The Hotel Life: My Best Staycation in Singapore (Updated)

Staycation – /steɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

A holiday spent in one’s home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions. Or in simple english, someone who prefer outside beds rather than the one at home! 

A journey from Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza back in September last year to my most recent stay at YOTEL Singapore earlier this month. To date, I went for a total of at least 30 Staycations since they were allowed from Phase 2 onwards. I have checked out 22 unique hotels in Singapore. Some of them more than once, staying a total of 35 nights. Heck! That is more than a month away from home while I have a house just 20 mins away from most hotels. Some were really good, some I scored a killer deal, while some are just a pure waste of my money. Seeing that I will not have any “potential” plans right now to do any staycations going forward, I figure that it is time to do a summary post and share Seeing The World In Steps best staycation experiences in Singapore.

Since September last year, I have done a ton of Staycations in Singapore and have written an abundance of hotel reviews in Singapore. That’s about as active as this blog goes for the past 2 years. This might be just the category where I managed to be in the top percentile in Singapore. Let’s begin with Seeing The World In Steps ranking! The prices below are my out of pocket expenses per night, taking into account, any publicly available deals and promotions at the time of booking. This will reflect the true cost of my stay. For SingapoRediscover Vouchers used, I will add them back, since these vouchers are as good as cash. I have also put in the links to individual reviews of the room and hotels under Room / Suite Type. Do note that the rankings are subjective and based on my personal experience.

Ranking	Hotels	Room / Suite Type	Price (SGD)
1	Shangri-La Singapore Valley Wing	1 Bedroom Suite / Deluxe Room	330 / 300
2	The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore	Stamford Suite / Grand Deluxe	204 / 288
3	Conrad Orchard Singapore	Deluxe Suite	479
4	Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa	Junior Suite	–
5	The Fullerton Hotel Singapore	Straits Club Marina Bay View	252
6	Conrad Centennial Singapore	Centennial Suite	340
7	St Regis Singapore	Caroline Astor Suite / St Regis Suite	350
8	Mandarin Oriental Singapore	Marina Bay Suite	440
9	Hilton Orchard Singapore	King Corner Suite	383
10	Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza	Executive Suite	175
11	Sofitel Singapore City Centre	Luxury Club	–
12	JW Marriott Singapore South Beach	Club Premier Marina Bay	400
13	Andaz Singapore	City View Deluxe King	281
14	Oasia Hotel Downtown	Club	124
15	InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay	Classic River View Top Floor Room Review	275
16	Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay	Signature Marina Bay	216
18	Hilton Singapore	Executive Suite / Executive Plus / Demo Room	188
19	Citadines Connect Rochester Singapore	Deluxe Room	–
20	One Farrer Hotel	Mint	50
21	YOTEL Singapore	Premium Queen View	79
22	Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy	Studio Suite	75
23	Hotel G Singapore	Great	65
24	M Social Singapore	Alcove Cosy	85
25	Parkroyal Collection Pickering	Lifestyle	200
26	Sheraton Towers Singapore	Executive Suite	235
27	Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa	Courtyard Suite with Private Jacuzzi	160
28	Grand Park City Hall	Crystal Club Deluxe	210

A Year of COVID – How much have I spent on Staycations?

This is where it gets a little ridiculous and crazy! I can’t believe the amount of money I spent on staycations. This is where I got a little regret. I spent a total of 6026 SGD! This happens when you are a crazy staycation fan and when you have deals from Traveloka running every weekend. It certainly hits me when I realised that I could have budgeted for a trip to Europe with the amount of money that I spent on staycations. This might also be a one-off occasion where I got to try out so many different hotels in Singapore and many unique non-chain hotels. Back to the norm, in the future, I will definitely head back to hotels chains in a bid to maintain status and get the required number of nights under the belt. Especially when it goes back to the usual requirement to maintain your tier. 

Most Luxurious Staycation

First up, the most luxurious hotel I have experienced in town. While luxurious might be relative. In fact, it was a close call between Shangri-la Singapore Valley Wing or The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore for me. Depending on whether you refer old school charm or modern luxury. I decided to go with Capitol Kempinski, this is especially true if you hold top tier GHA Black Status. Here are just a few pointers why I choose it: Awesome Hard Product, Personalised Service, 9am check-in and 6pm check out, easy upgrades and a good location. While a complimentary minibar is included, the hotel is lacking a club lounge and this is the only reason why it is a struggle between this and Shangri-la Valley Wing. Furthermore, that spacious bath tub and the hotel also have the best breakfast in my opinion. 

Most Worth It Staycation

Shangri-la Singapore Valley Wing is my winner here! It is clear cut! It is an absolute deal at the start of the year, especially when you can score an upgrade to Valley Wing using the Luxury Circle rate “trick”. I score on a Valley Wing 1-Bedroom Suite by paying 330 SGD Nett. Furthermore it even comes with 100 USD F&B credits. They have one of the most exclusive breakfast venue in town featuring fancy items like Steak & Eggs and of course Champagne. Shangri-La Valley Wing have the best club lounge in town especially if you love to partake in a glass or ten! They have hands down the best drinks list of all club lounges in Singapore. The drinks are available all day too, from noon till 10pm. It is still possible to score a decent rate on Traveloka now. Afternoon Tea, Evening Canapes and unlimited Veuve Clicquot! 

Worst Staycation

Well well! I have been ranting about this for quite some time. If you do follow me, I am sure you would have heard of this for quite some time. Grand Park City Hall was simply a waste of my money and my SRV. It definitely deserves its 22nd out of 22nd ranking on my list. The last of all my stays! Paying 210 SGD was the worst decision I have ever made in the past 12 months. While they do have a decent hard product. The service of the staff and the check-in procedure was nothing 5-Star. Furthermore, the management cutting back on the club lounge service and offering was pure disgusting. Cost-cutting and having only a single staff working the entire lounge during evening cocktails. At a time when everything have to be served. That does not goes well with me! Good riddance! Club lounge offering for 2pax below!

Best Club Lounge

A gin cart with speciality gins from all around the world? Mid Shelf bottles of wines. Unlimited amount of Champagne you can drink all day long. Singapore Slings, Mojito, Mai Tai that you can knock back just by the lobby. Furthermore, the polished hospitality by Edward? Enough said! There is no other place better than Shangri-la Valley Wing. Perhaps, at least till I get to try Ritz Carlton Singapore Club Lounge. 

Best Breakfast

Without saying the best breakfast out of all my stays goes to The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. As of now, there is no other hotel that gave me the same level of excitement every morning. It goes without saying that this is one breakfast that you should set your alarm for. Let’s leave it like this and I will end with this quote from their breakfast menu. “Craving for something that is not on the menu? Kindly inform our ambassador and we will be delighted to create a special dish just for you.”

Afraid of your stays being affected by “Heightened Alert” or sudden changes of government regulations again? Or you are not vaccinated. Rest assured, the hotel does room room service breakfast fit for a king as well! At no extra charge! 

Best Swimming Pool

I would say that I didn’t get the best experience in this aspect yet out of all my stays. Hint* Hint* Marina Bay Sands! They have the best hotel swimming pool in Singapore. It is definitely on my to-do list in the near future. As of now, the best pool experience I had goes to Fullerton Hotel for an outdoor pool. I love the vibes and ambience. It gives you a cosy urban oasis vibe where you can swim and laze off while looking at struggling office workers haha. 

The one at Mandarin Oriental is pretty lovely as well! Dip while checking out the view of Singapore Central Business District. 

For an indoor pool, I love the one at JW Marriott! Despite it being on a smaller side the Flow18 offers an amazing view of the Marina Bay area and Central Business District! 

Best View

This is a close call between my experience at Mandarin Oriental or Fullerton Hotel. I really like the view from both hotels. They are the Marina Bay Suite at MO and the Marina Bay View room from Fullerton Hotel. I have to say that they are very different. The vantage point you get comes from totally different angles. From Fullerton Hotel you get more of an eye level view spanning from the Suntec area on the left to the CBD district on the right with MBS right in front of you. 

While at Mandarin Oriental, you get the view of MBS and Gardens By The Bay on the left with the entire CBD district and Marina Bay area under your feet. It is especially nice if you managed to get a room or suite on a high floor. It was rather magical during my stay where I got a sight of the Gardens By The Bay and Art Science Museum lighting up green in lieu of St Patrick Day. Both are equally good in my opinion! 

Conclusion

I still yearn for the time to come to be able to head on an actual trip overseas! I might also want to go on a cruise if I can find the time to do so! I have covered more than enough hotels in Singapore for a lifetime! I still have upcoming bookings at two of my favourite hotels. I would also love to check out and review Capella Singapore, Ritz Carlton Singapore and Oasia Resort Sentosa. Do let me know and reach out if there is any hotel that you would like me to check out or if you would like to sponsor a staycation HAHA! With that, let’s hope for much more awesome hotel deals to come! Seeing The World In Steps out!