By Helena Iveson

Sometimes airports can be such a bore. What with crazy queues at security and cramped seats and cardboard food on the plane, it's no wonder that "staycations" are one of the travel industry's top trends.

For Singaporeans, the popular island resort of Sentosa, just a quarter of a mile from the mainland, is a very popular staycation destination, though up to now the attractions have been more family-friendly than fabulous. And while the newly-opened Resorts World is attracting all the publicity, the ultra-exclusive hotel Capella Singapore is where travellers in the know are heading, armed with Gucci bikinis and the latest copy of Vogue.

From the moment you glide up the meandering private driveway to the two colonial buildings that serve as the hotel's reception area, the hustle and bustle of Singapore feels a very, very long way away. Star architect Lord Norman Foster restored the dazzlingly white bungalows, and also added a stylish, undulating space behind them which houses the bulk of the hotel's fabulous accommodation and two restaurants. This earthy red building mirrors the contours of Sentosa's terrain, and guests enjoy spectacular views out to the South China Sea.

And it's not just the views that are dazzling: the Capella's spacious Modern Asian style rooms come with a state-of-the-art touch screen which controls every aspect from air-con to the blinds, iPod docking stations with Bose speakers, a wall-hung plasma TV, a Nespresso machine coffee machine, a private balcony and a open plan bathroom with a deep stone bath.

Staff are far too well mannered and discreet to name their celebrity guests, but when we were there, it looked as though a couple of local A-list celebrities, armed with huge sunglasses to keep out prying eyes, were lounging by one of the cascading pools. In fact, Capella Singapore, is the kind of place that you can picture someone glam like Beyonce sashaying past one of the resident peacocks that freely wander around the tropical gardens. Who needs Bali when an island paradise is just a ten minutes' drive away?

Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Tel: +65 6377 8888
Web: www.capellasingapore.com

Photo Credits: Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island by mrreynolds; Capella Singapore courtesy of Capella Hotels.

Kingfisher Airlines, India's only Five Star airline rated by Skytrax, has launched new daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Singapore and Mumbai and Hong Kong. The flights on both these routes are operated using the new Airbus A330-200s configured with two classes - Kingfisher First and Kingfisher Class.

Kingfisher First passengers can enjoy a bar staffed with a bartender and a break-out seating area; an in-seat massager on every seat; mood lighting with starry sky; and in-seat chargers.

Kingfisher Airlines flight IT 071 takes off from Mumbai at 10:55pm and arrives in Hong Kong at 8:05am. The return flight IT 072 takes off from Hong Kong at 2:05pm and arrives in Mumbai at 5:50 pm.

Kingfisher Airlines flight IT 029 takes off from Mumbai at 11:05pm and arrives at Singapore at 7:05am. The return flight IT 030 takes off from Singapore at 10:15am and arrives in Mumbai at 1:05pm.

Chic boutique, Naumi, sits right next to the grand dame of Singapore's hotel scene, Raffles. Where Raffles oozes colonial charm and splendour, Naumi flaunts cutting-edge design and contemporary cool.

The lobby houses big pod chairs in its blue-lit bar; the hotel's façade boasts a quirky steel and foliage sculpture; the small rooftop infinity pool offers more pod-like chairs to relax and admire the view in; every hotel guest has an "aide" to ensure that their stay in Singapore is as stress free and personalised as possible.

Naumi's 40 rooms are large and their huge double beds decadently luxurious. Every room is equipped with a free mini-bar that is restocked daily, a Nespresso machine, kitchenette or pantry, en-suite bathroom, iPod dock, 42" to 50" flatscreen TV that you can rotate to watch either in bed or on the sofa, desk area and yoga mat. Suites are well worth splashing out for: they come with a good sized living area, big bathrooms with free standing baths and, in some cases, a private patio. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel and local landline phone calls are complimentary.

Solo female travellers can sleep easy knowing that there's a women's only floor, separated from the rest of the hotel by a glass security panel. Here satin room accessories and Aesop skincare products abound. The hotel even offers special aromatherapy baths in the privacy of your own room. Heaven.

Naumi is located in the heart of the central business district on Seah Street, which has mercifully been spared the faceless corporate makeover that nearby streets have suffered. Many of Singapore's attractions are within easy walking distance (yes, even in the city's infamous humidity!).

Fitness fiends are in safe hands; the hotel offers three fitness rooms catering to yoga bunnies, runners and weights lovers alike.

Room rates start at 360 Singapore Dollars per night (£150 / US$240).

Naumi Hotel: 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396 Tel: +65 6403 6000; Fax: +65 6403 6010; Email: naumiaide@naumihotel.com; Web: www.naumihotel.com.

Walking through Singapore yesterday I spotted this sign and had to take a picture. It sort of summed up the place for me. I think they could do with a couple of these signs up in Shanghai (sorry Shanghai, but getting on a bus with you is never that much fun).

This Wednesday Singapore's Changi Airport opens its brand new terminal; eat your heart out Heathrow.

Changi Terminal 3 is set to be a high-tech wonder. Boasting innovative "see-through" design (think lots of glass and natural light to make it easier for passengers to navigate their way around) and a five-storey high "Green Wall" vertical garden (complete with waterfalls and climbing plants), Changi may well snatch Hong Kong's best airport crown in 2008.

Air passengers will also benefit from over 100 shops, including an Apple i-Store, and numerous restaurants.

"Customers will now enjoy the benefits of having access to two world-class terminals – state-of-the-art facilities, modern design, thoughtful service and of course, more choice," said Yap Kim Wah, Senior Vice President of Product and Services for Singapore Airlines.

The new terminal, which adds 28 gates, will have eight that are able to facilitate the new A380 Airbus.

Little wonder it cost 1.75 billion Singapore dollars to complete.

On Friday iloho caught up with CNN anchor and business travel guru, Richard Quest, during the Hong Kong stop of his Asia tour. Billed as “a voice of authority” on the Airbus A380 we were eager to get all the nitty gritty on this behemoth of the skies.

You’ve probably seen the news about Singapore Airlines grounding the hopes of amorous airborne couples by now: no sex on board the A380 please, we’re Singaporean etc. Well, Richard Quest, who flew on SQ’s maiden A380 voyage has a couple tips for mile high club wannabes and we’re going to share them with you here:

Tip 1: Be very careful in the first class suites

They aren’t completely sealed and have no sound proofing. The diminutive Singaporean air hostesses can’t see over the top of the privacy screens, but the airline’s taller passengers can. So, please, do everyone on board a favour and keep the cord on those first class pyjamas firmly tied.

Tip 2: Business class is where it’s at

If you’re a determined in-flight fumbler there is, according to Mr. Quest, a bathroom in the front of the business class cabin (left-hand side) where there’s enough room for “a veritable orgy”. Amorous couples should head there instead and save a few thousand dollars in the process.

So there you have it, quest over.