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5 Tips For A Cheaper Staycation In Sentosa

When we talk about staycations in Singapore, Sentosa is bound to come to mind. Just imagine: a little beach paradise featuring top-notch restaurants and several five-star hotels, not to mention a superb aquarium and a couple of theme parks – all just minutes away from the mainland to boot.

Seriously, what’s not to love? With all that it has to offer, it’s no wonder that Sentosa remains a top choice for staycations. But as any visitor to Sentosa probably knows, “cheap” things don’t really exist in this tourist hotspot. Indeed, Sentosa is also home to some of the most expensive hotels in the country, with rates that can easily run into the thousands.

Still, don’t be disheartened! Even if you’re on a tighter budget, there are ways of turning that dream of yours into a reality. So if you’d like to know more about how you can have a dream staycay without burning a hole in your wallet, read on!

1. Be flexible, widen your options

If you have a limited budget to work with, then you’ll have to be flexible and realistic. Capella Hotel may be incredibly luxurious and grand, but it comes with a hefty price tag – are you prepared to fork out something like $500-1000 a night? If that doesn’t sit well with you, then why not try another hotel?

After all, a staycation at Capella is really not the only way to have a great beach holiday! Instead, do consider Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa (about $200-400/night), Siloso Beach Resort (around $200-300/night) or even Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa (from $233/night), all of which are more affordable and just as charming.

If you’re looking for something new, check out these newly launched hotels below by Far East Hospitality!

Family vacationers can stay at the family-friendly Village Hotel Sentosa (from $235/night)! With connecting family rooms, kid-amenities and a mega pool deck, this hotel is designed ideally for young families! The hotel also features many free activities like Family Scavenger Hunts, movie nights by the pool and more!

If a couple’s getaway is what you’re after, visit The Outpost Hotel Sentosa (from $250/night) then. This hotel caters exclusively for adults and features a new concept which allows you to select your own room views and customize your own minibar items! Don’t forget to check out their exclusive rooftop pool, where you can sip on evening cocktails with stunning coastal views as your backdrop.

2. Be on the lookout for deals and promotions

Okay, this one sounds like a no-brainer, but in all honesty – do you know where to look? While places like Groupon occasionally have special staycation deals for some hotels, do check places such as the

Some ongoing offers at the moment include the 3D2N Hotel and Multi-Attractions Package, which includes both a hotel stay and 2 adult passes to Adventure Cove Waterpark, S.E.A. Aquarium and Universal Studios Singapore (price from $708), as well as a 3D2N Deluxe Room stay at Siloso Beach Resort, which comes with two full-day adult passes for Universal Studios Singapore (price from $515).

3. If you can, book your room on the hotel’s website directly

Although booking websites such as Hotels.com, Agoda and Expedia have made hotel searching and price comparison more efficient, they tend to be more expensive than simply booking from the hotel website directly as they charge an extra middleman fee. This is despite each website claiming to be the cheapest amongst all.

While the difference is often not a lot, there’s somehow a sense of satisfaction in knowing that you secured the best possible deal. I mean, you clicked on this article to find out how to save money, so every dollar counts in the long run!

That being said, these booking websites do have pretty good deals once in a while, so don’t dismiss them entirely. The bottom line is: don’t simply rely on one single website or app when it comes to booking. Keep checking and comparing if you really want to save up!

4) Book early (or earlier)

Again, this one sounds pretty duh, especially since everyone knows that the early bird catches the worm offer. The thing is, as little planning needs to be done for staycations, bookings tend to be more last-minute.

However, in order for you to do steps 1 to 3, you’ll need some time – researching is time-consuming you know! Plus, if you’re eyeing a particular date such as a long weekend or public holiday, chances are that demand for hotel rooms is going to be really high. So if you don’t book early enough and are dead set on that date, you may end up paying significantly more for the same room. Booking early will also mean a higher chance of securing better deals, not to mention getting what you want.

Amara Sanctuary’s advance special, for instance, can help you save up to 30% if you book 30 days in advance. Click

You’re already in a nice room, and since there’s no one else around, the ambience is all the more intimate! No music? Simply bring along some portable speakers or play some chill tunes from your phone. There really isn’t a need to head to the bar (unless that’s really your thing) since the atmosphere’s already perfect.

Lastly, if you are going to BYOB, remember to plan and bring along other staycay essentials! Be it a movie to watch, some junk food to snack the night away, or perhaps even a Durex condom if it’s a staycay with your SO, do make sure you’re well-prepared to have a good time!

And there you have it!

Even though having a staycay at Sentosa isn’t exactly cheap, there’s still quite a bit you can take note of to save some money or at least, make it more worth the price. “Cheap” is relative, but no matter the budget, we’re sure every dollar counts in the long run.

Header image credit: Capella Singapore

Also, read This New Black And White Hotel In Singapore Is A Minimalist’s Dream Come True

Step Aside Pastamania, This Resto Chain Serves Legit Italian Fare For Under $30

Running overtime tonight? That’s not a problem.

At Singapore After Nine, we bring you the scoop on tried-and-tested, late night gems for you to rest your work-weary self.

This time, we’re featuring Image Credit: Chong Yi Sze[/caption]

Alternatively, enjoy the breeze at the alfresco dining area:

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Here is where you’ll find genuinely good Italian food that doesn’t call for a pound of flesh. They’re generous with their portions, do not scrimp on their cheese (cheese lovers take note) and use fresh, quality ingredients. Read on to see what’s good.

Starters

1. Caesar Salad from the Cheese Wheel Menu ($19++)

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Prepared in a uniquely traditional Italian method right by our table, the salad was tossed in the middle of a 20kg Grana Padano cheese wheel.

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While the salad was being mixed, the server scraped off fluffy cheese from the wheel to add a creamy, sweet-salty zing to the salad. Smoked chicken and light, crispy croutons were the cherry on top. It was such a refreshing accompaniment to our meal, and also doubled as an effective palate cleanser.

2. Wagyu beef carpaccio ($18++)

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This dish consisted of finely sliced wagyu, topped with fresh rocket leaves and mushrooms, and drizzled with truffle oil. Amidst the bed of rocket leaves lay delicately-shaved pieces of 24-months old Parmesan cheese. All in all, it was a tasty, clean and refreshing dish. There were no hints of fishiness from the beef, which was sweet and tender. The rocket leaves were fresh, and tasted great with the dressing.

3. Oven Baked Eggplant Alla Parmigiana Style ($16++)

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This dish of eggplant gratin proved to be a delicious, well-executed twist on the popular potato gratin. Baked to a pleasing softness without being overly mushy, the eggplant pieces were doused in a tomato-herb based sauce that had more flavour and depth than regular pasta sauce.

While potatoes might have weighed the dish down, the eggplant added a lighter touch that was delightfully refreshing. We bet you’ll love the chewy golden Parmesan crust atop the eggplant base. It was generously thick and stringy, and crispy at the edges.

Pizza

4. District 10 Pizza ($19++)

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This dish was the highlight of the night. The pizza arrived warm and toasty, brimming with the aroma of a good ol’ stone oven. The crust was fluffy and so chock full of ingredients that it bent under their weight when we tried to pick up the pizza slices. The Pancetta ham was smoky and savoury, its fatty juices adding a flavour burst in every bite. Refreshing zucchini pieces were thoughtfully added to counter the richness of the ingredients, which included a sunny side up egg and mushrooms.

Pasta

5. Spaghetti Carbonara with Black Truffle ($24++)

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This dish was another one of our favourites. Al dente pasta coated with creamy carbonara sauce and infused with truffle – what’s not to like? The dish arrived with a sprinkling of finely-shaved black truffle, and a perfectly poached egg that oozed golden yolk.

6. Homemade Angel Hair with Live Lobster, Chilli, Basil and Fresh Tomatoes ($34++)

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Looking ever so tempting, this dish no doubt lived up to its appearance. The tomato-based sauce was tangy and appetizing, which made us lose track of how much pasta we were eating. The zesty hit of tomato also went very well with the half-shell lobster, which could have been a tad bit more springy.

7. Warm Lava Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream ($14++)

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All it took was a gentle cut and the chocolate lava flowed like an endless river. Safe to say, this tops our list of chocolate lava cakes. The chocolate flavour was intense and the consistency of the lava was great. It wasn’t too runny, nor was it too thick. The cake itself was moist and fluffy, which was a major plus point.

8. Traditional Italian Tiramisu ($14++)

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Likewise, the tiramisu was another crowd pleaser.  Topped with cocoa powder and garnished with a berry and holly leaves, it looked like Christmas came early. The light cream sat atop a fluffy cake base flavoured richly with coffee, and was not as bitter as some other tiramisus out there.

While District 10 is known for serving up great-tasting Italian fare, its latest outlet at Suntec City specialises in something rather more unique, but equally delicious. There, choose from an ample variety of flavoursome, dry-aged meats that are beautifully marbled and paired off with premium red wine.

Last but not least, what better way to round off the night than with these sweet deals?

Oo La Lab Lets You Create Your Own Signature Scent So No One Else Will Smell Like You

Christian Dior once said “A woman’s perfume tells more about her than her handwriting.”

Indeed, a fragrance can tell you a lot about a person–and even their mood!

There is a plethora of brands out there offering fragrances but the downside is there’s always the chance you may end up wearing the same scent as someone else–especially if you wear a classic fragrance like Chanel No. 5.

This is where Oo La Lab comes in. Established in 2016, this fragrance lab allows you to customise your fragrance with the finest raw ingredients. Choose from popular formulas or work with a mixologist on-site to create your own signature scent.

You can even try customising one for your friends and loved ones! With its chic black and white packaging, we think it will make the perfect gift!

Oo La La: Creating your scent at Oo La Lab

The word “oo la” stands for emotion in Oo La Lab’s Fragrance Table.

Each fragrance from the lab corresponds to an element on the table. Organised by top notes (first two rows), middle notes (third row) and base notes (bottom row), clients get to visualise how different scent families and ingredients can complement each other.

Aside from using the best ingredients, Oo La Lab also prides itself in hand-pouring their fragrances and working in small batches. Staff at the Lab also prepare the fragrances on-site and in front of customers so you can watch the making of your own fragrance.

Prices for a custom-made fragrance starts from SGD$48.

For those of you who would prefer to pick Oo La Lab’s existing fragrances, you will be pleased to know that Oo La Lab has a wide range of Eau De Parfums, crafted perfumes as well as limited edition fragrances such as the (Top Image Credit: