2020 has been an extraordinary year to say the least.
Given the restrictions around travel and the personal concerns on the cruise-to-nowhere (daddy was quite inclined to sign us up though he says mommy would’ve made him walk the plank if he did, whateva that meant!) and Air Travel Bubble (ATB) to HKG which has now burst, we book ourselves a room at Mandarin Oriental for a Boxing Day staycation, our last before school reopens a week out in the new year.
Daddy says the room was with compliments from AMEX, as with our upcoming Capella Stay (booked for Mummy’s birthday in Mar) so here’s a special shout out to say thank you to you nice fellas at AMEX for enabling this during the supposed blackout dates.
On the check-in day we get a nice notification that we could check in before 12pm but because us little elves were still busy packing out the house and were frantically completing our Kumon homework for the weekend, we get to the hotel only closer to 1pm, by which time there was already a bee line making their way to the check in area. Good thing the staff were quite organised and without much hassle we get our key cards and make our way to our room, a Deluxe Ocean View King.
Nice architecture – very (Mandarin) Oriental like.
Room was nicely tugged in the far south with the Singapore Flyer in full view, the picturesque Marina Bay Sands, the Avatar-like SuperTrees @ Gardens by the Bay, Double Helix Bridge, Marina Barrage and sweeping views of vessels laid up in the ‘ocean’. I can see the potential uptake on rooms here around the National Day and New Year’s Eve which provide spectacular views of the horizon, and forgetting possibly around F1 season as well.
Taping Tapir Natural Soda, and Chocs with complements for being a FOMO.
Pool had excellent views as well and wasn’t exactly congested so well done to the team on ground to manage the 2-hourly allocations per room per day. FOMOs (Fans of Mandarin Oriental) do also receive a box of chocs and a welcome drink which Mommy partook of at the pool cabana while we frolicked in the pool with Daddy.
While we were originally wait listed for the 5-7pm pool slot, Daddy headed down earlier and managed to get this retimed to 3-5pm given he had an online church meet to attend. Daddy chopping the cabana while waiting for the troops to arrive.
Daddy at the business centre taking his church meet call…
Breakfast was at Melt and had a nice rounded spread of pastries, fruits and mains. Didi and I had our favourite Nasi Lemak while Mommy and Daddy had Scrambled Eggs and Eggs Benedict + Ham and Porridge. You can see the Otah (or Otak Otak which Daddy proudly says!) seems misplaced since Didi and I eagerly pass on to Mommy and Daddy.
All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth….
All in it was a great Staycation.
We enjoyed the usual family bonding time over binge-watching Cartoon Network and good ol’ Nick @ Nickelodeon.
Thumbs up as we pack our bags (for a new school year next week) and to head home after a great weekend. Blessed Christmas and till the next time, thanks for reading and following the adventures of the J Twins!
