8 Reasons Why We Love The Rasa Sentosa Staycation!

The March Holidays always feel too short for a real travel-overseas-holiday, so this year, we decided that a staycation was the way to go! 

Sentosa is always my first choice for such breaks because I get to feel like I’ve left Singapore though we’ve really just driven off the mainland! Capella would have been my top choice but we decided we probably ought to opt for a more purse-friendly option. I tried to book a package with RWS but somehow RWS and I seem to have no 缘分 — every time I’ve tried to book their package they always seem to not have dates for me. This time, the package literally sold out as I was completing my reservation!

I turned instead to Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa. Firstly because I’ve always liked its family friendly focus and its location right off Siloso Beach. Then I discovered their Family Fun Package and was completely sold. Amongst the many things it offered, it was the fact that the package included Buffet Breakfast AND Buffet Dinner for two adults and two kids that got me most excited! 

This staycation got two thumbs up from the whole family. Here’s why:

1. Free drinks and snacks from the Minibar

The kids were ecstatic to discover that they could take anything from the minibar as the first round of snacks and drinks is complimentary. For once mummy didn’t stop them from raiding the fridge, which they did, shortly upon check in.

2. Big comfortable sofa bed

The extra sofa bed for the kids was no creaky small affair here! While the hotel officially only allows one child under 12 in the room with two adults (additional kids may be included on request), I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sofa bed was huge! It was almost the size of our King-sized bed! There was plenty of space for the two munchkins and the poor unfortunate parent who had to lie with them to pick them to sleep. (ie. me lah!) Of course, that didn’t stop them from trying to crawl into my bed in the middle of the night…

3. Bathroom with a view

One important criteria which my kids have for hotel rooms is that it should allow them to bathe and watch TV at the same time. We started this during our last stay at W Hotel and the kids loved it. So they were chuffed to see they would be able to do the same at Rasa Sentosa as well! I foresee this becoming a staycation standard.

4. The awesome pool — with slides and water play area!

The hotel pool is always the highlight of any staycation and the one here is hard to beat. In addition to the kids shallow pool (with frog fountains) and the deeper pool for swimming, there is also a water play area with sprays and buckets of water which unexpectedly tip down on your head, AND three water slides! The slides are only for kids — no adults are allowed. So it took 4-year old Mei some time to pluck up her courage to try them out. She was hesitant but she did it in the end. And the achievement she felt after that? Priceless.

Another treat was being able to eat by poolside. Eat, swim, eat, swim, wash and repeat. Not surprising that we spent hours by the pool each time we were there!

5. Organised activities, ala Club Med

I was surprised to discover that the hotel was more than just a place to rest at night. Instead, Rasa Sentosa organises a full schedule of activities daily that guests are welcome to join in, at no additional cost. Guests just have to check the Daily Activities Schedule to see what is on the cards and turn up for the activities they are interested in. We witnessed a water polo game, and ourselves reaped the benefits of this when they brought paddle boats out at the pool one afternoon. The kids took their turns on the paddle boat and really enjoyed the novelty.

6. Kids Club!

Ok, this is probably something I was more excited about! Rasa Sentosa has its own kids club (called Toots Club) where kids aged between 5-12 years of age can be dropped off to participate in supervised activities, with meals included! Complimentary full-day registration to the Kids Club is included in the Family Fun Package. 

I was pleasantly surprised when Noey agreed to go to Toots Club where he joined in some games on the lawn and later went on a short hike in the wooded area behind the hotel. Unfortunately Mei was underaged so she and I spent some time hanging out in the loungers near the sea chilling and watching Noey do his thing. We left to find our own fun when he set off on the trek and when I came back for him later, he was cheerfully having lunch with the rest of his new friends. He quickly shooed his uncool mother away and I happily left. Easiest lunch ever!

The other big attraction at Toots Club is the huge 3-storey Tree House they have inside the Cool Zone. I eventually picked him up from there to join Mei and I at the pool shortly after lunch. Looking forward to next year when I can then drop both kids off for Toots Club!

7. Encounters with wildlife

When on Sentosa, we can be assured of encountering some wildlife, usually in the form of the peacocks that roam the island. The kids are always excited to see them! Well, this time, we encountered a monitor lizard at breakfast, and a rather large one too. Noey was so fascinated he grabbed my phone to take some pictures as he got close — but not too close!

 8. Food, glorious food!

So one of the best parts of the Family Fun Package is the fact that buffet dinner for two adults and two children is included! And with free-flow drinks too! Noey was in heaven. There was a good spread at Silver Shell Cake so there was really something for everyone! These were our first dinner plates — can you guess which plate belongs to each of us?

I’ve rarely come across a buffet spread at a Singapore hotel which I didn’t like, and this was no exception. The food was great and everyone was more than happy to help themselves. The kids were especially chuffed to find a “Kids Corner”, a lower counter with plastic cutlery that they were able to access on their own. It was always the first area they stopped at every meal time to scout out what was available.

Of course they didn’t restrict themselves only to the Kids Corner. There was plenty of other options available to them too and they made sure to avail themselves to the dessert counter every time!

Breakfast was equally a treat. I remarked to the husband that the buffet breakfast spread in Singapore has to be the best around because not only is there a selection of breads and American breakfast offerings, but there’s Chinese noodles, dim sum and porridge, and also Indian prata and curries and the like.

No surprises then that the kids are asking: When can we go back again?!?

Our stay here exceeded my expectations and I won’t be surprised if we are back again next March! Especially since both kids will qualify for Kids Club then!