Women always like to "talk" and "discuss". I opened a whatsapp chat group to update Joc, Lili and Ginny about the progress of the staycation. The first thing we discussed was the venue.
My first few choices were Sentosa (W, Rasa, RWS, etc) and Changi village hotel, but they were either fully booked or way too expensive. Joc and Ginny sent me quite a few recommendations, mainly the "economical" ones. My next target was Marriott, and then I looked at Shangri-La.
The first question that came immediately after I sent out the message telling the gals that I booked 2 (adjoining) rooms, was, why 2 rooms and not a suite? It was a question that I anticipated, because I had been fretting over this - to get a suite or 2 rooms - for a long time already. A suite is usually the choice for a girls' night out. Imaging the "thrill" (a scene that we get to see on TV over and over), to be checking into a suite with our luggage, "wowing" at the luxurious feel, dress up together, chattering nonstop about beauty tips, and sleeping late together. But I was skeptical, as we are not 18 year old girls, but are a bunch of 40 year old aunties.. Most suites do not accomodate 4 (extra bed not allowed). And how are we going to decide who's to be the last to use the only bathroom after a swim?
Well, the adjoining rooms strategy worked perfectly, as I imagined. We get to do things together throughout, had so much fun and laughter, without sacrificing comfort. The price of 2 rooms is just marginally higher than a suite.
The second question was, why Shangri-la, as it is not the usual candidate for a staycation. The explanation is that, I had always wanted to stay at a glam hotel along Orchard room (the "Sex and the city" feel), but it is highly unlikely that I will ever do a staycation at Orchard with my family. That's why I considered Marriott first (the first one to come to my mind as it is at the heart of Orchard). Then I discovered that Shangri-la can offered all that I wished for - a glam, pretty, resort like hotel, in Orchard, with the right rooms, at the right price!
Here's some shots of the beautiful hotel:
Views from our balcony:
When I made my reservation online, I did state that it is for my birthday celebration. The hotel actually arranged for a birthday cake.
The gals pulled a stunt on me that day. In the room, they gave me a card, a 2014 notebook, and an ang bao, explaining that I can use the money to buy a gift that I really like. That night, at dinner, they presented me with the real gift.
The envelope that held the notebook, and the notebook:
The gals brought quite a few bottles of liquor (red, champagne, sake). They asked me to pop the champagne, but were all very worried about getting hit!
We also used the pool twice in those 2 days.
Here are 2 photos which we took when we went for breakfast the next morning. We could either eat a-la-cart order at the poolside restaurant, or have buffet at The Line. We went to check out the selection at the pool side restaurant, then changed our mind and went for the buffet.
Ginny took this shot, and said that this is her favorite photo:
(2 more posts on Big 4 staycation coming up)
No comments:
Post a Comment