Capri by Fraser Singapore Hotel Review

Located at the Changi Business Park, Capri by Fraser Singapore is popular with executives working in the area during the week. The area transforms into a shopping hub for locals over the weekend as  it is just next to the Singapore Expo where different major retailers run outlet sales often as well as the Changi Shopping Point, a mall with primarily outlet stores.

Though a distance away from Orchard Road, this is where you would shop if you are into cheap sporting gear as sports brand outlets like New balance, ASICS, Puma, Crocs are just some of the brands you would find. In addition, supermarkets like FairPrice Xtra, discount stores like Daiso are also found just steps away from the hotel. What I like being located to shops is that when you are tired, just head back to rest, together with your purchases, and when ready, step out again!

Novotel on Stevens Singapore Hotel Review

Novotel on Stevens is located just off Orchard Road. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to Orchard Road which is a great idea as there is nothing around the neighborhood to see apart from exclusive condos and elite schools.

The wonderful thing about Novotel on Stevens is the luxurious you experience you get when you step into the hotel, right through the rooms, gym and pool. It is a pleasant hotel to stay in and chill out. My favorite places outside of the room is the gym as well as the lap pool. What was lacking in hotel ie food choices is easily made up with a short trip to Orchard Road.

Amara Singapore an overnight staycation in Singapore

My past two vacations were staycations in Singapore. I have begun too appreciate an instant vacation. One needs to simply check into a hotel and your holiday immediately begins. No need to pack a bag or spend additional hours in the airport. During the hazy period in Singapore, this proves to be a bonus, to get out of the haze, and into the air-conditioned comfort of a hotel room. With instant confirmation of online hotel booking sites like Booking.com and Expedia.com.sg, this makes checking into a hotel on a discounted rate so much easier.

In my recent staycation in Singapore, I chose the Amara Singapore hotel as it was going on a 40 percent discount. No discerning Singaporean will miss out on such a hotel deal right? So I am back to Tanjong Pagar area, which I have been a tourist for several times now, exploring one of Singapore's famed historic districts. The greatest benefit staying in Amara Singapore is that it is attached a small mall called 100AM. Over in the mall you can find one of my favorite supermarkets called NTUC Finest. They stock the freshest of fruits. So if you are in a healthy and clean eating program, this hotel is ideal, as all you need to do is head to the supermarket and stock up on fruits and salads. 

The hotel itself though having been refurbished is still a little worn around the edges, especially the bathrooms. The pillows are also incredibly used and uncomfortable. The rooms are a little larger than the new hotels around the area which is a bonus. Though the pool looks kind of inviting, I was unable to swim because of the hazy situation in Singapore. The fitness gym looks like it needs some serious overhaul to make it an inviting experience for gym, a poor comparison to the nearby Fitness First outlet at 100AM. All in all, Amara Hotel is a good stay if you need to be near Tanjong Pagar area, which is accessible to most parts of Singapore, close to the MRT, near amenities, yet is a little on the quiet side, away from the bustle of the Orchard area, and right in middle of the old conservation area to explore the quirks of what makes Singapore unique. 

Well if you are a foodie like myself, there is so many food choices in the Tanjong Pagar area, or if the weather is bad, simply head over to 100AM for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you are on budget, there is a foodcourt located on the top floor. If you are like me, who likes to sample the best of the area, I would go for Tori King, a delicious Japanese chicken ramen, I keep returning to on occasions. If you are into bread, Imperial Treasure Bakery on the ground floor serves delicious bread. And if you are a drinker, there is no shortage of pubs around. 

Amara Singapore Hotel Lobby

Dorsett Singapore review and wondering the streets of Tanjong Pagar

One of the activities that has begun to catch on in Singapore apart from eating is actually having a staycation. And that's just what I did in a recent week spurred by a friend's earlier invite to another staycation. Since it was a last minute decision (I booked moments before check in), I chose Dorsett Singapore as my hotel of choice just because they had a SG50 promotion happening. This meant I only had to pay $164 for a standard room, and that was a steal for a hotel located in the city.

Dorsett Singapore is relatively new, and as a result, the hotel room is really tiny. I had the standard room with no bathtub or seating area available. All the room had was just the bed and a view of Tanjong Pagar. It is a decent enough hotel stay if you don't intend to be in the hotel very long, but use it to rest and to explore the area. Plus of course, being a new hotel, everything is also newer and less worn. Dorsett Singapore seems to be more of a boutique hotel, and if you are after a proper business hotel, I would recommend the Carlton City Hotel or Amara Hotel nearby. But I must say, it is a definite deal that make the hotel staycation in Singapore worth it.

Dorsett Singapore

W Singapore - living with art in Sentosa, Singapore

I was blessed with a overnight stay at W Singapore just recently. A place that I had visited earlier in the year and now a chance to stay over. Most of the time I was in meetings which had a lovely view of the pool. The meetings rooms had interesting art pieces that would certainly attract the females! 

The guest room at was quite an experience for me. There was different mood lightings to play with in the room. Though I didn't like the bed and pillows itself as it was too soft for my comfort, my favorite part of the room was the bathroom that opened to the bedroom. I enjoyed the spanking clean bathtub perfect for a soak as well as the toiletries available. W Singapore is one of those hotels that you could walk in and not have to pack a toiletry bag with you as everything was provided.  

W Singapore Sentosa - harbor view

Swissotel Merchant Court, Clarke Quay, Singapore

Located central of Singapore, the Swissotel Merchant Court is a gorgeous enclave from the hustle of busy life in Singapore. The hotel is designed in a casual colonial style with Straits Chinese influence. It is situated just outside the Central MRT and next to Clarke Quay where the hippest and most happening watering hole and dining destination is located in Singapore. A few bus stops away is Chinatown one of the oldest settlement in Singapore, and a total sight to behold especially the month before each lunar new year.

I must say that I love the pool and gym area. The pool is large enough to allow you to swim laps and at the end of the pool is a man made waterfall. I love to stand under the waterfall as the water jets is strong enough giving you a good back massage. Don't be deceived by the smallness of the gym from first glance, there are actually 3 levels of it. The first level contains running machines and weights, 2nd level is the stretching area, and the third level houses cross training and rowing machines. Working out at the 3rd level is the best as you get to enjoy a great view of Clarke Quay. Personally I would have come to the gym more often had I known the existence of the 3rd floor, which I only did on my last day here.

Just next to the Swissotel Merchant Court is a relatively new and small mall called The Central. What's great about the mall is its many Japanese restaurants as well as Japanese supermarket found at the basement. Clarke Quay is also well known for Liang Court which also has a strong Japanese influence. In fact it probably is a place where most Japanese would shop and dine. Liang Court is about a 15 minute walk away from Swissotel Merchant Court. Do check out this little Japanese bakery called Tampopo Deli which is famous for fresh cream puffs and very light Japanese tea cakes.