Latest news with #fiveStar
Washington Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Miss Manners: Father-in-law has one-star review for five-star chef
Dear Miss Manners: I am an executive chef at a five-star restaurant who frequently entertains at home. I love to cook creatively and come up with ideas for things the guests have never had done before, usually with success. However, I got some feedback after a dinner party that makes me wonder if I may have breached a rule of etiquette of which I was unaware.
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The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore hotel review
Find classic luxury at this superbly located five-star offering from Mandarin Oriental with sweeping city views across Marina Bay, an excellent spa and a swish club lounge Location Located just a 20-minute drive from Singapore Changi Airport, the Mandarin Oriental Marina Bay is set just outside the main buzz of the city, yet close enough that you can easily access everything Singapore has to offer. Marina Bay is one of the main tourist areas of Singapore, home to many of the major luxury hotels, as well as the ArtScience Museum, the Singapore Flyer observation wheel and Esplanade Theatres on the Bay. Gardens by the Bay are on your doorstep – just a 25-minute walk from the Mandarin Oriental and you'll be in the centre of the cloud forest – while Raffles is a mere 10-minute walk and Chinatown a 30-minute stroll (or 10-minute drive). The vibe Elevated and elegant yet relaxed, the hotel showcases the Mandarin Oriental's signature style of modern luxury that reflects the surrounding city. It feels contemporary thanks to a recent renovation, yet still retains a sense of old-school Singaporean glamour. With the building shaped like a fan, all the rooms face outwards towards the Marina, which means they all have sweeping views. And it's this location overlooking the Marina that is the hotel's crown jewel – it gives a sense of being close to the action while still feeling calm and quiet. Service The service at Mandarin Oriental hotels rarely disappoints, and the Singapore Marina is no exception. Staff are efficient and friendly, check-in is fast, and turndowns and housekeeping occur without you even noticing. There's an excellent concierge service that will arrange experiences both within the hotel and offer recommendations beyond, and can also take care of transport and airport transfers. Bed and bath Rooms are elegant and spacious with muted pinks, blues and greens set against neutral tones. Those gorgeous views of the marina below and the city beyond can be enjoyed through floor-to-ceiling windows in all rooms, from the entry-level deluxe rooms upwards. At the higher level, suites and family rooms are available, with living spaces including dining rooms and kitchens. Sleek white marble bathrooms have bathtubs and rainforest showers, with amenities including Mandarin Oriental toiletries and Dyson hairdryers. Food and drink The food and drink offering at the Mandarin Oriental is expansive, with eight restaurants serving a range of cuisines, as well as the MO bar, where guests can enjoy signature cocktails and light bites while taking in the views across the bay. Embu is a bustling affair in a relaxed setting with an all-day buffet offering local dishes and international cuisines. There's also a steakhouse, lobby lounge, cake shop, Italian eatery, Zuicho Japanese fine dining, and the Bay@5 alfresco lounge, but if you visit one restaurant, make it the Cherry Garden, where you'll enjoy elevated Cantonese dishes such as steamed pork siew mai with baby abalone, charcoal-roasted duck with cherry sauce, and asparagus with hon-shimeji mushroom, lily bulb and gingko nuts. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered for, as are most dietary restrictions. Facilities The spa at the Mandarin Oriental is one of the best I've visited in Asia, with knowledgeable, highly trained staff and a highly relaxing atmosphere. There are a number of treatments on offer, including customised and signature massages, facials and body scrubs – which can be enjoyed with a glass of champagne – as well as a nail salon. The 25-metre outdoor swimming pool on the fifth floor allows you to take a dip while soaking in the panoramic views of the city, and there is a well-equipped gym, with daily fitness classes including yoga, HIIT and strength training. HAUS 65 club lounge is available to guests in Club Marina Bay Rooms or suites, and is a wonderfully calm spot to get some work done or enjoy a coffee or glass of wine. The food and service up here are excellent – the afternoon tea served on delicate china is a particularly lovely experience. There's a real focus on experiences at the Mandarin Oriental and the concierge will be only too happy to arrange everything from a vintage Vespa sidecar ride (a fun and quirky way to see the sights) to a cultural cooking class or a hike through the trails of Bukit Brown Forest. Accessibility All entrances, restaurants, the bar, event spaces, the fitness centre, and spa are accessible. Accessible guest rooms are compliant with local regulations and feature audio and visual alert devices. In-room accessible amenities include roll-in rain showers with benches, shower chairs, grab handrails and an emergency call system. Pet policy The hotel does not allow pets, but service animals are welcome. Check in/check out? Check in from 3pm; check out by 12pm. Family-friendly? Yes, children are welcome at the Mandarin Oriental Marina Bay. There are a number of family suites with bunk beds. Children below the age of six eat free at Embu restaurant (when accompanied by an adult), where there's a safari-themed kids' corner during dinner and Sunday brunch, and there are several experiences curated for young guests, including children's cooking classes and yoga for kids. There is also a separate children's pool with water jets. At a glance: Perfect for: Travellers keen to experience the best of Singapore with ease
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
10 of the best luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi for Michelin-starred dining and private beaches
Amid the UAE 's stellar constellation of five-star hotels, it takes an extra special proposition to stand out. Maybe that's an exclusive location, Michelin-praised dining, jaw-dropping interiors – or all three? Because when standards are this high, only the very best will do. The following hotels are just that. Without exception, even their 'lowliest' entry-level rooms are extraordinary, with generous proportions and superlative quality: from butler service to designer toiletries, and a veritable feast at breakfast time. Whether you're looking for a city-centre stay or a few nights' retreat in Abu Dhabi's more remote – and exclusive – corners, these are the properties to splash out on. The below prices are all during low season (i.e. UK summertime), making it a great time to grab a bargain, as rates can double or triple in winter. Still, Abu Dhabi offers better value for money than neighbouring Dubai, with quality that puts many of the world's greatest cities to shame. From city slickers to desert wonders, read on to discover Abu Dhabi's most luxurious hotels. 10 best luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi for 2025 At a glance 1. Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel Al Maryah Island As every supermodel knows, lighting is everything – and this gorgeous hotel has it down to a tee. You can nibble Pierre Hermé macarons in Majlis as natural light tumbles through the triple-height windows, or cosy up with a negroni amongst the honeyed hues of Hidden Bar, whose gin selection is 300-strong. Wine connoisseurs, take your pick from La Cava's choice of 1,000 premium vintages, served in its deliciously dark underground cellar – while sunseekers will enjoy its large sunny pool, with skyscraper views in every direction. As for the rooms, every category features a separate bathtub, evening turndown and Roberto Cavalli toiletries, plus a decadent à la carte breakfast. Address: Galleria Shopping Mall - Level B3, Al Maryah St, Al Maryah Island, MI1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Al Rahba Located in a former Sheikh's palace, this adults-only hotel sits on one of the capital's most extraordinary beaches – a vision of white sand and turquoise shallows. Spend your days snooping at turtles and stingrays from a glass-bottomed kayak, or feasting on meze salads and grilled tiger prawns at Oia Oasis. Somewhat surreally, the hotel is inspired by Santorini – from its whitewashed domes and voluptuous archways, to the winding walkways and abundant bougainvillaea. But happily, it's far, far quieter than the real Greek deal, with just 22 rooms and no other hotels in sight – so you can snooze to the sound of the waves. Address: Al Jarf 22, Ghantoot, Al Samha, Al Jarf, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 3. Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort hotel Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm's wow-factor lies in its exclusivity: there are just 30 villas (no rooms or suites) in the entire resort, each of which features a plunge pool, private deck and – if beside the beach – direct access to wide golden sands. It's located on Sir Bani Yas, three hours from the city – a surprisingly wild island beloved by Abu Dhabi's ruling family, where the UAE's first president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan founded a wildlife sanctuary in 1977. Today, it's home to almost 20,000 animals, including endangered Arabian oryx and gazelles. See them on a wildlife drive or nature walk, before retreating to your desert island idyll. Address: Al Ruwais, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 4. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel From its gleaming marble hammam to the gold-lavished lobby and long private beach, Emirates Palace certainly lives up to its name. You'd be forgiven for thinking it was an actual royal residence: its interiors glitter with 1,000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers, it's bigger than Buckingham Palace, and it cost a reported US$3bn (£2.3bn) to build, making it one of the world's most expensive hotels. All of its rooms and suites offer private balconies, heavenly mattress toppers and deep-soak tubs, while the fully vegan accommodation features 100 per cent plant-based fabric, toiletries and even a special room service menu. 5. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers hotel Located in the five-spired Etihad Towers, the Conrad presides over the entire Corniche, with views encompassing Downtown's skyscrapers, Saadiyat Island's eye-popping Guggenheim and beyond. It rises 69 storeys, and to take advantage of its elevated position, every room features floor-to-ceiling windows and a layout oriented towards that panorama – best admired from your kingsize bed or chaise longue. As well as a fabulous breakfast buffet, the hotel is home to three Michelin-recommended restaurants: Ray's Grill (for steaks), Li Beirut (Lebanese meze) and José by Pizarro (Spanish tapas). Don't leave without trying the latter's spin on patatas bravas: perfect cubes of hot, crunchy layered potatoes, ready to be dunked into rich tomato aioli. Address: Corniche St, Al Bateen, W32, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 6. Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island hotel The UAE has just a handful of all-inclusive hotels, and this Rixos is by far the best. From the dizzying mosaics and dapper doormen in its palace-inspired lobby, to the lustrous palm trees and tinkling fountains in its immaculate gardens – it's all designed to make your jaw drop. Rollerblading waiters nip around the poolside delivering bottomless mojitos, piña coladas and more, while the breakfast buffet is one of Abu Dhabi's biggest (and that's no mean feat). But better yet, Saadiyat Beach is just a few barefoot steps away: kick back on those sugary sands, and keep an eye out for dolphins too... Address: Al Saadiyat Island, SDN1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 7. Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island The private passageway between the Four Seasons and Galleria Mall – one of the city's top shopping locales – is lined with the likes of Bulgari, Jimmy Choo and Elie Saab, and that's before you even get to the mall itself. As if the Four Seasons brand wasn't alluring enough, it has a world of top designers on its doorstep. Happily, the hotel has myriad places to show off your purchases: over a seafood supper at Cafe Milano, perhaps, or while sipping spritzers at the poolside Eclipse Terrace Lounge. Loosen your belt for dinner at Butcher & Still, whose hefty porterhouse steaks and New York cheesecakes secured it a Michelin recommendation. Address: Abu Dhabi Global Market, Second St, Al Maryah Island, MI1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 8. The Abu Dhabi EDITION hotel The enormous undulating chandelier above the lobby, the golden-hued lighting that subtly shifts throughout the day, the five-storey-high atrium and its secret water garden: every inch of this marina-view hotel feels considered yet playful, and it's a joy to linger in. Indeed, there are reasons aplenty to rip up your busy sightseeing itinerary, whether that's chilling in the two pools, luxuriating in the spa's volcanic hot stone massages, or simply ordering dish after dish from the à la carte breakfast menu, which is served until 5pm. The Michelin-listed Oak Room is famous for excellent steaks, too. 9. The St. Regis Abu Dhabi hotel At sunset, the sommeliers at Crystal Lounge bar open a bottle of champagne with the swoosh of a sword, a St. Regis ritual known as sabrage. It's just one of the many opulent details at this 49-storey hotel, which soars over Abu Dhabi's beach-fringed Corniche – whose rooms and suites are served by private butlers, and whose décor is lavished with gleaming marble, fresh roses and glittering chandeliers. But the hotel's private beach is what sets it apart: its billowing cabanas and Michelin-recommended seafood restaurant are just a few minutes' stroll away, accessed via an exclusive walkway. Part city slicker, part seaside heaven – the best of both worlds. 10. W Abu Dhabi - Yas Island hotel When the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix comes to town, the W is right at the heart of the action. It actually straddles the racetrack, so guests get unrivalled views of those screaming supercars – whether from the designated viewing deck or their suite's private balcony. But the hotel doesn't just come alive for the races, it dazzles year-round. Think super-sized rooms, poolside DJs and slick décor nods to local Emirati culture – from the lobby's oversized 'fishing nets' to the curtains made from traditional necklaces. The backdrop of bobbing yachts in Yas Marina is pretty luxe, too. The lighting is sexy, the pool is perfect for posing and Saturday brunches are wild.
