Sumptuous Staycation at Sofitel Singapore

WHILE SINGAPORE MAY HAVE GIVEN LIFE TO THE STAYCATION, AS THE COUNTRY MOVED INTO LESS RESTRICTIVE PHASES OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER THE STAYCATION GAVE LIFE TO SINGAPOREANS, WRITES

Iwas surprised at how much I was looking forward to going to Sentosa. It is much easier to get on and off the island than it once was, and now its remoteness added to the appeal of spending two days there. When Farah and I did a staycation in August at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa the island’s remoteness added to the feeling of getting away. We couldn’t leave the country, but we could go somewhere. Farah and I were greatly looking forward to our stay at the sprawling facility that has all you need for a relaxing, indulgent escape. “We are going to do everything we can to make you feel like you’ve travelled far from home,” promised Elsa Yue, Sofitel’s effervescent Marketing Communications Manager.

A REAL ESCAPE

Making reservations for all that you do is not unusual for a resort, but during Covid times there is more to be done. Of course, we booked the room and reserved the Spa time. We also had dinner, breakfast, and lunch reservations. We had to reserve times for hanging out at the pool. Times are given in two-hour slots. We had to be there at 5:00pm and had to remember to social distance at the most social of places.

Getting ready for the trip felt like times from days gone by, just digging out the passport (no mold on it yet –I take it out now and then just to look at it) and packing was fun. With the arrival of Gojek and putting the bags in the boot we began our journey to the remote island. Well, not so remote, but the feeling of being somewhere else deepened as we arrived on Sentosa and glided past the tropical rainforest and heritage buildings.

ENHANCED GUEST RELATIONS

Arriving at the front desk, though it was midweek, there was activity with a number of people checking in. We were greeted by Elsa and taken to a desk that had a Plexiglas shield around it, as they all did. “This is what people can now expect,” Elsa stated. “It certainly isn’t how we would choose to enhance guest relations.”

“Will it stay after Covid?”

“Probably.”

One thing Sofitel does for its guests you wouldn’t see is that they delay putting people into a room after the previous occupants have left. “We started at 24 hours, but it was deemed that unnecessarily long and it created queues.

We reduced it to six hours, still too long, and now it is two hours.”

Our room was in the Peace Wing, a stroll down glistening corridors with pillars looking at lawns and views over the property. We passed statues on the lawns and fountains twisting spouts of water.

A COOL RETREAT

The locks whirred and we entered the refreshing cool dark room. To be ensconced in a hotel room once again gave a little shiver of satisfaction that the world was coming back to normal – though real normal is still not here.

Our 36sqm room with its many charming decorative touches such as flower-shaped knobs, small wildlife figurines, and a small gold man on a swing over the bathtub, were delightful. All the colours are soft and warm such as the walnut closets and hardwood floors, all creating a feeling of comfort. The sumptuous Mybed™, would have to wait to be enjoyed until after dinner.

The bathroom with its generous shower and the Lanvin bath products would soon be appreciated.

SPLASH AND DASH

Once we’d settled in, we went to the pool. Most areas inside the hotel you enter, except your room, you have to scan in the QR code. Kids were enjoying the pool – it was a delight to see their delight. Peacocks, one symbol of the Resort, strutted around the seating areas, when they weren’t being chased by little girls.

We lingered poolside until it was time to get ready for dinner. I was looking forward to it for two reasons. The Cliff has a reputation for excellent food, but more importantly we would be joined by friends. Pre-covid dining with friends was something we took for granted, now it was more anticipated than Christmas.

SHARED AND SHARING

Though Cynthia Dammerrer and husband

Ross didn’t travel a long distance, we appreciated the effort to come over. The reservation was for 6:30pm when we could still enjoy the views of the Strait of Singapore before the sun took its light away. Everyone had different desires for drinks - I had a very good Australian Shiraz, and Cynthia seemed to enjoy her glass of chardonnay. We shared a variety of dishes beginning with excellent octopus and Caesar Salad for starters then passed around Linguini & Clams, Bra Pak Noodles, Prawn Salted Egg and Fish Head Curry. We shared the dishes so we could all enjoy the different cuisines.

Sharing stories and memories made for a memorable evening. I’ve known Cynthia for more than a decade, but of course we talked a great deal about Covid and how the Circuit Breaker had affected us. That didn’t dampen the laughter, as despite the times, there was still much to be enjoyed. Including more wine. It is moments such as dinner, with night pressing in against the edges, and a variety of excellent dishes turning the table into a colourful melange of cuisines offering a melody of tastes that had originated in different corners of the world that makes travel scintillate. Forget that we were on a staycation, just a stone’s throw from home, because we did.

NIGHT & DAY

We had posted on Social Media about the peacocks and their childlike cries. Some asked if it disturbed our sleep. “No,” I responded, “the peacocks go to sleep too.” With the thickness of the rainforest all around us and ensconced in a well-insulated room and the Mybed living up to its billing, it was a deeply restful night.

It is a wonderful feeling to wake in the morning and know that you have a full, exciting day ahead of you. Part of the dreariness of being locked down is waking up knowing that you are going to do pretty much the same as they day before, and the day before that, back to a time of freedom that just seems like a distant dream. Waking up in the Sofitel Sentosa, we felt a million miles from home,

JIMMY NO BUFFET

Breakfast was at Kwee Zeen, and here is where adjustments for Covid-19 really kicked in. There are many who would stay at a hotel just for the buffet breakfast. At the time of our stay buffets were not allowed. All those stations you drool over – not there. Missed them, but Sofitel Sentosa has set menus to satisfy every taste. I didn’t see anyone slamming down their napkin and walking out. In fact everyone seemed very happy – especially the children.

I had the American Breakfast, while Farah choose the Indian Breakfast. With the lattes, with the fresh juice, with the choice of muesli or yogurt, and fresh fruit, it was more than enough to compliment the eggs, the bacon, the

sausages, the hash browns, the basket of bread and buns and croissant and pastries. If it sounds like a lot, it was. But there was more. On our way out there was a basket of cookies with a note “Please Feel Free to Take me With You.’ We helped ourselves to the excellent cookies.

NOT A SO SO SPA

Our Spa Session was set for 11:00pm, so at 10:30 as we took a buggy from the lobby that weaved us around the buildings, down the hill, over paths smooth and rough, narrow and wide, to the separate building of So/sofitel.

Like everything at Sofitel Sentosa, the Spa is spacious. The lobby has seating areas over there, a table here, displays of products, and of course pleasant young ladies offering healthy drinks and forms to fill in.

For me, the keys to a good massage are the pressure, too hard and I feel like I’m being tortured, too light and there is little benefit. When I’m in the zone I drift in and out of thoughts and by the end of the session I’m in, or almost in, dreamland. Reluctant to be finished.

MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT

When we were waiting for our message Elsa Yue was there guiding a film team around the resort. I asked her what treatment she was taking. She laughed, “The one I want, begins in the morning,” she reached way up, “and goes on all day,” her hand slid down showing the length her indulgence was willing to go.

When my session was finished, I was in complete agreement. As was Farah who was delighted with her experience. For me, sometimes, a walk over by a small elephant will do the trick, but today we had masters of the craft.

With an hour before lunch we returned to the room and at 1:30 we scanned the codes as we re-entered The Cliff and a fresh breeze whispering off the Strait. We are pretty good at indulging ourselves – and we don’t always take the ‘healthy’ option. However, I think burgers and pizza (meat lovers pizza) are healthy options.

NO TIME TO NAP

Between our room and the restaurants, we enjoyed walking about the resort. In addition to the peacocks strutting about, there are statues and antique decorative items tucked into the nooks and crannies and on display in foyers and open spaces. I particularly like the ancient copper coffee making machine.

Back in the cool of our room I finished off pressing work I and laydown to take a nap. I realized it was 5:00pm and dinner was set for 6:30. “If we are going for a walk, we have to do it now.” I got up moments after I thought I was going to enjoy a snooze.

We didn’t know which was the quickest way to the beach, but fortunately we ran into Glenn, a senior member of the Sofitel team. He said hello and asked us where we were going. “Not this way,” he responded as we were making our way out the front. “There is a path near The Cliff. Let me show you.”

He led us to the walkway that descended in front of The Cliff to the path along the waterfront. Here there is a sign-map that shows the way to go.

LATE FOR THE DATE

With rainforest to our left and a paved road to our right we took the short walk to Tanjong Beach. It was great to be back on a beach. There were people sunbathing and doing water sports and walking about as you do. We didn’t stay long – dinner reservations pressing in on us – and humidity drenching us. When we got back to the hotel it was already 6:15. We needed to change and clean up. Apologies to the excellent waitstaff as we arrived at 7:00 and checking our reservation it was for 6:00pm. Insert red-faced emoji here.

Our table hadn’t been given away and, despite the walk, we weren’t feeling very hungry. We ordered three dishes. Summer Panzanella with Stone Fruit served with homemade fresh cheese, seasonal stone fruit, heirloom tomatoes, sweet herbs and torn fried croutons. This was joined by Grilled Ocean Trout with beluga lentil “caviar” soft herbs, cool cucumber and buttermilk gazpacho. The stack of green is Trophic Al Pesto. Basil pesto, fried potato, and parmesan. Everyone a winner. A friendly Australian shiraz from 2019, Outback Jack, graciously enhanced the meal.

SEDUCTIVE SHEETS

It was a dinner that offered enjoyment and ambience with lightening flashing somewhere in the far west, with waitstaff, like all their co-workers at Sofitel Sentosa, providing excellent service. It was the perfect way to end Day 2 except for another succulent sleep in seductive sheets that Farah wishes to buy. Sofitel Sentosa had lived up to Elsa Yue’s promise. For two days we travelled.v