Category: staycation

Photo: TripAdvisor

Who hasn’t heard of Marina Bay Sands Singapore? Nope, don’t answer that question. Even a hobo would have heard of this place. It’s the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. With the most awesome infinity pool ever.

With such an iconic hotel, there was a lot of people checking in when we were queuing. Even with a number of people checking it, the line move quite fast and before we know it, we had gotten our room key.

Going to different booking platforms to get the best rate, we saw that there were 2 different types of room – one with City view and the other with Garden view. The rooms with city views are more expensive than the Garden view. We mulled over which room to get cause naturally, the more expensive the room is, the better view we’ll get. However, we chose the Deluxe Room with Garden view instead. We did not regret our decision at all.

Photo: Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Our room had a balcony and it overlooks the whole Garden by the Bay. The best part was when GBB had the light show and we could watch the night show, not once but twice! Because of the room level that we had, it was the perfect place to watch the light show.

Photo: TripAdvisor

Our bathroom looked like this. With a separate his and hers wash basin. The shower area is together with the bathtub. To the left of this picture (you can’t see), is where the toilet bowl is at. Plus point is that the toilet bowl have it’s own door. So if you have to drop a deuce, the smell would be contained in the area.

Moving on to the best part, the Sands SkyPark Infinity Pool! Yes, that’s the best part and the main reason to this staycation. Who in the right mind would say no to a pool like that? No one!

Photo: Booking.com

The view from the Infinity Pool is magnificent no matter what time we visit. We went to the pool in the afternoon which was kind of hot since the sun was very bright and we went there again at night. The view of Singapore’s skyline at night was breathtaking. Not even the chilly wind and cold water stopped us from enjoying the view until our fingers pruned. Sadly there were a lot of people both times that we went up. We didn’t manage to take any great pictures without people photobombing us.

We didn’t have breakfast at the RISE Restaurant but we did have their dinner buffet there. Simply putting it, we loved the wide spread available! There were of course seafood available (oysters, lobsters, crayfish etc), Indian food, German Pork knuckles, sushi and many more. The dessert choices were insane as well. For those dessert lovers out there, go crazy on the food. They have a crepe station which allows guests to choose any topping from whipped cream to chocolate sauce and many more. Desserts were so good, Naddy practically inhaled the desserts!

RISE Restaurant have different themed nights when you dine in.

Tuesdays – Seafood Nights
Wednesdays – American Feast
Thursdays – Backyard Barbecue
Fridays – Mediterranean Delights
Saturdays – Singapore’s Local Favourites

Click here to know more about the themed nights.

Daily buffet dinner starts at $72 for adults and $38 for children (prices are excluding 10% service charge and GST).

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Marina Bay Sands Singapore

Room: Deluxe Room (Garden View)

Price: $580/night

Rate: 4.5/5

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Don’t you ever wonder what is that fancy hotel by the airport every time you went there? Most Singaporeans have seen Crowne Plaza Hotel but let’s admit, not a lot stayed there before because the only reason you’re at Changi Airport is to send someone off or take a flight to another country.

Most people would think of Crowne Plaza as a tourist hotel or catered more towards business travellers and superbly expensive due to its location. That was what I thought too until I went there for a staycation. Yes, that’s right. Crowne Plaza Hotel as a staycation destination? Say what??? No kidding though, the hotel is amazing with a capital A. And the best part is that the rooms aren’t very expensive!

Photos: IHG

I stayed in the Business King Room (photo above). The main reason to why I chose the room was because of the toilet. I am a sucker for beautiful toilets and bathtub. Unlike the Premier Room, the bathtub for Business Room is facing the runway! Yes, runway! While you are having a bubble bath or a deep soak in the bathtub, you can enjoy watching the planes taking off or landing. Fortunately for me, I got to see planes taking off and it was by far the best experience I ever had. Something about relaxing in the bathtub and watching planes take off is just so therapeutic. Oh, the best part of the bathtub is that it is big enough to fit 2 people! Perfect to snuggle up with one another in the tub while enjoying the scenery.

Close up image of the bathtub | Photo: The Shutterwhale

Another plus point in staying at Crowne Plaza is that the hotel is located at the airport! There are a lot of eateries in the airport that are open 24 hours or until 2 AM. Perfect for a late night supper or for those who loves taking midnight walks.

Don’t forget to take a dip in the pool. I have got to admit that Crowne Plaza have one of the nicer swimming pools in all of the hotel I’ve been to. Practically an oasis in the buzzing airport. There are little square area all over the pool which allows you to sit down in the water and just have a conversation.

Photos: TripAdvisor

Crowne Plaza Hotel is definitely one of the top hotels to go to have a staycation if you are planning to not leave the area. Gotta admit that travelling from Changi Airport to shopping districts like Orchard will be a long journey.

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Room type: Business King Room

Price: from $264/night 

Rate: 4.5/5

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Photo: Asiatravel.com

Moon 23 Hotel is located at 23 Dickson Rd, Singapore 209507

Located at Dickson Road, the nearest MRT to get to the place is from Little India MRT. There is quite a walk from the train station to the hotel, about a good 10 minutes walk. Since I have never been to this place yet alone Dickson Road before, I was lost and it took me a good 20 minutes to reach there.

The hotel is located near to Mustafa Centre, so those who would like to explore the 24 hour shopping centre or have a late night crave for snacks are in luck as the hotel is close to a 5 minutes walk from Mustafa Centre.

Upon reaching the hotel, the reception area was easily spotted. To our right there was a breakfast buffet line and tables and chairs for guests to sit on.

Photo: Moon 23 Hotel

There weren’t any problems checking in and in less than 10 minutes, I had the key to my room! Yay!

Okay, I know most people blogs about the Moonlight Suite when staying in Moon 23, however, when I stayed in the hotel, I did not even know of the suite let alone know there’s a freaking outdoor jacuzzi. So due to a very last minute booking and the lack of money (yes, everyone, I paid for the room with my own hard earn money), I booked the Standard Room.

When I entered my room, I was very disappointed with what I got. The room was small. Like meant for a mice kind of small. Alright, I exaggerated a bit, but hey! The room was really small. For the Standard Room, the square area is 16 sq.m and I got a queen bed. There was barely any space to walk. Take 3 steps and you would reach the bed. 1 step from the door and it’s the toilet.

Photo: TripAdvisor

I didn’t manage to take any photos of the room but this photo from TripAdvisor perfectly depicts the Standard Room size. I think my house master bedroom is bigger than this room. There wasn’t even a window in the room! The curtains are there to make it look as if there’s a window but nah, no windows at all.

Trust me, this room isn’t for people who are claustrophobic.

When I booked the room, I didn’t opt for the breakfast. Needless to say, all I did was to go out and buy food, come back to the room, watch shitty cable channels, find food and sleep.

I checked out the next day and that’s the end of my staycation. Albeit quite an unpleasant one, but I did manage to relax and have my own ‘me’ time. Would I come back? Only to try out their Moonlight Suite but for the other rooms? Nopes.

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Moon Hotel 23

Room: Standard Room

Price: from $100/night

Rate: 2.5 out of 5

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Oasia Hotel Novena is located at 8 Sinaran Dr, Singapore 307470

Part of the Far East Hospitality Group, Oasia Hotel is a stone throw away from Novena MRT station. A great place to stay if you’re looking for a hotel that isn’t buzzing in the CBD or town area but just near enough the shopping district to shop and eat to your hearts content.

The room that we stayed in was the Club Room. Suffice to say, we love the room and the perks that comes with it!

Upon checking in, there was a long queue and even though there is a special counter just for Club guests to check in, it still took very long. For those people out there that don’t have credit cards, there is a security deposit of $100 which is refundable upon check out.

When we entered the room, let’s just say, we totally like it. It was all wooden and the colour of woods just brings in tranquility to us.

Photo: Far East Hospitality

The photos taken by the hotel is true to the room that we gotten! We love how the black out screen works. Located right at the side of the bed, if the morning sun is too bright, you can easily reach to the control panel and black out the screen.

Photo: Far East Hospitality

The toilets were wonderful. Not too small and not too big. However, do note that the shower area isn’t covered. There is a transparent glass that lets you look out to the bed. Couples, if you’re open with one another, this might just be key factor to get your significant other join you in the shower. However, if you are the shy type, there is a curtain which allows the glass to be covered. The bathtub is enough to fit 1 person only so unless if you and your significant other is small size, maybe both of you can squeeze in together.

Moving on, not only do we love the room, we love the perks that comes with being a Club guest!

Firstly, Club Guests have access to their own private lounge!

Photo: Far East Hospitality

Yes, that infinity swimming pool there, is just for Club Guests. So if you booked your room during a non-peak hour (like we do), that swimming pool is all yours.

From 6 pm to 8 pm daily, Club guest gets to enjoy complimentary cocktail and all-day coffee, tea, juices, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks at The Living Room. Club guests also get to enjoy complementary breakfast at the Living Room.

The complimentary cocktail and refreshment is what we liked most about the Club privileges (well, second to the swimming pool). The view from the lounge is wonderful, not as spectacular as Marina Bay Sands but good enough for us.

All in all, we loved the stay at Oasia Hotel Novena. Definitely will be coming back again and maybe we’ll try the Club Suite next time.

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Oasia Hotel Novena

Room: Club Room

Price: from $280/night

Rate: 4.5/5 

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