singapore staycation

Hotel Review: Ibis Singapore Novena

November 21, 2015 by Bino 2 Comments

Nestled close to the geographic heart of Singapore, Ibis Singapore Novena is one of just a handful of budget international chain hotels in the city. It is Accor’s second budget property in Singapore, after the Ibis Bencoolen which opened some 6 years back to much success as it was the first international chain hotel in the budget category to have opened. Being no stranger to Ibis hotels and having stayed in the Bencoolen property previously, I wanted to check out the nuances of the Novena property so I checked in during one recent weekend.

Located in Balestier Road, Ibis Singapore Novena is situated close to many of the area’s famous restaurants. The Balestier area is particularly known for bak kut teh and for chicken rice so staying here will definitely put you in close range to these local favorites. There are also a couple of tourist attractions within walking distance, such as the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall and the Burmese Temple. The hotel is equidistant to both Toa Payoh and Novena stations which are about one kilometer away but there is a complimentary shuttle bus service which runs hourly in the day during weekdays and brings guests not just to the nearest MRT station but also to Orchard Road.

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Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza: Luxurious Hotel In the Heart of Orchard Road

November 14, 2015 by Bino 2 Comments

One of Singapore’s most iconic hotels, the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza majestically stands in the intersection of Orchard and Scotts roads with its distinct green pagoda roof and unique octagonal shape. Anyone who has been to Orchard Road would be hard-pressed to miss this hotel. With its location just above Orchard MRT Station, this property is also one of the most convenient in the city. Last week, I checked out the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza via a staycation.

Entering the lobby, I was amazed by the high ceiling. In comparison with other hotels in Singapore, the property does not boast of an opulent grand lobby but the floor-to-ceiling height which is about 3-storeys tall creates a spacious environment for those lounging around or for guests waiting to check-in.

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Hotel Review: Dorsett Singapore

November 7, 2015 by Bino 1 Comment

There is something about Singapore’s Chinatown district that makes it a perennial favorite. Beyond the tourist trap bazaars, I have always admired the well-preserved shophouses and stately clan houses in this area which in recent years have been transformed into hipster cafes, underground bars and offices for start-ups. A hotel in Chinatown automatically gets plus points in my book just for being there. While most options these days are boutique properties, large full-facility hotels have also sprouted up lately, the most notable being Dorsett Singapore. Located just above Outram Park MRT station, it is conveniently located with Bukit Pasoh Road’s numerous restaurants located just next door. During one recent weekend, I had the opportunity to check out the Dorsett Singapore via a staycation.

Coming from Outram Park MRT station, there is a lift with Dorsett Singapore’s label on it that brings guests close to the hotel lobby. As I made the short walk, I could not help but notice the many dining options at the hotel’s doorstep. Dorsett’s entrance is at the end of the block. My check-in was straightforward and quick. I had actually arrived a few hours before the standard check-in time but the front desk was nice enough to inform me that my room was already available.

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Hotel Review: Ann Siang House – An Unexpectedly Hip Staycation

October 23, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

It has been a while since I’ve stayed in a boutique property. Most recently, I was invited to Ann Siang House, a boutique 20-room hotel right smack at one of my favorite places in Singapore, in Ann Siang Road near the tourist attractions of Singapore’s Chinatown. While most boutique hotels do not come with full-service F&B options, Ann Siang House boasts of not one but four bars and restaurants with each having a distinct proposition.

During the grand opening, I was able to try out the various wine and dine venues. Right by the lobby of the hotel is the former Mr and Mrs Maxwell, a casual dining venue by day and a speakeasy in the night. Upon check-in, I was served a welcome drink by the bartender – a refreshing lychee concoction that served to mark the beginning of my stay. A staff member then led me to my room.

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Capella Singapore Staycation Review – Still My Favorite Resort

October 18, 2015 by Bino 1 Comment

A staycation over the weekend is something I always look forward to after a busy week at work. Despite the dozens of hotel stays I’ve had in Singapore in the past few years, there is none other that gets me all perked up than at the property where I had one of my first staycations in Singapore, Capella Singapore. A popular venue for weddings, brunches and staycations, the property sits at the apex where getaways in Singapore are concerned. I have such fond memories of the service standards from that stay, so much so that certain elements of it have gone on to become anecdotes that I use sometimes as a conversation starter.

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My Stay At the Fun & Vibrant Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore

September 12, 2015 by Bino Leave a Comment

Of all the Hotel Jen properties around the world, none probably encapsulates the travel-savvy persona as much as the Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore which is currently undergoing a major transformation. I remember visiting a couple of times when it was known as Traders Hotel, back when the brand proposition was unabashedly for business travelers. The property’s current incarnation as Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore – aside from the retention of the hotel facade – sure doesn’t give any hint of the property’s history. A pervasive youthful vibe runs through the halls of the hotel. Gone are the staff members in suits. The same folks are now wearing bright and cheery outfits while little details add a sense of wonderment to guests’ experience which the property calls “that Jen feeling.”

I had the opportunity to check out the Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore during one weekend. Located at a quieter side of the Orchard shopping belt, it is close to Tanglin Mall as well as walking distance to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Although I’m no stranger to the Hotel Jen chain or to the Shangri-la Group (which the brand belongs to), I wanted to witness the transformation process that’s being implemented by the group as a result of the rebranding of Traders hotels to Hotel Jen in 2014. When I stayed at Hotel Jen Manila earlier this year, I managed to witness the change in the soft product. With Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore, it was a peek into both the soft and hard product – the property’s at the tail-end of segueing into the Hotel Jen look.

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An Unbelievable Staycation at Pan Pacific Singapore

October 13, 2014 by Bino 6 Comments

For over 27 years, the Pan Pacific Singapore has managed to achieve a somewhat rare feat for a hotel in this ever-changing country – it’s kept itself constantly relevant and popular. One would be hard-pressed to find another hotel in the city state that has been around for this long and continues to receive award after award and be equally popular among guests. Thanks to an $80 million renovation in 2012, the hotel has managed to stay fresh and most importantly, interesting throughout all these years.

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Hotel Review: Crowne Plaza Changi Airport – Why It’s Simply One of the World’s Best Airport Hotels

August 16, 2014 by Bino 4 Comments

As an all too familiar sight whenever I visit the airport, the immense facade of the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore has always piqued my curiosity, like a monument that greets me as I anticipate the start of a trip or savor the familiar smell of home. Despite sitting right next to Changi Airport Terminal 3, this premium hotel by the IHG Group certainly feels much more than your average transit hotel that caters to passengers with flight delays or cancellations. It has constantly ranked within the top airport hotels of the world, and for one weekend, I went to check out what all the attention was about.

Update 2016: I went back to have another staycation at this property after they opened their new wing. You can check out my review of the Business King room at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport here.

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