Singapore’s Orchard Road: Asia’s Rodeo Drive

Once lined with nutmeg orchards, including one owned by someone with the last name of Orchard, Singapore’s Orchard Road is now the retail and entertainment heart of the city-state. In fact, no trip to Singapore would be complete without spending at least one evening in the area – especially around the Christmas holidays when reindeers and snow topped gingerbread houses are set among the street’s palm trees and flower beds.

Orchard Road’s primary attraction and activity is shopping. Just some of the malls lining the road worth noting include Ngee Ann City (the largest mall on the road which contains numerous upscale boutiques, Japanese department store Takashimaya and Books Kinokuniya - Southeast Asia’s largest bookstore), Wheelock Place (home to Borders bookstore and a Marks & Spencer), Paragon (also home to a Marks & Spencer, a Metro and a Toys 'R' Us), the Hilton Shopping Gallery (branded boutiques) and The Centrepoint (home to a Robinsons and another Marks & Spencer). Furthermore, access to the area is easy via the MRT as there are major stations (Orchard, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut) in the Orchard Road vicinity while a number of bus lines along with plentiful cabs operate in the area.

For business travelers and expatriates who want to stay on or just near Orchard Road, the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites is conveniently located right next to the Somerset MRT station and offers amenities such as fully-equipped kitchens, world class entertainment systems, a fully equipped gym and hydro-therapeutic spa with a mineral water pool. And for those who will be needing office space in the vicinity, the Ann City Tower B is located above Ngee Ann City on the heart of Orchard Road and offers serviced offices, customized virtual office packages and meeting room space.

Hence, whether you need to shop or are looking for a place to both work and stay, look no further than what Orchard Road has to offer.