3D2N IMPERIAL SUITE EXPERIENCE at Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson

Lady M and I were considering a few places when it comes to going for our first trip of the year. We thought of Yunnan, but the air ticket was slashed to half if we were to postpone the trip just by two weeks. We considered the resorts in Langkawi, Bintan and Batam as well, but we chose Port Dickson in the end, due to the accessibility. As with our Desaru trip last year, we opted for a private hire car that brought us directly from our homes to Port Dickson straight. Due to its distance from Singapore, the cost would be approximately $350 (one way) and $600 (two way).

Here's the pros of getting a Private Hire Car.

1. Convenient and fuss-free. Additional pick-ups (chargeable, but only approx $10/location) and breaks can be arranged.

2. You don't have to worry about getting the necessary documents to clear the checkpoints. 

3. They have a way to drive past the snaking queues when it comes to clearing custom.

4. You don't have to worry about your SG-registered car in Malaysia.

Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson

After researching a heck lot on the accommodation in Port Dickson, we decided on Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson - a luxurious 5-star oceanfront resort nestled along the pristine Pasir Panjang Beach and the Straits of Malacca. Considering the name, the formation of 639 pool villas of Lexis Hibiscus is shaped like the national flower of Malaysia - the Hibiscus. You know what's great? Every room has its own private pool and sundeck! Talking about privacy and convenience! Considering the sheer number of villas, you can choose amongst the different rooms and suites.

Here's a fun fact: Lexis Hibiscus has two Guinness World Records for the most swimming pools (643) and overwater villas (522)!

Emmanuel's 100th Day Staycation at JW Marriott South Beach

When we were planning for little Emmanuel's 100th day celebration, we had a few options. Book an event space and cater food. Probably too costly and too much prep work. Celebrate at home and have a nice balloon deco. The deco cost over $500?? No thanks. So we chose, a staycation and invite our family over for an intimate party. We wanted a suite room so there's moving space and not everyone hovering beside the bed and JW Marriott was perfect.

JW Marriott is located beside two MRT stations, 2-min walk from Esplanade and 5-min from City Hall, which means that it is a stone throw away from some major shopping centres, such as Marina Square, Suntec, Funan, and other attractions.

You might know JW Marriott as the fancy wedding venue with thousands of crystals hanged from their ceilings. To be honest, we may have considered there for our wedding if not for the hefty price tag. Nevertheless, this day we are here for a staycay. And never did I thought.. with two children!

Our room: Premier Suite

As expected, this suite is really spacious at over 100sqm (that's almost the size of a 5-room HDB!). It features a great living room area to host our guests, a guest toilet, a bedroom, and a ginormous ensuite bathroom. If we were to pay $500 for balloon deco, I rather spend $700 for this room. Just saying.

The whole design is contemporary, filled with monochrome rugs and paintings, completed with leather-toned furniture. 

Birthday Staycation at Shangri-la Rasa Sentosa (Haagen-Daz Package)

After impressing us with their super child-friendly amenities at their Orchard branch, Shangri-la has been on the top of the list when it comes to bringing our little one(s). So it was almost a no-brainer where to book for Olivia's birthday staycation to celebrate her 3 years on earth.

Olivia was so excited whenever we showed her the hotel's video on YouTube. Now fast forward to the day...

Our Deluxe Sea View Room

We checked in at around 4pm. There wasn't any queue (thank God), so the whole process was pretty fast. Their deluxe sea view room is of comfortable size with most in-room amenities you would expect, such as bar counter with complimentary tea/coffee. The bed was slightly high for Olivia, so we had to place a stool beside the bed for her to come up and down freely. Cot is available upon request too.

Now this is the money shot, straight right out of our room's balcony - a unobstructed view of the sea. Paired that up with the swimming pool, private beach, and beautiful clouds hovering on top of Sentosa, I'd say this is the view I don't mind waking up to, every. single. day.

And so it happens, when we were looking for Shangri-la deals, we chanced upon this limited promotion -  a Haagen Daz-theme staycation, featuring a whole freezer worth of ice cream, and a set of take-home merchandise which includes bath bombs, cushion, face masks, and even a really cute high-quality teddy bear (you can tell by its fur that it's not cheap ass). 

Babymoon staycation at Mandarin Orchard

Since we are not able to spend our babymoon in a nice resort somewhere else (we went to Taiwan for our first baby, you can read it all here), we decided to go for another... staycation! Talking about being staycation-connoisseur, Mandarin Orchard is our seventh since the pandemic, so we had a certain expectation from the service, room to the food, etc.

Let's talk location, Mandarin Orchard is located at one of Singapore's busiest street, Orchard Road, so you could have plenty of shopping and dining options all around. These include malls like ION Orchard, Paragon, Cineleisure, Ngee Ann City, Wisma Atria, and so many others. Point is, if you like to shop, this is the best place you could ever stay in Singapore.

Our Room: Premier Room

Checking in was fuss-free and pretty fast, since we checked in around 4pm. The staff was really nice to upgrade our Superior to Premier room, which is located at level 36. Yup, and that meant a panoramic view of Orchard street. Here we can even see City Hall, Marina Bay Sands, Bugis, Singapore Stadium and our previous home (near Concourse). That's a whopping 8-10 MRT stops worth of view through our window!

Top Staycation Hotels at Singapore (updated October 2021)

Since the holiday seasons are coming shortly, what's better than to take a short getaway. Although the VTLs are slowly opening up, you sure you want to risk? Okay perhaps with the cases still hitting the threes, that might seem like a safer option. BUT ANYWAY. We are talking about the lovely staycations of our lovely and blessed island. Since the beginning of this pandemic (or endemic or whatever) or rather when the measures had slightly laxed after circuit breaker, we have been to a number of staycations for birthdays and our recent babymoon.

We have compiled our top 5 so you know where to go, just to spend the day with your loved ones.

Disclaimer: This list is purely based on my views on my experience. Most of the staycations are partially sponsored with complimentary upgrade and food credits, etc. The prices are indicative of the pricing you would expect.

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Nomsaurus Rates is based on the following criteria for each category:

Food: Hotel dining options, which includes breakfast and high-tea (if any)

Room: Decor, amenities, and "wow" factor

Service: From checking in to out, room service (how long it takes to respond and deliver, etc.)

Value: Based on the market price, whether we consider it a good deal.

If it's beyond the rating scale, I will even reward it with additional limbeh's Nom-chelin star(s) ★

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Ready? LET'S GO!

5. W Singapore

Located at the luxurious Sentosa Cove area, it has all you need to be secluded. The only nearby attraction at Quayside Isle, which is filled with restaurants, bars, and even a supermarket. However, it's just perfect for a 2D1N staycation, especially with a toddler.

Our room: Spectacular Room

Price range: $450+/night

Nomsaurus rates:

Food: ★★★★☆

Room: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Value: ★★★☆☆

What we love: Superb food quality and awesome pool.

Read more here.

Birthday Staycaytion at W Hotel Sentosa

Looks like this epidemic is here to stay. Without options to travel overseas, staycations might be the next best option. I remembered last year when staycations were just opening up, we had a fabulous one at Equarius Hotel. Therefore when I asked Lady M again, she wanted somewhere away from the city. An island getaway. And where else better than our Sentosa?

W Hotel was our choice when it comes to a real getaway. Located at the luxurious Sentosa Cove area, it has all you need to be secluded. The only nearby attraction at Quayside Isle, which is filled with restaurants, bars, and even a supermarket. However, it's just perfect for a 2D1N staycation, especially with a toddler.

Our Spectacular Room

Thanks to W Hotel, we got a complimentary upgrade from their Wonderful Room (tbh which is already quite wonderful) to a Spectacular Room! It's about 44 sqm and packed with a king bed, it's perfect for plenty of sleeping space and for our Olivia to roll around.

Birthday Staycation at Shangri-La during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

Howdy homies! Now that I have officially turned 30, I'd be lying if I still say I'm in my 20s. so I will admit to be Uncle Thomas. If you do not know, since years ago, I've been spending my birthdays oversea - Bintan, New Zealand, Japan.. and then this nasty COVID came. Long story short, it's my second year in Singapore during my birthday, and Lady M was so nice to book me a staycation at Shangri-La, and includes all sorts of fun activities, like...

Kid's water playground, kid's indoor playground, swimming and painting with Olivia. Great (for our daughter), ain't it.

This is our fourth staycation during this period, with the rest being Equarius Hotel, Andaz, Marina Bay Sands, so we do have certain expectations.

Check-in

Awesome check-in experience because it was literally empty. Briefed us through the necessities and handed us some sanitary freebies. Then there was this nice lady who came by to give little Olivia a pack of goodies containing some DIY 3D castle, coloring materials and an activity book (basically to keep her entertained during the stay). Little gestures like this are HUGE plus points to parents like us.

The SHOPHOUSE bakery was still open, so you can get some quick bites here if needed. 

The Garden Wing Room

Apparently they have various wings, like the Tower, Valley and Garden wing. Lady M got the garden wing with perks like.. a lot of greenery. 

Staycation at MBS + Infinity Pool

Apparently we can't travel overseas until God knows when, so Singaporeans are turning to staycations more often than ever either to take a break or to utilize their Singapore ReDiscover vouchers. So when CNY comes, we thought why not take another short break during the long weekend, this time at the iconic Marina Bay Sands.

Lunch buffet at Rise

The check-in was pretty smooth and took slightly more than 20 minutes, afterwhich we went to Rise for a nice international buffet, where we got to enjoy free flow oysters, sashimi, abalone, and king crabs.

It was the CNY period, so they even had a God of Fortune mascot walking around greeting everyone. Olivia was so excited that she kept doing the "gong xi" hand gestures to him.

The Room

We got the Deluxe Room with a garden view, which is pretty superb as we get to see the majestic super trees with a backdrop of the vast Singapore straits (the other side is facing the Singapore river and floating stadium). 

The toilet is huge and spacious, which could easily hold 10 persons (for any needs).

Shortly after lunch, we went for a quick nap. Thank God for the blackout curtains.

Birthday Staycation at Andaz Singapore

For Olivia's big two in November, we decided that it's time we take her for a little staycay. We actually searched high and low, considered a lot, including availability, kid-friendly amenities, budget and distance. We contemplated between Shangri-la and Andaz, because the former has a huge built-in kids playground in the hotel (that's the things you look for when you have kids). 

Unfortunately, it wasn't available so Andaz was the hotel to go.

We headed onto Klook and got a really good deal for Andaz Singapore. For just $280, we got a Deluxe City View Room, and that comes with:

Set Breakfast for Two Adults + One Child

SGD$100 Dining Credits

Free Mini-bar Amenities 

(including beer! Sorry got to add this in)

Our residence is pretty close to Andaz, so there were several occasions that we bought little Olivia for a walk there. She absolutely love the fountains by the way. Now that we are inside Andaz, she "wow"-ed even more.