Welcomed by familiar surroundings dabbed with Christmas decor.
Super quiet – looked like super low occupancy period with local folks still travelling, and not many foreign visitors at this time!
We take a similar photo as our last visit.
Then (Jun 2023)Now (Dec 2024)
Snagged the same Lady Astor Double room (911) after having stayed at 811 last year (exactly same configuration/facing).
Welcome amenities.
Butler sent some welcome drinks (coffee/tea and iced lemon tea), and a personalized note for Daddy who’s a real sucker for our notes 🙂
We check out the pool (Daddy says its unfortunate we again did not get to swim!), we head to the (again very quiet gym) after dinner (to check out weight and BMI!) and Didi here soaking in the tub!
So Daddy and Mummy get the yearly invite for a free movie night out courtesy of Singapore Airlines PPS Club, this year for a preview of Red One (having missed previous years’ – in 2023 it was Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom on 20th Dec which we missed as we were already on holiday). Jumping at the invite this year, they ditched us at home to binge-play our video games.
The event was again held at Golden Village Vivocity and food was catered for at the annex adjacent to the level 6 box office where apparently private events (birthday parties, corporate events) were usually held.
SQ PPS 2024 Movie Night – Red One
Daddy snaps up the pix (and food), and while there were heaps of delectable food and sweets, Mummy indulges in some bubbly, but the grownups quip that the satay wasn’t half as good as the on 40,000 feet up in the air. For some reason it just wasn’t the same. There was of course also the signature SQ laksa akin to the ones usually found at Silverkris (SKL) lounges.
SQ Satay!SQ Laksa!_cuva
There was a card which participants had to keep, to redeem their goodie bag after dinner, en route to the movie hall. Inside were some chips, bottled water and a pair of reusable shopping bags (how very thoughtful and practical indeed!). Before the movie, some SQ and Krishop/Pelago ads were aired adding to the touches which continue to make SQ a ‘Great Way to Fly’.
Overall a very nice touch by Singapore Airlines.
SQ PPS Club Movie Night 2024 – Goodie Bag.
Oh yes, disclaimer, both the red and Polo blue SQ bears are blasts from the past – they didnt come with the goodie bag (though Daddy wished otherwise!).
We head back to the (by now not-so-newly-renovated anymore) Hilton Orchard for Sunday birthday brunch @ Estate (previously Mandarin Orchard which was more confusing since there was the Mandarin Oriental and the other Mandarin Orchard!), previously celebrating Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah’s Wedding Anniversary and Gugu’s Birthday.
Best part of Estate is that we get to do some fun activities (painting on canvas and Didi playing chess with Daddy), while the in-house magician goes around strutting his stuff!
Very nice spot, it didn’t seem like there was anyone else that day so we pretty much had that area all to ourselves…
Oh BTW we also (pre) celebrated with Daddy and Mummy the night before at Asian Market Cafe – checkout the fireworks in the background in celebration of our birthday! (LOL, actually they were the rehearsals ahead of NDP 2024!).
Arriving home after CDG, YYMMGG check in to the Hilton Orchard to stay over for Christmas.
Yeh Yeh and Daddy checking us in (check-in could have been done at the Exec Lounge for Diamond but with it being on the 6th floor of the Mandarin Wing (a different lift lobby away!) it was quicker to check in at the main lobby. Facade looks familiar with a touch up on the main checkin area which is in the same part where the old Mandarin Orchard lobby used to be.
Our upgraded room @ 3638 at the far end.
Great view of MBS in the distance.
We check out the Lounge after checkin. The pre-dinner spread was really good, akin to a full dinner outside!
Heading out with Yeh Yeh and Mah Mah to check out the Christmas lights along Orchard…
Hasn’t changed much really since our last visit during COVID in Sep 2021, save for the reception which has been temporarily moved to the rear-end of the lobby in view of some reno works (the games corner at the lobby is still available with some really good board/card games, along with the Spin & Play (Laundry/Games room on each floor).
We’ve been here a couple of times now (first was when it was still SHN during COVID!) and always seem to discover something new in this somewhat of a gem tucked away in an otherwise unexplored part of Singapore (note NeWater Visitor Centre which we wanted to visit but unfortunately did not get this time round – tours don’t run daily and should be booked out ahead).
We also discover another way (other than the basement via the carpark) to get into an otherwise nice and quiet adjacent mall.
Note we get a somewhat smaller room (looks to be the lead-in category vs. the previously upgraded room).
Not an issue since one of us kids fit snuggly into the ‘sofa-bed’ – given it was a 2-night affair, both Jie Jie and I had a go at that!
Being at the far east, we decide to check out Changi airport, a mere stop away from Expo/Changi City Point, but not before finishing up work – though the pool outside looks so inviting!
Managed to sneak in a note for Daddy – he’s such a sucker for our littl’ notes! 🙂
We get on the MRT and there was an incident where someone dropped his phone into the gap between the train and platform. Poor guy looked as though he was going to cry but Daddy does a good dead, goes up to him and punches the emergency button to report the issue. Way to go Dad-O!
We get to Changi Airport and find our way to Jewel.
My, look who’s here?
It’s a me-Mario! And Princess Peach!
Turns out it was the Mario’s Pipe Around the World exhibition at Jewel!
We head back to the expo to grab dinner thereafter headed back to the room!
Later in the night Daddy and Mummy wanted to grab us supper from Mackers but it appeared it closed at 10pm, as with all the shops/restaurants at the mall (would’ve thought Macs would at least be opened till late!), but oh well…
Now you see it, now you don’t!
So again in a blitz the 2nights come to a really quick end (and nope Daddy didn’t get time to swim with us in the pool as he promised!) and we’re looking forward to our trip to Europe for Christmas 2023.
Whaddayaknow Daddy says lets head to the Ritz for the long weekend over Deepavali!
Good thing rooms were still available considering it’s the long weekend (though not officially the year-end school holidays yet!) – you know what that mean; a bag full of school books and Mummy’s homework in tow!
Anyway he arrive in early Sunday arvo and were informed the rooms were ready. How nice considering this property does not participate in the Marriott Bonvoy programme. Daddy drops us off at the porch, offloads the bags, zips down into the basement and comes back up to the checkin.
We get a room on the (8th?) but didn’t seem too high up… had a nice view of the Kallang (without the river) though!
…and the supposed infamous Ritz octagonal bathroom with tub with iconic bubble bath – no need for any other B&B bathbombs!
There is also a kids room which we checked out on the 2nd floor but seriously for the infants/toddlers!
We reluctantly leave the room (after much coercion from the adults!) to explore.
Lo and behold what do we see at the basement towards the pool/gym – why not 1 but 2 grand pianos!
A Yamaha we see and a Kawai – guess which one Daddy makes a mad dash for!
Walkway to Marina Square and Millenia Walk! (Didi and Daddy walked the same way when going to the 2022 NDP, then at the Marina Floating Barrage)!).
We come back to some late night screen time and make a mad dash for the room – guess who’s playing but Mr Shark!
And a surprise turn down service (with mints and oh-wait, a cake we see!) – they must’ve known it was Daddy’s upcoming birthday! Happy Birthday Dad-O!
Rise and shine.
We hit the pool for a bit.
Noteworthy mention of Mr Water Balloon made by Jo which burst and flooded the floor!Ritz-Carlton Monopoly version!Hello and Goodbye, till the next one!
Staycay at the Ritz ended in a blitz for sure… and we’re ready for the next!
Ahead of our week long road trip (revisited from 2022 which we did same time last year (*knock knock* on Daddy to get this posted since its a year long overdue!), Daddy thought it’d be a good idea to celebrate our birthday with a StayCay at St. Regis!
Conveniently located along Tanglin and tucked in a little inconspicuous nook which we never really took notice of despite visiting Focum and Tanglin Mall!
Seems to be one of those sit down check-in concepts and Daddy duties beckon…
There’s a nice sit down bench in at seemingly larger-than-usual elevator.
Getting into our Lady Astor Double Room, tucked away at the corner.
Some nice birthday amenities – thank you for the nice gestures! And did we mention the amazing butler service that the folks at St. Regis are really well known for!
Soon enough its back to prep time!
Heading out to dinner at the nearby Tanglin Mall! Not to be mistaken by the adjacent Tanglin Shopping Centre which is now shut!
Its a long day and we tuck in for the night, but not before a long bubble bath…
Exploring the grounds – pool and gym…
After a hearty brekkie at a very picturesque Brasserie Les Saveurs!
So we head back to Mandarin Oriental on 18th Mar 2022 for Mummy’s belated birthday weekend (we first visited on 26th Dec 2020). We kinda liked MO and enjoyed the food at Melt Cafe so that was it. We were by this time FOMO (Friends of Mandarin Oriental!) so they were kind enough to accord us an early checkin. Daddy says not really due to being FOMO but prolly cos global travel had yet resumed in full force so local establishments were still promoting the local staycation options! Anyway we rock up round about noon but were informed our room was not yet ready. bummer!
Lobby looking rather Oriental… But amazing architecture (very similar to Ritz Carlton!).
Anyway they allocate us a temporary holding room 1524 until our room was ready. We get comfy and check and nooks and crannies. Room though mare seemed tired, worn and dated… The MO juice was yummy though!
Didn’t seem too long after when we get a call informing us our room was ready and someone would meet us there with our bags and key cards.
This was to be a Premier Room with additional roolaway bed and add on of 2 breakfast for us kids.
The view from our room facing Suntec and the Marina Square rooftop tennis courts!
Ooh and welcome amenities + (smallish) cake for the birthday girl!
Once done exploring the room guess what, assessment books come up from hiding and it’s prep work time again – aka time behind bars!
After sometime we get the green light to have some chillax time. Remember these were days is SMM (safe management measures and only vaccinated individuals were allowed to use the pool), that also based in the reserved time slot – each guest could book on a first-come-first served basis an hour per day use of the pool. Since we got in really easily this time we get slot from 5-6pm and head down on time.
We head to the adjacent Marina Square for dinner. Ooh look what do we have here but Pororo Park! Looking very similar to the original park in Seoul.
Some nice balloon sculptures.
And wait, Poli! Checkout Daddy squeezing himself into the kiddy ride. What a big kid, Lol.
Disclaimer: Daddy’s been kind of on our backs (does buggin’ count!) for some time now, wanting us to get back on track on bloggin’ our cruise trip from back in (Nov?) 2021! Truth is, Didi and I have written in part our drafts but Daddy seemed to have misplaced it! So bummer, its been > 2 years so suffice to say it would be quite challenging now having to write retrospectively…
Nonetheless here we go…
Its smack in the middle of COVID and borders have been shut circa 18months.
Most folks are now up to speed and onto their 2nd jabs yet still no signs of borders reopening.
Still amidst that comes a glimmer of hope for cross-border travel!
Royal Caribbean along with another liner announce a cruise-to-nowhere, or what Daddy says, the closest to getting on an airplane – complete with passport/immigration control.
Passports in hand (good thing we checked our passport which at that point in time was already growing mouldy though still valid!), so here we come!
Pre voyage day we had to prebook activities and dining options, and not forgetting select the check-in slot which ran hourly. We think apart from the cabin classes (first and suites), it was fastest fingers first (i.e. you’d need to log in to the RC app couple of weeks prior to departure to select your choice slot – obviously the earlier the better given most popular activities get fully booked early.
Recall we’re still knee-deep in COVID mode so passengers were advised to arrive an hour earlier prior to their (designated), or selected check-in slots for pre-departure ART tests.
Oh hello, Royal Caribbean, what a mighty grand lady of the seas, here we come!
Daddy reminiscing his sea-faring days on the other grand ol’ dame, now supposedly converted to a hotel!
We opted for self-park (flat circa $50 payable on exit via self-pay ticket, else you risk paying in excess of an astronomical $500! see below), thinking hey we might be nice and early – no crowds! Until we found out we had to find our way to the concourse “bag drop off area” + check-in, which was by which time overflowing with passengers…
There was a system where you would drop off your bags, wave goodbye until you see them onboard (we find out they would be tagged and delivered directly to our cabins).
Once bag-free we take the elevator up (for 3rd/4th floor, and make a bee line and wait in queue to get ART swabs shoved up our nostrils. Once done, wait at the holding area for about 45-60mins and wait for your COVID negative results to be sent via MOH SMS.
One done we could proceed to the boarding gate (so airport-like!) and clear immigration.
Daddy did have some issues getting through immigration but glad that he eventually did!
Phew.
Ahoy mate! We head for the gangway and make our merry way onboard!
There was a reminder on the pitfalls and woes of problematic gambling. Actually the ship was big enough to explore without even stumbling onto the casino (Daddy says its somewhere near the adults-only pool/Solarium so that’s obviously off-bounds for the kiddos) – this seemed to be the differentiating factor between Royal Caribbean and the other cruise operator we were initially contemplating between – the latter touted as a floating casino with peripheral activities rather than a family entertainment cruise with a casino as one of the entertainment options!
Oh p.s. pro tip was to get on the ship’s WIFI (which was possible as soon as you get quayside waiting for the ART work completed) as early as you could to book out dining and activity slots.
By the time we get onboard, we were greeted with our cabin keycards, and we make a dash for our cabin which was located in the forward section of the ship (we had to walk around orientation of the main deck en route…).
Final dash to #148 – a family balcony deluxe (sorry guys no fancy suites with fancy dining options – Daddy thought there were more than enough standard dining options anyways without the need therefore for further topups!).
Pretty snug. Nice and cozy 3-nighter for the rest of our cruise.
We make our way for an early dinner (the RC is still alongside the Cruise Terminal and scheduled to depart only around 8pm.
We wave goodbye to the mainland and soak in a beautiful Singapore night skyline…
Have a stroll around the mighty huge ship while eventually finding our way to what would have been touted the most popular activity onboard – ‘ Bumper Cars!’ in the entertainment hub – with Playstations, pool, ping pong tables, foos ball and housed the Hot Dog stand!
We come back to our cabin with a turn-down service! Haven’t seen this in a while for sure!
The morning after Day#1!
The next couple of days were just a flurry of eat, play, watch, eat, watch play and Repeat.
A couple of noteworthy activities include, but not in cascading order of fun:
1. Movie Screening (Tom and Jerry!)
Tom & Jerry screening at the cinemaTom & Jerry screening at the cinema
2. Northstar – paid tour up the observation deck/crane (Didi was a little sick at this point!)
NorthstarNorthstarNorthstarNorthstarNorthstarView from Northstar
3. iFLY by RipCord (checkout our separate post on this!)
4. Scavenger Hunt – some pix from this (and oh, by the way, we met our classmate Wei Zhe!)
5. Towel Making
Looks like an elephant!Wait, is that a dinosaur?!
6. Origami Folding & Pop-up Card Making…
Pop-up Card MakingOur Pop-up Cards!
7. Bumper Cars (we hear the arena could intermittently be converted to a laser tag arena though we didn’t see this during the duration of our cruise).
8. Foosball and XBox mania!
9. Adventure Ocean Kids Club? *meh*
10. Table tennis, and of course more eating!
Other random pix – cool elevator, and more dining (WindJammer is by far our favorite and more popular as an all-day family dining option)…
On the final night Daddy and Mummy let us stay up later –
After dinner we head to the pool, couldn’t miss night swimming on a cruise (not many were there guess they had other stuff they wanted done before the cruise was over!)
Later in the evening we find out there was a Magic Show – Busters? He was quite a class act – juggling, balancing + juggling, and even had a sidekick Donkey who literally made an ass of him!?
The final morning we get up mighty early – apparently there were staggered check-out slots depending on cabin numbers (yeah right, more like cabin classes)… so we had an early breakkie and watch as our cruise ship glides back into the cruise terminal.
The whopping $514 parking fee had it not been for the park and sail coupon…
Daddy rounds us up and says we’re going to a picnic in a couple of weeks – how very unlike him at all. Fancy him sitting on a grass patch…
Anyway invites are soon in order, albeit a little late given the 2 weeks’ prior notice compared with the > 1 month’s notification year ago.
One for the record – last year’s Amex Plat Af’Fair via Virtway Events Portal.
Throwback to Daddy running around his avatar silly – ultimately finding his calligraphy, bouquet of flowers and Comic Strip!
This time round it would be in a hybrid form – physical Picnic Plush event (takeaway so you can partake of the food and picnic at wherever you please), followed by an evening livestream concert again for you to enjoy from the comforts of home or wherever you would be from 730pm on).
Guess what, Jason Mraz the man gave the JTwins a shoutout! No kidding…
So prep to the party started 2 weeks out with folks getting an EDM mailer soliciting an option of either:
Full event (Picnic Plush + Livestream Concert), or
Livestream Concert only
Knowing Daddy – he goes all out for Option#1 with further info on selection of meal option* + drive through timing for collection at the designated venue, post which a notification that a car decal would sent within the next couple of days leading up to the event.
We ended up going with Picnic Delights by (hi again) Masons!
*Picnic Delights/Classics by Masons, Specialties by Hopscotch or Signature by Halia for a Halal option.
Good job to the team for putting together and curating a list of picnic spots to enjoy the Great Outdoors in collaboration with Tatler! [Click below for the Top 10 Picnic Spots]
Saturday comes, and we make our way to Masons @ 8 Lock Road and although the dark clouds loomed, we were greeted by some sunshine from the team.
Surprisingly no queue and the drive through collection was really quick and efficient – scanning of a pre-shared QR code, member verification and sighting of car decal was all it took and off we headed to the pitstop.
The pit crew help load the loot into the boot…
Only thing was none of the food seemed kid friendly from when the previewed the menu, and while Daddy had given us his word on Macker’s breakie for us kids – we had to make sure he made good his word.
So out we went towards Hort Park (literally across the road) and made another pitstop for drive thru at McDonalds PSA, and boy was that a bee line – 40mins from when we got to the start of the line to when we made off with our orders. By which time however it was pouring! Still to satisfy Daddy’s curiosity we stopped by Hort just to recce if there was some shelter for us to take refuge in with the picnic basket in tow but decided otherwise when da Boss(not us for sure, but lets not get into that for now!) vetoed we should head home in view of the rain!
Back home we offloaded the stuff – boy there were loads of stuff.
We gobbled down our usual staples of Fillet O’Fish and Cheeseburger and then watched the grown ups wolf down their lunch.
Good thing about events like these – there’s always games – recall good ol’ Jump, Jump Reindeer for Christmas last year!
This year it was Pacman reloaded and Snake (yikes) [rebranded as Baggin’ Sunshine] with more booze prices up for grabs.
I tell you Daddy was engrossed, and glued to his phone all afternoon but we came in only a measly top 16 at best – he was obviously grumbling away…
Nonetheless he did tell us we won something at the lucky draw (we think it was a sure-win spin though!).
Fast forward to the evening live stream at 7.30pm – given it was obviously way past our bedtime, Daddy did record snippets of it, especially the shoutout part (to the JTwins)!
So much for a picnic which we brought back home (we’ll get to Hort Park at some point hopefully in the not-so-distant-future to unwrap and use the picnic mat + board games provided!).
For now, here’s to Jason and the team for putting together a Great Outdoorsy event for the year, and Jason Mraz himself with I’m Yours!
