As soon as we landed at Changi Airport and collected our baggage, we were greeted by the friendly Airport Concierge and were chauffeur-driven to the Shangri-La hotel and personally escorted by a guest relations officer to the Valley Wing. As we entered the Valley Wing through the gardens, we passed the three hand-carved decorative wood art panels featuring 62 different calligraphic strokes of the Chinese character Shou, meaning longevity. The Valley Wing is an exclusive wing that is separated from the rest of the hotel, with its own private entrance and driveway, reception and panoramic Summit Room at the lobby level, which serves as a private dining area for guests.

We were soon seated comfortably in the private lobby where check-in formalities were completed under beautiful crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the lobby each one painstakingly assembled by hand. There are some visually captivating art pieces here, as well. Particularly the centre-piece, by renowned Hong Kong artist Lam Chung, a painting of mountains and golden tung trees. It added a wonderful oriental touch.

We were then escorted to our exclusive, tastefully-decorated deluxe room. Luxurious amenities and fittings and state-of-the-art bathrooms fuelled a sense of anticipation for the next four days of our stay. The plush rooms have been designed by Hong Kong-based British interior designer Charles Robertson, and are exquisitely furnished. The luxurious bathrooms, with beautiful marble tiling, double wash basins and all amenities, make certain that you feel pampered in every way. A wonderful touch is the personalised stationary, which made me feel instantly at home and part of the Shangri-La experience. The Valley Wing has 105 deluxe rooms, with a pool or city view, 11 one-bedroom suites, 2 two-bedroom suites and a fabulous 346 square metre Presidential Suite.

A wonderful rest and a short walk around Orchard Street -- the shopping hub of Singapore which is a short walk from the hotel -- and we looked forward to getting back to the Champagne Bar which is part of the Shangri-La Valley Wing experience. We settled down with canapés, mocktails for the children and a choice of wines, cocktails and champagne to choose from. Sitting back in comfortable chairs, we contemplated with anticipation, our first day in Singapore. One thing we were certain of, this was home in a new and fascinating city....

Day two and we kick-started it with a private dining experience at the elegant Summit Room that has a panoramic view of the hotel’s beautifully landscaped garden, with over 2000 species of flora and fauna. A varied array of breakfast choices and a satisfying hour later, we set out to dip into the swimming pool which was impressively large and additionally boasted a jacuzzi and a children’s fun pool. An evening dip is highly recommended with fountains and fibre optic lighting that adds a magical touch with colour and lights. The entire pool area, designed by Belt Collins, is surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

For sports enthusiasts, there are four flood-lit tennis courts, along with expert advice and coaching and training sessions, as also a three-hole pitch-and-putt course for golf lovers. A relaxing swim and drink later, we set out to explore a bit of Singapore.

Back from our explorations, we went in for high tea at the Rose Verandah which is definitely a spot to try out. The Rose Verandah is located on the mezzanine floor, with a spectacular view of the grounds through full-length glass windows. It is characterised by elegant armchairs and sofas, bringing back pleasures of afternoon tea from a bygone era.

Dinner that evening left us with a list of choices as the hotel has a fascinating range of restaurants. The Line, with its international and local cuisine; the Nadaman Japanese restaurant; Shang Palace for Cantonese fare and The Blu Restaurant and Bar. We opted for the Line, situated at the lower lobby level in the Tower Wing, which is an all-you-can-eat restaurant, offering both indoor and alfresco dining options, again with a view of lush greenery and the swimming pool. It is modern in concept, designed by acclaimed interior designer Adam D Tahaney. The food was good, a must-try for all guests. In-room dining was also excellent as we discovered after the next two exhausting days in the city.

The hotel’s health club, located at the lower lobby level of the Tower Wing, offers a rejuvenating experience with aromatherapy treatments and massagets, including reflexology. For fitness enthusiasts, the well-equipped gymnasium and for the less energetic, a heated jacuzzi pool, spa, steam and sauna rooms are a fabulous choice.

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