“The Marina Mandarin Hotel in Singapore is in a state of emergency once a year – when Formula 1 comes.” Kai Böcking
The journey is the reward. Especially if you try to reach the “Marina Mandarin Hotel” in the heart of Singapore at the end of September. Even the taxi driver first has to ask how to get to the aforementioned luxury hostel. Past some barriers, through several underground car parks, with a special pass – otherwise one has no chance. The night race of the Formula One Grand Prix challenges the entire Asian super metropolis. And then the feeling – in the middle of madness – of having
The view upwards is breathtaking: different levels divide the largest hotel atrium in Southeast Asia, and the entrances to the rooms are lined up on the 21 floors. Plants, warm tones, noble materials and works of art appear inviting and friendly. It is bright and, despite (or perhaps because of its size) surprisingly quiet. And this is where the infamous Formula One life is supposed to take place? Wild driver parties, screaming fans and freaky groupies?
Sure, the 575 rooms and suites have been fully booked for days. Two F-1 teams have taken up quarters here. Whether the drivers also sleep here remains a secret. This is a point of honour, after all these exclusive travel groups are an important factor in the annual planning of a hotel. The “Marina Mandarin” is one of the few luxury hostels directly at the race track, the proximity to the paddock is an enormous competitive advantage. Only the working rhythm of the crews can become a challenge for the hosts, but more about that later.
Earplugs included
The “Marina Mandarin” is one of the most popular hotels in the city, even beyond Formula One. Only a few minutes’ walk from the legendary Raffles Place or the Singapore Flyer and with direct access to the shopping and underground complex Marina Square. This all seems a bit crowded, and also in the exterior view, the house presents itself rather as an unadorned block. But here, other values count.
On the first floor in the atrium there is a very open reception with extremely friendly staff who check in every guest quickly and efficiently. Special guests are welcomed by “The Meritus Ambassador”, a very elegant lady in a red silk costume. There is also a second one at the reception of the Club Lounge, which is reserved for guests of the exclusive Meritus Club Rooms and spoils them with breakfast, snacks and afternoon drinks.
Room 1618 is an “Executive Deluxe Room” – a real stroke of luck, even though it does not have lounge access. From the spacious balcony you can overlook parts of the race track. So the earplugs on the bedside table also make sense. Next to them is a personal, handwritten message from the director and a small but nice greeting from the in-house patisserie – an F-1 car made of chocolate. Pleased to meet you!
Normally 70 percent of the guests are business travellers who appreciate the hotel for its location and first-class service. The four different restaurants are also very popular, including the award-winning “Peach Blossom” with its Chinese chef, which is considered one of the best Cantonese fine dining restaurants in Singapore and is famous for its fantastic selection of dim sums. Those who have time to spare in the morning can go to the gym, take a dip in the specially separated area of the 25-metre pool or get some shirts made at fair prices at the tailor on the shopping floor.
Breakfast after 1 pm
But this weekend everything is different. Formula One teams, fans and tourists populate the hotel. The approximately 500 employees have to adjust to a completely different schedule. Since the race in Singapore is the only night race of the world championship, people here sleep late, have late breakfasts and party till the cows come home.
Yes, the sleep thing. The crews and drivers have to stay in their rhythm – and it’s still set for Europe. So, sleep until about 1 pm, then breakfast, off to the race track and not to bed until two or three o’clock. That’s why almost every room in the “Marina Mandarin” has the so-called “Blackout Curtains”, curtains that totally darken the room and don’t let any daylight in.
For “normal” guests breakfast ends at eleven o’clock. Then not only are the international buffet stations cleared away, but also the six songbirds, which chirp every morning at breakfast time, next to the restaurant, are brought back to their main aviary. The Formula One clientele will not appear before 2 p.m.; two buffets will be rebuilt especially for them – double shift for the kitchen staff. In general, all restaurants, bars and also the room service have special working hours on the race weekend. A drink in the Atrium Lounge at three in the morning – no problem. Spontaneous party in a suite – also no problem, the hotel team is on duty 24 hours a day. And they also do the catering for some of the most exclusive F-1 events. Nevertheless, the atmosphere is relaxed. No hustle and bustle, endless friendliness, the service concept is lived here. Which has its price: A double room at “Marina Mandarin” usually costs from 113 Euro/person/night including breakfast. On the Formula One weekend the prices rise by up to 100 percent. But this is not only due to the great demand, but also to the fact that the Singapore government charges a kind of special tax during the event. The hotels located directly at the race track have to pass on 30 percent of the room rates to the government.
During the day, the hotel is in a kind of “warm-up phase” during this weekend. As soon as it gets dark, the outdoor pools empty and the restaurants and bars fill up.
The Atrium Lounge on the fourth floor, where the hotel offers another buffet restaurant during Formula One, becomes the meeting point before the race evenings. A drink before qualifying, meetings with other fans – you can literally feel the racing fever gripping an entire city. When the drivers get into their cars, it gets deafeningly loud outside and whisper quiet inside the hotel. The few guests who are not standing on their balconies or sitting on the grandstands along the track have the hotel almost to themselves. The hotel manager casually invites a few friends to a small suite with a panoramic view of the race track. Finger food, drinks and a huge plasma TV are the set-up for this evening, the finale of a mad weekend, which Sebastian Vettel crowned with a magnificent victory.
24 hours later the access to the “Marina Mandarin Hotel” is open again. Everyday life returns to Singapore. Until next year, when the taxi ride to the luxury hotel will take you through the underground car park again.
Kai Böcking …
loves Singapore specially because of its colourful and lively cuisine in all corners of the city. But on this racing weekend he also experienced how relaxing and soothing hotel luxury can be in a state of emergency.
At a glance
Key facts: The Marina Mandarin Hotel is located in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District, at the race track, with direct access to the Marina Square Shopping Mall. There are 575 rooms and 21 suites, Meritus Club rooms with access to the Club Lounge, Spa, outdoor pool (with 25-meter sports pool), Gym, Hairdresser, 24-hour room service.
Gastronomy: Aqua Marine (breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet), Peach Blossom (Cantonese fine dining), Atrium Lounge, Senses Patisserie, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Pool Bar
Price: per double room with breakfast per person from 113 Euro (Fri – Sun, from € 131 Mo – Thu // Single)
Address: Marina Mandarin Hotel, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039594, www.meritushotels.com
Photos: Marina Mandarin Hotel