SITTING on seven acres of landscaped grounds, the Ritz-Carlton Millennia exudes a sense of calm, despite the fact that it is strategically located at the heart of busy Marina Bay, Singapore.

The hotel, which recently completed a refurbishment, offers 608 rooms and suites and is an art-lover’s delight with 4,200-pieces of contemporary modern art from names like Frank Stella and Dale Chihuly strewn across the property.

The newly furbished guest rooms are spacious and offer stunning views of the Singapore skyline or Marina Bay and are the largest rooms in the area at 550 to 650 sq ft.

The rooms are fitted with comfortable wood-posted beds, walk-in closets and Bulgari toiletries for club room guests.

A stunning feature in every room is the octagonal picture windows by the bathtub, an ideal setting for those looking to unwind after a long day.

Another key feature at the Ritz-Carlton Millennia is its award-winning spa which is accompanied by a luxurious swimming pool in the garden surrounded by tropical plants, rocks and a waterfall. These luxury elements have seen the hotel gain much popularity among Arab travellers over the years. ANDREAS KOHN, director of sales and marketing speaks to TTN.

What is the appeal of the Ritz-Carlton Millennia to Arab travellers?

The greatest advantage of staying with us is that guests enjoy newly-renovated rooms and the renowned service that we are known for. The Ritz-Carlton Millennia is also located in the heart of the city at Marina Bay providing easy access to three shopping malls via the covered skybridge. For guests who choose to unwind in the hotel, there is a an art collection with more than 4,200 pieces within the property, a choice of Arabic television channels, a sheesha menu at Treetops, a sauna and steam room and an outdoor pool set amidst lush foliage.

What do you believe is the most distinctive or unique feature of your hotel? What best describes its personality?

The incredible experiences that guests have are the most outstanding attribute of our hotel.

Our central location and panoramic views from our rooms, suites and bathrooms are also often talked about. Guests can enjoy the iconic Singapore skyline from the privacy of their rooms; our beds were specially built to be slightly higher than usual for a better vantage point for guests. Last but not least, the latest tourist attractions like the integrated resort, ArtScience Museum, Singapore Flyer and the bustling Orchard Street are all within walking distance.

How has tourism in Singapore grown over the years?

The travel industry is still recovering. Tourist arrivals in Singapore are expected to exceed 2010 and are forecasted by the Singapore Tourism Board to be between 12 and 13 million in 2011. However, in any economy, consumers are resistant to price increases hence the recovery of guest room rates will lag behind the increase in occupancy levels we have experienced in 2011. Tourism is expected to continue increasing based on developments like the International Cruise Centre, the Gardens by the Bay at Marina Bay and the River Safari in Mandai and Singapore’s hotel rates should grow to be on a par with cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Who are you key source markets and how much does the Middle Easte market contribute?

We are primarily a business hotel and corporate clients make up approximately two thirds of our business. Business travellers expect far more from a hotel than merely an accommodation experience. Above and beyond the entry level expectations such as a business centre, a full suite of secretarial services and dependable, efficient service, a concierge that is well-connected in the city represents tremendous value to business travellers.

Our top markets include the US, UK and Hong Kong; the Middle East is an up-and-coming market for us, particularly for high-end leisure travellers. Singapore is an attractive travel destination for Middle East travellers and, in particular, we are able to provide the service standards that are above and beyond other hotels.

Can we expect to see any new additions/improvements across the property in the near future? Any specific areas you want to focus on or change in future?

We have just renovated our 608 rooms and suites; future plans include renovating the general areas and the dining establishments.