The Perfect Family Getaway at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa

As much as you may love Hong Kong you need to get away from here every so often – just to catch your breath. After the birth of my daughter, Aadya, my bucket list had to undergo some serious altering. Most parents will concur that a perfect family vacation is when you get the correct mix of me time and family time. To achieve this much elusive me time it is essential that the kids are happy and entertained. When we got a chance to visit Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, there was no reason not to take it! The resort boasts of many unique features and is the only beachfront resort in all of Singapore.

We visited Sentosa in late March and were welcomed by some unavoidable cloudy weather. Singapore enjoys tropical climate for most part of the year so no matter when you visit you can expect some rain. But this in no way will dampen your vacation at this wonderful urban tourist delight. The island of Sentosa is like an amusement park in itself with its many sites, attractions and family-friendly activities. You can easily spend up to a week on the island and may still leave wanting more. Since we were pressed for time, we ended up visiting only the Imbiah lookout and the famous Wings of Time laser show. Moreover, it was hard to tear ourselves away from the luxury and comfort at our disposal, what with all the fabulous facilities and heartfelt hospitality provided by the wonderful staff and team at the resort.

From the time you set foot in Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa you feel a sudden air of tranquility and serenity that you look for in a beach vacation. The ambience at the resort is glamorous and at the same time warm and relaxed. The lobby area is large and gives you a great view of the property as you wait to be checked in.

We were so worn out after our stay at the city that once we checked in we chose to sample the in-room dining options and enjoyed some delicious laksa in the privacy of our pool-facing balcony.

We were lucky to get a deluxe room which easily accommodated a king size bed and a lovely queen size pull-out bed for the little one. The bathroom was spacious with a separate shower and bath area from where, with the blinds pulled up, you could also view the TV. Aadya enjoyed her bubble bath as she watched her favorite cartoon!

Later in the day, we stepped out for some pool time and Aadya could not get enough of the water slides. After a couple of hours of splashing around we made it to Dine on 3, where three of the resort’s specialty restaurants come together to give you a taste of diverse cuisines. The kiddy buffet was perfectly displayed with choices to thrill any kid, even the fussiest eaters. The Resort also has the Siloso Beach Bar, located at the resort’s swimming pool and Trapizza, a casual Italian eatery featuring an open-air layout, situated right on the beach.

The next day, we enjoyed an amazing breakfast in the company of the resort’s resident peacock family who delightfully strutted around oblivious to all the attention. This served as a major a distraction for Aadya, who was more besotted by the birds than her cornflakes. Thus began our final day at the Shangri-La and we wanted to make the most of it. For a change it was easy to spend the day getting rejuvenated as the little one was kept amply occupied in the resorts children’s play area, the Cool Zone. The babysitters are great with the kids and well-equipped to mind them throughout the day. This gave me enough time to visit the Spa, grab a quiet lunch with the husband, and take a dip in the pool. Sounds perfect doesn’t it? Well it was, except that it ended too soon. Looking back, we would have planned it so that we had more time at Sentosa, but if we are lucky, there will be a next time!

Highlights:

• The Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is the only beachfront resort in Singapore and upon request the resort organises private romantic sunset dinners on the beach
• The resort has a one of a kind buffet area for babies complete with nappies, formula and baby food! I have never seen this anywhere else, so this was a definite plus!
• The Shangri-La has a wonderful staff and facilities for kids that make you feel safe enough to leave your most prized possessions in their care, leaving you to enjoy your much-deserved “me” time.
• Finally, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself at Sentosa, don’t forget to explore the Flying Trapeze, Rock Wall and Sea Sports Centre on Siloso beach for some action-packed adventure on the beach!

Visit www.shangri-la.com/singapore/rasasentosaresort for current room availability and rates.