Stop over to New Zealand

Many, many moons ago we stayed at the Raffles before it was tarted up out of all recognition - it was in the 70s when we were living in the Gulf and I was working at the airport and qualified for 10% (standby) tickets.

People asked why on earth we wanted to stay at the Raffles, since it was rather faded and run down, but we loved it! Reminiscent of something out of Somerset Maugham. I still remember the pool area being littered with frangipani flowers. And of course we had the obligatory Singapore Slings...

We’ve been back since - a BiL and Singaporean SiL had their big Chinese wedding banquet there in 2000 but TBH I’d barely have recognised the place.

I really don’t care for long haul flights now, but if we ever go back it’ll be the Shanghai-La again, but only in one of the rooms with the semicircular balconies overlooking the pool and gardens. Although we’d booked one of those rooms last time, they tried to put us in the fancy new wing - no balcony and windows that don’t open! - but we weren’t having it. I hate windows that don’t open - they make me claustrophobic.

Wow, interesting Witzend! It must have been strange to go back later.
I'm not name dropping here, (well not much!), but when I asked New Zealander Monica Galetti which was her favourite hotel ever, she said Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. I think it is the one where the swimming pool goes right over the roof.

Ellianne
We were in the cafe in one of the ‘trees’ in the Garden on the Bay looking over at that hotel when we got into a conversation with another couple. They were staying there.

I asked them why, if they were lucky enough to be staying there , they were over here looking over there? Why weren’t they up by the Fabulous pool?
Their answer was that although only hotel guests are allowed to swim , all and sundry are allowed up to have a look around.
They felt like performing seals??

Those gardens you mention look amazing!