I love me a good staycation, especially one which the whole family is able to enjoy.
A couple of weeks back we had the opportunity to check out (or rather, check-in into) Orchard Parade Hotel to experience their Family Staycation Package on behalf of TheSmartLocal.com and it was a welcome break for all of us. I have a soft spot for this hotel since it was here, albeit in its previous incarnation as Ming Court Hotel, that my parents celebrated their wedding banquet nearly 40 years ago. Considering how constructions is a constant in Singapore, it delights me whenever I am able to find and hold on to a piece of the past. This hotel is one of those pieces of my family history.
Of course, while the building still stands, the hotel itself is very different. Renovations over the years have kept the hotel current and it continues to draw visitors keen to take advantage of its location at right at the entrance to Orchard Road, our country's most famous shopping street.
So this hotel might be one of the stalwarts around, but we quickly discovered that one advantage that an older hotel has over some of the newer ones is: Room Size. We were booked into a Family Room and were quite bowled over by the size of it when we first entered. At 50-60sqm, it was HUGE! Even with a king bed and super single, there was still plenty of room for a sitting area and a small dining table. I reckon it's the size of a suite in some of the newer hotels. There was also a balcony (though there wasn't much of a view) and a good sized bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower. It was very comfortable, and the child-friendly touches, from the towel animals on the bed, to the craft packs that the kids received, to the child crockery and utensils were made us feel right at home.
One of the highlights of our stay was the pottery painting session that is included as part of the Family Staycation Package. In the heat of the mid-afternoon, we were more than happy to be ushered into the air-conditioned activity room, but were even more excited to find that a whole playroom set up for some family fun. The kids were instantly drawn to the cartoons being screened, and balloons and a large version of aeroplane chess to play. And on one side, a table set up for some painting fun. The kids were given a clay cupcake-shaped container and guided to use acrylic paints to design and decorate their own. When they were done, the cupcakes were left out to dry, after which we could bring them home. Mei in particular was very chuffed with her handiwork and has been using the container for her accessory odds and ends.
We had to zip off for Noey's graduation ceremony before returning for the night. I teased Noey that the stay was graduation gift to which he asked why we couldn't stay a further night. Perhaps another time, son!
The article I wrote for TheSmartLocal.com is out -- you can read it here: Orchard Parade Hotel - Gigantic Family Staycation Rooms. Click over for more details and package rates.
Thank you Orchard Parade Hotel for your hospitality and for making our stay a memorable one!
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