitted out with a rainforest shower and a bathtub. Where to eat and drink at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore? Let's talk food, because this hotel takes dining very seriously. Embu, the vibrant all-day restaurant, was our go-to for breakfast and dinner buffets. No matter the mealtime, there's a lavish spread featuring premium seafood, Indian and Asian specialities, wood-fired pizzas, barbecue delights, homemade desserts, and even a kids' buffet corner curated for small bellies. There are also live cooking stations for fried eggs, freshly rolled popiah, carrot cake and more made on the spot. Step out onto the lush outdoor patio for a spot of al fresco dining. There's even a small playground nearby, so you can keep an eye on the little one while you tuck into your meal. The restaurant also runs the MO Junior Chef Masterclass, a complimentary experience for hotel guests. My toddler proudly donned a chef's hat and got hands-on assembling a few kueh pie tee, which we happily devoured together. It's a fun touch that the kids will enjoy. If you're in the mood to venture further, the hotel's 10 dining concepts include the award-winning MO Bar, Cantonese fine dining at Cherry Garden, waterfront Italian at Dolce Vita, and Zuicho, a high-end Japanese kappo experience helmed by Michelin-starred chef Kenji Takahashi. What are the facilities like at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore? You could easily spend all day at the 25-metre outdoor pool. There's a main pool for proper swimming, a shallow kiddy pool with bubble jets, and a lounge pool with built-in daybeds perfect for a relaxing soak under the sun. If you'd rather stay dry, kick back on the sun beds or retreat to one of the private cabanas for a dose of poolside peace. With stunning views of the Marina Bay skyline, the deck also doubles as a prime fireworks vantage point – we happened to be swimming during the National Day rehearsal display, and the experience was nothing short of magical. The spacious gym is equally impressive, stocked with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and offering outdoor sunrise yoga, core workouts and more on the outdoor patio. There's also a serene spa, complete with six treatment rooms and wellness therapies that run the gamut from massages to manicures. What's the area like around Mandarin Oriental, Singapore? The hotel puts you right in the heart of the city, on the Marina Bay waterfront and a short walk to Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Suntec City, Millenia Walk, and Gardens by the Bay. You're within jogging distance of the Merlion, a quick Grab ride from Orchard Road, and practically sitting on the F1 night race track when September rolls around. Why you should book a stay at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore? If you're after five-star comfort with a side of thoughtful whimsy, Mandarin Oriental hits the sweet spot. From luxe design and impeccable service to the family-first details, this city-centre hotel delivers a polished yet playful experience. But what truly sets MO Singapore apart is its people – the service is warm, intuitive, and always one step ahead. It's luxury without the stiffness. Whether you're travelling with tots, planning a romantic getaway, or just in the mood to pamper yourself (and maybe test drive a Porsche), this is easily one of the most exciting stays in the city. And one thing's for sure: you'll be planning your return before checkout.
Rhyl Journal
15 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Review: I sampled some of the food at Rhyl's Queen's Market
From stone-baked pizzas to dishes inspired by Indian, American, Greek Chinese and Caribbean cuisine, there is plenty to tantalise the tastebuds and satisfy the heartiest of appetites. That's not to mention the ice cream, coffee and cake, donuts, traditional sweets, and much more. Oh, and there's also a pub! Queen's Market in Rhyl Let's get something out of the way before we go on - The Queen's Market is not a market of the sort we might have visited in days gone by. There is no butchered meat, fresh fish, second hand books, clothing, or souvenirs to be had. What it is, however, is a modern food court that have proved popular in places like Chester. And early signs are it will do the same in Rhyl. MORE NEWS: Taxi drivers in Rhyl 'furious' amid wait for fare uplift to take effect Concerns in Prestatyn as 'retrospective' homeless hostel application submitted Fight breaks out on train travelling between Prestatyn & Flint stations The food court in the market is light, although it is always busy with people navigating the market. There are booths on the mezzanine, which are a better option if you don't like the hustle and bustle of the market while enjoying your meal. Queen's Market: Ice cream rolls being made We were a party of three so decided to order from several of the kitchens to sample as many of the cuisines as possible. Now, as a fan of Bob's Burgers, I love a dish with a pun name. At Queen's Market, there are puns aplenty as most of vendors. For our initiation, we chose food from Bad Burgers and Dirty Dogs, Go Greek, and Street Pot. I must preface the rest of this article by saying we visited on the opening day and it was the first time the vendors served the public at the market. I don't think anyone expected how popular the new food court would be from the off, and there were reports of kitchen's running out of food before the day was out. This, and any other teething troubles, I am sure have now been addressed. Queen's Market: Bad Burgers and Dirty Dogs Bad Burgers and Dirty Dogs serves up a range of handmade smash burgers and gourmet hotdogs with a variety of toppings on offer, along with fully loaded fries. It has to be said that, on day one when we were there, there was a lot of feet finding. Queen's Market: Burger The burger and dog we ordered did not arrive particularly quickly, but I am sure the team are firing on all cylinders now. That said, the food was worth the wait. HUNGRY FOR MORE? This might be my favourite restaurant in North Wales! I enjoyed breakfast at what might be Rhyl's friendliest cafe I tried authentic Sri Lankan food in Rhyl - and it was fantastic! The prison/crime themed pub names of the burger and hot dog escape me right now (see what I did there?) but they were hot, fresh and loaded with flavour. With all the variations on the menu, I can see a lot of return custom for this burger joint. Queen's Market: Team members at Street Pot We also tried some of the food from Street Pot, which focuses on authentic Caribbean and USA flavours. Specialties include jerk chicken, curry, rice and peas, and fried plantain. We tried the mac and cheese and jerk chicken leg, which came with two pots of sauce. Queen's Market: Food from Street Pot The mac and cheese was rich, gooey and plentiful. I would have liked bigger portions of sauce, and perhaps something to add crunch or spice to balance the richness of the cheese sauce, but overall, it was a very tasty and filling. Queen's Market: Street Pot The star item from Street Pot, though, was the fresh fruit juice blends, which were equal parts refreshing and delicious. My favourite of the kitchens we sampled was Go Greek. Queen's Market: Food served up at Go Greek Go Greek offers a full range of traditional Greek food, including gyros, souvlaki, halloumi fries, as well as desserts, including the magical orange cake. Queen's Market: Go Greek We shared a gyro and sausage box with a side of halloumi fries with tzatziki. Queen's Market: Box from Go Greek The box was an implosion of different flavours, saltiness, umami, zest, and freshness. The sausage was an added treat, but the mix of meats and salad in the box without it would have still felt like value for money. I have had similar boxes in cities like Manchester, and the food served in Rhyl is their equal at least. We finished our lunchtime dining experience with some cold treats from Pudz Ice Cream Rolls. Queen's Market: Team at Pudz Ice Cream The Pudz team serve freshly made waffles and crepes with a variety of fillings and toppings, as well as their famous fresh milkshakes. Queen's Market: Ice cream The signature treats, however, are ice cream rolls, the preparation of which is a few moments of theatre in itself. We tried Biscoff Blizzard and Magic Mint. The former was very enjoyable, a perfect blend of textures from smooth ice cream to the crumbly crunch of biscuit. Queen's Market: Ice cream The mint, however, was too extreme for our tastes, but I'm sure it will find fans who like their mintiness turned up to the max. Since its launch, there have been a few chops and changes in the vendor line-up, but the market is now at full capacity and welcoming thousands of people through its doors. I will definitely return, as I would very much like to try the delights of Anarkali and Salt & Pepper Box. Queen's Market food court Not to mention, Little Italy Pizza Rhyl who were enjoying a brisk trade on the day I visited. It seemed every other person leaving the market was carrying at least one pizza box. Recently, Little Italy Pizza Rhyl posted: "A special moment for Little Italy Pizza Rhyl this evening, we served our 1,000th customer since being here in the New Queen's Market. Thank you, hope you enjoyed your Take it Cheesy garlic bread on us." Queen's Market: The team at Spill the Beans I will certainly go back to Queen's Market when I'm next in Rhyl. Whether it's for coffee and a donut, a bubble tea, a quick bite for lunch, or something more substantial with friends, it is available at Rhyl's impressive new food court.
South Wales Argus
21 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Indian dance festival 'UTSAV' coming to Cardiff in 2025
UTSAV, meaning 'celebration' in Sanskrit, will be held in Cardiff at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama on September 9, 2025. Created by Cardiff-based Indian arts and culture company Samarpan, the festival aims to address the lack of consistent, high-quality classical Indian arts programming in Wales. Dr Leena Menon and Dr Santosh Nair, directors of Samarpan, said: "UTSAV is a heartfelt offering to Wales, a celebration of classical Indian dance at its finest. "Through UTSAV, we hope to deepen appreciation for these ancient forms and spark new conversations around identity, heritage, and the power of the arts to connect us all." The festival will feature performances from both Samarpan students and internationally acclaimed artists from across the UK, and will showcase four major classical dance styles: Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Odissi.
