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