The rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the city skyline, the South China Sea, and mountains in the distance. Touches of luxury abound, from the Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries to the Simmons beds with 400-thread count sheets. My appointed digs, the King Premier Room, is a spacious 69 sq m. It comes with a walk-in wardrobe, lounge area, and marble-clad bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and double vanities.
Ramos explains that the hotel is popular with Singaporean and Indonesian families who visit Xiamen to reconnect with their cultural heritage.
A FONDNESS FOR FUJIAN
There’s no doubt that interest in Xiamen and Fujian is increasing, especially since the mutual 30-day visa-free arrangement between Singapore and China came into effect in Feb 2024. In June 2024, Xiamen Airlines launched a new direct flight connecting Singapore and Quanzhou, becoming the first and only operator to ply this route. The airline operates twice-daily flights from Singapore to Xiamen, bolstering Singapore Airlines’ daily service.
For travel agencies like Chan Brothers Travel, bookings to Fujian, such as 8-day and 14-day packages, have doubled this year compared to 2019, said Jeremiah Wong, the company’s assistant director of marketing communications. “Fujian offers a blend of coastal charm, cultural heritage and eco-friendly attractions, catering to diverse traveller interests,” he explained.
Wong added: “It is worth noting that Fujian is a province where many Singaporean Chinese have deep cultural roots and many of them maintain close ties with relatives in their ancestral hometowns. Returning to Fujian for family visits not only provides an opportunity for reunion but also offers a chance to reconnect with one’s heritage.”
