[Airline Review] – Iberia A330-300 (IB722) – Business Class, LHR-MAD (8 Oct 26)

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The path that IB722 took between London and Madrid

At the Airport

Check-in

Iberia flies out of London Heathrow Terminal 5, the home of British Airways, and Iberia is the only other airline that uses this terminal. Most of the rows are used by British Airways, and Iberia’s check-in counters are located in Zone H, on the right side of the terminal building. The airline operates eight counters, six of which cater to their Economy Class passengers while the remaining two serve Business Class passengers. However, only one Business Class counter was open today. There wasn’t a queue at the Business Class line when we were there, and we were served immediately. The ground staff, though, appeared to be a little aloof, but he processed our check-in rather efficiently. But he did not give us any further information on the flight or lounge information.

British Airways Galleries Club (South) Lounge Terminal 5

As a member of One World Alliance, Business Class passengers flying on Iberia are given access to the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge. British Airways operates two lounges in London Heathrow Terminal 5, both located on opposite ends of the terminal. The nearest lounge to our gate (and check-in counters) is the larger South lounge located on level 4 of the terminal. Upon entering the lounge, we were greeted by a row of reception staff who welcomed us to the lounge after scanning our boarding passes. Right behind the reception counters is where the only buffet line in the lounge is located. The buffet offering is spread across two large kitchen islands serving Spanish and British cuisine, as well as the kitchen table by the wall that houses pastries, salads and cheese. From the reception and the buffet line, the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge has left and right wings. The left wing is decorated in Scandinavian interior design mixed with modern luxury. This wing is the brighter of the two wings due to the natural lighting from the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the tarmac (hence more crowded). The left wing is predominantly furnished with lounge chairs for passengers to relax. We also spotted some high-back solo-seater pods in one corner of this wing for passengers who wanted more privacy, while some high tables and chairs facing the tarmac occupy the far opposite corner from the solo pods. There is a kids’ playroom tucked inside the left wing. As the lounge is huge, we spotted two beverage stations dotted in the left wing of the lounge.

The right wing of the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge is decked in dark brown colour that exudes a sense of calm. Here we found more seating options. British Airways strategically placed bar tables and chairs in the area next to the wine bar for passengers to chill. Diagonally across from the buffet area sits the dining area, furnished with dining tables and chairs for two. There weren’t a lot of dining tables to cater to the lounge capacity; we had a hard time finding an empty table during our visit. We spotted a workstation area next to the dining area, furnished with tall chairs and tables, where passengers can do some work before their flight. The rest of the right wing of the lounge, from the dining area, is furnished with more lounge chairs for passengers to relax. At the end of the right wing, we found a pseudo-cinema with chairs that can seat up to 16 passengers. I thought the right wing was quieter and felt more relaxing.

The Aircraft

Iberia mainly uses the A320s for flights between London and Madrid, and there is only one flight per day where they use the A330-300. We got the A330-300 aircraft for this flight to Madrid, fitted with Mormedi customised Stelia Solstys seats.

Iberia livery up close
Iberia A330-300 safety card

Cabin

Iberia only has one Business Class cabin in the forward part of the plane, housing all 29 passengers. The cabin looked clean and bright thanks to the mainly muted colours, with cream used in the seat shells. The colour scheme leans into sophisticated neutrals—cool slates, warm charcoal upholstery, and soft oatmeal panelling—punctuated by Iberia’s signature red. Rather than overwhelming the cabin, deep crimson and terracotta tones are applied with tactical precision through leather headrest trim, stitching, and cushion accents. There are no loud logos, just the signature red emitting from the IFE screen. The overall atmosphere is one of grounded luxury—calming, residential, and bathed in a sunset-toned warmth.

There are two lavatories, one situated in front of the plane and the other between the Business Class and Premium Economy Class cabins. The premium vibe is also seen in the lavatories through the wooden laminate used to clad the sink cabinet. However, in terms of amenities, Iberia is rather lacking in its premium class lavatories. We only found their house-brand hand soap in these lavatories.

Seat Features

Business Class seats onboard Iberia A330-300 are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, with each seat having a pitch of 46″ and measuring 20″ wide. When converted into a bed, the seat pitch measures 76″ long. Like most Business Class seats, Iberia Business Class on board their A330-300 comes with three preset modes: upright, lounge and bed mode. The upright mode is the default mode that greeted us when we first boarded the plane. I thought that, being the most uncomfortable position, Iberia’s Business Class seat in this mode was rather decent, mainly due to the thick cushioning and the soft fabric material used. The seat can be reclined 180° to a flat bed, which also feels equally comfortable. As our flight time is only 2 hours, no bedding was provided, which might add to the comfort of the seat when in bed mode. The mode that I find the most comfortable is the one between the upright and the bed modes, which I termed lounge mode. I find the default lounge mode setting to be a tad too far from the screen and a little too upright for my liking. Fortunately, the seat back angle and the seat position can be further adjusted using the buttons in the seat control panel, where I was able to find a comfortable position in this mode.

Iberia’s Business Class seats have quite a number of storage spaces. The most obvious is the large side table, which can only be used when the aircraft is at cruising altitude and can be used to place my tablet and laptop. In addition, the cup cutout made this side table perfect to be used as a cocktail table without the need to deploy the seat table. Each Business Class seat onboard Iberia’s A330-300 is fitted with a two-tier open shelf at the side table, where the headphones were already waiting for us on the top shelf. This shelf is not that tall, and I was only able to stow some smaller items in it. There is also a small cubby under the armrest beneath the IFE controller slot, which I find useful to stow important items like my mobile phone and passport. On top of these, the space under the footwell can also be used to stow our carry-ons.

Iberia Business Class seat on the A330-300 is stowed at the back of the seat console in front. To deploy the seat table, we had to unlatch it and flip it down. The table is rather sizeable and sturdy when deployed, large enough to place a 13″ laptop on. I like how the table can be swivelled so I can leave my seat without putting it back to its stowage position. Each seat is also fitted with an international power outlet and a USB-A charging port, located in front of the side console at calf level. I find the position of these charging solutions a tad out of place to use. Apart from the overhead reading light, the Business Class seat onboard Iberia A330-300 is also fitted with a second reading light at the headrest area, which can be adjusted to suit any seat position.

Inflight Entertainment

Each Iberia Business Class seat onboard its A330-300 aircraft is fitted with a 15.4″ IFE TV that comes with a touchscreen function. The picture quality of the IFE TV was sharp and allowed me to watch the entertainment without the need to lower the window shades. However, the touchscreen function felt a little laggy. Fortunately, we still have the IFE controller option to select the entertainment we wanted. The IFE controller, designed to look like a PSP, is very easy to use. But one point to note: I noticed the IFE controller is upside down, making it a little challenging to use. When it comes to entertainment options, Iberia’s IFE system is intuitive and well categorised into six menu options: Movies, TV, Audio, Games, Kids and Info. We could easily find the type of entertainment that we wanted to watch during the flight. Iberia has a large variety of shows, but mainly European and Hollywood blockbuster movies, with a small selection of movies from other regions. For a short 2-hour flight, I thought it was sufficient to keep us entertained. Iberia also provides free wifi to its Business Class and frequent flyer members. However, the internet speed is only good for chatting and social media browsing.

Meal Service

Meal service commenced 30 mins after take-off. As the flight time was around 2 hours, all three courses were served on one tray. The Tomato tartare appetiser tasted surprisingly fresh, and the peppers used were not too overpowering. There were two options for the main course: the Chicken with Potato Gratin or Pasta with Mushroom sauce. I went for the chicken dish, which was delicious; despite using the breast meat, the chicken was moist. The potato gratin was very delicious and complemented the chicken very well. Tiramisu was the only choice for dessert, which was rich and creamy. I enjoyed the catering for this flight.

Service

Service onboard was good. Other than the mandatory greetings at the door, the crew working in the Business Class section were friendly. They wore smiles during interactions and were very observant in the cabin, clearing empty plates as soon as they saw passengers were done with the food. The cabin crew working at my aisle, despite not smiling much, were friendly and observant.

Afterthought

It is rare to find an actual lie-flat, not your typical middle seat block-off posing as Business Class product in Europe. Despite the aircraft showing its age, I would choose this A330-300 product over any newer middle seat block-off European Business Class. The seat was comfortable, thanks to its thick padding. The entrance to the seat can be tight due to its narrow walkway. The food served was of good quality and was tasty. I feel we were very well taken care of by the crew on board.

Approaching Madrid Airport
Landed at Madrid Airport

[Airline Review] – Singapore Airlines A380-800 (SQ308) – Business Class, SIN-LHR (8 Oct 26)

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Our 13-hour flight path from Singapore to London
Singapore Airlines deployed its A380-800 for our SIN-LHR flight

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines departs from both Terminals 2 and 3 at Singapore Changi Airport, with Terminal 2 dedicated to regional destinations and Terminal 3 for further destinations. As our flight today is classified as a “further” destination, it departs from Terminal 3. Singapore Airlines operates several rows of check-in counters in Terminal 3, with Rows 3 and 4 dedicated to Economy Class, Row 6 for Business Class and Row 7 for Star Alliance Gold and KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Silver members. We used Row 6, located in the middle of the Terminal, to check in. At its full capacity, Singapore Airlines operates nine counters in Row 6, but today we only saw six counters open. There was a small queue for check-in today, but the wait was no more than 5 minutes. At check-in, we were warmly welcomed by the ground staff. She was friendly and efficient, and we were handed our boarding pass in under 5 minutes. Before leaving, the ground staff gave us essential information such as the boarding time and the boarding gate. She was thoughtful in giving us directions to the gate and the lounge.

SilverKris Lounge Terminal 3

The SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3 at Singapore Changi Airport is Singapore Airlines’ flagship lounge. The lounge exudes a warm and relaxing vibe due to the walnut colour and warm lighting used. There are two main parts to the lounge: the left wing and the right wing. The right wing is a smaller section, located on the right side of the lounge entrance after the bar, furnished predominantly with lounge chairs. There are a few high tables to cater for larger groups or for passengers who want to get some work done. I found this section to be quieter and felt more relaxed. There is a small buffet table, offering mostly finger food, and a beverage station in the right wing so passengers do not have to walk all the way to the dining area for food.

The larger left wing houses the dining area, a small lounge area and a sleeping room. From the entrance, the first thing that we saw in the left wing was a small lounging area, furnished with two rows of lounging armchairs. Further into the left wing, we came to the dining area, predominantly decked with dining tables for two. There are quite a number of dining tables spread across this area, placed near the buffet line. I thought the best seats were those that were by the window overlooking the tarmac. Speaking of the buffet, Singapore Airlines has a generous offering of food in the SilverKris Lounge. The main buffet line offers food from the three races in Singapore. There are a couple of counters on either side of the main buffet line serving up made-to-order noodles, pasta and their signature Laksa. We found desserts and salad housed in the section between the main buffet line and the entrance to the lounge. The beverage station in this part of the lounge is located to the right of the main buffet line. There is another lounging area in the left wing of SilverKris Lounge, opposite the buffet line. This section was formerly the First Class lounge, and with the launch of the Private Room and First Class lounge, this section was converted to the Business Class lounging area, decked mainly with armchairs. There is a sleeping room at the back of the lounge behind a couple of doors, housing 12 sleeping pods. Use of these pods is on a first-come, first-served basis and pillows and blankets are self-served inside the cabinet by the door.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines uses several types of aircraft between Singapore and London: B777-300ER, A350-900 (Long Haul Variant), and the super jumbo A380-800. Our flight today uses the A380-800, featuring the Jamco Business seats (2017 iteration).

Singapore Airlines livery
Singapore Airlines A380-800 safety card

Cabin

Singapore Airlines uses the upper deck of the A380-800 aircraft for their premium passengers, with six in their Suite Class at the very front of the plane and 78 seats in Business Class behind the Suites Class cabin. Singapore Airlines’ Business Class cabin is further segregated into two sections, with the largest section housing 50 seats at the front of the aircraft. A more intimate aft cabin with a 28-seat Business Class cabin at the end of the upper deck of the super jumbo. Stepping into the Business Class cabin, one can immediately feel the calmness and sophistication from the harmonious palette of warm neutrals—soft champagne, creamy beige, taupe and rich walnut wood tones. Despite being a large cabin with 50 seats, the forward Business Class cabin did not feel cluttered and feels more airy, thanks to the absence of the centre overhead bin. The leather seats, upholstered in muted sandstone and mocha hues, resemble finely crafted residential furniture rather than conventional airline seating. Soft indirect illumination washes across the ceiling and cabin sidewalls, creating a warm and welcoming ambience throughout the flight. The cabin embraces a timeless design language centred on comfort, composure and understated prestige.

There are five lavatories in the Business Class section serving all 78 passengers: four of which are located between the larger forward cabin and mid-sized cabin in the centre; there is another lavatory at the rear of the upper deck of the aircraft. The lavatories are pretty much standard-sized, but the one at the back of the aircraft is slightly smaller. The premium feel in the cabin was also found in the lavatory, as seen in the walnut laminate on the sink cabinet. Singapore Airlines thoughtfully filled its lavatory with amenities such as dental kits and shavers that passengers would require for such a long flight time. Apart from these, Singapore Airlines also supplied its Business Class lavatories with Payot toiletries such as Eau de cologne, hand cream and facial mist in the Business Class lavatory.

Seat Features

All 78 Singapore Airlines Business Class seats onboard its A380-800 are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, granting direct aisle access to all passengers. Each of these light grey, high-walled cocoon Business Class seat shells onboard Singapore Airlines’ A380-800 provides great privacy despite not being fitted with a door. Singapore Airlines Business Class on their A380-800 seats has a pitch of 60″ and measures 25″ wide. When converted into a bed, these seats have a pitch of 73″. Like most Business Class seats, these seats come in three standard modes: upright, lounge and bed modes, spread across four preset buttons. The upright mode for take-offs and landings is the default mode that greeted us when we boarded the plane. Despite being in the upright position, I find these seats to be comfortable, thanks to the soft leather and the plush cushioning used. Unlike their B777-300ER and A350-900 (Long Haul) counterparts, where converting to bed mode requires flipping the seat back, the Business Class seat onboard the A380-800 converts to bed mode with the push of a button. We were lucky to be able to snag one of the three pairs of the highly sought-after double bed. As the name suggests, this pair of middle seats converts into a double bed with the partition fully lowered. As the seat uses a plush cushion, instead of relying on duvets like their B777-300ER/ A350-900 (Long Haul), I find the seat in bed mode to be very comfortable. However, like their B777-300ER/A350-900 (Long Haul) counterparts, the footwell in the regular seats is slanted to one side, forcing passengers to sleep on their sides on the standard seats. Fortunately, the bulkhead seats that we managed to get did not have this issue. The footwell spreads across the entire width of the seat, allowing us to sleep in various positions. The mode that I find most comfortable is the mode between the upright and bed mode, which I termed the lounge mode. Singapore Airlines has two preset positions for this lounge mode instead of one found in most airlines. The first lounge mode is merely slightly angled from the upright mode, while the second lounge mode is closer to the bed mode. I find these two preset angles to be either too upright or too low. Fortunately, the airline allowed us to adjust the angle of the seat back and the calf rest to our liking, so I could find an angle that I found most comfortable.

When it comes to storage, I find the storage situation onboard Singapore Airlines A380-800 Business Class seats to be thinner than that onboard their other aircraft, including the regional Business Class seats. The location of the seat determines the amount of storage we get. The seats with the least amount of storage are the highly sought-after double-bedded seats that we snagged. Other than the side table and the miserable seat pocket, the only other place that offers any form of storage is at the footwell. It felt like we had traded storage space for a larger ottoman. The non-bulkhead centre seats have a little more storage space, not by much, just marginally. Other than the side table, the seats offer two smaller cubby holes next to the IFE screen. Though not much, these cubby holes allow passengers to stow small items. The seats that offer the most storage space (again relative to the other Business Class seats onboard) are those window seats. For these seats, the cubby by the literature pocket provides a generous amount of storage, on top of the one cubby cut out next to the side table and the one hole beside the IFE screen. All these Business Class seats have one thing in common: the side table is the main storage space offered by the airline.

The main charging point in these bulkhead double seats is beside the IFE TV, where the airline installed one USB-A charging outlet and an international power outlet. The seat also has another USB-A charging outlet at the side table. Singapore Airlines A380-800 Business Class seat is fitted with a large seat table, stowed under the side table. This seat table, deployed with the push of a button, is folded in half for storage but reveals a sizeable and sturdy table when fully deployed. The airline installed two reading lights in its A380-800 Business Class seat. Apart from the overhead reading light, there is another reading light next to the headrest of the seat that can be adjusted to suit the various seat modes.

Inflight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines fitted a larger 18″ HD touchscreen display in its Business Class seats onboard the A380-800. The picture quality from these TV screens was excellent, and we were able to get sharp pictures regardless of the seat mode we were in. The touchscreen function on these TVs was responsive, rendering the IFE controller redundant, if not for the distance between the seat and the TV screen. The IFE controller onboard the A380-800 was very well designed, resembling a mobile phone and was intuitive to use. Thanks to their thick padding, the headphones provided by Singapore Airlines were very comfortable to use even for a prolonged period of time, and the sound quality from these headphones was excellent. The noise-cancelling function of these headphones was so effective that I had to remove my headphones whenever I spoke to the cabin crew. When it comes to entertainment options, KrisWorld – Singapore Airlines’ entertainment system- was decked with a huge library of content, from the latest Hollywood blockbuster to TV series to Asian movies; there is something to keep one occupied throughout the 13-hour flight time. KrisWorld interface is also well designed, as we had no issues finding the movie that we wanted to watch. I also thought it was very thoughtful of Singapore Airlines to incorporate an entertainment menu in KrisWorld for young flyers. Singapore Airlines provides complimentary internet to its Business Class passengers and its frequent flyer members. However, the internet was only good for chatting and scrolling social media. I found streaming shows from YouTube to be rather slow.

Meal Service

Singapore Airlines offers its “Book the Cook” service for Business Class passengers on flights out of Singapore and selected destinations. This service gave passengers additional meal choices on top of the three on the in-flight menu. As this was a long-haul flight, there were two meals served: breakfast and dinner. Passengers who are still famished in between can opt for the selection from the airline’s Delectables menu. Breakfast service commenced about 30 minutes after taking off. For the in-flight menu, options were Scrambled Eggs, Dim Sum, Pancakes and Continental Breakfast. I forgone the options from the “Book the Cook” menu and opted for the Dim Sum, a dish I had not tried before. The Dim Sum option comprises three dumplings and a glutinous rice with smoked duck. Though not a large dish, I find the portion is just right. The dim sum was tasty, but I did not like its sticky texture.

Dinner was served about halfway through the flight, served course by course. To start, the cabin crew came around and served their signature Chicken Satay service. The satay is always tasty and one of my favourites; the chicken is well seasoned and tender, and the peanut sauce elevated the taste. The appetiser followed suit, which was a cold tuna and crab salad. The peppery taste in the tuna gave it enough flavour and, at the same time, was not overpowering. The crab in the salad tasted fresh. For mains, I also forgo the “Book the Cook” and opted for the Iberico Pork Collar. The other options for dinner were Chicken Tikka Masala, Chargrill Angus Beef and Seafood Hor Fun. The Pork Collar was so tender that knives were redundant when tearing meat into smaller pieces. The mashed potato is not mushy and is rich in flavour. Dinner service ended with a choice of Chocolate cake, Ondeh Ondeh Cake and Cheese. I opted for the chocolate cake, which I find a little thick, but it is by no means awful. It is still tasty; I am just not a fan of its thickness.

Service

Service was as impeccable as always on board Singapore Airlines, especially in their premium cabins. We received the standard welcome at the door and felt very scripted initially. As we were at our seat, the cabin crew, Dawn, who is responsible for my aisle, came introducing herself and verified my orders for my meals, while Trevor was around serving welcome drinks and handing us warm towels. These are the standard protocols that one would expect to receive from Singapore Airlines Business Class product. But what stood out was the warmth and sincerity the cabin crew portrayed. Dawn wasn’t hesitant in recommending her personal favourites from the menu; Trevor was always present with snacks between meals, ensuring that there was something for us to munch while watching shows from KrisWorld. Their Inflight supervisor, Karen, did an exemplary job in leading their section by example. Karen is chatty and sincere in my chats with her. I appreciate her frankness when I asked about going from T2 to T5. Karen did not pretend she knew and was frank about it. Instead of leaving it at that, she volunteered to help me arrange with the ground crew at Heathrow to give me the right directions (I refused the service as I thought it might be easier than I thought). My chats with Karen felt like chatting with a friend, but she managed to maintain that professionalism when doing her job. I’d say this set of crew that I flew with felt like friends; it is this feeling that made this flight feel intimate and enjoyable.

The Le Labo amenity kit provided by Singapore Airlines has very thin contents.

Afterthought

This was my first Singapore Airlines A380-800 Business Class experience. The seat felt familiar, as it did not differ too much from the regional seat and felt like a bridge to the long-haul business class product. The seat is comfortable to sit in the upright mode, but I found the lounge modes a little restrictive. The A380-800 Business Class product improves the convenience of turning the seat into its bed mode, but it lacks storage space. The catering was delicious and flavourful. The Dim Sum tasted alright, but the satay and the pork were very well prepared. What was memorable for me was the service rendered by the crew. Karen, Dawn and Trevor were very sincere and came across like friends, yet remained professional.

Flying somewhere between Singapore and London
Taxiing to our gate in LHR

[Accommodation Review] – Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre (Suite), Johor Bahru, Malaysia (17 – 18 Jul 26)

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Location

Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre is one of the latest additions to Accor properties in Malaysia, opening its doors in Dec 2025. The hotel is very well located in the heart of Johor Bahru, with KSL Mall sitting right across from the hotel, which houses stores from supermarkets to restaurants to massage shops. Other than the shopping mall, there are tons of eateries along the street within a stone’s throw from the hotel, with some operating 24 hours. We also found quite a few convenience shops within a 5-minute walk from the hotel, where guests would be able to stock up on snacks and drinks throughout the day.

The Suite

We originally booked the Standard Room, but were pleasantly surprised to find that we were upgraded to the Suite Room during check-in due to our status with the hotel group. According to the lounge staff who checked us in, not all suites in the hotel are open, and they are being gradually opened as the hotel is currently refurbishing the suites. The 53㎡ Suite is decked in Muji-themed interior design with wood elements from the flooring to the feature wall in the TV area. The combination of dark and light wooden colours used in the Suite, together with mocha and grey furnishings, made the Suite feel cosy and comfortable. The Suite is segregated into a living room, bedroom and bathroom.

Layout of the Suite at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre

Entryway

Entryway in the Suite at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre

The entryway in the Suite at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre is decked in a darker theme, but the dark tone does not make this part of the Suite feel small. Instead, we could immediately feel the cosiness that the Suite emits. Unlike most entryways in other hotels, the entryway of the Suite at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre houses a vanity table and a minibar. Initially, I thought the vanity table being placed beside the entrance to the Suite was a tad out of place. However, upon closer observation, I thought it was clever for the hotel in its placement. By placing the vanity table at the entrance, the mirror at the table allows guests of the Suite to check their attire before heading out, other than using it for make-up. The Suite’s minibar is well placed in a luxurious leather-wrapped cabinet next to the vanity table in the entryway. On top of the minibar cabinet sits the Nespresso machine, a kettle and all that we needed to make a cup of coffee and tea. The mini fridge, stocked with complimentary drinks, is tucked inside the cabinet, in the lower part of the cabinet.

Living Room

Living room of the Suite at a glance from the entryway

The living room of the Suite sits further into the entryway. Though not a large space, it has all it needs to function as a living room for guests to relax and chill. A small marble round table forms an introduction to the living room. This marble table, furnished with only one chair, serves more as a work desk, although it can also be used as a dining table. A three-seater European-size L-shaped sofa occupies most of the space in the living room. The fabric sofa is very comfortable to sit on, while we were entertained by the many local and international channels on the 65″ LED TV mounted on the wall. I like how the hotel chose a more minimalist decor in the living room by omitting a TV console, which would otherwise make the living room look cluttered, instead of the relaxing vibe that it currently exudes. Other than the sofa, the hotel tastefully placed a mocha leather armchair next to the floor-to-ceiling window that not only increased the sitting capacity in the living room but also allowed us to chill while looking out into the city.

Bedroom

The minimalist Muji decor seen in the living room flows seamlessly into the bedroom, separated by a dark walnut coloured door. The king bed, placed by the wall of the bedroom, took up a bulk of the real estate allocated to the bedroom. The king bed has natural elements designed into its leather headboard. The headboard is designed with columned leather that makes it look like bamboo, reinforcing the Muji theme. To continue the natural theme seen in the Suite, Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre uses a round stone with LED lighting emitting from the bottom as the bedside lamp, which I thought looked like a moon. The sleep quality on the king bed is excellent, which kept me feeling refreshed the next day. The bedside tables on both sides of the king bed are merely small tables with no drawers, which makes the bedroom look clean and is consistent with its minimalist concept. Despite its size, I find there is plenty of space on these bedside tables for me to charge my lifestyle devices overnight. Mounted on the wall facing the king bed is the TV in the bedroom with the same entertainment options as that in the living room. I like how the hotel installed a ledge underneath the TV, which not only is consistent with the minimalist design language, but it also gave us space to stow our smaller items. Another armchair is placed between the floor-to-ceiling window and the king bed, which offered us a place in the bedroom to relax and look out into the bustling cityscape below.

Bathroom & Wardrobe

Bathroom seen from the entryway of the Suite at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre

Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre did not fit its Suite with a powder room; rather, the hotel worked around this issue by designing two entrances to the bathroom, one at the entryway and the other from the bedroom. The second entrance from the entryway creates the illusion of having a powder room. The bathroom entrance from the entryway leads to the wardrobe area, fitted with a two-door wardrobe. Both panels of the wardrobe are designed with hanging racks, with the right panel capable of stowing longer clothing. The left panel houses the in-room safe and is fitted with a single large drawer, which we found useful for putting away smaller clothing items. Despite being designed with a hanging rack on the left wardrobe panel, this side of the wardrobe was not furnished with any hangers, and it doesn’t help that the hangers on the right panel are being fixed to the hanging rack, rendering this side of the wardrobe useless. As we were only staying for one night, we did not request additional hangers from the hotel. I like how the hotel fitted a luggage rack opposite the wardrobe, providing guests with the convenience of unpacking their luggage.

Decked in dark grey marble that exuded a luxurious vibe, the bathroom sits further into the Suite, with direct access from the bedroom. There is only one sink fitted in the bathroom that comes with generous countertop space to place our toiletries. The walk-in shower, fitted with both a regular and rain shower head, and the toilet cubicles sit across from the sink, have generous space allocations. A sizeable bathtub sits furthest into the bathroom from the entrance at the entryway and next to the bedroom entrance. The size of the bathtub was perfect for soaking the tiredness from the shopping outings in the city.

Service

The staff at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre were friendly and welcoming. The staff welcomed us at the reception with the warmest Malaysian smile one could get. Upon checking our reservation, she gave us the option of checking in at the lounge instead of the reception. She escorted us to the lift, gave us access to the Executive Lounge level, and gave us specific instructions on the location of the lounge. The lounge staff who checked us in were very friendly. He invited us to enjoy the evening cocktail while processing our check-in, as the evening cocktail time was ending. Apart from manning the front desk at the lounge, the staff also doubled as server in the lounge, taking our drink orders and bringing the drinks to us. I witnessed the staff patrolling the lounge frequently and clearing our empty plates despite us sitting in one corner of the lounge. The rest of the staff around the hotel were friendly and welcoming. There was no lack of smiles and greetings from the random staff we met in the lift and around the hotel. The staff at the restaurant came across as lukewarm initially, but they were observant and very efficient in clearing empty plates despite our sitting in one corner of the restaurant.

Welcome amenities were placed in the living room waiting for us

Hotel Facilities

Executive Lounge

The Executive Lounge at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre is located on the top floor of the hotel at level 34. The Executive Lounge, decked with natural wood elements, provided us with a great space to relax. Most of the lounge is decked with dining tables for two to four guests, mainly placed next to the floor-to-ceiling window that allowed us to look out into the city. There are a couple of lounge seating areas in the lounge, catering to a larger crowd by the entrance and in one corner of the lounge. There is a small food station at the back of the lounge where evening cocktails and breakfast are served. This is also where we could help ourselves to drinks, ranging from coffee, tea and a variety of soft drinks, next to the food station. Due to the thin crowd at the lounge, I find it a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre is situated on the 12th floor of the hotel. The hotel has an infinity pool, which is a tad small, that looks out into the nearby buildings. Despite the small pool, guests would still be able to get some decent swimming laps in the pool. However, as the pool is situated indoors, with only four sundeck chairs, one would find it challenging to soak up the Malaysian sunshine. There is a small wading pool for younger guests next to the lap pool.

Gym

The gym at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre is located on the 12th floor next to the swimming pool. Despite the small size, guests are still able to get a good workout from the gym. Guests who want a cardio workout can use the four elliptical and treadmill machines, and one of the three stationary bikes. For guests who want functional and strength training, there are the multi-workout machines and the free weights.

Breakfast @ Food Exchange

The main breakfast is served at the Food Exchange restaurant located on the 11th floor of the hotel, while Suite guests and higher-tier Accor members can enjoy breakfast from the Executive Lounge on the 34th floor. Food Exchange served a good variety of breakfast, ranging from local delights to Western cuisines. I like how the food is spread out around the restaurant to spread out the crowd getting the food. There are stations dedicated to beverages and the various types of cuisines. The hotel also has an à la minute station serving up various types of eggs and a noodle station. The food quality is average, with most of the food not as hot as I would prefer, but the taste was there. Some food was placed in a push cart for guests to help themselves. We found the Malaysian Nasi Lemak and Malaysian milk tea, Teh Tarik, in one of these push carts. I spotted some carts serving up waffles and pancakes, but they were not manned; unsure if these were available. Breakfast at the lounge is the watered-down version. Despite the limited menu, the lounge serves up both local and Western cuisines for breakfast. There is even a made-to-order menu featuring Western and local cuisines from the three main races in the country. I thought the food at the lounge seemed to look more appealing compared to Food Exchange, despite a smaller range.

Overall

I had a great stay at Novotel Johor Bahru City Centre. The hotel is located right next to the KSL Shopping Mall with tons of shopping and dining options. Apart from the dining options in the mall, there are numerous eateries next to the hotel, with some operating 24 hours. The well-appointed Suite was relaxing and comfortable, with excellent sleep quality on the king bed. The service at the hotel was great, with staff who were always friendly, cheerful and ready to help guests.

[Accommodation Review] – Casa del Rio Melaka (Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite), Melaka, Malaysia (13 – 14 Jun 26)

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Location

Casa del Rio Melaka is located at the river end of Jonker Walk, the famous weekend night market and the heart of Melaka. The hotel sits on the banks of the Melaka River, giving the rooms at the hotel front row seats to the river. The two major shopping malls, Mahkota Parade and Dataran Palawan, are about a 15-minute walk from Casa del Rio. The hotel is also near the major attractions such as Red Square, Christ Church Melaka and Church of St Paul, making the hotel an excellent choice for exploring these sights. There are several 24-hour convenience stores near the hotel, with the nearest one just across the street from the hotel. Being closer to the heart of Melaka also means there is no lack of shopping and eateries within a stone’s throw from the hotel, making Casa del Rio an ideal spot for exploring the culture and the food in Melaka.

The Suite

Casa del Rio has several types of suites. In fact, for the 2-bedroom suite category alone, the hotel has four configurations. We checked into the 109㎡ Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite, which is located in the residence building next to the hotel.

Layout of the Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite that we stayed in

Entryway

Unlike most suite layouts, the entryway to the Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite lies outside the suite. This entryway is enclosed by a metal gate with storage for shoes and a seat for changing into shoes. Unfortunately, this gate, though it comes with a lock, cannot be locked, as we were not issued the key to lock this gate.

The shoe cabinet is outside the apartment in the entryway
There is a washer and dryer in this cabinet in the entryway

Kitchen

The living room and pantry of the Casa Residence 2-bedroom Suite, seen from its entrance

The first part of the Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite that we came to when entering from its main entrance is the kitchen. The suite is fitted with a full kitchen, with a kitchen sink, a four-stove induction cooker, a full-size fridge, a microwave oven and even a dishwasher. On top of these, the hotel equipped the kitchen with a Nespresso machine and a kettle for our coffee and tea needs. The kitchen is where we got our first glimpse into the Peranakan theme that is present throughout the suite. This Peranakan identity is evident in the use of the cabinets in the pantry. Equipped with a full set of china and cutlery for four, I am certain that one can whip up a meal in the kitchen.

Living Room

The living room has a split-level design, taking up the space on the lower elevation with a short flight of stairs from the kitchen. The living room is furnished with a European-style three-seater sofa and a matching single-seat armchair, surrounding the round coffee table. The living room has a mix of colonial flair seen in the choice of the sofa, the two chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and the wall-mounted lamps next to the TV. The choice of wooden furniture pays tribute to the Peranakan identity that Melaka is well known for. There is no lack of entertainment options from the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall opposite the sofa. Other than local channels, the TV has Amazon Prime, Netflix and iQiyi to keep us entertained at night after a day’s exploring the town. Wedged between the lounging area and the pantry is a small dining area. The dining area is furnished with a small round dining table for four people, great for consuming our takeaways and street food from Jonker Walk.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom in the Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite

The two bedrooms’ entrances face each other, with the master bedroom situated on the right, facing the Melaka River. The master bedroom mainly takes on the Peranakan decor, seen in the massive use of dark wood in the furniture and the design of the furniture. At the entrance of the master bedroom sits a large wardrobe set. These wardrobes are capable of stowing away weeks of clothing. The shelves in the wardrobe gave us additional space to stow our smaller clothing items. The only flaw in the wardrobe is that there is no in-room safe that we can use to keep our valuables. Further into the bedroom, along the same wall as the wardrobe, sits the vanity table with a large mirror hanging on the wall. This table can also double up as a work desk with the power outlet fitted onto the wall, keeping our laptops juiced up while working. Next to the vanity table, facing the king bed, is the TV cabinet with a 43” flat-screen TV having the same entertainment options as that in the living room. The TV cabinet has a similar Peranakan-influenced design to that in the living room, paying tribute to the Peranakan identity of the town.

The king bed occupies most of the real estate in the master bedroom, topped with a firm mattress that is comfortable to sleep on. However, the pillows are too soft for my liking. On either side of the king bed lies the bedside table that is designed with one drawer and a cabinet. The size of these tables would otherwise be sufficient for us to leave our lifestyle devices to charge overnight if not for the large bedside lamps that took up the entire space of the bedside table. I like how the hotel fitted a window seat by the window in the master bedroom, which not only provides us with a space to relax and look out into the Melaka River, but also gives us additional space to put our backpacks.

Master Bathroom

The master bathroom is located opposite the wardrobe and next to the entrance to the bedroom. The European fused with Peranakan design theme flowed into the bathroom, with the cabinets fitted with Peranakan elements and the European design seen in the mosaic on the wall in the walk-in shower and the floor of the bathroom. The overall space allocated to this bathroom is sufficient. I applaud the hotel for making the right decision in only installing one sink instead of dual sinks due to the space limitation. This has given us sufficient countertop space to place our toiletries. The main functional part of the bathroom lies to the left of the sink, with the toilet fitted next to its entrance and the walk-in shower next to the sink. I like the relatively large space allocated to the walk-in shower and the ledge where the hotel places their shower amenities. The allocated space in the walk-in shower allowed us to shower comfortably, while the ledge gave us space to place our facial wash and dental kits. On the other side of the sink, opposite the walk-in shower, is a large bathtub. Despite not having a jacuzzi function, I was able to get a relaxing soak in the sizeable tub.

Bedroom 2

The second bedroom in the suite

The smaller Bedroom 2 sits opposite the master bedroom, decorated with a Peranakan theme seen in the details of the furniture. Similar to the master bedroom, Bedroom 2 is furnished with a smaller wardrobe at its entrance. The three-panel wardrobe has a larger two-panel space dedicated to hanging racks and one panel with shelves. Despite being a smaller setup, the wardrobe can still swallow a sizeable amount of clothing. There is a TV cabinet installed next to the wardrobe; however, this furniture seems more like an ornament as there are no TVs installed in this bedroom, though we can use this as an alternate space for storage. The vanity table, the same as the one in the master bedroom, sits in one corner of the bedroom. As Bedroom 2 has a smaller size, the bedroom is furnished with a queen bed that is equally comfortable as that in the master bedroom. Due to the smaller size, the queen bed is only fitted with one bedside table.

Bathroom

The bathroom for Bedroom 2 is located outside between the two bedrooms. The bathroom has a smaller size compared to the master bathroom, fitted with a sizeable walk-in shower, sink and a toilet. The sink in the common bathroom is exactly the same as that in the master bathroom, fitted in one corner of the room. Like the sink in the master bathroom, this sink also gives us ample space to stow our toiletries. The walk-in shower, taking up the space next to the sink, is also quite spacious, so we do not have to engage in an elbow war with walls. The toilet sits next to the entrance to the bathroom.

Balcony

The balcony of the Casa Residence 2-Bedroom Suite at Casa del Rio Melaka is rather large. Facing the Melaka River, the balcony is furnished with a day bed and a set of outdoor tables for two; this part of the suite is perfect for us to relax while looking out into the city and the river.

Service

We received excellent service from the staff at the hotel, from the check-in to the security guard and the housekeeping staff. Our first interaction with the staff at Casa del Rio Melaka was with the security guard at the carpark, who helped us find a good parking spot and reminded us to get the stamp from the reception for our complimentary parking. Nana was the main person from reception with whom we interacted the most. She was very friendly and welcoming. Despite having arrived 5 hours before the standard check-in time, Nana helped us register our arrival and arranged for our early check-in at noon. When escorting us to our apartment, Nana oriented us around the hotel, pointing out the various facilities. She also gave us a brief room tour and added us to WhatsApp for easier coordination. The hotel staff was very responsive on WhatsApp. When we requested additional items, they were delivered in a short period of time. The staff at The Grill restaurant, where we had our breakfast, were equally welcoming. They ensured we were very well taken care of and were very diligent in clearing our empty plates, despite us sitting in one corner of the restaurant.

Hotel Facilities

Breakfast @ The River Grill

Breakfast at the hotel was served in The River Grill, the only restaurant in the hotel. The restaurant uses both a buffet system and a small menu of à la carte buffet style during breakfast. There is quite a number of selections from the buffet, mainly local cuisine and a small selection of Western options. There is also a small counter serving à la minute local noodles at the buffet station. The food was delicious and hearty.

Swimming Pool

As we were staying at the apartment complex next to the hotel, we had access to both the swimming pool at the hotel and the one at the apartment. The hotel’s rooftop swimming pool is perched on the 4th floor. The rooftop infinity pool is large enough for one to do some decent laps or to laze to cool off from the Melaka heat. There is also a small wading pool to cater for young guests. This rooftop swimming pool is perfect for guests to relax and get a good tan on one of the eight sundeck chairs, as there is no vegetation or high-rise buildings nearby to block out the sun.

The other pool in the apartment complex sits on level 1 of the apartment building. Here we found a small wading pool and a separate jacuzzi pool. Despite being a lower level, the infinity swimming pool at the apartment complex allows one to do some laps. However, there are limited sundeck chairs. Other than the four sundeck chairs at each end of the pool, we could also use one of the two outdoor tables. Due to the placement of the pool, getting a tan in this pool was a tad more challenging. We also had to bring our towel from the apartment to use the pool (unlike the one from the pool on the hotel side).

Gym

Like the swimming pools, we also had access to two gyms at Casa de Rio Melaka. The hotel’s main gym is also located on the 4th floor, next to the swimming pool. The gym at the hotel is a tad small, equipped with only three cardio machines and a chest press machine. There are some free weights inside the gym for guests to work out other parts of their muscular system.

The other gym is located on the ground floor of the apartment complex. Like the gym in the main hotel, this gym also has a small setup with three cardio machines and a multi-functional strength workout machine. There is also a row of free weights for guests to work out the other parts of their upper body.

Overall

We had a great stay at Casa del Rio Melaka. The location of the hotel is perfect for those who want to explore the heart of Melaka. It is within a 5-minute walk from Jonker Street and 7 minutes from the museums and attractions in the town. There is no lack of eateries around the hotel, and the nearest convenience shop is right across from the hotel. The apartment we stayed in was perfect for a family and was very well-appointed. The beds were comfortable to sleep on, and the entertainment options on the TV kept us entertained in the evening after exploring the town. The service is excellent at the hotel, where every staff member we met was welcoming and friendly. I would return to this hotel the next time I come to Melaka.

[Airline Review] – Singapore Airlines A350-900 (Long Haul Variant)(SQ183) – Business Class, SGN-SIN (1 Jun 26)

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The path SQ183 brought us today
Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul aircraft that we flew on

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines flies out of Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat Airport Terminal 2, dedicated to international departures (domestic destinations depart from Terminal 1). Singapore Airlines operates seven check-in counters from Row E of the terminal in the middle of the departure hall, with Door D1 being the closest entrance to the check-in counters. There are four queues set up at Row E catering for Business Class, Economy Class, Singapore Airlines Elite Gold/Silver members, and Internet Check-in. The two counters serving Business Class passengers are located at the front of the row (E1/E2 are nearer to the terminal’s entrance. There was a ground staff at the line ensuring that only Business Class passengers were allowed in the queue. The agent checking us in was friendly and professional, and processed our check-in with great efficiency. Singapore Airlines had an unusual arrangement for Business Class passengers at Tan Son Nhat Airport. Other than the usual lounge access, we were given two additional options – a USD20 voucher to be spent at eateries in the terminal, or a 30-minute massage. We opted for the lounge access. As two of our friends were flying in Economy Class, the ground staff also issued them with the lounge access pass without us asking for it (two of us were Elite Gold members and were able to bring our friends into the lounge). The ground staff gave us directions to the lounge, our boarding gate and timing before we left the check-in counter.

Le Saigonnais Lounge

Singapore Airlines does not have a SilverKris Lounge presence in Ho Chi Minh Airport; it uses Le Saigonnais Lounge, a third-party paid lounge serving other airlines, such as Emirates, EVA Air and Japan Airlines. The lounge is located on level 3, in the left corner of Terminal 2 between Gates 17 and 18. Le Saigonnais Lounge is a fairly large lounge with bright natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the tarmac. The lounge is decorated with Indochine elements, merging Vietnamese and French elements. The French elements are seen in the European-style lampposts dotted in the part of the lounge near its entrance. The bulk of the lounge has Vietnamese elements, seen in the screens deployed around the lounge; the conical bamboo hat that is so iconic of Vietnam is seen in the decoration on the ceiling of the lounge, as well as the various Vietnamese clothing displayed in the front lounge.

Most of the lounge is furnished with dining tables for two, spreading along the perimeter of the lounge from the entrance to the innermost part. I reckon the best seats are those by the large floor-to-ceiling windows facing the apron, where we could relax and do some plane spotting. The only different types of seating are found at the back of the lounge. There is only one long table at the back of the lounge catering for single travellers who want to do some work before their flight. Le Saigonnais Lounge has a small business centre in the back corner, equipped with three PCs. Beside this business centre, occupying the other back corner, sits a four-seater dining table. There are also some dining tables placed on a raised platform along a set of curved railings next to the buffet area. These would be the best seats for enjoying the food from the buffet due to their proximity,

The buffet line is located by the entrance on the oval-shaped kitchen island behind the lounge reception. The food offering is arranged into two sections: half of the oval facing the beverage stations houses the warm food, while the other half facing the lounge is stocked with desserts and starters. I find the food selection to be rather thin, and there is only one Vietnamese food – beef pho on offer. The other food options are seafood fried rice, fried fish, congee with condiments, and a small selection of vegetarian warm food. Half of the dessert section is dedicated to condiments for pho and bread, leaving only half of the dessert section stocked with fruits, mochi and pudding. Despite the small selection, other than the soggy fried fish, the food available is quite delicious. Beverages are found on the table by the wall opposite the buffet line, serving up a good selection of wine, soft drinks and Vietnamese coffee and tea. Le Saigonnais Lounge is equipped with two shower cubicles located inside the toilet. These toilets are more utilitarian than luxurious, with a newly segregated dry area inside each shower cubicle. Usage of these shower facilities is on a first-come, first-served basis and can be requested from the staff at the lounge, who will then provide towels and shower amenities.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines operates three daily flights using its A350-900, both Medium Haul and Long Haul variants, as well as its B787-10 aircraft between Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. We flew on its A350-900 Long Haul aircraft featuring the Jamco Business Class seats (2013 iteration) for this leg.

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Variant livery
Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Variant Safety Card

Cabin

The A350-900 Long Haul aircraft that we took features a three-class cabin: Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class. Singapore Airlines does not sell Premium Economy service on this leg; passengers can opt to pay extra for these Premium Economy seats. However, the food catering will be that of Economy Class. Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Variant has a total of 253 seats with 42 seats in Business Class, 24 seats in Premium Economy Class and 187 seats in Economy Class. The Business Class cabin is further segregated into the larger forward cabin that houses 26 seats and a smaller aft cabin with 16 seats. Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class emits a quiet luxury vibe with warmth, balanced and restrained designs. The soft, earthy colour schemes create a smooth environment which lowers visual stress. The airline predominantly uses brown, from the sand colour seen in the footwell and cabinetry to the harsher chocolate brown in the seats and carpet, coupled with the softer warm lighting that creates a relaxing vibe in the cabin and gives the cabin a more residential, hotel-like feel. The lack of overhead bins above the centre row and separating the cabin into forward and aft created an airy and spacious feel in the Business Class cabin.

There are three Business Class lavatories on Singapore Airlines’ A350-900 Long Haul variant serving all 42 Business Class passengers. One is located at the front of the aircraft behind the cockpit, and the other two are between the two Business Class cabins. The Business Class lavatories exuded a premium feel with the dark brown wooden laminate fixed onto the sink cabinetry, and the sand brown backsplash at the sink enhances its premium look. The size of these lavatories is pretty much standard, but the mirror made it feel larger than it actually is. Singapore Airlines stocked its Business Class lavatories with additional Payot-branded amenities like lotion, eau de toilette and facial mist. Apart from these premium amenities, Singapore Airlines is one of the few airlines in the world that provides standard amenities such as dental kits and shavers in its lavatories even on a short flight.

Seat Features

The seats on Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring all 42 passengers get direct aisle access. Each seat is 28” wide with a pitch of 60” that expands to 73” when converted into a flat bed, making it one of the widest Business Class seats. Like all Business Class seats, Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class seats have four standard modes: upright, flat bed and two in-between lounge modes. The upright mode is the default mode that we were greeted by the seat at the time of boarding. The wide seat and the thick padding, together with the soft plush leather, made the seat feel very comfortable. The flat bed mode on these seats can only be deployed by flipping the seat over on its back instead of pressing a button on the seat controls that is situated on the inside of the aisle-side armrest. There is a mixed review of the comfort levels in the bed mode, with some passengers complaining about how hard it is despite the duvet set that the airline provided. On top of this, the slanted position with a small footwell does not appeal to every passenger. We were fortunate to be able to snag the bulkhead seats, which feature a larger footrest that spans across the width of the seats, compared to the small angled footwell on the standard seats, which technically allowed us to sleep in various positions. However, I did not manage to flip the seat over to convert to bed mode due to the short flight time. Moreover, the cabin crew already had a hectic schedule feeding all the passengers, and I couldn’t bear to disturb their schedule (based on experience, the cabin crew would put aside their work to help passengers convert the seat into bed mode). The seat in lounge mode, with the calf rest deployed and its back angled, provided additional comfort that allowed me to laze on the seat in a more relaxed posture. Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Variant comes in two preset lounge modes (based on the two lounge position buttons on the seat control). The first lounge mode has a seat back slightly angled, and the calf rest slightly raised. This is a good mode for meals or work, as it beats sitting long hours in a stiff upright mode. The second lounge mode is closer to a bed mode, but instead of having the seat all the way flat, the seat back is tilted more, and the calf rest closes the gap between the seat and the footrest. I find this mode best for enjoying the in-flight entertainment or for passengers who want to snooze a little after a meal. The seat comfort in lounge mode is made more comfortable by its ability to customise the angle of recline apart from the preset angle. Despite not having a door, I find a good amount of privacy in these Long Haul Business Class seats due to their high-backed, curved, wrap-around shells that act as cocoons. Other than controlling the angle of recline of the seat, the seat control buttons also control the seat lighting and the on/off for the personal TV, as well as call the attendant.

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class seats also feature a good amount of storage space. The main storage in the seat is found on the inner armrest area, where there is a fairly deep compartment for us to stow our smaller items. The second storage area is an open shelf beside the seat where we could use to place slimmer items such as laptops and tablets, but items stowed here would have to be removed during taxiing, take-off or landing. As we were sitting in the bulkhead seats, there was significantly more space under the footrest for us to stow our carry-ons and shoes. In the standard Business Class seats, there would be another small compartment beside the TV that can hold small items, but this additional compartment is not present in the bulkhead seats. In the charging department, Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class seats are fitted with an international power socket and a couple of USB-A charging ports beside the seat. Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class seats are installed with a large, sturdy seat table, stored in the side console. Due to its solid design, fishing out the table from the side console can be a challenge due to its bulk. When deployed, the large table is perfect for multi-course dining for longer flights or working on a laptop, with spare space for a drink while working. The Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business seat is fitted with a set of three reading lights, apart from the ceiling reading light, on the shell of the seat, corresponding to each seat position.

Inflight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Long Haul Business Class seats are fitted with a large 18″ HD personal display. The large display made watching movies on KrisWorld a joy, and it felt like a movie theatre in the sky. The sharp, crisp picture from the display is not affected even when lying on the seat in bed mode, thanks to the tilt feature built into the screen. However, as this is an older product, the personal TVs are not fitted with touchscreen functions. We select the movies that we want to watch via the IFE controller, which is designed to resemble a PSP console with a touchscreen function in the middle part of the controller. As the KrisWorld is also packed with games, the IFE controller is also designed with game controls on it. The entertainment library is packed with loads of entertainment options, from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to regional movies to documentaries and even TV shows. KrisWorld is very well catalogued into intuitive menus, making searching for entertainment a breeze. Singapore Airlines provides noise-cancelling headphones to its Business Class passengers, which are very effective in blocking out ambient noise. In fact, I had to remove my headphones when conversing with the cabin crew. Singapore Airlines provides unlimited complimentary wifi to its Business Class passengers, which is only effective for chatting and social media browsing. The slow speed of the internet does not support video streaming. Economy Class passengers who are members of the airline’s loyalty program, KrisFlyer, are also provided with complimentary unlimited internet access throughout the flight.

Meal Service

As this was a short flight with a total flight time of 2 hrs, meal service began about 30 minutes after taking off when the aircraft reached cruising altitude. Singapore Airlines offers its “Book the Cook” service to its Business Class passengers, where we can select our choice of meals from an extended menu on top of the three options offered in-flight. However, the “Book the Cook” service is only available at selected airports, such as Singapore, Paris, and Beijing, to name a few, and unfortunately, this service is not available for this flight out of Ho Chi Minh City. The options for mains on this flight were Beef Short Ribs, Roasted Chicken Thigh and Rice, and Herb Crusted Barramundi. I opted for the Beef Short Ribs, which were prepared in Sichuan Style and served with egg noodles. Due to the short flight time, the meal was served on one tray. The prawn cake salad appetiser tasted fresh, and the cakes were delicious. Even without the salad dressing, the vegetables in the salad were fresh and tasty. The beef ribs were tender and could be pulled apart without much force, and went very well with the accompanying sauce. The noodles were not soggy and had a certain crunchiness to them. The coffee cake dessert was equally delicious. It was soft and moist, and the coffee taste was not overpowering.

Service

The service we received on board was nothing short of impeccable. After the usual greetings at the door during boarding, and as I was making my way to my seat, I was escorted to my seat by a cabin crew member, Fernanda, who was welcoming Business Class passengers in the cabin. When I learned about my seat number, Fernanda was delighted that I managed to snag this highly sought-after seat. Fernanda came across as friendly and sincere and was able to hold a conversation very well. She was cheerful and took care of us very well. She would return to confirm my meal selection and took the extra care to ensure the dish did not contain any of my allergens by going through the ingredients list. When I requested their signature mocktail to be served after the meal, Fernanda remembered without even being prompted. She was meticulous and used her heart to work. The other crew member, Rachel, serving the aisle where my friends were sitting, came across as cheerful. I saw how she took care of my friends and would always pop by to check in on them to see if they needed more drinks. When it came to my allergen, a male lead steward visited my friend and me to check the severity of our allergy if we accidentally consumed the food. This goes to show the crew went above and beyond to ensure guests were not affected by the food that was served onboard. As I was sitting near the galley, I witnessed a lot of teamwork by the crew, with crew members helping each other out to ensure all passengers were being fed shortly after take-off, maximising the time we had to consume the meal. Despite being a turnaround flight and having worked a 2-hour inbound flight, the crew remained enthusiastic and full of energy.

Champagne for pre-departure drink

Afterthought

I had a great flight with Singapore Airlines on board their A350-900 (Long Haul Variant). We managed to snag the best seat in the class – the extremely spacious bulkhead seats without needing to sleep on our side. This seat, due to its design, also offered us plenty of stowage space under the seat. The missing centre overhead bin gave the cabin an airy look. Other than the comfortable and spacious seats, what made this flight pleasant was its crew. The cabin crew were very welcoming and friendly. They were seen helping each other with the passengers ‘ interests in mind. Despite working one 2-hour, hectic flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the crew were still energised.

[Accommodation Review] – Pullman Saigon Centre (Executive Suite), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (29 May – 1 Jun 26)

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Location

Pullman Saigon Centre is located on the southwestern edge of District 1 of Ho Chi Minh City, the city’s heart centre. Despite being technically in District 1, the hotel is about 1 to 1½ km from the tourist cluster where most of the iconic attractions are located. This distance is great for those who want the tranquillity of being away from the bustling tourist attractions, and yet still remain relatively close to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Most of the attractions can be reached on foot within a 30 min walk from the hotel, and the nearest Bui Vien Walking Street is a mere 5 mins walk. There is no lack of amenities in the vicinity of Pullman Saigon Centre. There are several convenient shops within a 5 min walk from the hotel along Bui Vien Walking Street. We also found numerous eateries right next to the hotel and the nearby Bui Vien Walking Street.

The Executive Suite

The 70m² Executive Suite at Pullman Saigon Centre adopts a blend of modern minimalism and contemporary glamour. The clean lines and functional layout complemented the bold colours and textures well to create a sophisticated high-end vibe. The use of a natural wood palette in the flooring brought warmth to the suite. The Executive Suite is spread across four main areas: The living room, the bedroom, the bathroom, and the walk-in wardrobe.

Layout of the Executive Suite at Pullman Saigon Centre

Entryway

The entryway of the Executive Suite simply serves as an area of the suite that connects the main entrance to the rest of the suite. This is also where we had our first look into the contemporary interior theme of the suite. The entryway also serves as a connection to the power room and the walk-in wardrobe of the suite, which in turn links to the bathroom.

Powder Room

Like most power rooms, the one in the Executive Suite at Pullman Saigon Centre also houses a toilet and a larger countertop with a sink sitting on it. The powder room employs the same contemporary minimalist decor as the rest of the suite and is an excellent addition to the suite, as our friends would still be able to use the toilet without trespassing into the bedroom.

The powder room in the Executive Suite is fitted with a toilet and a sink

Living Room

The living room in the Executive Suite at Pullman Saigon Centre

Pullman Saigon Centre uses purple to break the otherwise monotony of the heavily wood-themed suite. This purple sofa is capable of housing four to five adults comfortably, enjoying the well-curated local and international channels on the 40″ LED TV mounted on the wall. The large coffee table between the TV and the sofa gave us a great spot to rest our drinks while enjoying the welcome snacks the hotel prepared for us. A small round table, though capable of doubling up both as a dining table and a work desk, serves the work desk function more. There is only one chair furnished at this table, which seemed to suggest that the hotel intended for it to function more as a work desk. The close proximity to the HDMI port and the power outlets at the wall supported the hypothesis that the hotel intended this table to function more as a work desk.

I like how the hotel hides the minibar in the wooden cabinet behind the TV. Doing so creates a clean and minimalistic look in the living room. The mini bar occupies the left cabinet space, with the upper half of the cabinet dedicated to the coffee-making dry pantry. Here is where we find a pseudo Nespresso pod coffee machine with six capsules. Sitting at the lower half of the cabinet space is the mini fridge stocked with a wide range of chargeable beverages. Despite having a large cabinet in the living room, there is limited space for us to put away our shopping. The hotel also uses the cabinet space underneath the TV as another mini bar area with mugs and glasses occupying the shelving on the right side, and tea and an electric kettle taking up the space on the left. The only place in the cabinet that we can use to store any items is the cabinetry space to the right of the TV.

Bedroom

The bedroom in the Executive Suite at Pullman Saigon Centre

The minimalist contemporary design theme flowed into the bedroom, but with a tinge of Scandinavian elements. Most of the bedroom is decked in a natural wooden theme with bold colours. Compared to the living room, the furnishing in the bedroom is simpler. In the centre of the bedroom sits the king bed, placed against the wall with a blue, floral-designed feature wall. The sleep quality on the king bed is good, but the pillows supplied are too soft for my liking. Despite Pullman Saigon Centre supplying a pillow menu, there is only one other choice on the menu. However, when called to request a firmer pillow, the hotel managed to provide the two that I requested. The firmer pillow supplied is only slightly firmer than those that were placed onto the bed. Well, at least this improved my sleep quality. The firmness of the mattress on the king bed left us feeling refreshed the next day. Sticking to the Scandinavian theme, the hotel uses a couple of logs as bedside tables, strategically placed underneath the international power outlet, so we could leave our lifestyle devices charged overnight.

Next to the king bed lies a single armchair with an ottoman placed next to the floor-to-ceiling window that allowed us to look out into the city. This is also a good place to relax, reading a book or watching the other 40″ LED TV in the bedroom. The TV has identical entertainment options to those in the living room. Like that, in the living room, the TV is mounted on the wooden cabinet. However, to our dismay, this cabinet serves no purpose other than as an ornament. The doors on this cabinet are glued shut, which did not allow us to open it to stow any items within it.

Bathroom & Walk-in Wardrobe

Bathroom seen from the entryway in the Executive Suite

The bathroom has two entrances, from the bedroom and the entryway. I find it weird that the entrance from the bedroom was not fitted with a door. The bathroom uses an elongated design, with the bathtub being placed next to the floor-to-ceiling glass panel that separates the bedrooms from the bathroom. The standalone bathtub is so large that I find it difficult to get a good soak. Lining up in a row in the space opposite the bathtub are the walk-in shower and the toilet. The space afforded to the walk-in shower, which comes fitted with both a rain and regular shower head, is large enough that I did not have to engage in an elbow fight with the walls. Like the other Pullman Hotels around the world, Pullman Saigon Centre treats its guests with the fragrant and luxurious American-branded C.O. Bigelow shower and toilet amenities. The water pressure from both shower heads is excellent, and the water heats up very fast. The toilet next door is fitted with a Japanese bidet.

Further along the length of the bathroom, towards the entryway, is the sink and the wardrobe area. The large dual sinks sit on a black marble countertop, which provides us with plentiful space to lay out our toiletries. Due to the shallow design, I find water splashing out from the sink whenever I accidentally turn the tap to its maximum. The wardrobe in the Executive Suite is located within the bathroom and opposite the sink, in the same row as the shower and toilet. The large wardrobe provided us with tons of space to hang up our clothes. I reckon the wardrobe is capable of hanging up to three weeks of clothing for two guests. I like that the hotel fitted two dual-tiered drawers inside the wardrobe, which not only increases the storage space, but also gives us a space to put away our smaller clothing. The in-room safe is located on top of one of these drawers. Wedged between the sink and the entryway entrance is another set of two dual-tiered drawers with a marble slab as the top. I find this luggage rack is very well situated, which provides guests with the convenience of packing and unpacking their luggage.

Service

We experienced great service at Pullman Saigon Centre, where the staff we met were warm and friendly. At the time we alighted from our airport transfer, the ground floor porter had already taken care of our luggage. We did not have to lay our fingers on our luggage, and they were being delivered to our suite while we were being checked into our rooms. At the reception, the staff checking us in were very friendly and welcoming. My friends were served welcome drinks while we were dealing with the check-in. The staff gave us the option of checking in at the Executive Lounge on level 30, where another staff escorted us to the lounge and handed us over to his colleague, who processed our check-in. At the same time, we were invited to wait at the lounge while they processed our check-in. However, we were not accorded early check-in due to the full booking (according to the staff), and our friends were upgraded to the executive floor. The staff at the lounge were detailed in explaining the perks and exclusions. This is when I found the hotel was very religious in sticking to the terms (not the fault of the staff). While we were accorded lounge access and complimentary breakfast, our friends staying in the other rooms were not. The staff at Food ConneXion were very friendly and welcoming. We were always welcomed with a warm smile on the mornings that we had at the restaurant. The staff here were very cheerful and attentive. They would always patrol the dining floor and clear the plates immediately when they spotted empty plates on the table, or they would be busy serving guests their orders from the warm food station or one of the many flavours of Vietnamese Coffee.

Welcome amenities in the suite

Hotel Facilities

Breakfast @ Food ConneXion

Breakfast is served at Food ConneXion Restaurant located on the 3rd floor of the hotel. From the entrance to Food ConneXion, we were greeted by the pastry station with a good variety of bread, croissants and spreads. This station is also where desserts and fruits are made available. The warm food options, with a good variety of Western, Korean, Chinese, and Indian, are made available along the long buffet table by the wall in front of the kitchen. Here is where we found one station serving up made-to-order beef pho, as well as waffles and pancakes. Other than the pastry station, there are two other kitchen island stations with salads and cold cuts, as well as dim sum and Vietnamese fried rice noodles. I like how the hotel incorporated local flavours, not only in the food but also in the various brews of Vietnamese coffee. I found the food served was of high quality and was very tasty, but the menu pretty much stayed the same throughout the two days I had breakfast at Food ConneXion. I highly recommend the Vietnamese coffee, which is quite tasty and strong, especially the Salted Cream Coffee.

Executive Lounge

The Executive Lounge at Pullman Saigon Centre is located on the 30th floor, the top floor of the hotel. The lounge is a tad small and does not seem to be able to accommodate a large number of guests. The front part of the lounge is furnished with four purple striped armchairs, creating a cosy living room vibe. This part of the lounge is where we found a small meeting room. Behind the feature wall with a mounted TV lies the dining area. This part of the lounge is furnished with a limited number of dining tables, mainly catering for two guests and one larger eight-seater dining table in the centre of this area. The Executive Lounge has a small buffet area tucked in one corner of the lounge next to the dining area, serving up a small number of finger foods during afternoon tea time. The lounge is a great place to relax, sipping a cool drink, after a day of exploring in Ho Chi Minh City.

Swimming Pool

Pullman Saigon Centre has a lap pool nestled on level 6 of the hotel. The swimming pool is a little on the small side, but it allows guests to get some decent swimming in it. It is a pity that there are a limited number of sundeck chairs around the pool, which would otherwise make it a great spot to get some vitamin D due to the lack of vegetation and nearby buildings that would otherwise cast a shadow onto the pool deck. We also spotted a small poolside bar, hidden inside the hotel building next to the swimming pool. This is one of the spots where ACCOR members can redeem their welcome drinks.

Gym

The hotel is fitted with a small gym located on the 6th floor, next to the swimming pool. Despite its smaller set-up, the gym is mainly equipped with cardio workout machines, facing the floor-to-ceiling window, treating guests to the view of the bustling Ho Chi Minh City below. There are comparatively fewer strength workout machines, other than two total body workout machines and some free weights.

Overall

Being located at the edge of District 1 gives Pullman Saigon Centre the advantage of being close to the action, but minus the noise. The Executive Suite at Pullman Saigon Centre is comfortable, modern and very well appointed. The modern minimalist design with a touch of contemporary artworks dotted around the suite brought in some fun in an otherwise monotonous decor. The space allocated to the three main rooms in the suite was sufficient and did not make one feel cramped. The king bed has a great sleeping quality that refreshes us every morning. The service at the hotel is good, and the staff we met were very friendly and welcoming.

Ho Chi Minh City Day 3 (31 May 26): District 5 – Temple Hopping in Chinatown & District 1 – A Relaxing Afternoon

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As we have pretty much covered the sights in Ho Chi Minh City, which are mainly located in District 1, we tried to look for sights outside of District 1. At the time of my planning, I chanced upon the rich Chinese Culture in District 5.

Temple Hopping in District 5 – Into the Spiritual Culture

District 5 is where the Chinese immigrants from yesteryears settled down and called this part of Ho Chi Minh City home. There weren’t many sights in District 5, other than several significant Chinese temples and a market that is similar to that in District 1. After visiting the temple, as we were making our way to Binh Tay Market, we noticed District 5 seemed to be a wholesale centre. The interesting thing is that there seems to be some form of organisation of the shops in District 1. We noticed that shops selling the same or similar things tend to be grouped in the same cluster, creating a street that only sells clothes, and yet another with all the shops selling scissors.

Thien Hau Pagoda – The Anchor of Chinese Culture

We took a Grab from our hotel to our first stop of the day, Thien Hau Pagoda in Chinatown. Built around 1760, Thien Hau Pagoda is one of the oldest and most historically significant Chinese temples in the city. Almost all original building materials, including the ornate ceramic tiles, reliefs, and incense burners, were imported directly from China. Thien Hau Pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea – Mazu. The Chinese believed the Goddess protected them when they traversed the seas. The age of the temple is inscribed on its facade in its exposed red brick dressing and the roof that is marinated with time. The temple is topped with intricate carvings of Chinese mythological characters and animals that are typical of a Chinese temple. Thien Hau Pagoda is a relatively smaller temple with one main hall and an open courtyard in the centre of the temple. A deity sits on each side of the wall after its main entrance. In the centre of the courtyard lies a furnace and a large incense burner. The furnace was believed to have originated from China when the temple was built. From here, we could see more intricate carvings of deities and Chinese mythical animals crowding on the rooftop. In the centre hall sits the deity of the temple – Mazu, dressed in red and elaborately gold-ornamented garments that devotees probably donated. Behind the main hall, the two small side halls worship Guan Gong and the God of Fortune. As Thien Hau Pagoda was not large in size, we left after offering our prayers.

Quam Am Pagoda – The Red and Yellow Temple

Our next sight in District 5, Quam Am Pagoda, is a 7-minute walk from Thien Hau Pagoda. Decked in a bright red facade, Quam Am Pagoda look newer than Thien Hau Pagoda. But don’t be fooled by the newer facade; Quam Am Pagoda is 20 years older than Thien Hau Pagoda. Built in 1740, it served as a gathering place for the Chinese immigrants to discuss public affairs, help one another, worship gods, and meet their spiritual and cultural demands. Quam Am Pagoda is a bigger temple compared to Thien Hau Pagoda. The interior of this temple looks brighter thanks to its open concept on the sides of the temple that lets a lot of natural light in. The bright red and yellow seen in its facade is also used throughout the temple, contributing to the brightness, together with the LED lights used. In the centre of the front hall is the Goddess of Mercy statue with a more solemn expression. There is a bigger back hall with lots of deities installed along its parameters, where we saw locals coming to pray. The biggest statue is the other Goddess of Mercy with a benevolent expression, and shares the same wall as the one in the front hall. Like the locals, we offered our prayers to the gods in Quam Am Pagoda.

Binh Tay Market – The Chinese Market

Binh Tay Market is our last stop in District 5, about 10 minutes on foot from Quam Am Pagoda. Along the way, we walked past many shops and realised that most of the shops selling similar items seem to congregate on the same street. Playfully, as we walked past shops selling packaging items, we named the street “Packing Street”, and the one that consists of shops selling toys as “Children Street”. These are, of course, not the official names of these streets, but just us having fun when walking along the street. Other than Quam Am Pagoda, the rest of District 5 seems quiet. Perhaps today was Vesak Day, a day that celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, explaining why more locals are gathering inside the Buddhist temple.

While District 1 has Ben Thanh market, mainly catering to tourists, District 5 has Binh Tay market, which mainly caters to the locals. Binh Tay market is one of the oldest markets in Vietnam, having been around since 1930. Dressed in beige colour, the main building has Chinese elements like dragons and porcelain, topped with Chinese-style roofs. Other than the stalls in the front that see more human traffic flow, the inside of the market is dead, with sparse people shopping and only a handful of shops on the ground floor open for business. However, we noticed the stalls in the surrounding extension of the market seem to have more locals shopping for their daily needs. Seeing there is nothing much we can do here, we got a Grab and went back to our hotel to rest a little and offload the shopping that my friends bought.

Back to District 1 – Relaxing Shopping Time

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and shopping in District 1. One of the things that we came to know before visiting Ho Chi Minh City is its famous hair spa. The Vietnamese hair spa is famed for its deep scalp cleansing, followed by a hydrotherapy (a semi-circular gadget that the masseuse uses to apply warm water over our hair like a waterfall). Numerous wellness centres in District 1 offer this service. Before starting the session, the therapist used a microscopic device to show the status of our scalp and promised that our scalp would be clean after the treatment (we did not get the post-treatment scalp scan). The session was relaxing, but I thought hydrotherapy was rather gimmicky. Nonetheless, we had a relaxing time as these packages usually come with a head, neck and shoulder massage. After our hair spa treatment, we walked to the Saigon Centre to do some shopping. There are numerous shops, from luxury to sports brands, in this huge building. However, the supermarket here seems a tad more upmarket and caters mainly for foreigners. Subsequently, we headed to the Winmart (local Vietnamese supermarket) in Vincom Centre, just a 5-minute walk from Saigon Centre. We found Winmart to be a better place to stock up on Vietnamese snacks, as it is better stocked and the prices are lower. We returned to our hotel after some shopping and ordered our dinner via GrabFood.

Thoughts on Ho Chi Minh City

I thought there were very limited attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, mainly situated in District 1, which we managed to visit within one afternoon. Having said that, these attractions are located near each other, making it very easy to see them within a short period of time. For those who like to experience the hustle and bustle of the city, cafe hopping, or body wellness massages, Ho Chi Minh City would be a great destination. The city is famed for its many Koi Cafes, where one would literally sit in a sunken pod with koi swimming around them. These Koi Cafes are located a little further from the city centre, but with the affordable cab fare, they are easily reachable. I also thought the cost of the wellness massages was rather affordable, and the quality is good. History buffs or people who want to understand the unification history of the country or the Vietnam War would find this city interesting, with the War Relic Museum and the Independence Palace. However, for those of us who wanted to see more than the city would find it disappointing. There was nothing much nearby to visit, other than Ba Den Mountains and Cu Chi Tunnel. Unlike Hanoi, which has the scenic Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, or Danang with Ba Na Mountains, Monkey Hill, and the historic Hue and Hoi An, which make perfect day trips that could extend the trip for additional days. I reckon a three-day trip to Ho Chi Minh City would be sufficient.

Ho Chi Minh City Day 2 (30 May 26): Excursion into the History and Culture – From Ba Den Mountain to Cu Chi Tunnel

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When it comes to attractions, those in Ho Chi Minh City can be completed within a day. Unlike other cities in Vietnam, like Danang and Hanoi, there are not many day trip attractions outside of Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi Tunnel is one of the most famous day trip destinations from Ho Chi Minh City. Most of the day trips to Cu Chi Tunnels usually combine with a river cruise down the Mekong River. However, the day trip we embarked on is one that combined Ba Den Mountains instead.

Ba Den Mountain – The Roof of South Vietnam

The drive to Ba Den Mountain took about 2½ hours from Ho Chi Minh City. Ba Den Mountain, dubbed as the roof of South Vietnam, is the highest mountain in this part of the country, standing at 986 m. There are two cableways to get to the top of the mountain: the Van Son route, the direct and faster route; and the Tam An route, where visitors are required to change cable car halfway at Hang Pagoda. We took the Van Son route, which took us about 10 minutes to scale to the top of the mountain. As we ascended from the base station, we were treated to endless farmlands in this part of Vietnam, as well as a large lake – Dau Tieng Lake, which is the largest reservoir that spans across three provinces of South Vietnam.

Coming out of the Van Son cable car station, we were greeted by a large 72m tall bronze Goddess of Mercy statue. The Goddess of Mercy, with her benevolent looks, seem to be blessing the landing under the mountain and those of us who came all the way here to visit the mountain. Before giving us our free time to wander around, our guide brought us to the edge of the viewing platform, introducing us to the surroundings while we looked out into this part of Southern Vietnam. We were given one hour to explore the mountains. After the storytelling, and before he gave us the time to roam around, our guide oriented us to the three major sights in Ba Den Mountain. Unlike similar mountains like Ba Na Mountain near Danang, Ba Den Mountain has no amusement parks; this mountain seems to be built for Buddhism.

The first sight on the mountain that we went to was the Laughing Buddha Statue that our guide recommended. To get to the lower platform, we had to take a total of 10 escalators that passed through the inside of the stone Laughing Buddha Statue. The interior is especially apparent when at the bottom of the few escalators, where we could see the layers and layers of stone that stacked up to form the Buddha statue. At the bottom of the escalators is a path that leads to the outdoor lower platform. This is where we could see how big the Laughing Buddha Statue was. We waited briefly for the water show, as our guide recommended. The water show is merely a water fountain display with water sprouting out to the rhythm of the music. The show lasted about 3 minutes. There was nothing much to do at this lower platform, and we headed back up to the main level after the show. As we only had 1 hour here, we used about 20 mins to get to the lower platform and watch the water show, and we made the decision to head straight to the Golden Buddha Statue behind the Goddess of Mercy Statue.

Along the way, we spotted the 5-storey building, at the base of the Goddess of Mercy Statue, housing Buddhist sculptures and art pieces. We would return to visit the gallery if we had sufficient time after the Golden Statue. The Golden Statue sits on top of a small hill behind the gigantic Goddess of Mercy Statue, with very well-marked signs leading us to it along the way. At the top of the hill, the Golden Buddha statue sits solemnly in the middle of an artificial pond. Not just the statue of the Buddha is covered in gold, all the other ornaments like the turtle, lotus flowers and even the rocks are covered in gold. There is nothing much to do here other than offering our prayers to the Buddha. Our 1-hour allocated time is almost up, so we hurried back to Van Son Station, where we met up with our guide and the rest of the tour group. Before heading to our next stop, we stopped by a local restaurant for lunch that is included in the tour price.

Cao Dai Temple – First Temple of Caodaism

Our next stop, Cao Dai Temple, is a short 30-minute drive away. Caodaism is a religion that was established in Southern Vietnam in 1926. The religion, now has over 1000 followers, blends the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Catholicism. The main object of worship for this young religion is the Left Eye of God. The Cao Dai Temple is situated in a large compound surrounded by fences and controlled entrance gates. The exterior of the temple blends a little of each religion. The twin towers at the front, the tallest feature of the temple, reminded me of the twin towers of Notre-Dame de Paris. However, it differs from the towers of the original Notre-Dame Cathedral in that these towers are topped with Chinese elements, usually found in Pagodas instead of French Gothic elements. The main structure of the temple, with its three-layered roof design, topped with small Chinese Dragon sculptures, seemed to borrow inspiration from Chinese Temples. The tower in the centre of the temple is a weird one, but it seems like a European design structure. There is another single tower at the end of the temple that resembles the top of a Chinese Pagoda. What is interesting here is the statues of the Big Three in Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, sitting atop this pagoda structure. The interior of the is decorated with rows and rows of columns with Chinese dragon sculptures. Blue sky with clouds decorated with reflective glasses that symbolise stars is the main fresco on the ceiling. The centre area is only accessible to devotees of Caodaism; visitors would have to walk around the temple by its walls. We were brought one round inside the temple by our guide, who explained that the big spherical structure at the end of the temple is the main object of worship. He also mentioned that there is a celluar at the back of the temple under the sphere where past religious leaders were buried. As interesting as the religion is, I had a weird vibe here. Fortunately, we only stopped here for 15 minutes and were on our way to the highlight of this day tour – Cu Chi Tunnel.

Cu Chi Tunnel – The Resilience of the Vietnamese

Our next stop, the Cu Chi Tunnel, sits in a forest and is about a 1-hour drive from Cao Dai Temple. Most first-timers to Ho Chi Minh City would make this 2-hour drive trip out of the city to visit the tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnel is a complex tunnel system that stretches 250km underground, which the Vietnamese used to defeat the US military forces during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese dug the famous tunnels in the middle of the forest to stay hidden, with movements restricted mainly to night. They would live inside the tunnel throughout the duration of the war. The tunnel has facilities such as a kitchen, bedrooms, a war command centre and bunkers, which enabled the Viet Cong to stay hidden in the tunnels for months. After alighting from our van, our guide led us to his giant board that showed the tunnel system on a map. The tunnel network is more complex than I imagined, as not all the tunnels have been discovered to date. There is a model beside the map showcasing the various facilities and how the Viet Cong lived inside the tunnel. We were then brought to a small opening in the ground that could only fit one slim person. This would be where the Viet Congs got in and out of the tunnel and also served as an ambush point.

During the tour of the tunnels, we were also shown the various types of traps that were deployed in defence. These deadly traps were made using materials that were found in this forest and seem very effective. The highlight of the trip is the experience of crawling in one of the tunnels. Our guide told us that this tunnel was enlarged for tourists, and the actual tunnel is a lot smaller. The whole tunnel would take us 5 minutes to crawl through, but we came out from the first exit, which is about 50m from the entrance. There are four exits along the way for tourists who do not want to make it to the end of the experiential tunnel. Throughout our time in Cu Chi Tunnel, we saw small holes on the forest floor that seemed like ant holes were actually ventilation points and a number of chimneys disguised as ant mounds. Although this was my second time visiting the tunnels, I was still fascinated by the resilience of the Vietnamese, living underground for years for survival and in the defence of their land. The tunnel is worth a visit. After visiting Cu Chi Tunnel, we made our way back to Ho Chi Minh City. It was raining heavily by the time we reached the city, but the heavy rain did not really affect us since we wanted to eat at the hotel for their seafood buffet dinner.

Ho Chi Minh City Day 1 (29 May 26): Pearl of the Far East – Visiting the Historic Sights in District 1

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Our flight from Singapore landed in Ho Chi Minh City around noon, which gave us time to visit the sites in the city in the afternoon. As some of the more significant sights in District 1 were very close to each other, they make for a great group to visit. The airport around noon was busy. As we neared the immigration, we were taken aback by the number of tourists in line clearing customs. True to what we saw on social media prior to our trip, the immigration was packed like sardines. We estimated it would take around 2 hours to clear immigration. We were unsure what had caused the long wait time, as we saw quite a number of counters were opened (unlike our trip to Tokyo a few years ago, where only two counters were opened to clear immigration), and immigration clearance was as fast as it gets. The only logical explanation was the number of passengers coming into the city. Fortunately, we had purchased Fast Track Service that allowed us to join the queue for expats, which saw significantly shorter lines. We cleared immigration in 20 minutes. As we were being driven to our hotel, it suddenly rained cats and dogs. At this point, we were discussing our options for the afternoon and changes to the plans. There was no way we would want to walk around the city in the heavy downpours. The month of May is the transition month between the dry and wet seasons in Ho Chi Minh City, with frequent sudden heavy downpours and blazing hot weather. We were very lucky during this trip, as it was either overcast most of the time, making the weather pleasant, or somehow we avoided the rain when shopping indoors.

The Historic District 1 Circuit

Fortunately, the rain had stopped after we got to our rooms and settled in. Our historic circuit in District 1 started with Independence Palace, then to Notre-Dame of Saigon, Saigon Central Post Office, Book Street and ended with Cafe Apartment.

Independence Palace – Where the Unification Happened

Our first stop of the day is the Independence Palace. This historical landmark witnessed and is the centre of action, playing a significant role in the unification history of Vietnam. Up until 1975, Vietnam was split into two: South Vietnam, with the support of the USA, operated under a republic model; and North Vietnam, with the support of Russia, adopted a communist regime. Thus, the birth of the Vietnam War. The Independence Palace was the centre of action and where important decisions were made during the Vietnam War. The war ended when the North Vietnamese army tank crushed through the front gate of the palace, marking the fall of the South Vietnamese government, unifying the country into one communist regime to this day. The entry fee to the Palace varies, depending on how much one wants to see. The base price for only the Independence Palace costs VND 40,000; Palace and Exhibition (curating the history of Independence Palace) costs VND 80,000; and the all-inclusive price of VND 100,000 includes both entry fee to the Independence Palace and Exhibition as well as an Electric Car ride around the Palace grounds. Initially, we thought the electric car service was a ferrying service around the palace grounds. We were guided to hop onto one car, which brought us around the palace grounds, giving us narrations of the significance of the facilities in the palace grounds. The electric car tour took about 10 minutes, and we were dropped off at the entrance of the palace. I would not recommend this service for those who are short on time or just want to visit the palace.

After the electric car tour around the Independence Palace grounds, we headed to the main building. The Independence Palace was the office of the President of South Vietnam and showcased room after room when the palace functioned as the Presidential Office. We started our visit with the rooms on the first floor. On this floor, the first rooms we saw were the State Banquet Hall and the Conference Hall, situated next to the entrance. Both rooms were filled with furniture from the 70s, but in a more elaborate setting. Imagine large rooms with long tables and chairs laid next to each other with chandeliers hanging on top. These rooms look like a page from yesteryears. Despite its age, I thought this furniture was very well preserved. The highlight on the first floor is the Conference Hall in the centre, occupying part of the palace at the back. The Conference Hall is decked in maroon red from carpet to the backdrop on the stage and decorated with multiple chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. This is where the president declared his resignation after the Americans withdrew their support during the Vietnam War. A painting of the Hung Kings, regarded as the first rulers of Vietnam, hung on the wall of the Conference Hall to link the modern Vietnamese State to its ancient origins.

There was nothing much else we could see on the first floor, so we headed to the top floors before making our way down in the building to visit the other rooms. As we were walking towards the 4th floor (the lift only stops on the 3rd floor), we walked past the Cabinet room and the First Lady’s Reception Room. Other than looking at the furniture from the 70s, there seemed to be nothing too interesting on this floor. As we were walking towards the stairs that led to the top floor of the Independence Palace, we saw a small room in a cinema layout. There wasn’t much explanation here, and we can only assume this was used to play movies or propaganda films. The top floor of the palace consists of an air-conditioned room and the rooftop area. Here we saw a helicopter and two red ring markings, which marked the area when bombs were dropped by the North Vietnamese Air Force during the Vietnam War, leading to the subsequent surrender of the South and unification of the country. It is a pity that this significant historic event was not recorded anywhere on this floor. Today, the pavilion on this floor has turned into a place to sell souvenirs and hang out for local visitors to rest and enjoy the air conditioning.

We continued our visit to the Independence Palace on the second floor, where we saw the president’s office, national security council chambers, the vice president’s reception room and some private apartments. At this point, we felt the rooms looked similar and just filled with furniture from yesteryears, so we brushed through the rest of the rooms in the palace. After seeing the rooms on the second floor, we subsequently followed the sign to the bunker in Basement 1. This was the heart of operations during the Vietnam War. There is a president’s office, a bedroom, and rooms and rooms of communications equipment, and also a war room. I reckon visiting the palace is best done with an audio guide, which can be rented at the ticketing counter. The explanations on the walls only mentioned what the rooms are used for, but did not detail the significance of these rooms. Without such a context, we cannot feel the significance of the palace and just see it as another tourist attraction. Our ticket also included entrance to the Exhibition that recorded the transformation of the palace from the Nodorom Palace to the Independent Palace. As we were getting a little “bored” with this place, we skipped the Exhibition and headed to our next stop.

Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon – A Little Bit of French Outside France

Leaving the Independence Palace, we headed to our next destination in District 1, Notre Dame of Saigon. The cathedral was not far from the palace and took us only 7 minutes from its main entrance. As we were walking along the side of the cathedral, we saw some scaffolding, mainly in the front facade of the cathedral. I read online that the cathedral has been under renovation since 2017 and will not be completed until 2027. However, the cathedral was still open to the public during this 10-year renovation period. To our dismay, the cathedral was closed during our visit. Other than taking the “we were here” pictures, there was nothing much we could do here.

Saigon Central Post Office – Oldest Working Post Office

Our next stop is just across from Notre Dame of Saigon, the Saigon Central Post Office. The post office is one of the oldest post offices in Southeast Asia, and it is still functioning today. The facade of the post office looked like some train station in Europe, with European-style casting occupying most of its facade. The beige colour used in the facade made the building look clean and fresh. The interior of the post office looked clean and bright, thanks to the beige colour used and the natural light that would shine through the glass in the central atrium. The interior that is open to the public is relatively small, given how large the post office is. The counters that still serve the locals in their mailing and tax payment needs took up the perimeter of the rectangular concourse. A large portrait of Ho Chi Minh hangs in the centre of the post office, constantly reminding us that this city is named after this legendary leader of Vietnam. Despite the overcast weather, the humid climate motivated us to head into one of the two shops at the wings of the post office in search of air conditioning to cool us off. These shops mainly sell souvenirs representing Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. After cooling ourselves down, we headed back out to the main concourse. This is when we saw a booth selling customised stamps. We were able to make stamps with our pictures, either using the instant camera booth or uploading through a link given by the staff. A check with the staff (and subsequently the post office staff) that these stamps can be used as postage. We thought this was a very good souvenir.

Book Street – An Overhyped Street

We did not stay in the Central Post Office for too long, as there was nothing much we could do here, other than posting letters and postcards. We headed out to our next destination, the Book Street. Book Street is just next to the Saigon Central Post Office, and as its name suggests, it is a short street selling books. Visitors, foreign and locals alike, come here for the Instagram photo. We did not see anyone buying or even browsing the books on sale here. The trees overshading the two rows of bookshops on the side of the road, coupled with the numerous Vietnamese flags hanging overhead across the road, indeed made this place very Instagrammable. As this is a very short street, it only took us 2 minutes to walk through it (we did not bother taking Instagram pictures here).

Nguyen Hue Walking Street & Cafe Apartment – Coffee in the Centre of District 1

Our next stop, the Cafe Apartment, is a 10 min walk from Book Street. As we were making our way, we unknowingly walked past the Saigon Opera House, sitting quietly in the corner of the road, seemingly waiting for people to discover it. The Opera House is where the famous AO show is performed. We would love to watch this performance that combines acrobatic and dance moves, contrasting the lives of the locals between the country and the city. It is a pity that the show is not on during the period that we were in Ho Chi Minh City. Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the main boulevard in Vietnam, which is an open space with shops and restaurants on both sides of the road. The Cafe Apartment, a nine-storey building filled with cafes, soon came into our sight. It is not hard to spot the apartment building with most of the cafes facing Nguyen Hue Walking Street. From the street, it appears that not all the premises are being occupied. There are several empty properties that face Nguyen Hue Walking Street. The cafe that we wanted to visit sits on the 5th floor of the apartment building. We were initially excited to find a lift that we could use to access the 5th floor. However, using the lift requires a payment of VND5,000. I find it weird that a public facility that we took for granted is chargeable. Since the cafe sits on the 5th floor, we decided to walk up the narrow staircase. We took a rest at the cafe, having some Vietnamese coffee (I had the egg coffee) and some snacks while enjoying the air conditioning in the cafe. There is also an outdoor balcony seating option that overlooks Nguyen Hue Walking Street at the cafe.

Dinner at Secret Garden

After our fair share of coffee break, it is time for our dinner. I had made a booking on day 3 at this off-the-beaten-path restaurant, Secret Garden. However, a couple of our friends will be on a vegetarian diet on day 3. Seeing that we were near the Secret Garden, we made our way to the restaurant for our first dinner in Ho Chi Minh City. The Secret Garden is only a 7-minute walk from Cafe Apartment. The rooftop restaurant serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine that is also reasonably priced. Weirdly, the restaurant sits atop the residential building, hiding in one corner of District 1, where we would have missed it if not for Google Maps. The restaurant is mainly patronised by locals with a handful of foreigners. The staff were friendly, and the food was delicious. After dinner, we headed back to our hotel to rest for the night.

Bui Vien Walking Street – A Sensory Overload Street

We wanted to pop into one of the few convenience stores near our hotel to get some breakfast, as we will be having an early start tomorrow for our day trip to Cu Chi Tunnel. Using Google Maps, we spotted a shop on the side street opposite our hotel. Unknowingly, we wandered into the famed Bui Vien Walking Street, one of the two main walking streets in Ho Chi Minh City. Unlike Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bui Vien Walking Street is louder and flashier. The end of the street where we entered from was quieter with cafes, convenience stores and restaurants. But as we walked further into the street, the seemingly peaceful street seemed to be overtaken by pubs and clubs with loud music and girls dancing on the tables outside the pubs under neon lights that constantly shine into our eyes every now and then. Walking on Bui Vien Walking Street, especially at the pub stretch, was a challenge. We were constantly approached by pub staff trying to pull us into their pub for a drink. We did not like this part of the street as it was very noisy with constant irritation from the neon lights. We headed back to our hotel to rest for the night, as we would have an early start and a long day tomorrow.

[Airline Review] – Singapore Airlines A350-900 (Medium Haul Variant)(SQ178) – Business Class, SIN-SGN (29 May 26)

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Our flight path from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City

At the Airport

Check-in

Singapore Airlines departs from both Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 with dedicated check-in counters in both terminals. Terminal 3 mainly serves longer routes, and our 2-hour flight, which is classified as a regional flight, departs from Terminal 2. The check-in counters are spread across Rows 3, 5 and 6, with Row 3 serving Business Class and Star Alliance Gold members and Rows 5 and 6 serving Economy Class passengers. Economy Class passengers who hold KrisFlyer Elite Silver status can use the dedicated check-in counter in Row 6. Passengers who want to use the self-check-in kiosks can use the many kiosks located in Row 5. We used the check-in counters in Row 3, with the nearest door being Door 2. There was a small queue at the check-in counter during our arrival, but we did not have to wait for too long for our turn to be checked in, as Singapore Airlines had all four counters manned. Check-in was a breeze, and the ground staff performed our check-in with great efficiency. Before long, we had all four pieces of luggage checked in, and the ground staff gave us the usual information on our boarding gate and the time of boarding.

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge (Terminal 2)

Singapore Changi Airport, being Singapore Airlines’ home port, has two SilverKris Lounges, the larger flagship in Terminal 3 and the more intimate in Terminal 2. As our flight departed from Terminal 2, we headed to the recently renovated SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2. We were approached at the entrance by the ground staff and welcomed to the lounge after scanning our boarding passes. SilverKris Lounge is decked in earthy colours, exuding a relaxing vibe; coupled with the light classical music playing in the background, the lounge felt polished. A T-shaped corridor extended from the entrance to the toilet at the end and also linked to a corridor that led to the main part of the lounge. The part of the lounge that is closer to the entrance is designed to be a lounging area and is furnished with armchairs that extend from the entrance to this part of the lounge. The back part of the lounge is designated as the buffet area, where Singapore Airlines treats passengers with local cuisine and some Western options. There is a small counter opening that serves made-to-order noodles and Singapore Airlines’ signature laksa. Sitting between the buffet and lounging areas is the main dining area, decked out with dining tables for two. Other than this main dining area, dining tables that can accommodate four to six passengers are also spotted along the wall from the entrance and the side lounge area.

There is another larger lounging area at the side of the buffet and dining area. Here is where we found more lounging armchairs for passengers to relax while waiting for their flight. Some high-back chairs were found sitting against the wall at the back of this lounging area, great for passengers who wanted to find a quiet place to work. The lighting and colour scheme at this part of the lounge created a conducive ambience for relaxing. The SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 2 is fitted with 10 shower rooms, near the lounge’s entrance. Each of these shower rooms, decked in light grey tiles and bright lights, is fitted with a toilet and a walk-in shower. I like that the shower room has a dedicated space for us to stow our carry-on.

The Aircraft

Singapore Airlines operates three daily flights using its A350-900, both Medium Haul and Long Haul variants, as well as its B787-10 aircraft between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. For this leg, Singapore Airlines deployed its A350-900 Medium Haul aircraft featuring the Stelia Aerospace Symphony Business Class seat.

Singapore Airlines A350-900 livery
Singapore Airlines A350-900 safety card

Cabin

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class cabin retains the familiar earthy palette, mainly decked in brown on cream and warm neutral colours seen in their A380 and A350 Long Haul products. However, these palettes felt more streamlined, with lighter colours used, such as mocha and orange, exuding a relaxing yet premium vibe. The earthy colour schemes are the main colours used in its seats, from the mocha inner seat shell to the light brown leather seats and the seat trimmings, while terracotta colour fills the inner shells of the side cabinet and the pillow. The light grey used in the side cabinet door and the side table matches the cream colour used in the seat shell very well. The overall colour scheme used in this cabin screams of coherence and harmony, very well suited for a regional daytime flight. The cabin ambience is further enhanced by the light tint of lilac lighting used during boarding, giving off a relaxing and airy sensation. The spaciousness of the cabin is further accentuated by the spreading out of the 40 Business Class seats into two cabins instead of cramming all 40 seats in one single cabin, which can look busy. The larger forward cabin houses 28 seats, giving off a spacious vibe, while the rear cabin houses 12 seats, feeling more intimate, but no less cramped.

Like its long-haul variant, Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class is served by three lavatories, one upfront just a little shy of the cockpit and the other two between the two Business Class cabins. The premium vibe also flowed into these Business Class lavatories, seen in the dark brown wooden laminate used in the sink cabinet and marble-looking laminate used in the floor. The brown backsplash at the sink enhances the premium look. Singapore Airlines stocked its Business Class lavatories with Payot amenities such as lotion, eau de toilette and facial mist. The standard amenities like the dental kits and shavers are more premium than those found in Economy Class lavatories.

Seat Features

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class seats are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring passengers get direct aisle access. With a pitch of 60”, the Singapore Airlines regional Business Class seats provide a good amount of legroom. However, compared to its long-haul cousin, the seat width of 20” (expandable to 22” with armrests lowered) felt a little tight. Passengers sitting next to the window or in one of their “honeymoon” seats might find the entrance to their seat a little narrow, with a gap of only 9” to navigate past the side table. However, when settled into the seats, the soft leather and the thick cushioning made these seats feel very comfortable even in the default takeoff/landing mode. Singapore Airlines promises a lie-flat Business Class seat in all of its aircraft. True to their promise, Singapore Airlines Medium Haul Business Class seats are capable of reclining 180°, turning the seat into a flat bed, which I find comfortable for short or even longer naps. Despite the lack of a sliding door, these Business Class seats provide a good amount of privacy in bed mode due to the high shell back adopted. The soft velvet inner linings of the seat shell felt comfortable and premium. I find a good amount of space for my feet in the footwell, but passengers with larger feet might find it a little cramped. I find the in-between “Lounge” mode to be the most comfortable. Other than the preset angle with a touch of the seat control button, I was able to customise the angle of the seat back recline to find the most comfortable position, while propping up my feet into the footwell. This is the best mode for dining and movie bingeing.

Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats rival its long-haul variant in terms of storage. Passengers would appreciate the small cabinet above the side table, which is great for storing the smaller items that we wanna keep within reach for the duration of the flight. Although a little tight, I was still able to fit in my 11” iPad and loose small items like my passport and charging cables. The sliding door fitted in this small cabinet also meant we were allowed to use this cabinet even during takeoffs, landings and taxiing. Other than the side cabinet, I was also able to use the space under the footwell to stow my carry-on instead of placing it in the overhead bin. I find the seat pocket a little hard to reach, being positioned near the floor at the entrance to the seat. However, this seat pocket can also be potentially an alternative storage space for slimmer items like a tablet or a magazine. When it comes to power supply, I was able to use the two USB-A power outlets and the international power outlet, which are conveniently fitted into the side cabinet, to have my devices juiced up and ready to use when I deplane. However, I find the charging speed on the USB-A ports a little slow.

Singapore Airlines Business Class seats onboard their A350-900 Medium Haul aircraft are fitted with a sizeable and sturdy table. Deploying the seat table was a breeze with the lifting of a lever under the table. The bifold table is stowed under the personal TV and is folded in half when in storage. When fully deployed, the seat table is large enough for passengers to work on their laptops or dine. Apart from the overhead reading light, Singapore Airlines’ regional Business Class seats are also installed with a set of three reading lights on top of the inner seat shell to correspond to the three seat modes.

Inflight Entertainment

Singapore Airlines A350-900 Medium Haul Business Class seat is fitted with an 18″ HD touch screen personal TV. The picture quality on these TVs is sharp and crisp, making watching movies on them enjoyable. With the tilt function built into the TV, the picture quality remains sharp even when watching it in bed mode. Singapore Airlines provides its Business Class passengers with noise-cancelling headphones, which are very effective in blocking out ambient noises. In fact, it is so effective that I had to remove my headphones when conversing with the cabin crew. The soft padding in the ear muffs made it comfortable to wear for a prolonged period of time. Each Business Class seat is fitted with a touchscreen IFE controller that resembles a mobile phone. The interface on these IFE controllers is very well designed, enabling a shallow learning curve for their usage. When it comes to entertainment, KrisWorld is decked with hundreds of entertainment options, from movies to TV shows to games. The flight time felt short when we were spoilt for entertainment options. Singapore Airlines provides complimentary Wi-Fi to all its Business Class and loyalty club passengers. However, the internet speed is only capable of supporting social media and chatting functions; one would find it frustrating when streaming videos on YouTube.

Meal Services

The three main course options for this flight out of Singapore were Seafood Phad Thai, Omelette with Potatoes and Beef Hor Fun. On top of these three mains, we were offered six additional options from their “Book the Cook” service. The “Book the Cook” service is an additional meal option that the airline offers for flights above 1½ hours and from selected departure airports. Of the six additional options, three are Singaporean dishes, and the other three are Western cuisine. I opted for the Singaporean Nasi Lemak from the “Book the Cook” menu. Meal service commenced about 30 minutes after takeoff. The Nasi Lemak is delicious and full of flavour. The Sambal Chilli was delicious and flavourful wi, with a generous amount. Other than the fried chicken drumstick, an egg and two pieces of Otah, I also found three prawns swimming in the Sambal Chilli that came with the rice dish. As this was a short flight, all the courses were served on a single tray, with fruits, dessert and yoghurt as an appetiser.

Service

The service we received on board was nothing short of impeccable. We were given the usual welcome by the cabin crew at the door during boarding, directing us to the correct aisle for our seats. The crew on board were very friendly and welcoming. I was taken care of by Eunice, who was responsible for my aisle. As soon as I was settled into my seat, Eunice appeared with a tray of welcome drinks, followed by confirmation of the “Book the Cook” meal that I had pre-booked online. Throughout our interactions, Eunice was always wearing a smile and came across as sincere. She addressed me by my first name whenever we met. Despite the short flight time, Eunice was seen patrolling the cabin, jumping into action to clear the tray when she spotted that the passengers were done having their meal. The other cabin crew working in this part of the plane were also very friendly and observant. One would come around with a basket of bread with the widest smile in the sky, while another male cabin crew member jumped into action the moment he saw me having difficulty retrieving my carry-on from the overhead bin.

Afterthought

Singapore Airlines A350-900 (Medium Haul) was a solid product. The seat was very comfortable for a short two-hour hop from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, though a little narrow. I was able to get a short nap after takeoff and before the meal, reclining the seat into flat bed mode. In lounge mode, the seat is most comfortable and further customising the degree of recline of the seat made it more comfortable. There were sufficient entertainment options on KrisWorld that made the flight time whiz by quickly. The meal from the “Book the Cook” was flavourful and came in a generous portion. The cabin crew were both professional and welcoming. They were seen wearing their smiles and patrolling the cabin throughout the flight. I had an enjoyable flight with Singapore Airlines.