Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore

BACKGROUND This biophilic property opened in June 2023 and is the second Pan Pacific hotel in the city, the other being the Pan Pacific Singapore. The hotel is a member of the Green Collection within the GHA Discovery loyalty programme. It is BCA Green Mark Platinum-certified for its sustainability credentials.

- Hannah Brandler

WHERE IS IT? Bang in the middle of the famous Orchard Road shopping district, with malls such as ION Orchard on its doorstep. It is a ten-minute walk from Orchard MRT station and a 30-minute walk to the Botanic Gardens should you need further greenery.

WHAT'S IT LIKE? The soaring 23-storey structure designed by WOHA architects is spectacular, resembling a tropical Jenga tower with 7,300 sqm of foliage across four cut-out terraces - Forest (floors 2-3), Beach (5-10), Garden (11-16) and Cloud (18-23).

The experience starts on the Forest level with a cascading water feature and an open-air lobby, somewhat cooled by dry-mist fans, with seating areas and a reception where staff use tablets to check you in. Stretching through the edifice is a "green core" - a 120-metre column which in time will bloom into a structure reminiscent of Singapore's surreal Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay.

It would take forever to describe all the details of this building, but expect open-air spaces, landscaped lawns and mirrored ceilings that add a futuristic quality. It feels like an entire ecosystem in one block.