Holiday Guide for Adults

By Victoria Barker

STAYCATIONS

Thanks to the troubled economy, Singaporeans are switching to staycations as a good way to take a break - without breaking the bank.

The word "staycation" is a combination of the phrase "stay-at-home" and "vacation", and it means taking a holiday, close to home.

Hotels my paper spoke to said that up to 20% of their guests are locals or Singapore- based expatriates.

This year, in particular, there has been an increase in the number of people who take staycations.

"More are getting away from the hustle and bustle of hectic city life without actually travelling overseas, and without straining their pockets, because they save on airfare," said Mr Ben Bousnina, general manager of the Rasa Sentosa Resort.

And more hotels are catching on to the trend, with some like The Fullerton Hotel and the Scarlet Hotel offering perks for staycation-goers (see sidebar).

At the Rasa Sentosa, a five-star luxury resort that first opened its doors in 1993, special rates are on offer, starting from $370, for local holiday-goers.

TROPICAL GETAWAY

Though not entirely childfree, it's easy to see why the 459-room resort is touted as a tropical getaway.

By The Beach: The Barnacles Restaurant

The lobby overlooks the sea, and palm trees line the soft sandy beach - a three-minute walk from the hotel. While escaping reality during a two-night staycation last month, I stumbled upon several quiet, kids-free spots.

Take the restaurant Barnacles, for example. The resort's signature restaurant is located by the water, away from the child-friendly coffeehouse at the hotel, and is great for a romantic dinner for two.

Hotel guests also say that the waterfront lawn near Barnacles is one of the resort's most secluded spots.

Feel free to pull up a deck chair to face the sea, and read, listen to music, or bask in the glow of the setting sun. Sure, it's located close to the swimming pool that kids love to visit, but if you laze about during the early morning or towards the evening, you'd never know they were around.

RELISH SPA LUXURY

The health club and spa is another great find at the resort.

It's located on the bottom level of the hotel.

With 11 treatment rooms in total, it offers everything from massages to facials, body scrubs,manicures and pedicures, starting from $55 for foot reflexology.

While relaxing inside, the din of the outside world sounds very far away indeed.

Rasa Sentosa recommends the Spa Moments package for couples.

Starting from $369++ per night, the package includes a night's stay, as well as rejuvenating spa treatments comprising a massage and facial, and other goodies like food- and-beverage credit at Barnacles, a bottle of wine and discounts on further spa treatments.

Words to the wise: A kids' recreation club is located dangerously close to the spa, so to avoid waiting around in the vicinity, arrive promptly for your appointment.

Another insider tip is to avoid Dec 13, the night of Zouk- Out, the annual dance-music festival on Siloso Beach.

The hotel has made it regular practice to give ear plugs to guests as the festival runs from 6.30pm till 8am the next day.

When booking a room for a staycation, Mr Bousnina suggests asking for corner rooms as these are quieter, with fewer families being located nearby.

Also book during the week to avoid the rush of families, he added.

That will help ensure a more relaxed vibe, if that's what you're after.

Rasa Sentosa Resort is at 101, Siloso Road.

For more information and room rates, call 6275-0100.

Romantic staycations at luxury hotels (BELOW), Fullerton Square, tel: 6733-8388 www.fullertonhotel.com The Fullerton Hotel Spoil yourself with a special weekend package at this five-star establishment, which is offering exclusive deals for Singaporeans, starting from $368++ per night for the Movie Mania package. This includes a night's stay in a Courtyard room, two complimentary in-house movies as well as dinner for two and snacks. Here's a tip: If you really want to splash out, ask for the Heritage rooms, which have balconies that overlook the pool, or the two-storey Loft Suites. But be prepared to pay extra. Heritage rooms go at $850++ and Loft Suites cost $1,680++ per night. THE SCARLET HOTEL 33, Erskine Road, tel: 6511-3333 www.thescarlethotel.com This posh five-star boutique hotel is popular with couples for good reason. Elegant chic is the order of the day at the Scarlet, with its eclectic decor and classy feel. Weekend rates start from $230++ for a Deluxe room. The Passion Suite ($950++) was made with honeymooners in mind, and even has an outdoor jacuzzi. NEW MAJESTIC HOTEL 31-37, Bukit Pasoh Road, tel: 6511-4700 www.newmajestichotel.com This upscale boutique hotel is an intimate affair located just outside Chinatown. Each of its rooms is designed differently, with quirky art ranging from fantasy landscapes to cartoon sheep. Rates start from $400++ per night for a single room, but ask for the Attic Suites ($750++), which feature claw-foot tubs

WIN A STAY AT THE RASA SENTOSA RESORT Rasa Sentosa Resort The Rasa Sentosa Resort is giving away a night's stay worth over $370 to two my paper readers. You'll get to live it up in a Deluxe Seaview Room (with complimentary breakfast for two) at the resort. To win, answer this question: What is the name of the Rasa Sentosa Resort's signature restaurant? E-mail your answer by Wednesday at 6pm with your name, NRIC number and contact numbers to rasacontest@gmail.com Winners will be notified via telephone by Friday.

vbarker@sph.com.sg

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