Welcome to an extraordinary realm of sustainable luxury located in Singapore’s bustling Marina Bay—PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore. Recognized as one of LLA’s TOP 100 Hotels & Resorts of the World, 2023, this iconic establishment, owned by UOL Group Limited and Singapore Land Group Limited, and managed by Pan Pacific Hotels Group, showcases pioneering distinction.

Since its transformation from Marina Mandarin Singapore in December 2020, the hotel has redefined the concept of hospitality, offering a unique ‘Garden-in-a-Hotel’ experience. With a steadfast dedication to sustainability, this architectural marvel, designed by the late Architect John Portman, boasts Southeast Asia’s largest indoor sky-lit atrium housing over 2,400 plants and trees.

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore is a lifestyle sanctuary that merges luxury with eco-consciousness. Join us as we spend some time with Mr. Phil Smith to learn more about the hotel, its special features and offerings, and what aspects led them to achieve a position as one of LLA’s TOP 100.

Luxury Lifestyle Awards: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is celebrated for its innovative biophilic design. Could you share how this unique design philosophy enhances the guest experience and contributes to the hotel’s sustainability efforts?

Mr. Phil Smith: The innovative biophilic design of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore plays a significant role in enhancing our guest experience and contributing to our hotel’s sustainability efforts. Let me walk you through the key aspects and their role in this:

Connection with nature: Biophilic design helps to create a connection between guests and nature. Research has shown that biophilic environments that incorporates nature or mimics natural systems are linked to personal relaxation, enhanced creativity and happiness, and can even accelerate recovery from illness.

Through the renovation and redesign of the hotel, the Architect took the opportunity to transform our grand atrium to include many biophlic elements, such as abundant greenery and natural light throughout our property.  Over 2,400 plants, trees, shrubs, and groundcovers drawn from more than 60 varieties of flora are spread across 1,400 square metres of interior space throughout our hotel. This created the distinct impression of a daytime forest that is both attractive and beneficial, with the plants acting as natural air purifiers and sinks for carbon dioxide as part of the biological carbon cycle, thereby helping to improve air quality and reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide within the hotel building.

The flora was handpicked for their resilience and suitability to indoor conditions, where minimal care is required. The planters are also installed with drip auto-irrigation, which prevents water waste. Energy-efficient grow lights are used to double up as support for the plants, and form part of the overall scene and ambience of the atrium. Overall, the greenery creates a soothing and calming environment, reducing stress levels and enhancing overall well-being. The presence of green spaces and natural elements also provides opportunities for guests to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate.

Improved air quality: The use of plants and living walls in our hotel’s design helps improve indoor air quality by filtering pollutants and increasing oxygen levels. This creates a healthier and more comfortable environment for our guests and Associates alike.

Integration of natural light: Biophilic design emphasises the incorporation of natural light into spaces to help mimic our circadian rhythm, which also helps connect people to the natural outdoor environment. Our hotel’s architecture maximises the use of natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.

The double-glazed glass and the low emissivity of our Atrium Skylight allows natural daylight, while rejecting heat (4W/m2) into the atrium. With less heat entering the atrium, less air-conditioning is required to cool down the indoor space. This not only creates a pleasant and inviting atmosphere but also helps conserve energy and reduce energy consumption.

Sustainable landscaping: The biophilic design extends to our hotel’s outdoor spaces, including our Urban Farm. Among hotels, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore is one of the pioneers in building its food supply resilience and minimising food miles with our 150-square-metre Urban Farm, one of the largest farms in the central business district.

With over 60 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers, our Urban Farm promotes biodiversity, and exemplifies the trifecta of our hotel’s farm-to-table, farm-to-bar and farm-to-spa concepts. The produce is used in our restaurants and bars, as well as our award-winning spa, St. Gregory. Our Urban Farm has become a favourite among our chefs and mixologists as fruit and vegetables harvested at peak ripeness are freshest, unlike air-flown imports. It has also become a favourite among our guests and their children, where they take walks around our Urban Farm to admire the various plants that we grow in our Urban Farm.

Environmental awareness and education: The biophilic design philosophy at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore goes beyond aesthetics. It serves as a platform for raising environmental awareness among our guests and associates.

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore works to share many of our best practices and green innovations to help others become better environmental citizens. Our hotel offers educational sustainable hotel building tours to showcase our green features to members of the public. These tours are also offered to schools with the goal to raise awareness of the urgent need for climate action, and to “plant” sustainable seeds in young minds. Rather than simply explaining sustainability, our hotel provides a living example of how sustainability may be integrated seamlessly into a hotel’s operations.

To date, we have hosted more than 1,500 students, including international students from University of Hawaii and Southern Cross University Australia.

Overall, the biophilic design of PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore enhances the guest experience by fostering a deeper connection with nature, promoting well-being, and creating a serene environment. Simultaneously, it aligns with our hotel’s sustainability efforts by incorporating eco-friendly elements, reducing energy and water consumption, eliminating plastic waste, reducing food waste and general waste, and building on our food supply resilience.

LLA: Sustainability is at the core of your hotel’s ethos. Could you highlight some of the standout initiatives or practices that make PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay a leader in environmental responsibility within the hospitality industry?

PS:  At PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, eco-friendly practices are central to our hotel’s core functions, and a holistic approach has been taken towards sustainability and regeneration, including our hotel’s energy and water consumption management, plastic waste management, food waste management, and building on our food supply resilience.

Our hotel is listed on Expedia Group with the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge badge, and on Booking.com with the Travel Sustainable Badge. We are also ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems certified. In early 2024, our hotel will receive certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) after completing a rigorous preparation process and passing the audit. The GSTC is a recognised organisation that sets the standards for sustainable tourism practices, so obtaining this certification is a significant achievement for our hotel.

Renewable Energy: Spearheading our hotel’s affinity and commitment to sustainability is our installation of 210 rooftop solar panels that generate over 350 kWh of renewable energy per day, which power the hotel’s 13 lifts and emergency lightings, reducing the overall electrical consumption by about 1.4%. Our hotel expects to recoup our investment within four-and-a-half years. With the solar panels having an anticipated useful lifespan of 25 to 30 years, the savings generated would then be directed to implementing other green innovations.

Within 19 months of installation, over 175,000kWh of renewable energy have been produced, resulting in reduction of 120 tonnes of carbon emission.

Energy Management: Our hotel has installed motion sensors in all guestrooms, which enable intelligent temperature control and efficient use of energy. These motion sensors power down lights and air-conditioning when guests are not present.

Elimination of Single-use Plastic: The installation of a water filtration system and the provision of glass bottles in all guestrooms have enabled our hotel to eliminate 360,000 single-use plastic bottles a year. We have also replaced miniature bath amenities with refillable pump bottles in every guestroom, eliminating two million miniature plastic packaging a year.

Water Consumption Management: In the bathrooms, the installation of low-flow shower heads reduces water flow from 27 litres to 9 litres per minute.

Food Waste Management: Better planning of menus months in advance helps reduce food waste. Our hotel always tries to offer seasonal greens so that the vegetables can be grown at our Urban Farm, or at least sourced from locally owned suppliers, that practice sustainable methodologies.  When you grow your own fruit and vegetables, you only harvest what you need so there’s no waste!

We recycle food waste, such as vegetables and fruit peels, poultry, bones, and egg shells. Our Chefs make use of the beef trimmings from other beef dishes, to make ‘Shredded Beef Ragu Pasta’. The beef is slowly braised for at least six hours until it is tender, then shredded for the ragu sauce.

Another example of an ingredient that we recycle is the watermelon rind – the white parts of the rind are used like a vegetable for stir-fried dishes, and has a slightly crunchy texture, similar to cucumber or zucchini.

Waste Management: We switched from a traditional chafing dish system to the EcoBurner system, a new line of waterless and cableless chafing dishes. In 2022, our hotel saved a total of 14,400 litres of water, prevented 2,738kg of waste from going to the landfill, and reduced carbon emission by 12 tonnes.

Circular Economy: We partner with Nespresso to collect used coffee capsules from the guestrooms. The aluminium from the capsules are repurposed and upcycled into products, such as bicycle frames and ballpoint pens, while the coffee grounds are processed into compost and then sent back to our Urban Farm. This also helps our Urban Farm to eliminate the chemical intervention for its crops, thereby delivering fresh and tasty vegetables and herbs used in the hotel’s restaurants. In 2022, a total of 130kg of coffee grounds were turned into coffee compost.

LLA: The Urban Farm at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay is intriguing. How does this initiative support the hotel’s farm-to-table, farm-to-bar, and farm-to-spa concepts?

PS: Spanning 150 square metres, our Urban Farm houses over 60 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. The Urban Farm exemplifies our hotel’s farm-to-table concept at Peppermint, Peach Blossoms, as well as the banquet kitchen, farm-to-bar concept at Portman’s Bar and Skyline Bar, and farm-to-spa concept at St. Gregory.

Better planning of menus months in advance help reduce food waste. At PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, we plan our menus four to six months in advance. By doing this, we are able to work with our Urban Farmers on growing what we need. We always try to offer seasonal greens so that the vegetables can be grown at our Urban Farm, or at least sourced from locally owned suppliers, that practice sustainable methodologies.

When our new menu is about to launch, our Urban Farmers then transplant the new crops to our Urban Farm. Likewise, for our bar and spa, where we consume large amounts of herbs and edible flowers for garnish and infusions.

Vegetables grown in an urban farm eliminate four to six kilogrammes of carbon emission for every kilogramme of produce airfreighted to Singapore. Also, when you grow your own fruit and vegetables, you only harvest what you need so there’s no waste!

LLA: In an increasingly competitive market, how does your hotel maintain a balance between offering luxurious amenities and sustainable practices, ensuring that both aspects contribute to the overall guest experience and satisfaction?

PS: Maintaining a balance between offering luxurious amenities and sustainable practices is a key challenge for hotels in today’s competitive market. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore strives to integrate both aspects in a way that enhances the overall guest experience and satisfaction. Here’s some examples of how the hotel achieves this balance:

Thoughtful design and materials: Our hotel’s design and choice of materials focus on providing a luxurious experience, while minimising environmental impact. Sustainable materials, such as recycled or locally sourced materials, are used whenever possible without compromising on quality or aesthetics. This ensures that guests can enjoy a luxurious ambiance, while being surrounded by environmentally responsible elements.

Energy-efficient systems: Our hotel invests in energy-efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing guest comfort. This includes features, such as motion sensors and energy-efficient lighting. Guests can enjoy a comfortable and luxurious stay while knowing that the hotel is actively minimising its carbon footprint.

Sustainable dining options: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore offers a range of sustainable dining options without compromising on taste or quality. We focus on sourcing local and seasonal ingredients, supporting sustainable fisheries, and minimising food waste through careful planning and portion control. Guests can indulge in exquisite dining experiences while knowing that their meals are prepared with a commitment to sustainability.

Eco-friendly amenities and practices: Our hotel prioritises eco-friendly amenities and practices throughout the guest experience. This includes providing refillable glass bottles to reduce single-use plastics, implementing water-saving measures, and using biodegradable cleaning products. By incorporating these practices, our hotel ensures that luxury and sustainability go hand in hand, allowing guests to enjoy their stay while minimising their environmental impact.

Guest education and engagement: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore actively engages guests in sustainability practices and educates them about our hotel’s initiatives. This includes providing an education cube in all guestrooms to share on our green practices, as well as Sustainable Hotel Building Tours to share on how sustainability is practiced across all of our operations. By involving guests in these efforts, our hotel fosters a sense of shared responsibility and empowers guests to make sustainable choices during their stay and beyond.

Continuous improvements and innovations: Our hotel is committed to continuous improvements and innovations in both luxurious amenities and sustainable practices. We actively seek out new technologies, materials, and strategies that can enhance the guest experience while further reducing our environmental footprint. By staying at the forefront of sustainable hospitality practices, our hotel ensures that our offerings remain relevant and appealing to guests in an increasingly competitive market.

By carefully integrating luxurious amenities with sustainable practices, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore demonstrates that these two aspects can coexist and enhance each other. We understand that today’s guests seek both luxury and environmental responsibility, and by striking the right balance, we can create a memorable and satisfying experience for our guests while contributing to a more sustainable future.

LLA: Your hotel is known for offering distinctive dining experiences. Can you point out standout meals of culinary experiences?

PS: At Peach Blossoms, our Executive Chinese Chef Edward Chong, a seasoned culinary professional with more than 18 years of experience, is known for his elegant and artistic food plating, Chef Edward believes in giving new life to traditional dishes through innovative ingredients, culinary techniques and presentation. He draws fresh ideas from his daily surroundings and enlivens dining experience with his thoughtfully curated menus. Inspired by his mother’s cooking, Chef seeks to serve up wholesome dishes like how a mother would for her son.

His signature dishes include Deep-fried Cigar Rolls filled with Black Truffle, Foie Gras and Prawn, Marble Goby Fillet with Crispy Scales and Homemade Organic Pineapple Sauce, Stewed Mung Bean Noodles with Drunken Crab in 10-year in ‘Gu Yu Long Shan’ Rice Wine, as well as the delectable Four Combination Platter that comprises seafood fritters, chawanmushi, sliced Peking duck and puff pastry.

Peppermint, our all-you-can-eat concept provides a wide variety of wholesome Asian and International favourites, freshly prepared at the open display kitchen. With a renewed focus on conscious eating, Peppermint’s menus include plant-based options and the use of sustainably and locally sourced ingredients.

Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Leon Yee, Peppermint’s menu changes almost every month, to constantly surprise diners. As a halal-certified restaurant, both Muslim and non-Muslim diners are constantly treated to a wide variety of cuisines throughout the year, from Taiwanese, to Korean, Peranakan, Thai, Hong Kong, Singaporean, and more!

LLA: How does the hotel foster a culture of creativity, purposefulness, and passion for life among its associates?

PS: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore fosters a culture of creativity, purposefulness, and passion for life among our Associates through several key practices and initiatives. Here are some ways our hotel cultivates this culture:

Training and development: We invest in comprehensive training and development programmes for our Associates. Each Associate is expected to complete 48 hours of training per year. By providing ongoing learning and growth opportunities, our hotel encourages our Associates to develop their talents, pursue their passions, and continuously improve their skills.

Empowerment and autonomy: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore empowers our Associates by providing them with autonomy and decision-making opportunities within their roles. Associates are encouraged to take ownership of their work, contribute ideas, and make meaningful contributions to the guest experience. This fosters a sense of purpose and creativity as they actively participate in shaping our hotel’s success.

Recognition and rewards: Our hotel recognises and rewards our Associates for their exceptional performance and contributions. This includes formal recognition at our Employee of the Quarter and Employee of the Year (In 2023, our Employee of the Year will win tickets for two to London, and a four-night stay at Pan Pacific London.) By acknowledging and appreciating our Associates’ efforts, we motivate Associates to excel in their roles and foster a culture of passion and dedication.

The above are just some of the best practices that we adopt at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore. By implementing these practices and initiatives, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore creates an environment that fosters creativity, purposefulness, and a passion for life among our Associates. This positive culture not only benefits our hotel’s employees but also translates into exceptional guest experiences and overall success.

LLA: What strategies or initiatives does your hotel employ to stay attuned to changing guest preferences and adapt to the evolving demands of the modern traveler?

PS: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore employs several strategies and initiatives to stay attuned to changing guest preferences and adapt to the evolving demands of the modern luxury traveller. Here are some key approaches:

Guest engagement and personalisation: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore focuses on personalised guest experiences and engagement. Through guest profiles, preferences, and history tracking, we can tailor services and amenities to meet individual guest preferences. This includes personalised greetings, customised room amenities, and recommendations based on guest preferences and past interactions.

Guest feedback and surveys: Our hotel actively seeks feedback from guests through surveys and online reviews. This feedback provides valuable insights into guest preferences, expectations, and areas for improvements. Analysing and acting upon guest feedback allows our hotel to continuously refine its offerings and adapt to changing needs.

Market research and trend analysis: Our hotel conducts market research and trend analysis to stay informed about the latest developments and changing preferences in the hospitality industry. This includes monitoring industry reports, competitor analysis, and gathering insights from travel and hospitality experts. By staying up-to-date with market trends, we can proactively adapt our offerings to meet evolving guest demands.

Technology integration: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore leverages technology to enhance the guest experience and adapt to modern traveller preferences. This includes our recently launched mobile check-in and check-out and digital concierge services. By embracing technology, our hotel caters to the preferences of tech-savvy travellers and provides seamless and convenient experiences.

Collaboration with industry partners: Our hotel actively collaborates with industry partners and suppliers to stay informed about emerging trends, innovative solutions, and best practices. This collaboration allows us to stay attuned to changing guest preferences and adapt our offerings accordingly. It may also involve partnerships with local businesses, artists, or influencers to create unique experiences that resonate with the modern travellers.

Sustainability and responsible practices: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore recognises the growing importance of sustainability and responsible travel. By integrating sustainable practices and eco-friendly initiatives, our hotel attracts environmentally conscious guests and meets the evolving demands of travellers seeking sustainable options.

By employing these strategies and initiatives, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore ensures that we remain responsive to changing guest preferences and adapt to the evolving demands of the modern traveller. By staying connected to guest feedback, market trends, technology advancements, and sustainable practices, our hotel can continuously enhance our offerings and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Thank you for your time, Phil! And congratulations once again on your noteworthy achievement!

To book your next stay at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore today, please visit www.panpacific.co/marinabay