The Curious Traveler
Explore exciting locales, then return to unwind in modern hotels and resorts across Asia and Oceania.
A taste of culture, retold through spices and herbs. The journey of an indigenous Australian community, retraced along the Parramatta River. Explore fascinating neighborhoods in Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia with PARKROYAL, and discover the stories behind each destination through design, cuisine, and signature experiences.
Dating back to the early 19th century, Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s oldest urban communities, named after Gelam trees (Melaleuca cajuputi) that once grew in abundance here. Today, the lively neighborhood is home to an eclectic mix of trendy cafes and traditional businesses, including perfumers, textile and spice traders.
Dating back to the early 19th century, Kampong Glam is one of Singapore’s oldest urban communities, named after Gelam trees (Melaleuca cajuputi) that once grew in abundance here. Today, the lively neighborhood is home to an eclectic mix of trendy cafes and traditional businesses, including perfumers, textile and spice traders.
Located right across the Haji Lane’s Beach Road entrance—a thoroughfare that got its name as it once ran along Singapore’s original coastline—is PARKROYAL on Beach Road, an upscale hotel that showcases the rich heritage of Kampong Glam.
Drawing inspiration from the diverse history of Arab Street, Beach Road and Bugis Street, Club 5 offers a selection of craft cocktails infused with the same spices once traded along these streets, while Ginger restaurant showcases authentic local flavors through signature dishes including Singapore Chili Crab and Slow-Braised Beef Rendang. Created exclusively for the hotel, the wall design features indigenous flora including ginger flowers, coconut trees, and banana leaves to create an ambiance that reflects the abundance of nature in Singapore.
Travelers looking to immerse in the sights and sounds of Singapore’s heritage quarters can also explore Little India, a 20-minute walk from Kampong Glam. The cultural precinct was historically home to not only the Indian community, who worked in the lime pits and brick kilns here, but also an active Chinese farming community, as well the Baweanese from East Java, many of whom worked as horse groomers at the former racecourse located at the present-day Farrer Park Field.
Travelers looking to immerse in the sights and sounds of Singapore’s heritage quarters can also explore Little India, a 20-minute walk from Kampong Glam. The cultural precinct was historically home to not only the Indian community, who worked in the lime pits and brick kilns here, but also an active Chinese farming community, as well the Baweanese from East Java, many of whom worked as horse groomers at the former racecourse located at the present-day Farrer Park Field.
When Captain Francis Light founded Southeast Asia’s first British settlement in Penang in 1786, he named the capital after King George III. Today, no visit to Penang is complete without a stroll through George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage town famous for its street art, colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses and stately homes such as Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where visitors can experience a day in the life of the early Straits Chinese settlers.
When Captain Francis Light founded Southeast Asia’s first British settlement in Penang in 1786, he named the capital after King George III. Today, no visit to Penang is complete without a stroll through George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage town famous for its street art, colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses and stately homes such as Pinang Peranakan Mansion, where visitors can experience a day in the life of the early Straits Chinese settlers.
Penang is equally known as a foodie destination, drawing from the many cultures that have left their mark on the culinary landscape. Visit Gurney Drive, a popular seafront hawker center, to sample local dishes including Char Kuay Teow, Assam Laksa, and Hokkien Mee.
To enjoy the island’s coastal landscape, take a boat ride inside Penang National Park to Monkey Beach, and make the 30-minute hike up to Muka Head Lighthouse to enjoy 360-degree views over the northwestern tip of the island.
Experience local healing traditions with a traditional Malay Urut massage at the spa, indulge in a beachfront seafood dinner as the sun sets over the Straits of Malacca, then browse for handmade souvenirs at the Batu Ferringhi night market right outside the resort.
A 40-minute flight or three-hour ferry ride from Penang, Langkawi is home to ancient rock formations, dramatic mountain peaks, and a lively town center. Explore geodiversity and biodiversity at Kilim Geoforest Park, one of three parks in the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. Here, visitors can discover the coastal mangrove forests where they can spot eagles, visit caves, and visit an island known for its fossils dating back 480 million years.
A 40-minute flight or three-hour ferry ride from Penang, Langkawi is home to ancient rock formations, dramatic mountain peaks, and a lively town center. Explore geodiversity and biodiversity at Kilim Geoforest Park, one of three parks in the Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. Here, visitors can discover the coastal mangrove forests where they can spot eagles, visit caves, and visit an island known for its fossils dating back 480 million years.
Set to open in early 2023, PARKROYAL Langkawi Resort offers travelers to the island contemporary guest rooms and seaview suites, as well as pool villas with direct access to the palm tree-speckled Tengah Beach where they can enjoy water sports and beach walks.
The architectural design and color palette of the resort draws inspiration from the reddish-brown eagle the island is believed to be named after, and immortalized in an iconic statue in Kuah Town.
For a taste of the destination, the chefs at the beachfront Lancava restaurant work with local farmers and producers to create a Southeast Asian menu inspired by the island.
Darling Harbor is Sydney’s harborside getaway with exciting dining districts and a world-class waterfront lifestyle. To appreciate the harbor’s well-known attractions from the water, sign up for an America’s Cup sailing experience, and set sail in one of the actual yachts from the world’s oldest international sporting competition. Learn more about the traditions and history of the Gadigal, the traditional custodians of Sydney, with an Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour at The Royal Botanic Garden.
Darling Harbor is Sydney’s harborside getaway with exciting dining districts and a world-class waterfront lifestyle. To appreciate the harbor’s well-known attractions from the water, sign up for an America’s Cup sailing experience, and set sail in one of the actual yachts from the world’s oldest international sporting competition. Learn more about the traditions and history of the Gadigal, the traditional custodians of Sydney, with an Aboriginal Harbour Heritage Tour at The Royal Botanic Garden.
Sydney Fish Market, one of the world’s largest, offers visitors the chance to experience a working fish port, where you can also book a tour to peek behind the scenes, and visit the auction floor where over 100 species of fish and other seafood are sold daily. Enjoy the catch of the day on the outdoor promenade at the fish market, or enjoy modern Australian cuisine and fresh seafood such as Ora King Salmon at Abode Bistro & Bar, located at PARKROYAL Darling Harbour.
Family-friendly attractions near the hotel include Wild Life Sydney Zoo, where visitors can get up close to animals including koalas, saltwater crocodiles, and kangaroos. You can also visit The Rocks, the city’s oldest historical precinct, and continue on to the Sydney Opera House, which is free to visit.
A 30-minute drive or a 1.5-hour scenic ferry ride on the RiverCat from Sydney city center brings travelers to the home of the Darug, Parramatta’s first people who settled here 60,000 years ago. Parramatta—whose name comes from the traditional custodians’ word “burramatta” meaning “place of eels”—is also the site of Sydney’s second European settlement. Parts of the original Elizabeth Farm, also known as the birthplace of the Australian wool industry, are the oldest surviving European buildings in the country.
A 30-minute drive or a 1.5-hour scenic ferry ride on the RiverCat from Sydney city center brings travelers to the home of the Darug, Parramatta’s first people who settled here 60,000 years ago. Parramatta—whose name comes from the traditional custodians’ word “burramatta” meaning “place of eels”—is also the site of Sydney’s second European settlement. Parts of the original Elizabeth Farm, also known as the birthplace of the Australian wool industry, are the oldest surviving European buildings in the country.
