F1 Singapore Grand Prix

via Air France and Emirates First Class

September 2023

Off to Singapore

I’m off for a weekend in Singapore and my first F1 race. After the usual garbage United positioning flight, it’s 24 hours in Air France La Première. Then home via Emirates First Class. And fabulous PS LAX at both ends of the trip to make it a truly enjoyable 5 days.

Miserable DIA PreCheck security where even CLEAR+ is packed.

Time to check out the new United Club, supposedly the largest United Club in the world.

OK, this is pretty cool... a craft beer bar.

Denver to Los Angeles

United UA 1013

757-300

11:15am-1:00pm

September 14th, 2023

And the usual garbage United premium boarding, where half the plane is preboards or Group 1.

My Instagram video of today's United flight to Los Angeles

PS Private Suite at LAX

PS at LAX

PS at LAX, the Private Suite terminal at LAX, is the best part of LAX and the ultimate way to avoid the mess that is LAX. My PS rep met me in the jet bridge at my arriving United flight, and escorted me down the jet bridge stairs to my private limo across the tarmac to the PS terminal. Today I had nearly 5 hours relaxing in the outdoor Garden, doing a little work and enjoying some great food and drink.

The PS Salon at LAX.

But I headed outside to the garden on a gorgeous afternoon.

Caviar? Why not.

Even a Birthday cupcake.

Delicious flatbread.

Even a little wine tasting

Just under an hour before my LAX-Paris departure, I did private TSA and then to a waiting limo for the drive around the LAX tarmac to Gate 206 of the Bradley Terminal and my Air France flight to Paris. Once again, fabulous PS at LAX is the best way to deal with LAX.

My Instagram video on my afternoon with PS at LAX.

Air France La Première to Paris

Air France La Première from Los Angeles to Paris

So excited to be back in Air France La Première and the elegant private single row 4 seat cabin. And for more than 24 hours with not one but two long-haul flights… LAX to Paris and then Paris to Singapore. Even better is that my flights are all on Flying Blue miles! Excellent service, good food, wonderful champagne and an excellent Bordeaux.

My seat/suite 1A.

What a nice way to start the flight, pre departure LPGS.

Today's menu.

And wine list. Except for the champagne, not even close to Emirates quality and variety.

Showtime.

Tonight's amuse bouche... scallop and shitake mushrooms, salmon with espelette pepper, chorizo and mozzarella.

Duck breast and duck confit salad... meh.

Cream celery and carmelized apple soup... delicious.

Lamb fillet in a lemon and rosemary crust with juniper sauce, apple and celery purée, braised brussel sprouts.

Wonderful.

Bedtime!

After a good 6 hour sleep, approaching the French coast.

On time arrival at CDG, taxiing past a sister 77W.

My Instagram video of my Air France La Première flight to Paris.

La Première Lounge at Paris CDG

Air France La Première Lounge at Paris CDG

There is no better First Class ground and connection experience and Lounge than the Air France La Première experience at Paris CDG. La Première passengers are met in the jet bridge of their arriving flight by a personal assistant and then driving by private limo to the fabulous La Première Lounge, the best airport lounge in the world and the only lounge with a Michelin star chef.

The La Première Lounge features an Alain Ducasse restaurant with great food although wine selection continues to be disappointingly mediocre.

After a relaxing afternoon, we enjoyed a fabulous Alain Ducasse dinner.

Iconic coquillettes jambon/truffe noir...

And the amazing beef aux poivres.

And my Instagram video of my afternoon at the La Première Lounge

Air France La Première to Singapore

Air France La Première Paris to Singapore

After a relaxing 6 hours in the La Première Lounge, our personal assistant escorted us downstairs to our private Porsche ride to our Singapore flight.

Since we had just eaten, we both went to sleep. I slept for nearly 9 hours which is the most I can ever recall sleeping inflight.

Excellent La Première service as usual and good food once I finally woke up.

Showtime...

Delicious tomato and melon gazpacho.

Fabulous foie gras with red wine and poached pear.

Sea bream fillet with verbena.

French cheese selection.

Back to bed.

Arrival service was wonderful with each of us getting our own personal assistant and private golf cart ride to immigration and even beyond to our Grab ride into the city.

Instagram video of our Air France La Première flight to Singapore.

St. Regis Singapore

St. Regis Hotel Singapore

When the F1 comes to town, all the good hotels are booked years in advance. Of the remaining lesser hotels, we made the mistake of selecting the St. Regis, a sorry Marriott relic out of the 1980s.

The rooms were nice and the only good thing about the hotel… but the room lighting controls are antiquated, inconveniently located and disfunctional. Desk lamp was broken. The thermostat was wonky such that it was either too cold or too warm. TV controls were a mess. We only ate breakfast there and everything was mediocre. Service was generally awful. The Astor Bar was disappointing. Then there was the miserable front desk. The check-in clerk was pleasant enough and immediately confirmed at late 2pm Monday check-out adding that if the room was not needed on Monday, they would extend check out until later. When I went to check on extending check-out, a different agent insisted no way, which some hidden manager confirmed. Don’t even think about staying at this place.

My Instagram video on the St. Regis.

Dinner at Michelin 3* Les Amis

Dinner at Michelin 3 star Les Amis

What a wonderful dinner tonight at Michelin 3 star Les Amis restaurant… and in the cozy private chef’s table. Amazing food, presentation and flawless service. And sensational wine pairing from our sommelier Nathalie .

Tonight's wonderful menu.

Our excellent server Sean.

Parisian style egg mimosa with caviar and savoury coulis.

Amazing!

Incredible Langoustine from Loctudy.

Roasted Challans duck breast with ginger caramel pear.

Wagyu beef tenderloin with aromatics, natural jus and crisp potato soufflé.

And a tasty birthday Rum Baba.

Just a sample of an amazing wine cellar.

After dinner, we headed over to the cool Atlas Bar which boasts an incredible Gin list of more than 1,400 different gins.

My Instagram video of our wonderful meal at Les Amis.

Lunch at Imperial Treasure Cantonese

Lunch at Imperial Treasure Cantonese

Sunday is race day and we headed to Great World mall for a late lunch at a fabulous Cantonese restaurant.

Roasted Pork. OMG!

Sautéed Prawns with Singapore Style Chill Sauce.

Wow, the Deep Fried Cod was to die for.

Roasted Crispy Chicken. Amazing.

What a great lunch and we're stuffed!

F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix

After lunch we headed over to the F1 venue to beat the crowd and to soak up the atmosphere. Lots of great people watching, expensive drinks and music concerts from oldies group Madness and much more current and excellent Kings of Leon. We had hoped to see Post Malone Saturday night but just ran out of time with our 3+ hours at Les Amis.

Tempting LOL.

Checking out our seats...

... then back to The Wharf stage for Kings of Leon.

Race time...

Carlos Sainz wins!

Instagram videos:

F1 Singapore Grand Prix Pre-race fun

F1 Singapore Grand Prix Race

Lunch at Raffles Singapore

Lunch at Raflles Hotel - Bar & Billiard Room

Our getaway day lunch was at iconic Raffles Hotel which has recently been renovated and is stunning. Bar & Billiard Room is now a wonderful Italian themed Alain Ducasse restaurant. Gorgeous décor and delicious food, and my first of two Alain Ducasse meals today.