A Singapore story: this equatorial island nation offers an exotic change of pace in sightseeing, hotels, and food that is enchanting

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), July, 1995 by Laurel F. Lehrer, Christine Hachiya

Across the lobby is a long wall featuring a mosaic-tiled map of the world, including the time of day in various cities. Overhead, four massive Austrian chandeliers illuminate the green marble floor from China. A modern quartet plays easy listening music as the evening descends. Luxury and contentment await.

You are escorted to your room by a hostess, costumed in a floral brocade cheong-sam, a traditional Chinese dress with a high collar and frog closure at the throat. Fresh orchids grace each room, and one has an opportunity to relax in a chaise lounge with refreshments from the well-stocked mini bar. On the balcony, you can view Singapore's skyline rising above the hotel's treetops.

Room lights, air-conditioning, motorized curtains, and a selection of radio stations are all controlled from the bedside table. Remote-controlled television offers selections of local programs in several languages, international news, and pay-for-view movies. A small safe within the room provides security for personal items. In-room coffee and tea facilities, three telephones with two outside lines, and voice mail make a stay in the Tower Wing a perfect choice for a business traveler. Mini-suites in this wing offer the same amenities, with a large, spacious bedroom separate from the comfortably appointed sifting area, and each room has its own television.

The Tower Wing is the original building (opened in 1971) and is the hub of the hotel complex. It boasts a 24-hour Business Center, a shopping arcade, and the popular Xanadu nightclub (9 p.m. to 3 a.m., daily, except Sunday). The popular 24-hour Coffee Garden Restaurant offers a quick bite to eat or a substantial dinner any time of the day or night. I had a bowl of wonton soup at 2 a,m., and it was busy even then!

Richly decorated Restaurant Latour in the Tower Wing offers an elegant luncheon buffet displayed on multi-tiered tables: oysters on the half-shell, chilled boiled shrimp, thick cream of broccoli soup, and the freshest of salads. Entrees are prepared to order. I had delicate seared deep-sea scallops served atop a bed of chopped leeks, celery, tomatoes, and chervil with a noilly prat cream. Others at my table were delighted with the grilled Norwegian salmon with bean salad and the pan-fried blackpeppered breast of chicken with spinach. green peas. bacon. and shallots. Five other tempting entrees had to await a return visit. The buffet table provided desserts of handmade chocolates and the restaurant's hallmark mango crepes.

Attendants seat you, help you rise, fold your napkin every time you leave the table, and carry your buffet plate for you. I felt pampered and there was no doubt that my enjoying the meal was the goal of the entire staff. It was absolutely delicious (about $30 U.S. .

The Garden Wing, opened in 1978, shares the same lobby with the Tower Wing. At its core is an open-air tropical-designed atrium featuring a flowing brook, several waterfalls, an informal meditation area, Japanese koi (colorful carp) in a pond, orchids, anthuriums. white ginger, ferns, and other tropical foliage, Twice a day, this garden is misted. A graceful, curving path is actually of cement, replicating handhewn planks and natural bark rails (real wood would not with-stand the moisture). Rocks are used extensively in the design and many were hand-carved. Bougainvillea drapes from the balconies surrounding this atrium garden, completing the tropical atmosphere.