Once in a while a really good deal comes along – one such one was (still running when Daddy last checked!) at the Mandarin Orchard. So good that Daddy booked it overnight and had us pack our stuff ready to hit the hotel right after school on Friday.
So here we were FriYay at the Mandarin Orchard, right from school – couldn’t even wait to change out into our home clothes that we were here…
By the looks of it was also something many others had gotten wind of, the front-liners staycay promotion (bed + brekkie)*. Quite a queue at the check line line. We speculated the promo would have been timed to get people back after the 13 COVID cases around residents serving their SHN there upon returning to Singpaore.
*Last Daddy checked, pretty much everyone qualified as one…
Process was rather straight forward, put in our reservation for the pool slot (which we ended up canceling since TV time had become more of a priority then!) and went thru the mandatory health declaration which was now the defacto standard – pool happens to be located next to the lobby.
(pix taken retroactively after crowds dispersed)
Retrieved our key cards and headed up to the 16th where our room was located. Great view overlooking the forward part of Orchard Road diagonally across from the flagship A&F store and across from Taka.
Room looked a little dated but more than made up for it with the slightly larger than current lead-in room categories.
Bathroom similarly was equipped with a standing rain-shower-head as well as a combination stand shower in a tub configuration across the bathroom with the sink + vanity smack in the middle.
While we didn’t feel the need to use the pool (though swim gear all were packed and all in tow) we did check out the gym which was located at the other tower separate from where the rooms were located. Note your key cards will not activate the the lift on this tower which also serves the parking on the first 4 levels (lobby on the 5th as with the restaurants – Melt and ChatterBox) – therefore you need first register at the Concierge and get a separate access card.
It was a bit of a scavenger hunt heading up to Level 36, thereafter taking 2 flights or stairs up some inconspicuous security door (reminded us of the pool at Hilton Singapore with a similar access).
Only a couple of gym rats when we peek-a-boo’d and made way with couple of bottles of drinking water.
I guess one of the major plusses of Mandarin Orchard is undoubtedly its super prime location, literally next door to some of our favourite malls. Given the proximity we took the opportunity to walk across to Takashimaya for dinner and lunch the next day.
On our stroll back to the hotel post dinner (despite lugging along some barang barang off our shopping at Cold Storage – Faddy’s [Fat Daddy] usual instant noodles and mandatory drinks), we just had to stop by the Iconic Orchard Uncle’s Traditional Ice Cream stall. Uncle apparently had been in that same spot since 1994 (Uncle Chieng told us he had been selling ice cream since 1965 though!).
Mummy had her customary Yam, Didi and I had Ripple Strawberry and Durian respectively. MUMMY lapped and slurped up her Yammy Ice Cream in double quick time while Faddy tried to restrain but relented ultimately to ‘help’ Didi and I on ours.
Breakkie in the morning was at Melt, after being whisked to our table we were given an order slip to put in our choices or either Wanton Noodle, Ham and Bacon or Nasi Goreng.
Overall it was a decent weekend but please don’t think of it as a Mandarin Oriental.
Apart from not being affiliated despite the Mandarin equity in its brand name it’s a totally different league altogether.
TheJTwins verdict in under 10 words:
Tired-looking room backed by unbeatable deal+breakkie in a prime location.