Thanks to blogging, I have had the chance to staycate in several hotels and resorts in Singapore and around the region, many with excellent rooms and service. But it is only during a recent staycation at Park Hotel Clarke Quay that I experienced hospitality so warm and passionate, it actually touches the heart.
The 10-storey hotel has 336 rooms and suites housed in a building whose exterior evokes the old-world colonial ambience of the early 20th century. You can take advantage of the hotel’s convenient location on the Singapore River waterfront that is lined with numerous bars and restaurants stretching from Robertson Quay to Clarke Quay and Boat Quay. These nightlife and entertainment areas are very popular amongst both locals and tourists alike. Even if you’re not staying in the area for the nightlife, you are very close to the central business district, Orchard Road, and Chinatown, which are all a few minutes’ taxi or MRT ride away.
Suite
Hubby, baby Ethan and I checked in one weekend for a relaxing and unhurried staycation in a one-bedroom suite. Decked out in clean creams, deep browns and a glittering chandelier that cascades down the high ceiling, our cosy suite feels more like a home than a hotel.
That cream leather sofa was so comfy, I dozed off on it whilst catching a movie!
The suite has separate sleeping and living areas, with each room having a separate LCD TV, wardrobe and marble-clad bathroom. If you are staying here with kids, no one has to fight over who gets to use the bathroom first!
The bedroom is compact and very homey, with the downy bed and fluffy pillows creating an extremely restful sleeping experience.
Catching Silent Hill: Revelation on TV
Complimentary wi-fi and high speed internet access is available.
While mom and dad get a plush King-sized bed, baby Ethan gets to sleep safely and soundly in a Graco Pack ‘n Play Playard.
From the wide full-height bay windows, guests that have opted for a city-facing room can take in a view of Clarke Quay with the central business district in the distance.
The suite comes with club privileges, one of which is daily evening cocktails at the club lounge. As alcohol is served, children below the age of 12 years old are not allowed there. So hubby and I will take turns to check out the lounge while the other hangs out with Ethan in the room.
So one evening, as I was grabbing some quick bites at the lounge, the Club Manager learned that hubby was still waiting in the room for his dinner. She immediately helped to fill some plates with food and glasses with juices, and arranged for someone to bring these to our room so that we could enjoy dinner together as a family. This thoughtful gesture really made our night, and is just one of the many examples of excellent service that we encountered at Park Hotel Clarke Quay.
The food is delicious too, one of the better spreads I’ve savoured at hotel club lounges. You get to dig into flavoursome sausages, potato salad with wasabi, dim sum, pasta and delicious ngoh hiang, which is a type of meat roll that I personally really love.
Also part of the Club benefits are these beautiful Spa Park Asia bath amenities.
We love hotel rooms with big bathtubs, because that means Ethan can enjoy a private swim!
I just learned that the Park Hotel Group is offering a family getaway package where children below the age of 12 stay for free. The package is available at some of its hotels in Singapore, China and Japan, and includes these privileges:
- Accommodation for two adults and up to two children per room (unless specified by hotel)
- Complimentary buffet breakfast for two adults and two children below the age of 12 years
- Complimentary internet access
- Complimentary upgrade on weekends
- 50% discount off second room when booked under the same package
- Complimentary lunch and dinner for up to two children, below the age of 12, from kids menu when accompanied by paying adults.
- Tailored in-room family amenities at no additional charge include a range of gentle baby toiletries, baby bathtubs, baby cots with bedding and baby towels. Food/bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers, baby cots/play pens, strollers and high chairs are also available upon request.
Club Lounge
When booking a staycation, I recommend paying a little more for club privileges. At Park Hotel Clarke Quay, you get access to the beautiful, spacious and welcoming Crystal Club Lounge tucked away at the top level of the hotel. This is the perfect place to hang out with friends and loved ones.
In the day, the lounge is bathed in natural lighting through expansive windows overlooking the cityscape and river. At night, it transforms into a cosy, dimly-lit environment for guests to chill out in.
A team of friendly and extremely accommodating staff know just the way to make guests feel right at home.
Light refreshments are served here all day, so you can bring your tablets and laptops, unwind over some coffee or tea and make a day of it.
As a family, we certainly love the time spent at the lounge. The staff make small talk with everyone and have a way of making you feel like they truly appreciate having you around.
Ethan gets plenty of attention here… we think that’s why he likes hanging out here so much!
Breakfast (7am to 10:30am) and dinner (evening cocktails from 5:30pm to 7:30pm) are served daily. For breakfast, I recommend the smoked salmon and Thai fried fish, paired with sweet chilli sauce.
Ethan loves it when we bring him to the club lounge!
Facilities
The hotel’s poolside area boasts of a 25 metre outdoor swimming pool and Cocobolo Poolside Bar, dotted with greenery.
After you’ve finished swimming in the pool, fall asleep in one of the many loungers. From the looks of it, this is the favourite haunt of many hotel guests.
The hotel also features a gym filled with modern equipment on the same floor.
For me, the most important factor that transforms a hotel stay into an exceptional experience is warm and passionate service; that matters so much more than how nice the room is or the facilities are. It is rare to come across such thoughtful staff. Thanks to their wonderful service from the heart, the staycation is truly a memorable and pleasant one.
As is common in the travel industry, we were provided with complimentary accommodation for the purpose of reviewing the service. While it has not influenced this review, Sparklette Magazine believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.What is your idea of a memorable hotel staycation? Share all your thoughts via Facebook or Twitter or by leaving a comment!
