Updated: Travel plans cancelled? Here’s your guide to Singapore hotel staycation deals

The Covid-19 outbreak has no doubt disrupted many people’s travel plans for the March school holidays and beyond. 

But just because you can’t go overseas doesn’t mean you have to be cooped up at home. Our fearless leader has spoken: it’s your national duty to make babies do a staycation make babies while doing a staycation. 

Occupancy rates in Singapore have plunged below 50%, so it’s no surprise to see many hotels rolling out deals to attract local guests. The Singapore Hotels Association keeps a running list of these (thanks to Elaine for the link), which I’ve consolidated below for easy reading: 

Many of these rates enjoy additional perks like free breakfast, discounts on spa and F&B, and late check-out, so be sure to read the full details (links are in the hotel names).

Some hotels are so desperate for customers, they’re even throwing in the (paper) towel:

Here are some of the deals I found noteworthy:

Royal Plaza on Scotts

Even while staycationing as a family, parents may want some privacy from the kids to, er, play Monopoly Deal and other adult-oriented games. The problem is that two rooms mean double the cost. 

The good news is that Royal Plaza at Scotts is offering a special deal for the March school holidays (14-22 March), where you pay S$168++ for the first room and just S$88++ for the second. The rate also includes breakfast for both rooms, 30% off lunch & dinner at Carousel, and club lounge access. 

The promotion is ostensibly targeted at families with children, but I see no reason why two couples couldn’t also take advantage of it by booking together. 

Booking this offer is a bit confusing- you don’t select two rooms at the onset. Instead, you book one room under the “Duckling Good Time for School Break” rate…

…and the second room will appear as an add-on option. 

You’ll pay just over S$300 all-in for two rooms, or S$150 each.

Rendezvous Hotel

For S$250++ per night, guests at the Rendezvous Hotel Singapore (the one in Bras Basah) will get:

• One night in a Club Room
• A picnic basket consisting of a bottle of wine, assorted pastries, fruits, chocolates, chips, cookies and water
• A pair of EZ-Link cards (exclusive design, valued at $11 each)
• A pair of Golden Village movie tickets
• Guaranteed early check-in from 10am or late check-out till 4pm

The Club Lounge at the Rendezvous Hotel is supposed to be one of the better ones in Singapore, with a made-to-order menu in the afternoons and the usual libations during the evening cocktail hour. 

Andaz Singapore

I’ve been eyeing the Andaz Singapore since it opened at the end of 2017, but was put off by the usual S$390++ rates. 

However, there’s a special S$220 nett rate for Singapore residents, valid until 31 May 2020. This comes with breakfast for two, and you can upgrade to a Studio Suite for a further S$140 nett. 

This offer isn’t listed on the website; you’ll have to email stay@andaz.com with this flyer attached to book. 

SO Sofitel 

SO Sofitel is offering a S$298 nett package for their base-level SO Cosy room that includes:

• One night accommodation
• Complimentary breakfast for 2
• Complimentary bottle of Prosecco
• Room upgrade to SO Urban
• S$80 F&B credit at Xperience, 1927, in-room dining (you can also use it at The Cliff at Sofitel Sentosa, and the hotel will provide a free 1-way transfer)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Free in-room minibar

This seems like a solid deal, given that regular rooms start at S$321++ usually. Add in the F&B credit, the breakfast and the prosecco, and that’s most of your wining and dining covered. 

Outpost Hotel

I’ve stayed at the Outpost Hotel before, and although I thought the “adults-only” marketing was borderline misleading and the F&B was horrendously overpriced, it was still an overall pleasant experience. 

Outpost is offering the following deal for S$230++:

• One night accommodation
• Complimentary breakfast
• 24-hour stay (I take it to mean you can check-in/out at the same time, i.e 3 p.m & 3 p.m)
• Upgrade to Sea View room
• 1 for 1 drinks at 1-V:U
• 20% off F&B
• Choice of attraction tickets for Wings of Time, Singapore Cable Car or Sentosa Island Bus Tour
• Top up $50++ for a sumptuous 3-course dinner set for 2 persons at Native Kitchen

The lowest rates I’ve seen previously are S$250++, and those didn’t come with any add-ons. Given that the S$230++ rate throws in breakfast and some F&B discounts, this could be a good deal for some. 

What card should I use to book?

If your reservation is prepaid in full online, you can use the following cards to maximize the miles on your staycation:

	Earn Rate	Cap
DBS Woman’s World Card Apply here	4 mpd	S$2,000 per month
UOB Lady’s Card Apply here	4 mpd	S$1,000 per month
UOB Lady’s Solitaire Apply here	4 mpd	S$3,000 per month
DBS Altitude Visa/ AMEX Apply here	3 mpd	S$5,000 per month

If your reservation is paid for at the time of check-out:

	Earn Rate	Cap
UOB Lady’s Card Apply here	4 mpd	S$1,000 per month
UOB Lady’s Solitaire Apply here	4 mpd	S$3,000 per month
UOB Preferred Platinum Visa Apply here	4 mpd	S$1,110 per month, must use paywave
UOB Visa Signature Apply here	4 mpd	S$2,000 per statement period, min S$1,000. Must use paywave

Remember that for the UOB Lady’s cards, you’ll need to declare travel as your quarterly 10X category. 

Conclusion

I’m sure there must be other gems in the list of staycation deals which I’ve missed, so give it a close read if you’re thinking of doing one. Some of these may even serve as viable candidates for mattress runs, if your hotel loyalty program isn’t extending your status already. 

If you’ve got any other leads on great staycation deals, be sure to share them below.