Hotels

CitizenM New York Times Square is the first CitizenM property in New York City. A relatively new entrant in the hospitality scene, the CitizenM brand has been making waves since it launched its first property in Amsterdam in 2008. It positions its hotels in the affordable price range while offering heavily design-conscious fittings and high-end aesthetics. Self check-ins and the lack of a conventional front desk are hallmarks of the brand. During a trip to New York City, I wanted to see for myself how the proposition works and checked myself into their Times Square property for a night.

As mentioned, you check yourself into the hotel. I found a round table filled with around 8 computers when I entered the lobby. Self check-ins are almost unheard of in the hospitality industry (maybe except in Japan) but thinking about it, at least you won’t find yourself stuck in long queues. If there’s a problem, there’s always one or two “ambassadors” manning the booth to troubleshoot or to answer questions about going around New York City. They don’t act as your conventional reception or concierge or even bellhop. CitizenM deliberately hires actors instead of people coming from hospitality backgrounds to fill the part.

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Hotel Mazarin is a 102-room boutique hotel located just a few steps away from the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. One of the most highly-rated properties in the city, the hotel is part of the New Orleans Hotel Collection which also owns other properties such as Hotel Le Marais and Crowne Plaza New Orleans Airport. If your impression of New Orleans is of a city filled with charming 19th century European-style buildings, the quaintness of Hotel Mazarin certainly fulfills that image.

I stayed in Hotel Mazarin during a short trip to the Big Easy. As I was only there for a quick visit, I wanted to stay somewhere really convenient and this hotel’s location less than a block away from Bourbon Street and around two blocks from the streetcar that goes to the Garden District is definitely hard to beat.

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Need ideas on what to do during your next staycation? Here are a couple to consider for some serious rest and relaxation.

Go for a swim

pool at pan pacific serviced suites beach road

Singapore has no shortage of hotels with attractive pools. Luxury properties like Capella Singapore, Marina Bay Sands and Fullerton Hotel immediately come to mind. If you want an attractive infinity pool with sweeping views but without the crowds – the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road is a hidden gem. It’s a serviced apartment so you normally don’t find that many people using the pool. It’s also open to short-stays with a minimum of two nights so you don’t necessarily have to be an expat with a big housing allowance to stay there.

Other less-known but attractive hotel pools in Singapore include:

clockwise from left – mercure singapore bugis, capella singapore, crowne plaza changi airport, singapore marriott tang plaza

• Capella Singapore – its three-tiered pool creates the visual impression of a paddy field with its aquamarine hue
• Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza – with its newly renovated pool, you get the sense of space that makes you forget where you are. It’s especially wonderful to see at night when you get the sparkling lights of Ion Orchard in the distance
• Crowne Plaza Changi Airport – The thought of an airport hotel does not immediately appeal but the pool area is lush, akin to a resort. With the control tower of Changi Airport as backdrop, one gets a rare swimming experience that just can’t be had in other hotels
• Mercure Singapore Bugis – it can get quite crowded here at times but there’s no denying how scenic the views are of the surrounding skyline from the infinity pool
• Oasia Downtown Hotel – The property has a pool at its rooftop just for its club guests. It can’t get any more excusive than that!

Have a feast

lobster feast at parkroyal at kitchener road

We all know that eating is Singapore’s favourite pastime. Local hotels seem to have an endless array of dining options, from exquisite degustation menus to a bottomless buffet with culinary themes that change by the day. I have personally tried quite a few recently and one that I really like is the Sunday brunch at Mezza9 in Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Check out my list of hotel dining options here. Over 20 Singapore hotels covered.

Go on a movie marathon

Shangri-La Singapore’s Time Out Weekend Staycation package includes a movie marathon menu among other bells and whistles such as an in-room Bellini hour and afternoon tea at the lobby lounge.

If a hotel’s own movie collection can feel restrictive, you can bring your own set of films and stream them via the mobile responsive TVs – a new functionality in many hotels – from the comfort of your room

Work out

There are quite a few impressive fitness centers housed within Singapore hotels. Ritz Carlton Millenia’s gym is one of the largest hotel gyms in Singapore with a separate refreshment stand that allows guests to recharge with fruits as they do their workout. Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza’s fitness capabilities includes a basketball court with an unbeatable location right in the heart of Orchard Road. W Singapore – Sentosa Cove’s gym on the other hand offers personalized training sessions including TRX and Muay Thai.

Reconnect with loved ones

Kids Room at Swissotel the Stamford, (photo credits to the hotel)

A staycation presents a wonderful opportunity to spend time with loved ones after what has been a long working week. Whether it be to rekindle the fire with a significant other or to give children a wonderful place to play, hotels these days offer a plethora of packages to suit different demographic profiles. Here’s a sample of some staycation deals as of late:

• Four Seasons Singapore has a Family Staycation Package where kids get their own welcome amenity as well as bathrobes, slippers and toiletries for the little ones
• Swissotel the Stamford has a special kids’ room filled with toys, educational materials and child-friendly furniture to pamper the little ones
• Pan Pacific Singapore is offering a staycation package suitable for couples seeking a romantic getaway. Aside from your standard inclusions, the package also comes with dining credit that can be used at any of the hotel’s restaurants plus spa vouchers that can be used for the in-house spa
• Hotel Jen Tanglin is offering a unique “Green Staycation” valid til 30th October 2016 that comes with a distinct independent touch. You have inclusions such as sustainable drip coffee bags and organic luxury face oils
• Conrad Centennial Singapore is offering a 20th anniversary staycation package with rooms starting from $220++ per night inclusive of breakfast and a special edition 20th anniversary Conrad Singapore bear. The package can be booked here.

Explore the neighborhood

shophouses in katong

Singapore has quite a number of charming neighborhoods which could be explored in-depth if you stay nearby. I particularly like the Katong heritage district with its myriad of eateries and museums set within charming shophouses. Plenty of hotels are located within this area including Holiday Inn Express Katong, Hotel Indigo Katong and Grand Mercure Roxy which make for great properties for staycations even without considering the location.

Another neighborhood I quite like is the Balestier Road area. There are quite a number of attractions here such as the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Burmese Temple as well as a couple of shophouses with intricate facades. There are also a number of great eateries in the area. Accommodation-wise, the district is served by the Ramada and Days at Zhongshan Park.

Certain hotels organise tours for guests to participate in, free-of-charge. Intercontinental Singapore has a heritage tour held during weekends while The Fullerton and Fullerton Bay Hotel likewise has a tour covering the Raffles Place and Marina Bay area.

Catch up on some reading

During my staycation at The Club, housekeeping thoughtfully left a couple of English novellas by my bedside during turndown service. I thought that it was a nice touch. Not only was it something I’ve not encountered elsewhere, the books left were also thematic, with a topic centering on the night to help ensure a peaceful slumber.

Sip on some gourmet coffee

coffee machine at sofitel singapore sentosa resort and spa

The futuristic looking minibar at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa features some gourmet roasts from Illy Coffee, a notch or two above your standard Nespresso coffee maker. If you’re looking for some serious caffeine fix without having to leave your room, this is the place to do it.

Do nothing

Singaporeans have a great way of describing the art of doing nothing. Otherwise known as “nua-ing,” it is not at all a bad idea to relax and not have to worry about chores or having to cook over the weekend. Going on a staycation allows you to do just that with staff members at your beck and call. Some properties, like the St. Regis Singapore, even come with butlers who you can ask to pack/unpack your things, iron your clothes, do simple chores or make coffee/hot chocolate. How’s that for some serious “nua-ing” ?