Singapore's award-winning PARKROYAL on Pickering proves sustainable design is the way to go

Lonely Planet listed Singapore as the number one country for travel last year and it’s not just because it was celebrating its 50^th year of independence in 2015.

Singapore is known as the “Garden City” and anybody who has been there in recent years should be able to attest why it is deserving of such branding.

Through a mandate by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in the 1960s, Singapore began its development into a clean and green environment that helped make it become the global city it is today.

Taking cue from this is the PARKROYAL on Pickering, a five-star eco-hotel that opened in January 2013. A microcosm of sorts of what Singapore has succeeded in becoming, Parkroyal on Pickering boasts of over 15,000 square meters of lush four-storey tall sky-gardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls, planter terraces and cascading vertical greenery featuring 50 different variety of plant species that by itself is already twice the entire hotel’s land area.

Designed by Singapore-based and internationally acclaimed WOHA, the multi-awarded hotel is strategically located at the key gateways to the central business district, Hong Lim Park and bustling Chinatown. It is the first to feature solar-powered sky-gardens that go hand-in-hand with its energy conservation features such as automatic lights, rain and motion sensors, rain harvesting, and NEWater (recycled water).

Making PARKROYAL on Pickering feel even more like a miniature nature sanctum are the materials used including wood, pebbles, water, and glass that harmoniously blend together to give guests a relaxing feeling the moment they step into the hotel.

Its open-sided concept is made in such a way that it creates maximum perimeter for use of natural light to illuminate its interiors and high performance glass cuts out solar heat.

PARKROYAL on Pickering has 367 elegantly furnished guest rooms and suites that offer spectacular views of the city and the hotel’s sky-gardens. 

Its lone restaurant Lime offers an assortment of international dishes using fresh ingredients to satisfy any craving. Soothing colour palette of calm greens and natural wood, accented with abundant light provides a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere whether in the rooms or at the lobby and the restaurant.

Complementing this is the service with highly-motivated and knowledgeable hotel associates always on-hand to assist guests who may want to know about Singapore’s cultural gems, shopping havens, latest attractions and food haunts.

PARKROYAL on Pickering’s Wellness Floor is a destination for guests and day visitors who may be in need to get away to an oasis in the heart of the central business district and breath in fresh air while taking a swim in the infinity pool and or relaxing in a Jacuzzi. Perhaps a little workout even or a relaxing massage at the St. Gregory spa for a full holistic experience.

It has only been two years since it opened and PARKROYAL on Pickering has already amassed a number of awards including 2015 Best Business Hotel (Now! Singapore), 2015 Urban Habitat Award (Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat), 2014 Asia Green Building Award (Built Environment Industry Asia Awards), 2014 5-Star New Hotel Construction and Design and Commercial Landscape Architecture (International Property Awards), and 2014 Luxury New Hotel (World Luxury Hotel Awards).

Just before 2015 came to a close, the National Parks Board recognised PARKROYAL on Pickering as an Outstanding Project under the Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (LEAF) by the National Parks Board (NParks).

“We are extremely proud and excited to be recognised with a number of heavily sought after accolades (for 2015)," shares Ms. Tina Sim, General Manager of PARKROYAL on Pickering. "Our dedicated team’s creative efforts have allowed us to offer something unique to our customers and to provide them with world class hospitality during their stay with us... (and) 2015 has a been wonderful year for us and we are looking forward to continuing to play our part in helping to develop Singapore as a top destination for social and business travel."

It can’t be said enough that staying at the PARKROYAL on Pickering is every bit an experience whether as a local or a tourist in Singapore. It is proof that retaining natural resources and incorporating green spaces is achievable in the name of sustainability especially in the ever-changing landscape of the hospitality industry.

About PARKROYAL on Pickering

PARKROYAL on Pickering, a PARKROYAL Collection hotel, is managed by the Pan Pacific Hotels Group. A further expression of the PARKROYAL brand, a PARKROYAL Collection hotel is distinguished by its unique architecture and design elements while embodying the intrinsic PARKROYAL characteristics of modern comfort, uncomplicated service and authentic local connections.

(Photos courtesy of: Parkroyal on Pickering/ Patrick Bingham-Hall)