So we finally made it to Capri by Frasers Changi for our 3D/2N redemption stay after having canned it twice in past months due to I-don’t-remember-what-phase-it-was-anymore when restrictions tightened back in May/Jun. While staycays were still allowed back then, it just made sense to raincheck it to later time given dining out was disallowed at that point.
[FYI they also have some house bikes by the racks in the foyer which you can use for free]
Still, a week prior to the date, Daddy wanted to move it a day later but we were told there was no availability on the tail end. So anyways we pack our bags and with the customary softies and besties in tow we head to our check in slot at 3pm* (yes 3 – its been some time since we actually made it to a 3pm check in since the past couple of stays we had done earlier check-ins).
*Watch out here is that you’ll need to get in quick on the pool slots (there is a QR code to scan and invoke Lola the digital concierge chatbot to book out slots for the pool, gym and request additional amenities) – given the restrictions, only 1 family of 4 allowed at the pool each hour. We managed to get ours only at noon on the 2nd day, for which reason we had our checkout timing extended to 2pm.
Check-in was definitely by far not the quickest. The queue didn’t seem long at all when we strolled up, there were 2 checkin counters with a handful of folks waiting in line but we finally got our keycards only after the half hour mark (Jo with Daddy after her photo rounds).
Here are some pix of a more peaceful looking lobby which we took retroactively after checkin.
Daddy says its ok since Jo and I were busying ourselves taking photos of the lobby. There’s even a nifty games corner where you can rent games for free – just return them once you’re done.
The concierge was really nice to let us park right at the door to offload our bags and complete our checkin but requested we move it after settling into our rooms (which goodie-two-shoes Daddy obviously complied with).
The corner room we were assigned to was really huge, enough for us kids to run amok around (already at it before getting to the room itself!).
They had apparently also given us an upgrade to the next category vs. the lead in room (Studio Deluxe) which featured a bath tub. The room also came equipped with a little kitchenette, coffee machine and filtered tap water.
(Note: Soft toys are BYO only. They are not included with the stay!)
FYI there was also a laundrette + games room (Spin & Play they call win, kinda synonymous with Spin & Win?) with foosball table on every floor, so we were told. The foosball table and other games were removed though due to COVID but you could always take out a game or two from the games corner tucked around the lobby!
We head out soon after for a bite and found to Daddy’s delight Dim Sum Place at the adjacent mall (Changi City Point).
Note, we did not know there was a direct walkway-link from the basement of the hotel directly to the mail – you will need to walk through the basement carpark but it beats having to walk around the ground level and avoids the elements in the event of a downpour.
Note also, again which we found on hind side the next day that though the roller shutters come down after 9pm, you can still access the hotel lift lobby with your keycard via the door/panel on the left. Unbeknown to us at that point – seeing the access shuttered, we backtracked into the mall, lugging our shopping all the way around to L1, across the atrium, foyer and eventually and back in the lobby elevators to access our room!
This was after spending an evening at Changi Beach. Daddy surprised us for sure with our scooters in the car boot. It was our first time at Changi Beach. Mommy decided to sit by the bench when were explored.
We saw some planes fly overhead, scooted to the swings, and thereafter sat by the breakwater to watch the sunset.
Aww. What an awesome and delightful JTwin pic for the record.
Soon it was time to go grab dinner. We decided to head back closer to the hotel (Changi City Point) to do takeway and do a TV-dinner night at the hotel room. So we picked-up dinner, some drinks and Ice-Cream from the NTUC at CCP and made our way back to the hotel. That’s when (by which time it was past 9!) we realized the entrance to the hotel from the basement carpark was shuttered off.
Given this was a free stay without breakkie, the nice looking check-in staff tried to upsell Daddy breakkie which was apparently cheaper if purchased upfront during check in. We took up the offer for 1 of 2 breakfasts during our stay – what was initially planned for the first morning which we rainchecked to the second since we were so beat from the night before and no one was able to get up before brunch timing! No prizes for guessing what time that was! ZZZzzz…
Before lights out the night before:
Truth be told, there was really nothing much to shout out about on the breakfast apart from the nice art pieces which we found weeks later were from Ode to Art Studio at Raffles City.
After some usual no-miss JTwins prep time in the morning, we decided to head to one of the quaint cafes around Changi Village for lunch. Without skipping a heartbeat Daddy recommended The Coastal Settlement which apparently he and Mommy had gone to previously, obviously without us kids then – hmmph!
Tucked at the corner of Netheravon Road, somewhere along the road where Old Changi Hospital was located (yikes Mommy told us some spooky stories about it as we drove past!) was a really nice space – somewhat inconspicuous save for a retro-looking Peppa Pig-styled campervan sitting out front.
Daddy and Mommy says they’ve made some changes to the façade since they last visited – must’ve been years back. Surprisingly for a Monday they were fully booked with all seats inside taken. Without much of a choice, we sat alfresco-style and had a little frolick around the sprawling gardens which had some swings as well.
After studying the menu intently, we had a swinging good time while waiting for lunch.
Lunch was Pizza, Fish & Chips and what else but Nasi Lemak for the adults (either that or Daddy would’ve taken us back daily for Dim Sum!).
Guess what, after that we made our way back to Bukit Timah for our Monday Writers @ Work class!
Yes Mommy says you don’t miss class even when you’re on vacation.
Some pix of the gym which we explored.
Day#2 we headed to out swim slot – and has a splashing good time with Daddy-O in the pool!
