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[title]When a holiday isn’t an option (read: a tyrannical boss), one way to relax with limited time is to pamper yourself with a weekend staycation. Enter PARKROYAL on Pickering – a hotel that’s pretty hard to beat. Here are five reasons why a staycation at this sanctuary is the perfect balm for your exhausted soul.
It’s surrounded – inside and out – by lush greenery
Photo: Patrick Bingham Hall
Stressed workers can reduce mental and physical strain by up to 60 percent by staring at greenery for a mere 15 minutes, says experts such as renowned neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis. Now, imagine being cradled within a garden all day. PARKROYAL on Pickering has more than 15,000 square metres – that’s almost twice the size of the land it occupies – of lush leaves.
Photo: Patrick Bingham Hall
Dedicated wellness floor herb garden
You can also enjoy a relaxing garden stroll. This is no typical walk in the park, but a 300 metres-long walk above street level on the hotel’s dedicated ‘wellness floor’. Close your eyes and be soothed by the trickle of the surrounding mini-waterfalls, take in the smells of the herb garden, or enjoy breathtaking views of the Central Business District and Civic District – try and spot landmarks such as the Esplanade and Boat Quay in the horizon.
Did you know? If all the plants in the hotel were uprooted, they could completely fill up the neighbouring Hong Lim Park.
It has a ‘movie-worthy’ infinity pool
Dedicated wellness floor garden walk and pool
Photo: Patrick Bingham Hall
No staycation is complete without an #infinitypool shot. Make an extra splash with yours at PARKROYAL on Pickering’s infinity pool – yep, the same one featured in the Hollywood blockbuster Hitman Agent 47. After a dip, recline with a book or take a snooze in one of the many colourful and iconic birdcage cabanas, where you’ll feel anything but caged up.
Hanging red cabana
Photo: Patrick Bingham Hall
Pro tip: We especially love the red birdcage cabana that looks as though it’s suspended mid-air – perfect for those looking to ‘nest up’ with one heckuva backdrop.
The rooms are totally zen
Deluxe King room with bathtub
Photo: Patrick Bingham Hall
Whether you opt for the Superior or Deluxe rooms, PARKROYAL on Pickering’s rooms are oases of calm, with natural elements such as light wood that give them an airy, contemporary vibe. Thoughtful details such as touch-switches, indulgent St. Gregory bath amenities, and a reclining bathtub in the deluxe rooms – to plot your next office break from – are sure to transform even the most wound-up individual into a zen master.
Deluxe room
And you’ll be doing your bit to prevent climate change, too. The hotel is one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in Singapore, with full-length windows to allow abundant daylight in, pre-set air-conditioning and separate recycle bins available.
Pro tip: Request for rooms on storey six, ten or 14 and wake up to lovely views of PARKROYAL on Pickering’s iconic zero-energy skygardens.
Indulge your taste buds with Super Lunch Sunday
Round up a perfect weekend stay with what Singaporeans do best: brunch. Extend the fun a little longer on Sunday with the 4-hour long buffet lunch at Lime. Here, you can enjoy leisurely conversations with your companions over an array of local and international delights. The extensive menu is curated by executive chef Deepak Mishra and his culinary brigade, offering up dishes such as lobster eggs Benedict with sous vide egg, roasted wagyu topside and leg of lamb, and foie gras topped with rhubarb relish or a tart berry compote.
Lobster eggs Benedict with sous vide egg
Photo: SUPERADRIANME LLP
Also dig into aromatic Asian delights such as the Nyonya laksa, Penang satay and butter chicken. Finally, end the meal on a sweet note with desserts such as Belgian chocolate marquise, strawberry-flavoured Swiss chocolate fondue and durian crêpe.
Did you know? To really be a baller, make it a champagne brunch by adding on bottles of Piper-Heidsieck.
Be treated like a VIP at the Orchid Club Lounge
Orchid Club lounge
Photo: Patrick Bingham Hall
After a tough week of being trodden down, there’s nothing like being treated like royalty on the weekend. If that sounds like you, book the Orchid Club rooms. It offers you a selection of deluxe rooms and suites at the uppermost floors, and you’ll get a whole host of privileges such as priority check-in, complimentary mini bar beverages, meeting spaces, a Club concierge and, our favourite: access to the exclusive Club Lounge. At this well-appointed lounge, you won’t even need to step out of the hotel for a bite. There are complimentary treats throughout the day, like indulgent champagne breakfasts, afternoon tea and evening cocktails.
Pro tip: Saunter out to the lounge’s adjourning rooftop terraces with a cocktail in hand, and relax with stellar views of the Singapore skyline.
Set aside some me-time now with PARKROYAL on Pickering’s special Weekend Wind-down Staycation package (from $275/night). And to make your stay even more memorable, opt for Orchid Club (from $333/night) privileges or The Suite Life (from $698/night).