As Singapore’s key tourism muscles cast sights on growing the transfer visitor segment, a new rest stop option for connecting passengers has emerged in the heart of Singapore’s River Valley district.
Offering spa and entertainment facilities as well as a restaurant in the annex building of Furama Riverfront Hotel, Orient Palace sees itself an ideal one-stop hub for passengers seeking a more indulgent way to kill time between flights, according to Wee Hee-Ling, business development at Mary Chia Holdings, part of a trio of companies managing the concept.
For example, VIP massage rooms and spa pools offer pampering for weary longhaul passengers, while reclining seats complete with multi-media screens and privacy curtains simulate cozy pods.
Moreover, Orient Palace will from March onwards operate 24 hours (it now closes at 03.00), ensuring doors will stay open for passengers of late-arriving flights such as Finnair’s, Wee shared.
And while wellness is not high on Singapore’s tourism agenda, Wee pointed out that Orient Palace presents a solid value proposition, as the River Valley area lacks hotel spas. “Furama Riverfront and most hotels in the vicinity do not have spas on-property,” Wee said.
Since its soft launch last November, Orient Palace has gotten itself on the lunch slot of some tour itineraries, Wee added. The establishment is working with travel agent partners on more ways to incorporate Orient Palace into tour packages, such as by offering live-band and karaoke entertainment as night-time activities.
Other segments Orient Palace is targeting include corporate and incentive visitors as well as hotel guests looking to occupy themselves pre-check-in and post-check-out.
