By Jessica Choy
Memories made together last a lifetime. With our plans of going abroad being derailed by the pandemic and the energetic young ones just raring to go, you’ll be surprised to learn of these familiar sights and spots within the dazzling red dot which will cater to the perfect multi-generational getaway. From a fun afternoon of DIYs and crafts to reinvigorating wellness experiences, our curated list of ideas and experiences promises a treat for the young and doting attention on parents and grandparents.
Whether you’re looking for a staycation loaded with immersive experiences or just looking for a simple respite from the daily grind, get creative in designing your September to Remember with our Blue Sky Escapes Family Staycation Guide.
Look forward to: imaginative themed suites and dynamic activities in the heart of the city.
Surrounded by 15-acres of lush, landscaped gardens and set within the dazzling heart of the city is the idyllic Shangri-La Hotel. Live out your fantasies in themed family suites that will take you and the kids on an adventure of your choosing: be it to a safari, castle, to outer space, underwater, or amid the treetops… it doesn’t have to stop there.
The hotel’s distinct hospitality and unparalleled service will meet every hearts’ desire. Guests residing at the themed suites and deluxe family rooms have access to a family concierge and pantry equipped with the essentials for the perfect family stay, including dedicated children’s amenities by premium Norwegian children’s furniture and accessories brand, Stokke.
Let luxury meet fun. Energetic younger ones can look forward to a line-up of invigorating activities. Over at buds by Shangri-La, families can bond, learn and play in an interactive experiential space. Lovers of the outdoors, beat the September heat at Shangri-La’s Splash Zone, Singapore’s newest water playground and family pool. Meander around lazy rivers and have a blast with water sprouts and jet cannons. For aspiring young swimmers, there are pools to wade in as well. Parents are invited to join in on the fun, or can choose to rest easy and lounge on the outdoor pool decks to observe the young ones splash around.
Feeling peckish or in need of an energy boost? You’ll be glad to know that Shangri-La has one of the widest offerings of culinary experiences among local hotels, with 11 restaurants and bars. Dining establishments such as Origin Grill and The Line also offer kid-friendly menus specially curated by nutritionists, so the little ones can look forward to deliciously healthy spreads.
At the end of the day, leave it to the skilled therapists at Chi, The Spa to pamper your body and soul with holistic treatments and relieving massages.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our Family Adventure exclusive gives you discounted rates on your booking, complete with a kids’ check-in experience. Parents and other adult family members, your restorative needs will be taken care of with 15% off à la carte treatments at Chi, The Spa.
With a minimum two-night stay, you can enjoy other benefits such as complimentary room upgrades and hotel credit.
Look forward to: experiential workshops and fun for the whole family.
Be whisked away to a private world of serenity at Capella Singapore, set amongst 30 acres of elegantly landscaped forests framed by the sea. Tastefully designed by Jaya Ibrahim, this luxury accommodation stays attentive to detail that embrace the Asian tradition, while upholding contemporary comforts.
Specially crafted for multi-generational fun, Capella’s Culturist has a series of family-friendly programmes and workshops lined up for your choosing: Team up with the kids and channel your inner detectives in a scavenger hunt, or try your hands at making sweet treats in a sprinkle-filled evening of cake-pop making or cookie and cupcake decorating sessions. If you wish to venture out, the hotel is conveniently located a 15-minute walk away from the fascinating S.E.A Aquarium and Universal Studios, Singapore.
For families looking for a fresh morning swim or evening wade, iconic cascading pools at Capella are reminiscent of the rice padi fields in Ubud, Bali, and will transport you to a tranquil haven. Pool floats are also available for the little ones.
Between these exciting endeavours, satisfy your taste buds with Capella’s delectable dining options. From traditional to unexpected delights, stop by The Knolls, an all-day restaurant with views of the South China Sea, or go contemporary at Cassia, where they serve sumptuous Cantonese cuisine.
If you can’t bear to leave your furry friends at home, Capella is also pet-friendly in certain sections of the resort.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our Third Night On Us exclusive gives you a complimentary upgrade to Palawan Villa upon arrival, where you can directly access Sentosa’s Palawan Beach, endearingly known as Singapore’s happiest family beach. You can also enjoy other benefits such as early check-in or late check-out, subject to availability.
Look forward to: 24/7 butler services to pamper, and diving deep into stories of the city.
You’ll find that at The Raffles Hotel, the past is reawakened in style with neo-Rennaissance architecture, lofty high ceilings, and extensive verandas. Opened in 1887, it is one of the few remaining great 19th-Century hotels in the world. After a glittering two-and-a-half-year restoration, the hotel now boasts a fresh new look and range of new amenities.
The tots can look forward to a fun-filled holiday here, where there’s a personalised range of day-time activities and bedtime stories specially curated for children. Treat the family to complete respite and delight with the hotel’s signature butler service, a rarity in hotels today. Butlers are equipped with skills they’ve honed at Hotel The Savoy, London, for an unparalleled standard of hospitality.
For the history buffs, we recommend a walk alongside a historian through the property to learn a thing or two of its rich past. Or, venture outside the hotel grounds to explore: Gather the family and hop on some bicycles to pedal around historic sites and soak up swathes of cultural cool at every corner. The Raffles Hotel is one of the main highlights of the award-winning bicycle tour, Trails of Tan Ah Huat: Singapore 1920s.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our exclusive gives you access to benefits such as complimentary room upgrades, hotel credit, and early check-in or late-check out, subject to availability.
Look forward to: glamorous, hassle-free family camping.
Take camping to the next level with The Fullerton Hotel’s Family Glamping experience. Parents can enjoy a comfortable stay in an elegant room, while little ones live out their adventurous fantasies and hone their survival skills within an intricate set up of sleeping tents within the same suite. Bring the sparkling night skies to the family and stargaze indoors with a constellation projector lamp at hand.
Once home to Singapore’s General Post Office and the prestigious Singapore club, this hotel has played a pivotal role in Singapore’s rich history. To satisfy young, curious minds, pop by The Fullerton Heritage Gallery for a quick history lesson. Here, discover rare postal artifacts or listen to Singapore pioneers share their stories and memories of the Fullerton Heritage precinct.
Within a short distance of the hotel, you can choose to do a deeper exploration into the rich heritage of the city by stopping by the Merlion Park, Asians Civilisations Museum, or National Gallery.
There are also plenty of delightful culinary experiences by the waterfront for your choosing, with children’s menus available in all nine dining establishments – ideal for a fuss-free dining experience. Children will also receive an ice cream pass upon check-in, which will serve as a great pick-me-up between activities.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our family glamping exclusive gives you discounted rates on your booking, complete with a welcome amenity. Larger families can take additional discounts off the booking of a second room. Children-themed amenities will be available throughout the stay, and at the end of it, you can take home children-sized bathrobes and a box of Kueh Lapis, a popular, multi-layered cake that both young and old can enjoy.
Look forward to: experiential learning on daycation/staycation.
For an immersive experience complete with a camp-like setting, you could enrol the kids for The Learning Adventure Camp. Presented by Trehaus, an integrated co-lifestyle space in the CBD area, this two-and-a-half-day camp will allow the little ones an exploration of nature through the use of art, movement, and technology.
This camp is a synergy of both indoor and outdoor experiential learning, featuring a nature and astronomy walk and activities such as multi-sports games and STEM classes. There will also be glamping in the indoor garden playground at Trehaus, which will ignite the little campers’ adventurous spirit. Participants will also picnic for breakfast, learning to connect with and appreciate nature in simple day-to-day activities.
Trehaus’ The Learning Adventure Camp is open to tots of 3 to 10 years old and priced at S$750 per child. The weekday camp will run from 8th to 10th September and the weekend camp from 11th to 13th September.
There are two ways you could choose to participate – for a daycation, children will attend the camp for two-and-a-half days, and parents can pick them up in the evening. If you’d like to turbo-boost this experience, consider a family staycation, coupled with nights at either lyf Funan or The Capitol Kempinski Hotel. Our pick is The Capitol Kempinski Hotel – architecturally captivating, this hotel celebrates historic Singapore with features both timeless and contemporary. While the kids are at camp during the day, adults can seek respite with luxurious amenities and hospitality that embraces.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our exclusive gives you discounted rates on your booking for The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, including a special welcome amenity exclusively curated for our guests.
Look forward to: a perfect time at sea, tailored to meet your every need.
ANKA
Cast off for a slick home-away-from-home onboard the Anka, a 75-feet bondway yacht. Expanded over three decks with an open concept living room and spacious outdoor deck, this yacht is our top pick for multi-generational families and special celebrations.
For sun and party lovers, let loose with the perfect combination of a jacuzzi alongside a sophisticated barbecue grill and ice-cold beer on tap.
With the wide expanse of sea and sky, the panoramic view you’d get at the bow will be the perfect finishing touch to your sea adventure.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our exclusive gives you discounted rates for any four–hour sailing period Monday through Sunday. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can enjoy readily available add-ons in the form of banana boats or tubes and Jet Ski rentals.
OCEAN DIVA
Ever thought about exploring the islands that surround the bustling city of Singapore? Vacation out at sea onboard the stunning Ocean Diva – a 45-foot sailing catamaran with spacious cabins and a large elegant saloon to house the family comfortably. Blast your favourite tunes as you kayak, paddle, or ride sea scooters – all readily available for your use on a day charter.
Or, if you’ve always wondered what it’d be like to spend a night out at sea with the young ones, the perfect 2D1N sea getaway looks a lot like this: sailing between the Sister Islands or relaxing on Lazarus Beach. For the aspiring and energetic, you could even live out fantasies of riding a swanky sea scooter or braving the waves on a hydrofoil surfboard. Meals will be provided onboard throughout the sea staycation, and you could even try your hand at catching your own dinner at a floating kelong off the enchanting island of Pulau Ubin.
Blue Sky Escapes Exclusives:
Our exclusive gives you discounted rates for a booking of any five-hour sailing period Monday through Sunday. You can enjoy readily available add-ons in the form of banana boats and sailing experiential sessions for more fun in the water.
If you’re looking to turbo-charge your family getaway or simply embark on a wholesome endeavour together, our creative and wellness-focused experiences can be combined with any of the stays above or arranged as private experiences for the family. Our experiences are personality-led and designed to uplift and restore with a focus on self-enrichment:
Yoga and Story-Telling
With story-telling to evoke a sense of wonder and imagination, children can take part in this carefully curated yoga session. Parents, you can join your children if you so wish.
Bespoke Creative Art Workshop
If you’re looking for a fun and creative family activity, join your children in learning to construct whimsical art sculptures. Let your creativity flow and watch your ideas come to life.
Mindfulness for Kids and Adults
Embark on a mindfulness retreat tailored to your needs with a child mindfulness expert, where kids and adults alike can learn about emotions, meditation, and self-expression through art.
To know more about our staycations or to make a booking, contact us on WhatsApp or reach out at ask@blueskyescapes.co.
To know more about our staycations or to make a booking, contact us on WhatsApp or reach out at ask@blueskyescapes.co.