The year’s coming to an end. And, trust us, three months away is three months too soon when it comes to sorting out your end-of-year plans, especially if you intend to go on a staycation with your other half or with “framily” (friends and/or family).
It pays to be kiasu and plan now, since (probably) most of us will not get to travel for the year-end holidays and may end up opting for a hotel staycay on home shores. And, it pays even more to start by taking a look at these 3 hotels since they all offer promo deals for SAFRA members and are also all eligible for the use of SingapoRediscover Vouchers.
For the true-blue urbanite: Hotel Grand Central
Want to get away from your all-too-familiar housing estate, but not too far away? Then stay at Hotel Grand Central. Located on Cavenagh Road, between Dhoby Ghaut and Somerset MRT Stations, this Premier Business Class hotel is your prime go-to in terms of convenience and centrality while providing an affordable fuss-free stay.
How so? Well, for one, it’s ultra near the prime-shopping belt of Orchard Road – major malls orchardgateway, 313@somerset and Plaza Singapura are but a few minutes’ walk away – so you have a bounty of shopping and dining options available.
Secondly, its rooms are top value-for-money given the location and amenities. Choose from either a Deluxe Room or an Executive Room from the 263 available, all which were renovated in late 2015. Each room has large tinted double-glazed windows (so you get soothing daylight without the extra noise), comfy American-brand beds and an LED TV with a SMART-GC Box that allows you to access your personal content stored in your smart devices on the TV screen utilising its GC-Play feature. The best thing? You can actually book one for less than $90 a night (without breakfast) for two guests!
And, if you’re tired of all that retail therapy, you can always head to its rooftop pool to chill; its business centre or its fitness room to work on professional matters or your body; and grab bites at the Central Breakfast Room or the hotel’s casual diner, The Sojourn Cafe.
Hotel Grand Hotel, 22 Cavenagh Road, 229617, +65 6737 9944, http://grandcentral.com.sg; www.facebook.com/GrandCentralSg
BONUS: SAFRA members get to book a Plush Deluxe Double room package at $84.50++ per night with complimentary room upgrade, and 20% off total bill at The Sojourn Cafe at Hotel Grand Central. Click here for more information.
For lovers of the lush life: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
This 5-star hotel is how you either go big or go home. After a $45-million overhaul, the first of its kind “garden-in-a-hotel” in SG reopened in August this year. So, expect luxe digs with equally luxe and ecologically-friendly amenities and settings in this sanctuary situated in the heart of the Central Business District.
Let’s jump straight to the accommodations. And, boy, do you have choices from the 583 available. The Urban Room and the Lifestyle Room are suitably sized for a one-some or twosome, while the Signature Marina Bay Room is a similar offering that comes with a marvellous balcony-view of the Marina Bay. Nuclear families ought to pick the 4-member-friendly Family Room that comes with two connecting rooms and two bathrooms.
Want to go higher? Then opt for the COLLECTION Club rooms and suites that are perched on the top floors, that also offer you access to the COLLECTION Club Lounge and special privileges such as complimentary 2-piece laundry or pressing service per day and all-day refreshments (non-alcoholic). Whichever you choose (check ahead online for the individual room prices and details), the rooms all feel and look resort-ish, being all decked out with blonde wood, black-accented furnishings and eco-friendly, biodegradable bath amenities.
Then there’s the hotel itself. Designed by the late, renowned architect John Portman, there are soo many stunning features that you will be Instagramming your staycay 24/7. There’s the 21-storey-tall indoor skylit atrium, and within it, the immense overhanging floral sculpture by sculptor Richard Lippold. Then, there’s a 13-metre-tall green wall by local architect FDAT and larger-than-life sandalwood sculptures of ancient Chinese philosophers by Taiwan’s Ju Ming at the lobby for you to awe at.
Once you’re done gaping at art, drop your jaw and ease your bod at the facilities. The level-5 Skyline is its chill-and-relax concept that features an alfresco terrace, a poolside bar, an outdoor mineral water swimming pool that glows with 1,390 fibre-optic lights at night and a soft carpet lawn called the Green Space that overlooks the city skyline and is perfect for a spot of yoga.
After doing the Downward Dog and a swim, pamper yourself at the award-winning St. Gregory Spa. Or, bring the kids to check out the Urban Farm, the rooftop garden that’s home to more than 60 types of edible herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables, with its fresh produce supplied to many of the hotel’s dining spots.
Yes, about them eats. To try: the halal-certified buffet restaurant Peppermint, progressive Cantonese cuisine specialist Peach Blossoms, and cafe-by-day, bar-by-night Portman’s Bar (it’s named after the hotel’s architect). And… we’ll just stop here and let you book it to the hotel to find out more for yourself.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, 039594
+65 845 1188/1000, www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-collection-marina-bay.html; www.facebook.com/parkroyalcollectionmarinabay; www.instagram.com/parkroyalcollectionmarinabay
BONUS: SAFRA members get to book the Urban Room from $300 nett per room per night, as well as 20% off select F&B options at at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay. Click here and here, respectively, for more information.
For the indie-loving hipster: Wanderlust, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood
Feeling wanderlust? Then sate it somewhat at the appropriately-named Wanderlust. Imagine old-world Art Deco charm (circa 1920s), contemporary lifestyle vibes, and up-to-date facilities and amenities; and you have this hotel located within the Little India and Jalan Besar district, in a nutshell.
The 29 rooms here are perfect homes-away-from-home for youthful couples or those wanting an escape from a cooped-up family coop. With daily rates starting from the low hundreds, each of the three modern-looking room types are designed in a neutral grey palette warmed with tones of brown, and are fully outfitted with clever storage solutions and a queen-sized Simmons bed.
The compact Deluxe room (13-17 sq m) allows access to a launderette and a shared pantry area while the cosy Studio Premier (16-21 sq m) comes with a fully-stocked kitchenette. Meanwhile, the elegantly-appointed Studio Loft (14-25 sq m) lets you lead the city apartment loft lifestyle in a 2-storied pad with a working kitchen – great for those who want to cook their own meals without Mum’s fussing.
Or, if you prefer less mess, visit Kotuwa, the hotel’s bar & resto helmed by Chef Rishi Naleendra, that serves traditional curries, street eats and cocktails. Think Sri Lankan mud crab curry, chicken kottu and rotti, black pepper kithul (fishtail palm syrup) pork belly and bold, inventive drinks such as Galle Face Green (Navy strength Colombo Gin, mint, cucumber and green chilli) and Hikka (spiced Ceylon Arrack, Amaro Montenegro and kithul).
On hot days, relax at its open-air jacuzzi Rooftop Dipping Pool; on nice days, make like a tourist and take a walk around the Little India and Jalan Besar nabes.
Wanderlust, The Unlimited Collection by Oakwood, 2 Dickson Road, 209494, +65 6396 3322, www.oakwood.com/the-unlimited-collection/singapore/singapore/wanderlust; www.facebook.com/wanderlusthotelsg; www.instagram.com/wanderlust_hotel_sg
BONUS: SAFRA members enjoy 15% off best available rates at Wanderlust. Click here for more information.
