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It’s been over four months since hotel leisure stays in Singapore became possible again, with five hotels kicking off the ‘staycation movement’ back on 9th July 2020. In the first month alone, 200 hotels gained approval and opened for staycation guests, however in the three months since then, only 30 additional properties have joined the list.
That’s a significant slowdown, partly because many hotels remain committed to contractual agreements to act as government facilities, accommodating stay-home or quarantine guests in the fight against COVID-19.
Another factor to consider for most of our readers is that of the 30 hotels approved in the last three months, only 11 of them have been in the luxury or mid-range category, with practically two-thirds being budget hotels, typically of little interest to staycation-goers.
Recently in fact there’s only been one luxury hotel added as an option, the Andaz Singapore, with the PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Vagabond Club and Sheraton Towers perhaps being the only notable mid-range options joining the fold in recent weeks.
Christmas will bring at least five new options
Luckily the upcoming Christmas and New Year period, not to mention Chinese New Year following in February 2021, is the perfect temptation for many hotels to dust down the cobwebs (or wind up their government facility agreements) and take advantage of local holiday demand.
While Christmas and New Year in Hong Kong isn’t necessarily off the cards for Singapore residents, the new Air Travel Bubble between the two cities will now remain firmly parked while Hong Kong works to address its ‘fourth wave’ of COVID-19 cases.
Meanwhile we already know of five popular luxury or mid-range properties here in Singapore planning to reopen next month, so let’s take a look.
SO/ Sofitel
(mid-December)
| December Rates from: |
S$261++ | Opening: | Mid-Dec |
| Category: | Luxury | Location: | Raffles Place |
The SO/ Sofitel, housed in a heritage building formerly accommodating the Singapore Telecoms Authority, originally primed us for an opening in early 2021.
Recently though the hotel has confirmed it will in fact reopen for staycations in mid-December 2020.
We contacted the hotel to check if there was an exact opening date, but they are not quite ready to confirm one yet. Here’s what they told us:
We will be opening in mid-December. Bookings are now open online. The exact date is TBC, however if you book from 15 December onwards, we should be open!
SO/ Singapore
The hotel is taking bookings through its website from 12th December 2020, with nightly rates starting at S$261++.
No specific staycation deals have been released yet, and at the moment it looks like you can expect to pay upwards of S$423++ per night for a festive stay and S$645++ on New Year’s Eve!
Conrad Centennial Singapore
(16 December)
| December Rates from: |
S$272++ | Opening: | |
| Category: | Luxury | Location: | Promenade |
Hot on the radar for Hilton Honors members is the Conrad Centennial Singapore.
That’s partly because it has not just one but two Club Lounges for status holders and suite guests; ‘Lounge by the Pool’, alongside the swimming pool, and the Executive Lounge at level 31.
Update: The Conrad Singapore has confirmed it will reopen for staycation guests on 16th December 2020, a few days earlier than they initially revealed to us.
The hotel website is now accepting bookings from 16th December 2020.
Expect to pay rates from S$272++ per room per night, though of course a stay over Christmas (two-night minimum) is currently at least S$399++ per night, while New Year’s Eve is S$459++ and upwards.
Pan Pacific Singapore
(9 December)
| December Rates from: |
S$228++ | Opening: | 9 Dec |
| Category: | Luxury | Location: | Marina Bay |
The Pan Pacific Singapore first announced it was reopening for staycation guests on 25th December 2020, which seemed a little strange as it meant you could stay on Christmas Day but not on Christmas Eve!
The hotel has recently brought forward its plans, confirming in the last couple of days that it will now start accepting leisure bookings from 9th December 2020.
The Pan Pacific’s sister hotel on Beach Road was an early joiner to the staycation party, first approved by the STB in the initial wave on 13th July 2020, but this is the first time the popular Marina Bay property will be accepting leisure guests since the ‘circuit breaker’ period began.
Rates start at a competitive S$228++ per night, with a staycation option including breakfast and F&B discounts from S$268++.
As with most hotels, a Christmas or New Year stay pushes nightly prices up to the S$350++ or more mark.
Bookings can be made through the hotel website.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
(10 December)
| December Rates from: |
S$288++ | Opening: | 10 Dec |
| Category: | Luxury | Location: | City Hall |
The JW Marriott (see our review) has finally confirmed it’s reopening for leisure guests on 10th December 2020, after a long period serving as an SHN facility.
This Philippe Starck-designed hotel, which initially opened under an independent brand in 2016 before being rebadged under Marriott in December that year, boasts some great views, two swimming pools, a spa and an excellent club lounge (though the latter sadly lacks any views).
Rates in December start at S$288++, with some special staycation packages available.
One of these, the ‘Ultimate Getaway’, allows flexible check-in for a full 24-hour stay, breakfast, a S$50 return stay voucher and S$50 F&B credit, not to mention 2,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points.
Festive staycations over the Christmas period start at S$423++ per night for Bonvoy members and a New Year’s Eve stay looks to be at least S$603++ per night.
Bookings can be made through the hotel website.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
(1 December)
| December Rates from: |
S$248++ | Opening: | 1 Dec |
| Category: | Luxury | Location: | Marina Bay |
The PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay will be Singapore’s ‘newest’ hotel when it opens on 1st December 2020, though it’s actually the result of a renovation to the well-known Marina Mandarin.
One thing to bear in mind about this property if you’re staying in December 2020 is that only two room categories will be available initially. The club lounge will also not be available, so it may not feel like a full experience at this stage.
Our Urban and Lifestyle rooms are available when we open. Unfortunately our COLLECTION CLUB Lounge will be undergoing renovation at that time.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay
The hotel will be opening in phases, with full completion expected by May 2021. That means other room categories including Family Rooms, COLLECTION Rooms and COLLECTION Suites will become available progressively, as will the hotel’s Club Lounge offering daily breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres.
Basic room rates in December through the hotel website start at S$248++, with a ‘Garden Escapade’ staycation rate from S$306++ per night including:
- Breakfast at Peppermint for two or dine in the comfort of your room.
- 50% off food from A La Carte menu at Peach Blossoms, Peppermint and Atrium Lounge
- Complimentary parking coupon
- Complimentary internet access
- A polaroid picture to capture treasured moments
- Choose one preferred experience per stay:
1) Family Fun: One extra bed, pint tent in the room, unlimited ice cream during stay, breakfast and kids amenities for up to 2 children
2) Tipples and Nibbles: Evening cocktail drinks & chefs canapés delivered to the room and guaranteed late check-out till 3pm
3) Day Out: Choice of Garden by the Bay entrance ticket to Flower Dome and Cloud Forest
4) Pavilion Picnic: A picnic experience in the “insta-worthy” sculptural pavilion
Rates over Christmas start at S$388++, with a New Year stay (minimum two nights) from S$398++.
Summary
Spending Christmas and New Year here in Singapore looks increasingly inevitable for most of us, but if you’re bored of the current staycation hotel selection it’s good to know that five popular properties will be reopening their doors to tap in to the busy season.
There are some competitive rates on offer, especially for the JW Marriott including a S$50 F&B credit and S$50 return stay credit.
We expect more packages will be released in the coming weeks, including some specific Christmas and New Year stay offers, so keep an eye out for those.
If we get word of any other hotels opening next month, we’ll be sure to let you know. Make sure you’re following our Telegram channel and other social media accounts for the latest updates.
(Cover Photo: Accor)