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Singapore hotel launches experiential local
tours and workshops for in-house guests
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Grand Copthorne Waterfront
Hotel, an award-winning 5-star hotel overlooking the Singapore river, wants to help its guests “Live like a Local” through a year-long
campaign of weekly experiential local tours and monthly workshops designed to
showcase the rich tapestry of Singapore’s sights, tastes and sounds from the
locals themselves.
Come 1 December 2018, across a period of one
year, international travellers and local staycation guests are in for a treat
when they book their stay with Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore.
Happening every Saturday with compliments from the hotel, embark on a half-day
tour at one of Singapore’s oldest housing estate—yet undeniably one of the
hippest neighbourhood—Tiong Bahru. Immerse yourself in the seamless blend of
contemporary and traditional elements in this charming neighbourhood – from
hand-painted wall murals to old-school local pastries from a fourth-generation
bakery. In addition, on every first Saturday of the month, guests can
participate in a calendar of hands-on activities and workshops curated both in
accordance and celebration of the Singapore’s cultural festivals.
The
‘Live Like a Local’ campaign is supported by Singapore Tourism Board’s ‘Experience Step Up Fund’ (ESF) that encourages experience development projects that
enhances visitors’ experience and
satisfaction in Singapore.
Live like a Local will take
place from 1 December 2018 – 31 November 2019. Tours and activities are
complimentary for in-house guests of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
only.
Please refer to the
attached annex for more information on the heritage tour and activities.
For further
information and hotel reservations, visit
GRAND COPTHORNE
WATERFRONT HOTEL SINGAPORE
Overlooking
the historic Singapore River, Grand Copthorne Waterfront is a 550-room premier
deluxe conference hotel where luxurious elegance and contemporary style go hand
in hand. It is ideally located near the Central Business District and the
waterfront precincts of Robertson Quay, Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. An
integrated dining destination, The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel houses Food
Capital, a buffet restaurant with interactive live stations, Grissini, a
contemporary Italian grill restaurant, Grand Shanghai, a unique dining concept
serving authentic Shanghainese cuisine and Tempo, a dynamic bar ideal for post
dinner revelry, all under one roof. With 33 versatile meeting rooms covering an
impressive 850 square metres, the Waterfront Conference Centre offers
state-of-the-art meeting aids such as wireless broadband internet access,
built-in projectors, intelligent lighting, sound systems for special effects
and most importantly, the highest standard of excellence and personalised
service to guest, delegates and organisers. Awards and accolades include
International 5 Star Hotel (2017-2018) by International Hotel Awards, Grand
Luxury Hotel of the Year 2017 by Luxury Travel Guide, Singapore's Leading
Conference Hotel 2015 by World Travel Awards, Her World Brides Venue Awards
2017, Blissful Brides Editor's Choice Preferred Banquet Venues Winner 2017,
Wine & Dine Singapore’s Top Restaurants 2017/2018, Wine Spectator’s 2017
Award of Excellence for Grissini Restaurant, SHA Excellent Service Award 2015,
BCA Green Mark Platinum (2015-2018) and PUB Water Efficient Building Gold Award
(2014-2017).
MILLENNIUM &
COPTHORNE HOTELS PLC
Millennium & Copthorne
Hotels PLC (LSE: MLC), listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1996, is a
global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and/or operates a worldwide
portfolio of over 130 hotels across four distinct global collections— Leng’s
Collection, M Collection, Millennium Collection and Copthorne Collection—throughout
Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Millennium Hotels
and Resorts (MHR) was established as a global brand by Millennium &
Copthorne Hotels PLC to provide a common marketing and operating platform
across its portfolio. Founded on the philosophy of genuine hospitality, this
dynamic hospitality group has an outstanding reputation for excellence, taking
pride in exceeding the needs of its business and leisure travellers. The
strategic localities of its properties in key gateway cities such as London,
Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei,
Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Thailand make MHR the perfect address to conduct
your business or indulge yourself while on holiday.
ANNEX: HERITAGE TOURS
Explore the hippest town - Tiong Bahru
Heritage Tour (Every Saturday)
A
short 3 minute car ride or 10 minute walk, the hotel is in close proximity to
the hippest town, Tiong Bahru. Every Saturday, guests can join us for a
complimentary guided tour picked up by coach (9am to 1pm) and embark on a
heritage walking tour of Tiong Bahru. Known as one of Singapore’s oldest
housing estates, Tiong Bahru has developed and transformed over the years into
a neighbourhood where there is a seamless resemblance of contemporary and
traditional elements.
Tiong Bahru Market
Originally
built in 1950 as the Seng Poh Road Market, the market was revamped in 1993 and
renamed as Tiong Bahru Market. A two storey building with a wet market located
on the first level and cooked food stalls also known as hawker stalls on the
second level, Tiong Bahru Market is an integral part of how the locals live.
Boasting some of the best hawker stalls serving local culinary delights
including breakfast treats- chwee kueh,
min jiang kueh, you tiao, traditional
kaya butter toast and all-day delights-
fried carrot cake and the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand fried sotong prawn
mee, it is no wonder Tiong Bahru Market is always packed.
For
the first stop of the tour, guests will be introduced to Singaporeans’ ‘chope’ culture, taught the local way of
ordering drinks such as kopi siew tai, teh c etc and enjoy a local breakfast.
Adventurous guests can also step up to the challenge and try the old-school
local drinks such as kopi or milo with
raw egg.
Qi Tian Gong Temple
Founded
in 1920, Qi Tian Gong Temple is believed to be the first temple in Singapore
that is dedicated to the Monkey God, a main character in the Chinese classical
novel Journey to the West. Here, guests are encouraged to try
drawing divination lots by asking a question in mind and letting the divination lot give insights and help to predict
the future.
Wall Murals
Take
a trip down memory lane and connect with the history of how life was like in
Tiong Bahru with a walk-through of various heritage-themed wall murals. Spot
the uniquely Singaporean elements such as local brand products in the
hand-painted wall murals. Guests can get funky and snap photos of themselves
with the art pieces.
Dancing Girl Sculpture
in Seng Poh Garden
Admire
the Dancing Girl sculpture in the cosy Seng Poh Garden, Tiong Bahru’s only
piece of public sculpture. The Dancing Girl is the work of the late Mr Lim Nang
Sang, who was the same creator for the Merlion sculpture. The Dancing Girl
sculpture was created in 1972 when Seng Poh Garden was conceived.
Galicier Pastry
Visit
Galicier Pastry, a bakery where time stood still with a history spanning four
generations in the family. Guests can purchase and indulge in traditional local
nonya kueh, retro cakes, traditional cookies and pastries.
*Tiong Bahru Heritage Tour
(Every Saturday) is with compliments from the hotel. Tour includes return
transfer by coach, certified English speaking guides from Tour East Singapore
and food sampling at Tiong Bahru Market.
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0900 – 0920
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Depart Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel for Tiong Bahru
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0930 – 1030
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Tiong Bahru Market
and Hawker Centre
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1030– 1055
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Seng Poh Garden –
Dancing Girl
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1055– 1135
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Tiong Bahru Murals
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1135 – 1210
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Monkey God Temple
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1210 – 1245
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Galicier Pastry
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1300
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Back to Grand
Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
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ANNEX: HOTEL ACTIVITIES
Specially curated in-house
hotel activities in celebration of cultural festivals in Singapore
Every
first Saturday of the month, guests can embark on a fresh, hands-on experience
whereby they can join the monthly in-house hotel activity curated according to
the cultural festivals like how the locals do. Discover and learn insider
techniques from the gems of the team.
How to Cook like a
Master Chef –1 December 2018 (Christmas)
Learn
and take home insider tips from Grissini Italian Head Chef and prepare a
special Italian savoury this Christmas for your loved ones.
To be a Tai Chi
Master – 5 January 2019 (New Year)
Start
the New Year like how Singaporeans do by setting your New Year resolution of
staying healthy. Bring home techniques of breathing and healthy living by
participating in the sunrise tai chi class at the promenade along the scenic
Singapore River and learn to be a Tai Chi Master.
Bake your Own
Cookies – 2 February 2019 (Lunar New Year)
Lunar
New Year goodies always make it to the top conversation topic during gatherings.
Join our team of pastry chefs and learn how to prepare traditional Lunar New
Year cookies to wow your guests when they visit you during the Lunar New Year.
Draw for a Cause at
the Singapore River – 2 March 2019 (International Women’s Day)
Create
that painting for a good cause. Sit by the historical Singapore River and let
your imagination guide the drawing. Your painting will be up for sale and
proceeds go towards unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action for
women. Join us in our concerted effort on change.
Shake a Cocktail – 6
April 2019 (Easter)
Learn
how to make the Easter cocktail that you always wanted to. Our bartenders start
with the booze basics and may share insider tips on how to create the best of
Singapore’s most iconic cocktail, the Singapore Sling.
Sweet Homely Dish –
4 May 2019 (Hari Raya)
Hari
Raya Puasa, also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, is the last day of the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan that is celebrated in Singapore. Mark the end of the
fasting month by learning how to make a homely dish to celebrate the Hari Raya.
Traditional
Singapore Dumplings – 1 June 2019 (Dumpling Festival)
Based
on the legend behind the famous Dumpling Festival, commemorate Qu Yuan’s
sacrifice and determination for justice by learning how to make traditional
Singapore dumplings.
Merlion Chocolate
Carving – 6 July 2019 (Racial Harmony Day)
Learn
the ropes of turning food into art from our own Hotel Artist and Singaporean
Award Winning Olympian at the chocolate carving art session where you will get
an opportunity to carve Singapore’s iconic Merlion from a piece of chocolate.
Heritage Hawker
Invitation – 3 August 2019 (National Day)
Celebrate Singapore’s National Day with a
tribute to our home-grown hawker. Learn how to make one of Singaporean’s
favourite dish from our invited heritage hawker.
Family Yoga at the
Promenade – 7 September 2019 (School Holidays)
Bond
with your family this school holiday by learning how to practice family yoga at
the Promenade overlooking the historic Singapore River. Stay fit when you stay
with us.
In Love with Henna –
5 October 2019 (Diwali)
Diwali
or Deepavali is the Hindu Festival of Lights and is celebrated in Singapore.
Learn how the temporary body art is done on hand palms as a sign of
beautification and getting into the festive mood.
Therapeutic
Terrariums – 2 November 2019 (Pre-Christmas)
For
a meaningful closure of the year, why not give someone something special that
you handmade? Terrariums are beautifully decorated mini gardens and this spot
of greenery can do wonders for brightening the crib. Join us in a session and
take your beautiful creation home.