Video Credit: Discovery Walking Tours TV Image Credit: Nest at One Farrer - Peony Villa
Who doesn’t love a staycation? It’s our fictional travel scenario living on the little red dot and allows for a change of scenery while following all the proper health protocols. This reporter was privileged to represent Expat Choice in Singapore at a recent staycation at One Farrer Hotel.
One Farrer Hotel is centrally located above the Farrer Park MRT and steps away from the heart of Little India. This urban hotel served as an extension to the Farrer Park Hospital during the early days of the global pandemic and was home to the first drive-thru covid testing facility in Singapore.
At the same time, two million dollars were invested to upgrade the top floors to create the Mint Hotel concept, complete with state of the art materials for safety and cleanliness while offering a chic look and vibe.
The iconic green apple sculpture will catch your eye as your enter One Farrer Hotel and the friendly staff will assist you with check in. When you enter your Mint room you will first be struck by the incredible views of Farrer Park, the cityscape and the red rooftops of Little India.
The room has a sleek décor, anti-microbial furnishings, large bathroom and shower. It is spacious and elegant. The room comes complete with a free minibar, personal sanitizing products and a relaxing rainwater showerhead.
In January 2021, you will have access to the Pillow Lab – a curated selection of pillows - down, charcoal, memory, contour and brace options - chosen for enhanced comfort and antibacterial materials.
Each pillow is sanitized in the industry leading Ultraviolet C Chamber (UVC) after each guest. Choose your ideal pillow for a perfect night’s sleep. You may choose to purchase your favorite and take it home with you.
Now you know your health and safety are foremost in the mind of the One Farrer Hotel team, it’s time to enjoy the opulence. My first stop is the Olympic size pool. Located on the sixth level, this gorgeous setting features poolside cabanas and you may enjoy cocktails at the Sunset Bar.
Image Credit: One Farrer Hotel partner, Tour East Walking Tours
As the name implies, the Sunset Bar is the perfect spot to enjoy Singapore’s colourful sunsets. The fitness centre is open 24/7 and the Adeva Spa offers a wide array of facial and massages services. This Expat Choice reporter can highly recommend the 24K Gold Facial.
Nest at One Farrer Hotel is the pinnacle of luxurious private dining set in the lush sky suites on Level 20. You can dine with your guests - up to two tables of 5 people for the larger suites - for an intimate experience. The Heavenly Opulence staycation package includes a four-course dinner for four people.
I enjoyed the cherry wood smoked duck breast, butternut squash veloute - oh my… the soup…out of this world delicious. There was also perfectly prepared tournedos Rossini and the delightful banana and caramel parfait with fresh berries and peanut ice-cream. The service staff are professional, knowledgeable and courteous.
Choose a sky suite for your stay with two large en-suite bedrooms, dining room, living room and a double balcony with outdoor private jacuzzi tubs. The Heavenly Opulence package includes a 2D/1N stay in the sky suite and it truly is an opulent experience.
The Mint Hotel package gives guests access to the lounge and pool on Level 18. Guests can enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and evening snacks. The 3D/2N staycation (*SG$599 nett) offer also includes the option of two walking tours.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Little India. One Farrer Hotel partner, Tour East, showed the hidden treasures of Little India. The street murals and shop houses are highlights with many instagram-able sites.
One Farrer Hotel is a true treat whether it's for one luxurious night or for a long weekend or rest and relaxation. As always, it is a pleasure to be in the know with Expat Choice whose motto is "local experiences with global reach".
*pricing correct at original date and time of publishing 22/12/2020
ABOUT BETH HOLLAHAN
Beth Hollahan is the owner of MEH Consulting Group Pte. Ltd., a boutique coaching and consulting firm with a global clientele. Beth specializes in leadership development and change management with bespoke services for each client. Follow her on Instagram @BethCoaching