In celebration of its win as one of the TOP 100 Spas of the World by Luxury Lifestyle Awards, St. Gregory Spa at Pan Pacific Orchard reinforces its position as one of Singapore’s most innovative luxury destinations. In this exclusive interview, General Manager Jason Leung sits down with Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the hotel’s nature-infused architecture, thoughtfully crafted guest experiences, and commitment to wellness. Their conversation highlights how these elements continue to elevate the global prominence of Pan Pacific Orchard and its award-winning St. Gregory Spa.

Alexander Chetchikov: Pan Pacific Orchard has quickly become a standout in Singapore’s luxury hospitality scene. What guiding vision has shaped the hotel’s unique identity, especially as it ushers in a new era under your leadership?

Jason Leung: Over the past year, our focus has been on reimagining what an urban oasis can mean for today’s traveller. Pan Pacific Orchard was never designed to be a conventional luxury hotel, and my role has been to deepen that intention rather than redefine it entirely.

We are creating a place where guests feel permission to slow down, to move gently, to pause, and to simply be present. In a city that moves very fast, true luxury today is time. Time to breathe, to reset, and to reconnect with oneself. That philosophy guides every decision we make, from how our spaces are designed to how experiences are curated across the hotel.

AC: With the hotel’s four signature environments, Forest, Beach, Garden, and Cloud,  how do these architectural concepts elevate the luxury experience for today’s discerning travellers?

JL: The four terraces are not just architectural features; they are emotional environments. Each one activates a different state of mind, and together they form a vertical journey of wellbeing through the hotel.

The Forest grounds and greets you, the Beach opens you up to possibilities, the Garden creates a connection with you, and the Cloud offers perspective to you. Guests naturally gravitate towards what they need most for their visit or in that moment. This is where design becomes experiential. Rather than telling guests how to feel, we allow nature, light, air, and space to guide them. That sense of choice and autonomy is what today’s discerning traveller values most.

AC: The property has earned global recognition for luxury and design. From your perspective, what defines true modern luxury at Pan Pacific Orchard, and how does the hotel deliver it consistently?

JL: Modern luxury is not about more; it is about meaning. Being recognised as the World’s Most Beautiful Hotel is incredibly affirming, but what truly matters is how the hotel supports the human experience.

At Pan Pacific Orchard, beauty serves a purpose. Our biophilic design actively supports wellbeing through movement, stillness, and nourishment. Consistency comes from clarity of intent. Whether a guest is staying in our rooms, dining at Mosella, enjoying a quiet moment on the terraces, or spending time at the spa, the experience should feel calm, thoughtful, and restorative. Luxury should feel natural, not imposed.

AC: With Singapore’s luxury market becoming increasingly competitive, how do you ensure your guest experience remains both elevated and distinctly personalised?

JL: In a competitive luxury landscape, personalisation comes from creating spaces and meaningful moments where guests feel genuinely understood rather than impressed. The Pacific Club Lounge is a good example of how we approach this.

It is designed as a calm, elevated retreat within the hotel, a place where guests can slow down, feel recognised, and enjoy a more intuitive rhythm to their stay. From curated refreshments throughout the day to quieter moments for work or reflection, the experience is deliberately unhurried and connective.

What matters most is not the offering itself, but how it makes guests feel. The lounge allows us to personalise through atmosphere, attentiveness, and discretion, rather than overt gestures. In many ways, it reflects our broader philosophy at Pan Pacific Orchard Hotel. Elevated luxury today is about space, time, and ease, and giving guests the freedom to engage on their own terms within our urban oasis.

AC: You bring over three decades of hospitality experience across renowned brands. How has your global background influenced your leadership approach at Pan Pacific Orchard?

JL: My experience has taught me that while systems and standards matter, hospitality is ultimately about how people feel. Leadership, to me, is about creating the conditions where our people can care confidently and creatively.

At Pan Pacific Orchard, I encourage our people to think of the hotel as a living space rather than a fixed product. Whether it is shaping a guest’s stay or supporting a client’s event vision, the mindset and intent is the same. We listen first, then respond thoughtfully. That is how we bring ideas to life, whether for an individual guest or through the philosophy of Your Vision, Our Venues when it is appropriate.

 AC: The hotel is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability, from 14,000 sqm of greenery to advanced waste-to-water systems. How does sustainability shape daily operations and long-term strategy?

JL: Sustainability here is foundational, not performative. Our greenery, energy systems, and waste solutions are embedded into how the hotel functions every day. They quietly support comfort, cooling, and wellbeing without asking for attention.

Long term, sustainability gives us the freedom to innovate responsibly. It allows us to maintain our identity as an urban oasis that is future-ready and deeply respectful of its environment. Guests may not always notice the systems behind the scenes, but they feel the outcome through cooler spaces, calmer environments, and a stronger connection to nature.

AC: St. Gregory Spa, exclusively for in-house guests, has been recognised as one of the TOP 100 Spas of the World. How does this accolade influence your future plans for wellness and guest wellbeing within the hotel?

JL: St. Gregory Spa is a beautiful expression of stillness, and its recognition is a meaningful affirmation of our philosophy. However, wellness at Pan Pacific Orchard extends beyond the spa.

We anchor wellbeing around three simple pillars: movement, stillness, and nourishment, all activated through our four environments. Stillness is where many guests feel the deepest shift, whether through 9D breathwork, quiet moments across the terraces, or surrendering fully to care at the spa. Nourishment is approached with balance and pleasure, without rules or lectures. Wellness should feel supportive, not prescriptive.

Our future focus is on continuing to design spaces that allow guests to reset naturally. We do not tell guests how to be well. We design the environment and let nature do the work.

We extend our sincere thanks to Jason Leung for sharing his insights, leadership vision, and the thoughtful philosophy behind Pan Pacific Orchard’s flourishing success. His perspective reinforces the hotel’s position as one of Singapore’s most forward-thinking luxury destinations, where nature, design, and hospitality converge to create unforgettable experiences.

Discover the rejuvenating world of St. Gregory Spa here: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-orchard-sg/experiences/st-gregory.html