Hotel Review ~ Amara Hotel Singapore

I have chosen Amara Hotel specifically for its location.  I wanted to stay within walking distance from Chinatown.

We arrive at the hotel at 12nn, which was 2 hours earlier than regular check-in time.  

I appreciate that reception was kind enough to have our rooms available and ready for a complimentary early check-in.  So we got our key cards and headed to straight to our room at the Executive floor to freshen up before touring officially starting our Day 1 agenda.

Room size (32sqm) was adequate for our need.  It was just me an my husband so we really don't need much  space. 

The room came with a handy phone with internet connection that can use touring Singapore, free mini bar (replenished daily) and espresso machine.  

My husband approves ~ Yup, comfortable!

Bathroom is good sized, with separate bath tub and shower area.  They were quite generous with the toiletries as well.

I love that the towels were new and nicely washed.

They have a working table for business travelers.  My husband brought his computer as he was expecting an important Skype meeting.  

Look what Amara got me :P   

I finished the whole thing (oh the calories) as my husband napped.

 

The view from our room.

Our package also allowed us access to the Executive  Lounge ~ with complimentary breakfast, tea time (2-4pm) and nightly cocktails (6-8pm).

Just in time for "Tea Time"...

VERDICT

1. Location is perfect.  It is connected to 100AM (where a Don Don Donki store is located) with Tanjong Pagar market across the street and plenty of food options within walking  distance.  It is also easily accessible by bus (bus stop a few meters away, MRT via Tanjong Pagar Station - 400 meters and Chinatown Station 1km, taxi is also easy to hail).
2. Check in and Check out was fast and easy, though I was surprised we were not ushered to a lounge check-in
3. Lounge staff were very nice and I really felt really welcomed, however, food at the Executive Lounge lacks imagination, it was just okay (I was expecting a more flavorful flair). Sadly breakfast was the same for our 3 days stay.
4. Our room was a bit dated, but was comfortable.  It was clean and we slept soundly so I have nothing to complain.
5. The pool was under construction so we never got to use nor check it out.  I learned that they hotel was undergoing refurbishment, so that's good! 

Given so many hotel options in Singapore, it is tough to say, if I would want to stay here again, unless we need to stay somewhere near Chinatown again.   Our 3 nights was acceptable though I felt the hotel can do so much more.   

For inquiries please check their website: 

Amara Hotel Singapore.

165 Tanjong Pagar Road,

Singapore 088539​
​​Tel: +65 6879 2555
Email: singapore@amarahotels.com

Day 3 ~ Singapore Botanic Gardens and National Museum Singapore

Day 3 is all about good (and comfortable) shoes and lots of walking.

From Amara we took the MRT at the Tanjong Pagar Station to the Botanic Gardens Station. 

We entered through the Bukit Timah Gate, from here it is about a 1.4 kilometer walk to the garden's (not to be missed) main attraction National Orchid Garden ~ the house of Orchids: Imagine 1000+ species of them, excluding hybrids!

Look at what we found displayed in the VIP Orchid Section 

an variant orchid (Dendrobium) dedicated to Tatay Digong.  

TIPS:  

• Don't try to cover as much as possible in a day; I suggest you do a leisure walk and take time to admire nature.
• Stay hydrated, bring water.  
• Dress loosely and wear your best walking shoes. The garden is seriously huge (just imagine 82 hectares). 
• Entrance to the Botanic Garden is free, but you will need to pay extra (SGD5 for adults) to enter the National Orchid Garden.
• Torn between The Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay?  We have been at the Gardens by the Bay a few years back so we figured that for this visit, we should try The Botanic Garden I would say each one is beautiful in its own way. I find the the Botanic Garden more natural though and the Gardens by the Bay somewhat staged.  If you are travelling with kids, I think you would find the Gardens by the Bay  more suitable.

(Click here to check out our >>>> Gardens by The Bay). 

There are plenty of restaurants inside the garden, no need to worry, not finding a place to eat inside the Botanic Garden.  

We have decided on Casa Verde.  I think their specialty is pizza and pasta, but my husband and I settled on Singaporean local dishes.  

Word of caution,  servings in HUGE, so don't over do your orders, unless you are really, really hungry.  

Just check out these photos of our orders to see what I mean...

Food is great and highly recommended.  

We traced our steps back to the Botanic Garden Station and took the MRT to the National Museum.

My husband and I love history so with 3 hours to spare before our dinner date with Filipino friends  living in Singapore ~ we decided we drop by Singapore's National Museum. 

Coffee break was at the Food for Thought, a quaint restaurant at the museum's ground floor.

I love their coffee, which was perfect with a the carrot cake and banana cup cake we ordered.

We left the National Museum via Grab as it was raining when we finished touring. We headed back to Amara with enough time to freshen up, before meeting our friend at Maxwell Hawker Center (conveniently located within walking distance from our hotel).  

It was a wonderful Day 3 ~ relaxed and bit more spaced than yesterday's "Fully Loaded" itinerary :P

If you missed our Day 1 and Day 2 in Singapore, please click the link below:

Day 1 ~ China Town

Day 2 - Marina Bay, Clark Quay and Mustafa

Day 2 ~ All Over Singapore: Marina Bay Sands, Clark Quay and Mustafa

Day 2 is the only thing that is truly planned in our itinerary.  I have been wanting to watch Mamma Mia in Manila, but unfortunately did not have a free day to watch it.  Good luck, however was at our side (Birthday Luck working) as we managed to get tickets of the show on its last day of showing in Singapore! Yes we get to see Mamma Mia at Marina Bay :P

We got at Marina Bay for early lunch at The Bird Southern Table and Bar, which came with the show and dine package we bought.  

Food was unsurprisingly delicious and filing.  

We had Deviled Egg and Bacon and Theatre Set Special (Two pieces of Lewellyn’s Fried Chicken, Chilled Spiced Watermelon and a fresh Buttermilk Biscuit)

The restaurant was homey and with a couple of Filipino crew who looked real delighted to serve us.

After lunch we got to tour Marina Bay Sands a bit.  The place is grand and expectedly expensive.  All the big brands are there!

We watched the 1pm show since we wanted to still have time to check out the Art Science Museum and Sky Park.

After the show we (which was outstanding) we went to the Art Science Museum.  We did not enjoy it much, but  I guess kids would appreciate it better.

Our last stop at the Marina Bay area is the SkyPark.  We went there at 4pm, early enough to beat the queue of tourists fighting over a sunset view.  

We sat on the deck with ice cream onhand to end our visit to Marina Bay. 

Love the ice cream ~ perfect with the view that comes with it!

 

TIPS: Get yourself a Sands Rewards Lifestyle Cards to save on entrance fees to the many attractions of Marina Bay Sands.  It is fast and easy and you can use right away. 

We got a 1+1 deal on our Art Museum Tickets and 10% discount on our SkyPark Observation Desk Entrance and souvenir purchases.  

Your can sign-up here >>> www.marinabaysands.com/sands-rewards-lifestyle



After Marina Bay we went to Clark Quay via the MRT (through Bay Front Station to Fort Canning Station, which is just about 3 minutes walk to Clark Quay).  

It was a little early for dinner so we decided to hop on the Singapore River Cruise.  Touring the Singapore River via a bumboat was an enjoyable experience.  

Seeing Singapore on a different vantage point on a more relaxed setting was nice and pleasant.   We were back at the Clark Quay loading deck some 40 minutes after, with our tummies ready for dinner :P

Dinner was at the Muchos Mexican Bar and Restaurant next to Hooters.  We had a Muchos Platter, Grilled Chicken Quesadillas and Taco Salad, plus a round of chilled beer to each to match.

With my handsome date :P

The restaurant outdoor seating is a perfect date place to cap a night out in Singapore.  Serving is hefty and if you are not really hungry an order of the Combo set is enough for 2-3 persons.  Food is great too, though mostly spicy.

It was almost 9 when we finished eating, but the night was still young so we've decided to pay famous 24 hours Mustafa Shopping Center ~ this where to go for "pasalubong shopping".  We took a  cab to Mustafa Center.  

It gives me a peace of mind that they only sell genuine stuffs here, so you are sure not getting fakes. After my introduction to Mustafa, I don't think I will be shopping anywhere else in Singapore but here.

Our best buys include:

1. Souvenirs
2. Chocolates (my boys especially liked the chocolate coated almonds)
3. Perfume (keep in mind that you cannot hand carry anymore than a 100ml perfume bottle) 
4. Branded Shirts
5. Electronics ~ Headphones  

 

It was almost 11:30 when we finished, my feet were sore from all the walking we did today, so we hopped on to a cab to our hotel.  

Oh our POOR feet :P

Follow our Day 3 in Singapore ~ Botanical Garden, Taste of Hawker Food (up next)... 

Our Singapore DuckTour Experience

Kids and walking really doesn't fit well together. 


I figured it would take a lot of walking if we insisted in touring the Singapore Marina area on foot, and so decided a tour onboard an open tour bus and the river cruise. However, due to limited time, I thought it is brilliant to do a Wacky Duck Tour instead.


The Original (with live commentary) Singapore Duck Tour takes you on a Singapore Heritage Tour by Land and Sea on onboard a DUCK, which is actually a remodeled WWII amphibious Vietnamese war craft

I booked a combo tour, through Asiatravel, which included: a ride on the Singapore Flyer; a DUCKtour and tickets to the Gardens by the Bay twin conservatories. 

The entire package costs SGD70 for adults and SGD55 for children. 

The tour boards by the Singapore Flyer tourist center and

lasts for about 60 minutes.

Hubby and I got to see most of Singapore's famous attractions without the trouble of dragging and forcing the kids around the city.

The land adventure included sights of Esplanade, the Historic Civic District and the Suntec City.  This is followed by the harbor tour view of Marina Bay, Merlion, Art Science Museum, Skypark and Gardens by the Bay Domes.


VERDICT

I think nothing beats walking, if you are yearning for a more authentic Singapore experience.  However, if you have children around, your next best bet is a Ducktour that combines both land and sea tours.


TIPS

• The chairs near the commentator may get wet, as the duck makes a huge splash as it enters the water.  It was fun to watch my kids giggle in laughter as they moved away from the "danger zone". 
• Remember to reserve seats though phone, especially if you intend to ride on a weekend or a holiday.  I have seen a couple, turned away since the tour is full and they have not made reservations.

Check out the Duck Tour webpage for additional details.

Festive Hotel - Resorts World Singapore

Hotels inside Sentosa are really expensive, if not for a credit card promotion, which included a 2 nights stay in Festive Hotel's Family Deluxe Room, inclusive of multiple attractions tickets for 2 adults in: SEA Aquarium, Universal Studio and Adventure Cove - staying in a Sentosa Hotel would not have been included in our Singapore adventure.

I booked via Agoda using my MasterCard and used earned reward points from my previous Agoda hotel bookings.  The entire package is less than P20,000 total.

Breakfast was not included in our package though, but no worries since there are numerous restaurants in the adjoining Forum Mall and nearby Malaysian Foodstreet.

Festive Hotel is connected to the USS Theme Park through the Festive Walk and Forum.  It is still about 5-10 minutes walk to and from USS, but a lot convenient than staying outside the Resort's World complex.  

The room was huge with a king size bed, loft bed and sofa bed, that can comfortably sleep 5 pax.  The hotel provided enough linens and pillow.


Room was clean enough (since my dust allergy was not triggered), although it has seen better days and would soon need renovation. 


There is a bath tub, but I find it quite high for the average Asian.  You would need to use steps to climb in and out the tub, which could be slippery when wet.  You have to be extra cautious, especially of the kids to avoid accidents.

There is also no bidet, which saddened by husband. Bidet sprayer happens to be one of his hotel requirements.

But that was okay, as the view compensated for the missing bidet....

Our room opens up to balcony, with a pool view and a glimpse of the USS park at the back ground.


VERDICT
Would like to try other hotels in Sentosa next time.  I have heard about Movenpick, which is cleaner and newer than Festive.  Would consider staying here again, but only if on promotion.


TIPS:

1. Entry via taxi is free for hotel guests, just show a proof of your hotel confirmation (SMS or print out).
2. Ask for the special children toiletries pack upon booking.
3. Request for Sentosa Espress Pass tickets.  This would give you free access to the Sentosa Express to and from Harbourfront Station.
4. Standard Hotel Check-in at Festive Hotel is 3pm, but you may leave you luggage at the hotel concierge before exploring Sentosa Island.   
5. Festive has a pool, but the Hard Rock Pool is much nicer.  Hotel guests may use the Hard Rock Pool, just by showing their Hotel Key card.
6. For convenience, you may opt for the hotel limousine for transfers outside Resorts World.  As the taxi bay, was located near the Forum Mall (5-10minutes walk from Festive, through Festive Walk), we decided on a limousine transfer to the airport which cost us about SGD55 (regular taxi, on a non-peak hour from Resorts World would cost approximately SGD22-25).  The limousine transfer was more expensive obviously, but so convenient, considering regular taxi going outside Resorts World is difficult to get especially during rush hour.  With 4 pieces of full luggage, excluding backpacks and 2 EXTREMELY (we've been walking across Singapore for 8 days straight  now) kids in tow ~ a hotel limousine was a welcome luxury.

For Festive Hotel bookings and inquiries, please visit the Resorts World Singapore website:  FESTIVE HOTEL


You may also check out, the rest of our Singapore-Malaysia trip here:

Day 1 - Singapore City
Day 2 and 3 - LEGOLAND Malaysia
Day 4 - Jurong Bird Park and Science Center
Day 5 - Singapore Zoo (with breakfast with the Orangutans)
Day 6 - Sentosa Island
Day 7 - Universal Studio Singapore
Day 8 - SEA Aquarium and Vivo City