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.
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Business Traveller UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2024 edition of Business Traveller UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox
