A five star address set within 15 acres of tropical landscaped gardens, this is a rare thing in Singapore, a city hotel with open ground around it. Three wings give the place its shape. The contemporary Tower Wing, the tranquil Garden Wing and the Valley Wing, which keeps its own entrance, lobby and private lounge for the heads of state and luxury travellers who favour it. Breakfast arrangements vary by wing and room type, so check what your rate includes. It suits families and business travellers in equal measure.

There are 792 rooms and suites across the three wings. Tower Wing rooms run to 38 square metres with marble clad bathrooms and views of the city or the gardens and pool. Garden Wing rooms are larger at 50 square metres, with nature inspired interiors and a private balcony. The Valley Wing holds 131 rooms including 26 suites, where butler service comes as standard. Horizon Club rooms and suites add lounge access with daily breakfast, refreshments through the day and evening cocktails.

Two flood lit tennis courts with artificial grass sit in the grounds, with equipment from the Fitness Centre and coaching on request. Splash is a 1,300 square metre water playground with six water play areas, lazy rivers, slides, water spouts and jet cannons. buds by Shangri-La adds 1,872 square metres of interactive play space, 572 indoors and 1,300 outside. Personal training, yoga, swimming lessons and audio guided jogging routes are all arranged through the Health Club.

An expansive outdoor pool sits among the tropical gardens, reserved for residents, with generous deck space, loungers, parasols, a children's play pool and fountains. Chi, The Spa runs from ten in the morning until eight at night, an adults only floor where therapists work treatments that reflect a true sense of Singapore. The Health Club adds a state of the art gymnasium, and the male and female changing rooms each hold a sauna, a steam room, a hot whirlpool bath and a relaxation area.

Eleven dining concepts operate here. The Line serves an international buffet across nine live stations, while Origin Grill works fire and smoke under Chef de Cuisine Simon Bell. Shang Palace keeps to traditional Cantonese, Waterfall Ristorante Italiano to Southern Italian, and Beng Hiang to Hokkien cooking it has served since 1978. Origin Bar pours sixteen signature cocktails, The Rose Veranda has honoured high tea traditions since 1991, and room service runs around the clock.

Orchard Boulevard and Stevens MRT stations are both a fifteen minute walk away, putting the rest of the city within easy reach. Changi Airport lies 18.78 kilometres from the door. The hotel runs complimentary shuttle buses, and taxi and limousine services are arranged at the desk. Check in is from three in the afternoon and check out is at midday. A foreign exchange kiosk, gift shop and hair and beauty salon sit within the building.