After a $25 million revamp, the Marina Mandarin positively sparkles. The rooms are crisp and elegant – done up in creams, beiges and browns – and all have balconies; some suites have views of the harbour. Meritus Club rooms come with extras such as coffeemakers, a six-jet power shower and plush pillow-top mattresses. The three restaurants (Italian, Chinese and international) are stylishly designed, and the lounge offers a soundtrack of tropical Asian birds. Other features include a 25m mineral water pool, the Open Studio (an artist-in-residence programme) and dendrobium Marina Mandarin, a local orchid that is scattered throughout the hotel in floral arrangements and as a decorative motif.