General Blog About Everything

Built in 1917, during China’s republican experiment, this hotel was situated
within the territory of the French Legation and known as Le Grand Hotel de
Peking. The original Art Deco design was not carried out in its entirety,
leaving the building and facade lopsided, but Le Grand immediately
established itself as the city’s premiere hotel by dint of its luxury and
proximity to the Forbidden City. That ubiquitous tourist George Bernard Shaw
was a guest in the 1930s, as was Field Marshall Montgomery, a great
supporter of Mao Zedong, in the 1940s. When Mao took power in 1949 he
celebrated in style at Le Grand.

Only 12 years ago, sailors on shore leave would post letters home from the
superb building that housed Singapore’s General Post Office. Today, it is
the big draw for business travellers who have come to work in the high-rise
offices that create Singapore’s Manhattan-style skyline. For beyond the
grandiose entrance doors is one of the island state’s most sumptuous hotels.

A fair number of hotels have their own private screening room but not many
have their own music director. Musicologist Dr Ivana Stehlikova has her own
office in Aria from which she lends out music CDs and DVDs and advises
guests on which cultural and musical sights and sounds to take in during
their stay.