A Singapore couple just paid US$2 million for a crazy romantic staycation, featuring 10,000 roses, diamond chopsticks, and a 18-course meal on a private jet, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore
by Rachel Genevieve ChiaWith Valentine’s day coming up, here’s one bit of news you might want to show your significant other: a Singaporean millionaire has just splashed out a jaw-dropping sum on what might possibly be the world’s most luxurious staycation for himself and his wife – and all for a good cause.
According to the diamond company that auctioned off the experience, proceeds from the trip taken by Malaysia-based angel investor Vincent Hee and his wife Jane will help young children in Nigeria get pneumonia vaccines.
Here’s every drool-worthy activity on the couple’s itinerary, which lasted from Monday (Jan 27) to Wednesday morning (Jan 29).
Here’s one date you’ll probably never top: a Singaporean millionaire has just splashed out US$2 million (S$2.7 million) to take his wife on a short staycation packed with insanely luxurious experiences – and all in the name of charity.
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World of Diamonds Group
Malaysia-based angel investor Vincent Hee, 43, won the 3-day trip, lasting January 27 to 29, in an auction by Russian diamond company World of Diamonds Group. He took his wife Jane with him.
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World of Diamonds Group
The millionaire, who has a Masters of Education from Australia’s RMIT University, is the director of Charis Montessori Preschool in Singapore, and involved in two other education businesses in China.
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World of Diamonds Group
The entirety of the staycation’s eye-watering price tag went to funding 20,000 pneumonia vaccines for children in Nigeria.
All the luxe experiences were donated by sponsors.
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World of Diamonds Group
World of Diamonds Group director Karan Tilani said he made use of the “undeniably spectacular allure and influence” of a luxurious trip to “put luxury in service of philanthropy.”
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World of Diamonds Group
On Monday (Jan 27), the Hees began what would arguably be anyone’s trip-of-a-lifetime with a sleek ride to dinner in a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Convertible.
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World of Diamonds Group
Their destination? 1-V:U, a restaurant boasting stunning views of the sea located on the upscale Sentosa Island.
The entire restaurant was booked just for the pair.
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World of Diamonds Group
On the specially-designed Diamond Menu was Wagyu beef, cured flounder, smoked pork, spiced duck, rice sorbet with Chinese ham, and grilled ice plant with fishbone bitter gourd milk.
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World of Diamonds Group
Later that night, the couple retired to a room bedecked in 10,000 roses in the nearby Outpost Hotel.
There was even an infinity sign made of roses installed on one wall.
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World of Diamonds Group
More roses covered a table on an outdoor patio.
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World of Diamonds Group
The next morning, they hopped onto a Ferretti 780 yacht for a cruise from Sentosa Cove – one of Singapore’s poshest addresses.
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Hong Seh Marine
The luxe yacht had stunning views of the ocean…
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World of Diamonds Group
… sun loungers on an open-air deck…
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Hong Seh Marine
… four fancy bedrooms…
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Hong Seh Marine
… and more chairs than two people could ever sit on.
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Hong Seh Marine
On board, the Hees toasted with Louis XIII cognac – the same kind Britain’s Queen Elizabeth drank on her trip to France in 1938.
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World of Diamonds Group
They shared the moment with Tilani, who tagged along for the ride.
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World of Diamonds Group
After an outfit change, the couple were ferried to a Bombardier Global 6000 jet in Seletar Airport owned by charter firm OJets, becoming the first citizens to drive a car onto the airport tarmac.
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World of Diamonds Group
In the air, the pair settled in for an 18-course dinner by renowned British chef Kirk Westaway, who runs Michelin-starred JAAN at City Hall.
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World of Diamonds Group
Westaway, who won Male Chef of the Year at the 2019 World Gourmet Summit Awards, worked out of the jet’s kitchen during the flight.
He said: “It is my mission to present our guests with an unforgettable meal that evokes nostalgia – through familiar yet elegant flavours of the finest seasonal produce the world has to offer.”
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World of Diamonds Group
While the chef cooked, the Hees drank vintage Dom Pérignon, Penfolds Grange 14, and Krug champagnes as the US$50 million jet cruised over Southeast Asia.
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World of Diamonds Group
Westaway emerged from the galley 18 times to present each of the dishes.
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World of Diamonds Group
The most lavish item was easily a tuna belly sashimi…
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World of Diamonds Group
… which the couple ate using diamond chopsticks worth US$17,000.
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World of Diamonds Group
They were allowed to take the chopsticks home after the meal.
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World of Diamonds Group
Other courses included a leek and potato soup with black truffle…
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World of Diamonds Group
… the “English Garden”, Westaway’s popular deconstructed salad…
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… a beetroot meringue with olive pearls and chive cream…
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World of Diamonds Group
… a Wagyu Tomahawk steak…
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World of Diamonds Group
… and angel hair pasta with caviar.
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World of Diamonds Group
At one point, the chef even pulled out an entire leg of Iberico ham and sliced it on the spot.
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World of Diamonds Group
The meal ended with a pretty pear tart…
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World of Diamonds Group
… and some chocolates, macarons, and more roses.
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World of Diamonds Group
As a parting gift, the Hees also got a 2.08-carat vivid blue diamond ring named after British-American actress Jane Seymour.
According to Forbes, the diamond’s size and saturation ranks it among the world’s rarest gems.
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World of Diamonds Group
Alas, the glorious meal was finished, and the pair left Seletar Airport for their new resting place for the night…
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World of Diamonds Group
… none other than the historic Raffles Hotel, which has hosted celebrities like Michael Jackson, Rudyard Kipling, and most recently Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton.
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World of Diamonds Group
Husband and wife bunked in one of the hotel’s two presidential suites, which start from S$15,000 per night (US$11,000).
Raffles Hotel claims these rooms are the grandest suites in the entire country.
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World of Diamonds Group
To end off their crazy rich staycation, the Hees enjoyed a final round of drinks, fruit, and fresh flowers.
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World of Diamonds Group
Read also:
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- I went on a S$1,000 staycation at Sentosa’s new Barracks Hotel – and it was every bit as glorious as the price tag promised
- I ate a super-luxurious, S$400 meal at Raffles Hotel’s Burger & Lobster – and everything but the miso burger was good