There’s nothing quite like touching down in a new country only to realise you’ve brought the rain with you.
Most people fly away to escape miserable weather – whether it’s for winter sun or just any kind of heat. So there’s nothing more disheartening than seeing the forecast is actually better in your hometown, than your holiday destination of choice.
But one Singapore hotel is offering a unique solution for guests who get bogged down by rain.
InterContinental Singapore has unveiled a brand new package called Rain Resist Bliss, where the venue will reimburse you for your stay if rainfall disrupts your holiday plans.
This reimbursement comes in the form of a voucher – which is the equivalent to the value of a single-night room rate – to be spent at the hotel within a week.
Hotel manager Andreas Kraemer previously told CNN Travel: ‘I was chatting with a group of friends about what’s next in luxury travel, and one of them jokingly commented that being able to guarantee good weather would be the next level of ultimate luxury travel.’
That’s when the idea for Rain Resist Bliss was born.
However, there are a few stipulations.
Firstly, it doesn’t count for any old shower, or bit of drizzle.
A press release from the hotel explains guests will be paid out if rain ‘exceeds 120 cumulative minutes within any four-hour block of time during daylight hours.’
What’s more, this offer only applies to certain guests – specifically, those who have booked the hotel’s suites (where prices begin at around £473 a night for junior suites and from £3,154 for presidential).
But still it’s a significant offer, considering rainfall is ‘plentiful’ in Singapore, according to the country’s meteorological service, with it raining an average of 171 days of the year.
Your Daily Horoscope
November, December, and January tend to be the rainiest months, in particular – although, there is no distinct wet or dry seasons.
When it comes to being green, Singapore is leading the way...
The first thing that strikes me in Singapore is a lush, greenhouse-worth display of beautiful greenery… in the middle of the baggage carousel. I haven’t even collected my luggage when I’m first aware of the city-state’s extraordinary commitment to the eco cause.
And it’s the gift that keeps on giving, because when I check into my hotel, the Parkroyal Marina Bay Sands, there are rows of greenery everywhere, a 13m tall living wall – which helps to purify the surrounding air – and an urban garden on the fourth floor producing more than 60 varieties of fruit, vegetables and herbs (legislation dictates that any new or renovated building has to commit to similar green practices).
A 21-storey atrium topped by a skylight lowers the hotel’s temperature, helping to reduce its electricity usage, while solar panels on the roof provide off-grid power.
These are notable impressions of a place that, while smaller than the whole of New York City, has been steadfastly gaining a reputation as one of the most eco-friendly places in the world. Just this month, it was officially certified as a sustainable destination based on criteria set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Back in the 60s, Singapore became known as the Garden City thanks to Lee Kuan Yew, its prime minister at the time, proposing the creation and evolution of a greener environment to soften the effects of its concrete urban jungle. Today you’re more likely to see actual jungle – Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It’s the highest point on the island at 163m, and one of only two patches of urban rainforest in the world (the other’s in Rio). Over the past few decades, more space and planning has been dedicated to expanding existing parks or creating new ones.
I head to the Southern Ridges Park, which features Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge – the Henderson Waves. At 36m, it offers a great view across the Singapore Strait, while looking inland shows a sea of green, out of which the occasional tower block protrudes. It also leads on to a path that ultimately reaches neighbouring Mount Faber.
Most of our parks are linked,’ says my guide, Naseem. ‘The Park Connector Network joins up green areas, so it’s really easy to go for a walk or bike ride in nature while still being in the middle of the city. It’s also aimed at discouraging people from using their cars so much.’
As we walk, I notice locals scanning their phones over QR codes located on signposts, at regular intervals.
‘That’s a great incentive to keep fit,’ says Naseem. ‘This records your daily steps, which you can turn into points that are worth rewards like supermarket vouchers.’
I’d up my step count, too, if it was going to help with my weekly shop – although I am tempted by a more kooky option – a tour of the city in a vintage Vespa sidecar.
Read more about Laura Millar’s trip to Singapore here…
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