While you're out enjoying all that Singapore has to offer, remember to observe good hygiene measures and practice safe distancing. Stay safe!
You know what they say: all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. In the past year, many of us have sacrificed vacation time in exchange for the constant hustle of work. So what’s stopping you from a classic treat-yo-self-day? It doesn’t hurt to indulge every once in a while. Plus, a well-deserved break is long overdue.
Out with run-of-the-mill outings, in with luxury escapes! Think stellar hospitality and impeccable services that make you feel like royalty. Here’s a list of luxurious destinations in Singapore to keep in mind for your next weekend getaway!
1. Capella Hotel
A luxury resort nestled on exquisitely refurbished grounds, Capella is the place to be for some blissful isolation. Sick of the four walls of your house? You’d be surprised how a change of environment does wonders to our well-being.
Capella hits the spot for fatigued souls with its 112 hotel rooms, suites, and villas. If you’re feeling extra fancy, consider a stay at their contemporary Colonial Manors — they’re found on the fringes of the estate, boasting king-size beds, a spacious outdoor terrace with sunbeds, and private lap pools. Plugging into your earphones as you bask in the sun is a pretty therapeutic experience, we reckon!
Enjoy some added perks too, such as complimentary in-room hotel refreshments and a personal assistant round the clock. At a whopping 436sqm, these manors provide ample space and thus make for the perfect family staycation.
Have we told you that these are restored Tanah Merah Colonial Manors dating back to the 1880s?
What else is there to expect? Well, unlike towering skyscrapers that most city folks like us are so used to, Capella offers unobstructed views of the stunning South China Sea. You’d be able to get a taste of unmatched flavours at restaurants like The Knolls too — an all-day dining destination that serves exquisite Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Indulge in a wide variety of dishes from homemade starters like croquettes served with iberico ham and brava sauce, to nougat glacé, a creamy and delicious frozen dessert with a mix of organic honey, citrus peel, and pomegranate sauce. Fancy!
Address: 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
2. The Ritz Carlton
Now, if you’re searching for an ultra-chic hotel staycation, turn to The Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore, a five-star hotel that’s artsy both inside and out. A mother-of-pearl dome ceiling greets visitors from the start — extending from the driveway to the main lobby — then to a jaw-dropping interior paired with extravagant artwork. A majestic fibreglass sculpture by Frank Stella hangs in the main lobby, and is just one of the hotel's 4,200-piece art collection of works by renowned artists like Dale Chihuly, Andy Warhol and Henry Moore.
Fun fact: 90 per cent of its art pieces were specifically commissioned for the hotel. You can even embark on an augmented reality art tour by simply scanning a QR code located at the Concierge Desk. It’d feel as though you’d be living in a grand museum!
Sporting a wood-toned colour palette, Ritz Carlton’s rooms emanate a dazzling and inviting ambience. The hotel has a total of 608 guest rooms — with each bathroom offering panoramic vistas and sky-high views of Marina Bay, Singapore Sports Hub, or the Kallang River precinct. Sit in the bathtub and admire the scenery while sipping on your favourite tipple!
Fancy some free flow champagne for breakfast? Head on up to the 32nd floor where you’ll find the club lounge. It serves its flagship Ritz-branded champagne.
That’s not all. Just this year, The Ritz Carlton also unveiled a new East Wing which features the Republic — a unique bar that offers an extensive cocktail menu devoted to a narrative of historical anecdotes from the 1960s. Sit back and imbibe on fancy drinks while listening to bartenders share stories of the revered “Mystical Beast” that was once spotted on our tiny island!
Address: Marina Bay 7, Raffles Ave, Singapore 039799
3. Dream Cruises
A hotel staycation may sound amazing, but it’s not always everyone’s cup of tea, especially those who want a total change of scenery. For the more adventurous folks, why not hop on a cruise to nowhere?
Dream Cruises is known to be Asia’s luxury cruise line and the World Dream is the newest ship in its fleet. Oh, and it also hosts Singapore’s first Covid-secure cruise holiday. These are just like regular cruises, except that the ship won’t be sailing to any destination in particular. No stepping on foreign lands, either.
Nonetheless, sailing on open sea makes for an unforgettable experience.
Designed to provide the utmost comfort, the cruise offers the finest experiences — soak in the fresh sea breeze, or take your mind off the stresses of city life by booking a first-class stay at the luxurious Palace Suite. On top of an uninterrupted, majestic view of the sky, sea, and horizon, you can also expect exclusive privileges. Some of these include a personal butler service, complimentary access to the Spa and kids programmes, as well as set meal entitlements across various specialty restaurants. That is, if you can bear to leave the most comfortable bed comprising Italian luxury linens and a downy duvet of course!
Those looking to simply unwind and rejuvenate can also turn to the Crystal Life Spa to revel in a full-body massage, detox facial, sauna and steam room onboard.
4. Odette
People say that you are what you eat. So if you’re up to feeling like a star (even for just one night!), be sure to check out Odette.
Helmed by award-winning Chef Julien Royer, Odette is an esteemed three Michelin-starred restaurant housed within National Gallery Singapore. But it's accolades go way beyond just that. In both 2019 and 2020, Odette was also ranked No.1 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants — a prestigious feat that’s certainly worth celebrating.
Essentially, Odette is a fine dining destination that serves modern French cuisines with a touch of Japanese influences. Chef Julien is exceptional in his craft, and it's evident in the way his dishes are presented.
Unique combinations of flavours? Check. Aesthetic plating? Check. The menu offers a comprehensive range of dishes — one of which being their signature Rosemary Smoke Organic Egg in which an egg is served in a glass globe above smoked rosemary leaves. We love a dish that makes a dramatic entrance!
Another signature is the French Poulette — chicken breast drowned in creamy Albufera sauce with an added element of mini foie gras croquette. Worth an occasional hole in the pocket, if you ask us.
Address: 1 St Andrew's Rd, #01-04 National Gallery, Singapore 178957
Opening hours: Opens daily from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
5. Shoukouwa Restaurant
We might not be able to visit Japan any time soon, but we sure can taste its flavours. Shoukouwa is the only two-star Michelin restaurant in Singapore that specialises in sushi, and they’re known for bringing the freshest seafood to our shores.
How fresh? Well, ingredients of the highest quality like Ark Shell (Akagai) and Botan Ebi are flown daily from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market right into the hands of head chef Kazumine Nishada, who holds decades of experience honing his craft. Sit back and relax as you watch him wield his blades in swift perfection!
In fact, the chefs of Shoukouwa work in tandem with a handful of select suppliers to ensure that diners receive the best quality ingredients; one that serves to create a memory of a lifetime. With no more than eight seats, guests get to enjoy personalised attention from chefs within an intimate space. With a front-row seat to watch top-notch sushi being prepared, it doesn’t get any less sumptuous than this. Whipping out your smartphone to snap memories of this gastronomical theatre is surely worth it!
The dishes may look deceptively simple, but don’t be fooled by their looks. There are two menus available: a 13-course or 15-course meal, priced at S$380 and S$450 respectively. Expect a mouth-watering Mozuku Seaweed with Vinegar Sauce as one of its appetisers; where rich, umami creaminess from the bafun uni blends harmoniously with the conch and mozuku, a brown seaweed from Okinawa.
Every chosen ingredient — from abalone, to sake and kelp — is carefully selected to bring a symphony that melts in the mouth. Truly… a chef’s kiss. Another great one to look out for is their Black Throat Seaperch. In this dish, the seabass is freshly grilled over charcoal and served on a warm rice in a bowl; perfected with a tiny squeeze of lime. Yums!
Address: 1 Fullerton Rd, #02-02A One Fullerton, Singapore 049213
Opening hours: Lunch - Tuesday to Saturday, 12:15pm to 3:00pm; Dinner - Tuesday to Sunday, 6:00pm/8:15pm to 10.30pm
6. Remède Spa at St. Regis Singapore
All work and no play can leave us in serious need of destressing and recharging. If you’re on the hunt for some head-to-toe pampering, then Remède spa is the place to be. It’s state-of-the-art spa laboratoire is located in St. Regis Singapore — one of the best hotels in the world.
Remède Spa is known for its bespoke services — from facials and body treatments, to an award-winning Pedi:Mani:Cure studio by renowned pedicurist Bastien Gonzales. Its facilities include Cedarwood Finnish saunas, steam chambers, jacuzzi, an outdoor spa pool and more.
Inspired by Moroccan practices, the spa also offers a signature Black Soap and Rhassoul Hammam Ritual. For those not in the know, hammam is an ancient Middle Eastern steam bathhouse inspired by ancient Romans. A gentle scrub of black soap and purifying rhassoul (a natural mineral clay) packed with essential nutrients helps to rid the skin of all impurities. The ritual is topped with a regenerating face and scalp treatment that leaves your skin feeling like a newborn’s. If you’re looking for a spa resort getaway experience, this hotel nails it best!
Address: 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm
7. Raffles Spa
The Raffles Hotel is among the few iconic landmarks that place Singapore on the world map. It is, after all, one of the few remaining 19th-century hotels in the world. Following a two-year restoration process, Raffles reopened its doors after a major enhancement in both aesthetics and services in 2019.
Hotel aside, the Raffles Spa has also been refurbished — it’s now a seven-suite facility easily accessible within the Raffles Arcade, perfect for those seeking some quality me-time in the heart of the civic district. The new spa is a holistic sanctuary for both the ladies and gents, with features like restorative treatments as well as a private room for special occasions like romantic getaways or birthday parties.
One of its many noteworthy features is The Gem, a standalone suite with its own onsen-like vitality pool, massage beds and bathroom. While you’re there, be sure to try The Gemstone Massage. Pairing natural properties of gemstone crystals with organic botanical oils, this 90-minute massage is a blissful, therapeutic experience that serves to alleviate all body tension and pent-up stress. Truly a luxury daycation escape!
Other spa facilities include an aromatic steam room and ice fountain which are great to check out in between treatments.
Address: 1 Beach Road Raffles, Singaore 189673
Opening hours: Open daily from 10:00am to 7:00pm
Time for a luxurious retreat at home
It's healthy to hit the pause button every now and then. There’s never been a better time for some quality pampering sesh, whether it’s a few days on a Dream Cruises ship or a hotel staycation with access to private pools, spa treatments and more. At the end of the day, lavish self-love goes a long way for our mind, body, and soul.
Go on and treat yourself!
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