As more hotels get approved for staycations, we’re seeing an increasing number of deals flooding the market. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and because not every deal’s a good one, there’s some landmines to avoid!
In this series of posts, I’m going to highlight what I think are the best deals for each price segment, so staycationers of all budgets have options. Deals aren’t static, so I’ll periodically update these posts as new ones pop up and old ones get nerfed.
You can find additional resources on The Milelion’s Staycation Portal.
| ❓ How have hotels been segmented? |
|
I’m adopting the same four segments that the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) uses for its statistics reporting. The STB classifies hotels into four segments based on average room rates, location and product characteristics:
Although the STB doesn’t provide a specific list of which hotel falls into what category, I’m using their guidelines plus the average price points of each segment to determine classification. |
Four Points by Sheraton Riverview
| Approved for Staycations? | ⏳ Pending approval |
| Package Name | Vacay with a Staycay |
| Rate | S$160++ (S$188 nett) |
| Includes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | 24 hours before arrival |
| Book By | 26 Dec 2020 |
| Stay By | 26 Dec 2020 |
The Four Points by Sheraton Riverview may not be the newest of properties (although it did get a $25M refurbishment in 2016 when Starwood bought it over), but with a S$188 nett rate that comes with S$88 of F&B credit, it’s surely one of the better deals out there.
Remember that Marriott is also offering up to 30% off on dining, depending on your elite tier. Assuming the credit can be stacked with the discount (and I see no reason why it shouldn’t), this helps you stretch it even further.
Mandarin Orchard
| Approved for Staycations? | ✅ |
| Package Name | Club Indulgence |
| Rate | S$208++ (S$245 nett) |
| Includes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | Non-refundable |
| Book By | 30 Nov 2020 |
| Stay By | 30 Nov 2020 |
| Update: Mandarin Orchard has removed the F&B discount and early check-in/late check-out from its staycation package. You can still book a similar package for KrisFlyer members for S$228++, but it’s only available in October and November 2020. |
The Mandarin Orchard’s “Club Indulgence” package costs S$245 nett, and includes a club room with all the usual benefits like:
- Daily breakfast
- Daily afternoon tea
- All-day refreshments and cookies
- Daily evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres
- Exclusive check-in and check-out at the designated counter at Level 5
- Complimentary use of meeting room for 1 hour per day
- Complimentary local telephone calls & newspaper
This is one of the cheaper club room deals I’ve seen, and based on past reports, offers a very decent happy hour spread.
Since I’ve personally booked this hotel for a stay in August, I thought I’d provide a bit more information on the reservations process. Although the rate mentions early check-in, the reservations team will instead prompt you to select one of the following slots (maximum of 30 guests per slot):
- 02:00 – 02:30 pm
- 02:30 – 03:00 pm
- 03:00 – 03:30 pm
- 03:30 – 04:00 pm
- 04:00 – 04:30 pm
- 04:30 – 05:00 pm
- 05:00 – 05:30 pm
- 05:30 – 06:00 pm
However, since the hotel’s official check-in time is 2 p.m, this isn’t really early check-in. Upon asking, I was told that I should just show up whenever, and they’d assign me a room if one was available. That’s…an odd way of doing things, especially if you’re trying to stagger arrivals (won’t everyone just show up early then?).
I suspect the check-out will follow also require you to book a slot, so request early to avoid disappointment.
M Social
| Approved for Staycations? | ✅ |
| Package Name | Trip.com package |
| Rate | S$176 nett |
| Includes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | Cancel any time before booking |
| Book By | While vouchers last |
| Stay By | 30 Jun 2021 |
| This package is currently sold out on Trip.com. It may become available again later on, so keep checking back |
The M Social’s We Clean. We Care. We Welcome” package costs S$203 nett for a breakfast-included rate.
However, you could pay just S$176 nett with breakfast included if you bought a voucher from Trip.com. The inclusions are pretty much the same, with the exception of the 25% F&B discount which Trip.com lacks.
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
| Approved for Staycations? | ✅ |
| Package Name | Holidays again! (No link- will appear as an option when booking) |
| Rate | S$158++ (S$167 nett) |
| Includes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | 48 hours before arrival |
| Book By | 31 July 2020 |
| Stay By | 28 Feb 2021 |
PARKROYAL is offering some rock bottom staycation rates starting from S$167 nett per night (remember to sign up for the free Pan Pacific Discovery program, which knocks 10% off all rates).
If you’d prefer something with breakfast, you could book the “Staycation Breakfast Offer” which starts at S$210 nett, or go for a Orchid Club Deluxe Room which starts at S$252 nett.
All rates come with free parking, and 30% off F&B for Pan Pacific Discovery members.
Royal Plaza on Scotts
| Approved for Staycations? | ⏳ Pending approval |
| Package Name | Believe in Travel |
| Rate | S$168++ (S$198 nett) |
| Includes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | Up till 6 p.m on day of arrival |
| Book By | 31 Dec 2020 (deadline to buy voucher) |
| Stay By | 30 Jun 2021 |
The Royal Plaza on Scotts isn’t approved for staycations yet, but they’re offering a S$198 nett voucher with S$50 F&B credits, access to the Premier Lounge (where breakfast and all-day refreshments are served), as well as early check-in/late check-out.
Offset the F&B credit from the cost, and that’s a fantastic rate for a club room (but note in the comments a report that it’s not a full-fledged lounge experience anymore- no cocktail hours). You can check out a review of the club lounge here.
Village Hotel Bugis
| Approved for Staycations? | ✅ |
| Package Name | Discovery Package |
| Rate | S$160++ (S$188 nett) |
| Includes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | Up till 6 p.m on day of arrival |
| Book By | 30 Dec 2020 |
| Stay By | 30 Dec 2020 |
The Village Hotel Bugis is offering a rather attractive package for just S$188 nett– breakfast, 6 p.m check-out, and an upgrade from the base Superior Room to a Deluxe Room.
To add that local flair, the package also includes an experiential perfume making and textile workshops at partner outlets (Jamal Kazura Aromatics, The Silk Studio).
Conclusion
For a sense how these staycation deals compare to those we were seeing before the circuit breaker, you can check out my staycation article from March 2020. Not all the URLs will still be valid, but I did documented the cost and inclusions in the article.
If you see any other great staycation deals, do send them over to me via this link and I’ll take a look.
Stay tuned for other picks from across the price spectrum.
For Royal Plaza on Scotts, take note their lounge has been revamped to a “premier co-working lounge”. Don’t expect the usual evening cocktails and canapés. Apparently it is really just a co-working space and anything beyond the usual tea/coffee/soft drinks/nuts/chips are chargeable.
yeah i was wondering about that actually. it might explain why they’re so willing to open up access now. do they still maintain a separate “real” lounge?
Not that I am aware. Perhaps that’s why they are giving you $50 F&B credit? LOL
Just checked in at the Mandarin Orchard. Was initially asked to check out at 11am due to “full capacity”. Also wanted to exercise the 50% discount at Triple 3, but was informed that the restaurant was fully booked (even for in-house guest). By the way, you are only restricted to 1 hour each, for high tea and for evening cocktails (prior reservations required). Something to consider if you haven’t already booked.
I’m staying next week- will take note of that. 11 am check out, really? Hope you didn’t agree to that.
Definitely not! Any ML reader worth his salt would not have agreed. Hopefully you get a smoother experience after I have re-educated them.
After your comment i quickly emailed the hotel to lock in my afternoon tea and happy hour slot. thank you sir- lifesaver.
Riverview even cheaper… saw as low as $113
direct on their website. plus plus