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We all missed being able to travel during the dark and uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even when Vaccinated Travel Lanes were introduced, few of us were interested. After all, undergoing numerous PCR tests is uncomfortable and being subject to quarantines, especially if you catch COVID, is hardly how anyone wants to spend their holiday. So, a lot of folks became 'tourists in their own country'. And staycations, or staycays for short, became popular. Being cooped up in one's home for too long does that to people. But now that we can freely travel without needing PCR tests and quarantines (and face masks for that matter), some have opined that staycays are no longer relevant. I, however, think otherwise. Here are five reasons why. Photo: Paolo Nicolello, Unsplash 1. It's less of a hassle compared to going overseas. Planning an overseas holiday is complicated. You need to book flights, consider where you'll be staying and figure out an itinerary. That means you'll have to do research (Google and YouTube) to come up with a list of places and activities to do at your destination. This also results in having to figure out the logistics and transportation that go along with said activities. How difficult this will be is subjective. But some form of planning is required. In comparison, a staycay only requires me to plan when to take leave and check out the room rates for the hotel my wife and I wish to stay in. Then, we just pack light. There is no need to wake up early or stay up late to catch a flight. Flying off to another country is fun, but it requires planning, time and effort 2. Forgot something? No worries. One of the advantages of staycationing is convenience - you don't have to go or look far to find say, toiletries or swimwear. There's also no need to exchange currency (or worry about exchange rates and which money changer to go to). I don't have to subscribe to a roaming service either. One thing that worries me before my wife and I fly overseas is whether we've left anything charging. If we're on a staycation, we wouldn't be concerned because hey, if needed, we can return home to check. Not having to worry about such things is why staycations can be more stress-free compared to a holiday overseas. You can still eat well in Singapore - just go to your usual haunts while on a staycation 3. There might be food issues. Trying new food is one of the biggest reasons for exploring other countries. You can really get to know another country's culture by keeping an open mind and sampling their local fare. However, not all of us are fortunate enough to have travel companions with the same mindset. If your family members are the type who 'can only eat local food' or worse, only want to patronise restaurants from global F&B chains, holidaying overseas is probably inconvenient for you. But if you're on a staycation, then your less adventurous family members should have less to complain about, which might result in less stress for you as well. Hotels like Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore can make you feel like you're in an overseas resort, even if you haven't left the country 4. Consider medical concerns. Not everyone is blessed with good health, even for those who work out regularly and watch their diet. Sometimes, genetics just gets the better of you. If you have family members that can't travel due to underlying medical concerns, a staycation is a good alternative. Frankly, being able to find a hotel that gives you the feeling that you're not in Singapore is not easy. But perhaps a getaway to Sentosa (which is not on the 'mainland') might suffice. Although you'd still be in Singapore, staying at a hotel means not having to clean your room or worry about running the air-con 24/7. Not having to think about chores is a stress-reliever, which is what holidays are about. 5. Staycations generally cost less. A three-night stay at a local hotel (provided you haven't booked the Presidential Suite and aren't eating all your meals there) can be cheaper than a six-day holiday overseas, so when I feel like I need a quick break from work, a staycation really does the trick. Well-meaning colleagues always mention that part of the hotel budget could have been used for air tickets. Or that we should have redeemed our miles instead. But these suggestions overlook the fact that going overseas entails other costs as well. These include currency exchange, your hotel, food, and pocket money for shopping. When we're overseas, there's a tendency to want to eat more food and buy more stuff because you might not find the same things back home.

Since this is a car forum, can members here give a list of hotels that don’t give complimentary parking to hotel guests? I don’t usually do staycation in Singapore. My road trip travels to Malaysia has ALWAYS been given free parking. Due to travel restriction during covid, I’ve staycation a couple of local hotels. Felt disgusted by the lack of complimentary parking even after paying $300/night for the room.

Honestly, I think these staycation and cruise to nowhere are putting people to unnecessary risk of infection, from a health and safety point of view. I know of companies that are considering issuing SHN to those returning from cruise and staycation as an added precaution. I wouldn't say that is unreasonable... MOH investigating 13 Covid-19 infections among people who served stay-home notices at Mandarin Orchard hotel SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Saturday (Dec 19) that it is investigating 13 cases of Covid-19 infection among individuals who had served stay-home notice (SHN) at Mandarin Orchard Singapore hotel, which will stop accepting new guests with immediate effect. In a press statement, MOH advised guests who have stayed at the hotel between Nov 11 and Dec 19 to monitor their health closely for 14 days from their last date of stay. “They should see a doctor promptly if they develop symptoms of acute respiratory infection (such as cough, sore throat and runny nose), as well as fever and loss of taste or smell, and inform the doctor of their exposure history,” said MOH. It added that persons on SHN are housed in a dedicated tower and floors at the hotel, segregated from all other guests, with no interaction amongst them. “However as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all guests in the hotel, the hotel will check out all its occupants. Persons serving SHN will be transported via dedicated vehicles to an alternative SHN dedicated facility. "Deep cleaning and disinfection will be carried out by the hotel, in consultation with MOH and the National Environment Agency.” The hotel has made arrangements to check out existing guests progressively. Restaurant and event spaces within the hotel will also be closed. MOH said that as part of routine laboratory surveillance, the National Public Health Laboratory conducts whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis on all Covid-19 cases. It takes about four weeks to culture the virus and complete the genome sequencing. Thirteen imported cases, who were confirmed between Nov 2 and 11 to have Covid-19 infection, were observed to have high genetic similarity despite the cases having arrived from different countries, including Bahrain, Canada, Indonesia, Myanmar, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. “This suggests that these cases were likely infected from a similar source," said MOH." Further investigations by MOH found that these 13 cases had served SHN at Mandarin Orchard Singapore between Oct 22 and Nov 11. Genome sequencing and analysis are continuing for cases beyond Nov 11.” The ministry said that epidemiological investigations were immediately initiated to determine if there is a potential link between these 13 cases and if transmission could have occurred locally, and not from their country of origin. “From MOH’s preliminary investigations, we cannot exclude that transmissions could have occurred at Mandarin Orchard Singapore. ”The ministry has started special testing operations to test around 500 staff of the hotel for Covid-19 infection. These include the staff serving those on SHN as well as those who serve other guests in other parts of the hotel. “We will also test all who are currently serving SHN at Mandarin Orchard Singapore for Covid-19 infection to determine their status, instead of waiting till their SHN exit swab. ”MOH said that hotels used as SHN dedicated facilities must have in place strict protocols to segregate persons on SHN from all other guests. These include placing persons on SHN in segregated blocks, wings or floors, and ensuring their route of movement is clearly demarcated from other guests. Persons on SHN are also not allowed to leave their rooms during their stay, and rooms are thoroughly disinfected and sanitised upon completion of SHN according to strict infection control measures. “They will also not be allowed access to common facilities in the hotels. The Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Police Force conduct regular checks on these hotels to ensure that safe management measures are complied with, and that security measures are in place,” said MOH. “The Government takes a serious view of any breach in protocols and will investigate and take actions should there be non-compliance.”

A Singapore couple just paid US$2 million for a crazy romantic staycation, featuring 10,000 roses, diamond chopsticks, and a 18-course meal on a private jet source: https://www.msn.com/en-sg/lifestyle/topstories/a-singapore-couple-just-paid-usdollar2-million-for-a-crazy-romantic-staycation-featuring-10000-roses-diamond-chopsticks-and-a-18-course-meal-on-a-private-jet/ss-BBZvX8k?li=AAAHvo5#image=39 Here's one date you'll probably never top: a Singaporean millionaire has just splashed out US$2 million to take his wife on a short staycation packed with insanely luxurious experiences - and all in the name of charity. Malaysia-based angel investor Vincent Hee, 43, won the 3-day trip, lasting January 27 to 29, in an auction by Russian diamond company World of Diamonds Group. He took his wife Jane with him. The millionaire, who has a Masters of Education from Australia's RMIT University, is the director of Charis Montessori Preschool in Singapore, and involved in two other education businesses in China. The entirety of the staycation's eye-watering price tag went to funding 20,000 pneumonia vaccines for children in Nigeria. All the luxe experiences were donated by sponsors. World of Diamonds Group director Karan Tilani said he made use of the "undeniably spectacular allure and influence" of a luxurious trip to "put luxury in service of philanthropy." On Monday (Jan 27), the Hees began what would arguably be anyone's trip-of-a-lifetime with a sleek ride to dinner in a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Convertible. The entire restaurant was booked just for the pair. On the specially-designed Diamond Menu was Wagyu beef, cured flounder, smoked pork, spiced duck, rice sorbet with Chinese ham, and grilled ice plant with fishbone bitter gourd milk. Later that night, the couple retired to a room bedecked in 10,000 roses in the nearby Outpost Hotel.There was even an infinity sign made of roses installed on one wall. More roses covered a table on an outdoor patio. The next morning, they hopped onto a Ferretti 780 yacht for a cruise from Sentosa Cove - one of Singapore's poshest addresses. The luxe yacht had stunning views of the ocean... ... sun loungers on an open-air deck... ... four fancy bedrooms... ... and more chairs than two people could ever sit on. On board, the Hees toasted with Louis XIII cognac - the same kind Britain's Queen Elizabeth drank on her trip to France in 1938. They shared the moment with Tilani, who tagged along for the ride. After an outfit change, the couple were then ferried to a Bombardier Global 6000 jet in Seletar Airport, becoming the first citizens to drive a car onto the airport tarmac. In the air, the pair settled in for an 18-course dinner by renowned British chef Kirk Westaway, who runs Michelin-starred JAAN at City Hall. Westaway, who won Male Chef of the Year at the 2019 World Gourmet Summit Awards, worked out of the jet's kitchen during the flight. He said: "It is my mission to present our guests with an unforgettable meal that evokes nostalgia - through familiar yet elegant flavours of the finest seasonal produce the world has to offer." While the chef cooked, the Hees drank vintage Dom Penrignon, Penfolds Grange 14, and Krug champagnes as the US$50 million jet cruised over Southeast Asia. Westaway emerged from the galley 18 times to present each of the dishes. The most lavish item was easily a tuna belly sashimi... ... which the couple ate using diamond chopsticks worth US$17,000.... They were allowed to take the chopsticks home after the meal. Other courses included a leek and potato soup with black truffle... ... the "English Garden", Westaway's popular deconstructed salad... ... a beetroot meringue with olive pearls and chive cream... ... a Wagyu Tomahawk steak... ... and angel hair pasta with caviar. At one point, the chef even pulled out an entire leg of Iberico ham and sliced it on the spot. The meal ended with a pretty pear tart... ... and some chocolates, macarons, and more roses. As a parting gift, the Hees also got a 2.08-carat vivid blue diamond ring named after British-American actress Jane Seymour. According to Forbes, the diamond's size and saturation ranks it among the world's rarest gems. Alas, the glorious meal was finished, and the pair left Seletar Airport for their new resting place for the night... ... none other than the historic Raffles Hotel, which has hosted celebrities like Michael Jackson, Rudyard Kipling, and most recently Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton. Husband and wife bunked in one of the hotel's two presidential suites, which start from S$15,000 per night (US$11,000). Raffles Hotel claims these rooms are the grandest suites in the entire country. To end off their crazy rich staycation, the Hees enjoyed a final round of drinks, fruit, and fresh flowers. \../

Hi guys, not sure anyone have started this thread before.. Anyway thinking about doing staycation in Singapore soon. Anyone have any great idea/experience which hotel in Singapore give you superb staycation hospitality service, food and places to relax? Going with wife ah... So no naughty stuff...

Hi guys, EduMatters is running a lucky draw with a 3D2N Staycation at Sentosa as the grand prize! Taking part is really easy. Just leave a memorable school story (Can be teachers, school programs, school staff etc) to be eligible! Also you can have multiple entries for the different schools you have attended (as a student), or even the school that your child is attending (as a parent). Hope one of the Bros from MCF win the staycation at Festive Hotel! http://edumatters.sg/promotions/