Staycation Review: Spending 24 hours at PARKROYAL on Pickering

The towering PARKROYAL on Pickering is, to date, one of the most uniquely designed environmentally-friendly hotels in bustling Singapore, and it plays its part tremendously well. With a slew of green initiatives and nature-inspired touches, this oasis-within-a-city won’t fail to impress its guests. Here’s what a 24-hour stay at this lush hotel entailed for us.

12:00 PM: Checking into the hotel

The lobby is gorgeously spacious, with elements of wood, water and nature in copious yet understated amounts – the interior design fits in with the hotel’s themes of eco-friendliness and sustainability. The check-in process itself was smooth and very efficient. We were greeted with glasses of thirst-quenching iced lime juice while at the counter. The staff were incredibly helpful, explaining what our guest room and club lounge privileges were.

12:10 PM: Guest room on the 14th floor

We managed to snag a room on the 14th floor. Greenery greeted us through the windows, along with a skyline stretching from Clarke Quay to the Esplanade Theatres. The room itself boasted a light and airy interior, furnished with a cosy couch and a king bed. Essentials were provided – alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including complimentary teas from TWG Tea, the hotel’s very own ‘Green Water’, and a coffee machine with capsules.

We were greeted with a welcome treat – a platter of fruit and petit fours. As with the lobby, the room embraces a bright and open concept with its full-length glass windows, earthy tones, wood panelling, and minimalist zen-like furniture. After quickly sampling their pretty dessert platter, we unpacked and relaxed for a bit before heading down for the much-anticipated high tea.

3:00 PM: Tiers of Joy Afternoon Tea

The Tiers of Joy Afternoon Tea is a new concept at the hotel’s Lime Restaurant. Starting at just S$42++, make sure you’re hungry before you have a go at this set. You want an Instagrammable collection of sweets and savouries? You’ve got it. Three tiers of delightful goodies, the high tea set brings a hint of Singaporean flavours to put a unique spin on the English afternoon tea tradition. With the likes of Peking Duck Duxelles encased in Profiterole, alongside a mind-bogglingly deconstructed version of Nasi Lemak that tasted like the real deal, among sweet treats like Coconut Pandan Mousse and tropical Passionfruit Meringue Tart, the flavours will please any local’s palate.

5:30 PM: The Orchid Club Lounge experience

If you ever get a chance to stay in one of the Orchid Club rooms, make sure you visit the gorgeously spacious lounge on the 16th floor. From light all-day refreshments to plenty of interesting reading material on the shelves, not to mention the fantastic interior design and sprawling view of the cityscape, you won’t want to leave.

Next morning, 8:00 AM: Breakfast at Lime Restaurant

Lime Restaurant is well-known for its massive buffet spreads. The breakfast options are almost endless, with all the essentials from bacon to waffles, rice porridge to dim sum, French pastries to fresh fruit, and even a Japanese section to choose from. We definitely took our time with the cold cuts and cheese.

9:30 AM: Poolside relaxation

It’s not hard to see why one of the biggest draws to this hotel is the 5th-floor infinity pool. While not quite a large pool, it still managed to captivate us with its best-kept secret: the birdcage pods. You’ll fall madly in love with these colourful little nooks littered around the area, surrounded by tranquil water. They’re perfect for spending your day in, if you’ve got the time. Oh, and there’s a gym located just by the pool, so it has the same cityscape view.

11:00 AM: Final moments before checking out

We ended the stay with some chamomile tea and a flat white at the club lounge before checking out at 12 noon.

All in all, with its superb location, just 5 minutes from Chinatown and Clarke Quay, PARKROYAL on Pickering is a convenient hotel for any visitor to Singapore, and it also definitely makes for a sensible staycation choice for anybody wanting to escape the intensity of the city’s hectic environment while still being in the middle of all the action. There’s nothing better than finding a nature-filled sanctuary within a concrete jungle.

PARKROYAL on Pickering is located at 3 Upper Pickering Street.

Angela Goh

Photo credits: Angela Goh 

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