Luxuriate in opulence, party like a rockstar
From Michelin-starred pop-ups to trackside spa services, Singapore Grand Prix showcases the best of what this vibrant city has to offer
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It tells you something about a city when it’s possible to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant for just over a dollar. Last year a humble street food stall in Singapore by the name of Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice and Noodle won a Michelin star, becoming the smallest and cheapest holder of the honour.
It’s a classic example of life in Singapore. High standards run from the street vendors and continue up into the distant stratosphere. If you want only the best there are 28 other Michelin-starred restaurants; from Juan Amador’s Spanish interpretation of Asian dishes to the Joël Robuchon Restaurant, holder of three stars and offering a 16-course gastronomic odyssey.
F1 fans come to Singapore for experiences like this. But naturally they want to enjoy lavish hospitality at race time too. Here are your options.
For those with a general admission ticket, the best bet is the food streets offering international and local favourites such as noodles, curries, as well as beer and wine. For more indulgence there’s the Sky Suite, Club Suite and The Green Room, each offering world-class dining and personal attention from Suite ambassadors. The Sky Suite offers a great view of the trackside action along Turn 1, Turn 2 and the Pit Straight and the alfresco Sky Terrace, accessible exclusively for Sky Suite patrons, offers additional dining experience and bars, as well as a spectacular rooftop view of the city skyline and the on-track action.
On the second level of the hospitality facilities sits the Club Suite and Green Room, known for friendly banter between guests amongst five-star cuisine and free-flow food and drinks. Access to the F1 Village and entertainment zones are included.
If you want to catch the race at its most intense then the Lounge @ Turn 3 is a good call. Offering unparalleled views of one of the main overtaking spots, patrons can catch wheel-to-wheel action as drivers curve round a hairpin at stomach churning Gs. The comfort’s good as well – Lounge @ Turn 3 offers wider seats and an air-conditioned lounge offering complimentary wines, beers and soft drinks.
But if you’re looking for the ultimate F1 experience, then the Formula One Paddock Club™ is for you. Each Grand Prix circuit on the season offers a different take on Paddock Club hospitality. In Singapore it’s about exquisite levels of hospitality right in the heart of the action.
Lea Yuen Ming, Singapore GP’s director of food, beverage and hospitality says: “Singapore’s Formula One Paddock Club is one of the most innovative on the Grand Prix calendar. We offer the ultimate hospitality experience in a mammoth circuit park, fly in world-class chefs and entertainment, throw unforgettable parties and turn up the glamour that extra notch.”
The Paddock Club is located on the upper terrace of the pit building, with its own private grandstand, facing the main straight and starting grid. It’s non-stop action. There is daily access for an exclusive walk down the Pit Lane. The bars are open and the champagne free-flowing.
For a calmer experience, relax with the exclusive Paddock Club spa services or hang out in the extensive Lifestyle Area. Dedicated guest support ambassadors ensure you have everything you need. Throughout the weekend, Paddock Club guests can enjoy the race at a private grandstand, coupled with a dedicated stage with live bands as well as access to all concerts and events circuit-wide.
It should be mentioned that all the hospitality suites offer a chance to meet and network with business decision-makers from across the world. Singapore is the global capital of business. Introductions and deal-making are routine at the Grand Prix.
And the food? Singapore claims the crown for opulence. This year, celebrity chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Jean-Georges Vongerichten will create pop-up restaurants to showcase the signature dishes of their Michelin-starred restaurants, while Hong Kong’s award-winning restaurant group Maximal Concepts will also unveil Hollywood Road restaurant, led by chefs Russell Doctrove and Lee Man-sing.
The after-party is legendary. This year’s music line-up includes award-winning international artists including Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, The Chainsmokers, OneRepublic, Duran Duran, Seal, George The Poet and Lianne La Havas. From pop tracks to electronic dance music, racegoers at the Singapore Grand Prix are in for a musical extravaganza like no other.
This is what makes Singapore unique. Whether you are a race addict on a budget or a hedonist on a mission to revel in the rarest stratum of splendour, Singapore offers the lot. Scuderia Ferrari’s team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene, sums it up as “just electrifying”.
Editorial credit: Raconteur. First published on 2 May 2017. Edited by Singapore GP
Photos credit: Singapore GP