I have never been one keen on watching NDP live, not even on telly..the only time I would flip to the channel is when the fireworks come on. The headlines hogging the papers these days are ways to celebrate NDP in style and it is no secret that throngs of our locals book hotel rooms to watch the parade in comfort - and so did I this year.
Swissotel Stamford it was for the unrivalled view of the cityline - on hindsight, it may have been more spectacular at the lower floors - food for thought for next year's staycation!
The hotel room!
Super duper brownie points for a pillow menu, infact the first hotel I stayed in that offered that option. We headed for spa therapeutic pillow and it proved the most restful sleep for me so much so that I intend to get one.
An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.
In house machine!
Some macarons with this would be great.
Waking up to a freshly brewed cuppa is always love.
At 57 storeys, we were almost on par with Marina Bay Sands and definitely towered over the likes of Ritz Carlton, Oriental and Pan Pacific. The executive room came with a Nespresso machine and a selection of TWG Teas and best of all, all day executive club lounge access. I was looking forward most to Happy hour from 5-8pm with free flow drinks and snacks. While I was under the impression that the all day access would be a spread, it was mostly cookies and cakes to quell the hunger pangs.
Executive lounge access.
Nespresso, all over.
I love their cookie range which was different on both days. In fact, every flavour ended up a favourite after countless tastings, I could have gobbled up the jars of cookies if nobody was really watching.
Chomp therapy.
However contradicting this is - sugar loaded cranberry juice in my bid to detox and a plate full of cookies. #fatdieme utterly.
Peanut tart and banana cake were actually really good! Moist and packed with much flavour, I needed just something savoury to end the experience perfectly.
Peanut almond tart was equally delish! I always wish for a separate stomach for dessert sometimes.
I was astounded to find out that the Happy Hour session was full house - in fact, reservations were made way in advance to book tables. With the NDP rehearsal looming in the background, I heard no more than planes whirling to know that a plane just flew past. Seems like a flashback of F1 racing though, have sound no picture.
Juices for the sugar rush, always.
House red, white and mixers were the main highlights - and I naively thought lychee martinis and Singapore slings. I requested for a lemon concoction that they obliged with vodka and lemon - hardly alcoholic but it was a pleasant drink.
Delicious!
The food selection was adequate for an average meal though not spectacularly so; cheese platter and crackers, salad, a trio of mostly vegetables and a random chicken dish appeared towards the end.
Greens as a staple with vinaigrette.
I love my cheeses and cold cuts too much.
Doubles.
I wonder why there were more vegetarian dishes than meat.
Puts hainanese chicken to shame, tender much!
The cakes display was pretty decent with green tea cheese cake, rum baba and fruit tartlets.
For once, a rum baba that was not soggy.
Overall the view was decent and service definitely faultless but it ended up too crowded for comfort. Breakfast at the lounge proved to be a godsent experience since the queues downstairs were too crazy for comprehension. I have never seen Cafe Swiss nor Kopitiam burgeoning with that many people and the queues never stopped for the hour that we were there.
Let me just show a few decent pictures of the fireworks that I snapped, well if anything, it was spectacular watching it from so high above - phobia of height out of the window!
Mid day view.
With sun already set - for the umpteenth time I missed a sunset!
Let the magic begin!
The grandeur that made every penny worth while.
A spluttering gold shower!
So yes, Happy birthday Singapore...as patriotic as I should be yelling the pledge at the top of my lungs and humming to the all too familiar tunes...I'm sure at the other end of the paradise island I am on - I am wishing Singpaore happy birthday.
Swissotel Stamford Hotel
Swissotel Stamford it was for the unrivalled view of the cityline - on hindsight, it may have been more spectacular at the lower floors - food for thought for next year's staycation!
The hotel room!
Super duper brownie points for a pillow menu, infact the first hotel I stayed in that offered that option. We headed for spa therapeutic pillow and it proved the most restful sleep for me so much so that I intend to get one.
An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.
In house machine!
Some macarons with this would be great.
Waking up to a freshly brewed cuppa is always love.
At 57 storeys, we were almost on par with Marina Bay Sands and definitely towered over the likes of Ritz Carlton, Oriental and Pan Pacific. The executive room came with a Nespresso machine and a selection of TWG Teas and best of all, all day executive club lounge access. I was looking forward most to Happy hour from 5-8pm with free flow drinks and snacks. While I was under the impression that the all day access would be a spread, it was mostly cookies and cakes to quell the hunger pangs.
Executive lounge access.
Nespresso, all over.
I love their cookie range which was different on both days. In fact, every flavour ended up a favourite after countless tastings, I could have gobbled up the jars of cookies if nobody was really watching.
Chomp therapy.
However contradicting this is - sugar loaded cranberry juice in my bid to detox and a plate full of cookies. #fatdieme utterly.
Peanut tart and banana cake were actually really good! Moist and packed with much flavour, I needed just something savoury to end the experience perfectly.
Peanut almond tart was equally delish! I always wish for a separate stomach for dessert sometimes.
I was astounded to find out that the Happy Hour session was full house - in fact, reservations were made way in advance to book tables. With the NDP rehearsal looming in the background, I heard no more than planes whirling to know that a plane just flew past. Seems like a flashback of F1 racing though, have sound no picture.
Juices for the sugar rush, always.
House red, white and mixers were the main highlights - and I naively thought lychee martinis and Singapore slings. I requested for a lemon concoction that they obliged with vodka and lemon - hardly alcoholic but it was a pleasant drink.
Delicious!
The food selection was adequate for an average meal though not spectacularly so; cheese platter and crackers, salad, a trio of mostly vegetables and a random chicken dish appeared towards the end.
Greens as a staple with vinaigrette.
I love my cheeses and cold cuts too much.
Doubles.
I wonder why there were more vegetarian dishes than meat.
Puts hainanese chicken to shame, tender much!
The cakes display was pretty decent with green tea cheese cake, rum baba and fruit tartlets.
For once, a rum baba that was not soggy.
Overall the view was decent and service definitely faultless but it ended up too crowded for comfort. Breakfast at the lounge proved to be a godsent experience since the queues downstairs were too crazy for comprehension. I have never seen Cafe Swiss nor Kopitiam burgeoning with that many people and the queues never stopped for the hour that we were there.
Let me just show a few decent pictures of the fireworks that I snapped, well if anything, it was spectacular watching it from so high above - phobia of height out of the window!
Mid day view.
With sun already set - for the umpteenth time I missed a sunset!
Let the magic begin!
The grandeur that made every penny worth while.
A spluttering gold shower!
So yes, Happy birthday Singapore...as patriotic as I should be yelling the pledge at the top of my lungs and humming to the all too familiar tunes...I'm sure at the other end of the paradise island I am on - I am wishing Singpaore happy birthday.
Swissotel Stamford Hotel
Hi, great review, am planning to do a staycation there for my anniversary. May I know if you booked this staycation direct from the site or through hotel booking sites like http://www.trivago.sg/singapore-44278/hotel/swissotel-the-stamford-singapore-40928? because I can't seem to find the excutive rooms on hotel booking sites.
ReplyDeleteHi there! =) I called up the hotline to book, hope that helps!
ReplyDelete