Staycation at hotel Novotel Singapore on Stevens

We had a relaxing Christmas Eve staycation at hotel Novotel Singapore on Stevens. This is a new hotel, situated 5 minutes away from Orchard Road.

We were glad to accept this staycation invite as we could extend our holiday and recuperate from our Taiwan wanderlust.

The reception area was chic and spacious with a huge “fish tank”. Love the expanse linking from reception to the bar and conference area.

 

Avant-garde and contemporary design, portraying the illusion of an endless corridor.

 

Can you spot the stars blinking from the ceiling?

I love the various racks along the corridors, it feels like a library or a museum, pretty unique.

 

You will see a lot of Christmas trees in this post, we are still lingering in the festive period.

Plenty of glass estate around hotel Novotel Singapore On Stevens means we can see a lot of fun reflections. The Christmas tree below seems to “touch” each other.

Hotel Novotel Singapore On Stevens
Hotel Novotel Singapore On Stevens

 

Introducing our connecting rooms, your usual bedrooms but we enjoyed the comfortable beds and pillows.

 

Strong Wifi kept the kids glued to their screens haha.

We do have one minor complain, the door to the connecting room opens in the centre (not the side), it is a blind spot and might accidentally hit the other room’s occupants.

Macaroons and chocolate cookies are always welcomed, Thank You 🙂


 

 

As hotel Novotel Singapore on Stevens had just started operations, all the facilities and accessories are still very new.

We found the most important switch in our room (photo below), which will activate a curtain.

 

The shower cubicle leave nothing to the imagination and shy parents would be eager to protect their dignity. Honeymoon couples may dispense with the roll-down curtain.

 

Cute door card, inviting us to enjoy the greens and the blues.

More reflections from hotel Novotel Singapore on Stevens infinity pool and glass facade.

Swim at ease with the city’s skyscrapers in the background.

We love the greens around Novotel Singapore on Stevens too. The lawn, the patio and even some greens in the restaurant (Food Exchange).

Shuttle bus is complimentary for hotel guests, bringing you to Galleria DFS (Scotts Road) daily, every 30 minutes. In addition, Monday to Friday,  0730 to 0900, you can hop onto Botanic Gardens too.

Do take note shuttle service is very popular, we could not board the last shuttle to hotel (but we did get to enjoy a slow 12 min stroll back to our hotel).

Stevens MRT is a bus stop away.

 

It is always fun to play tourists in Singapore, we took public transport to Botanic Gardens and Adam Road Food Centre.

We suspect many tourists might opt to head South towards Orchard Road  🙂

 

Indian Rojak, Prawn Noodles and famous Nasi Lemak kept everyone happy.

 

We did pop by Orchard Road later in the evening to soak in the festive Christmas atmosphere.

Orchard Road Lightup
Orchard Road Lightup

 

Got ambushed by  Stormtroopers at Centrepoint!

 

Jostling with the crowds, and enjoying street busking.

Breakfast was at Food Exchange. We love the colourful, bright and column-free dining area. Asian and western cuisines will delight families, we sat facing the infinity pool.

More “greens” (not only salad) in the restaurant.

The overhanging seagulls captured our carefree imagination.

Please visit the well equipped 24-hour gym, all the exercise equipment are very new. Managed to clock 5km on the treadmill to burn away some calories.

 

There is a lap pool next to the gym, this pool is much quieter compared to the infinity pool 🙂

 

What you do not see are the friendly and approachable staffs at Novotel Singapore on Stevens. From frontdesk to restaurant, everyone was eager to impress. Please keep up the good service.

 

Orchard Road Lightup

Thank you Novotel Singapore on Stevens for the invite, we had an enjoyable and chill weekend. Every Holiday and Staycation should be so relaxing 🙂

Do follow Novotel Singapore on Stevens on their Website and Facebook for the latest promotions.

Address: 28 Stevens Road, #01-01, Singapore 257878
Phone: +65 6491 6100

.. do checkout our friend’s Life’s Tiny Miracles review 🙂

ps.. Our staycation is sponsored by Novotel Singapore on Stevens

Changi Airport Transit activities

If there is one thing which parents dread while traveling, it might be the awful waiting time between check-in and boarding.

Yes, that period in Transit (confined!), when we parents need to think of ideas to entertain the kids. Sleeping is not an option, even if your flight is 5am, as kids do not associate airport with sleep.

Fortunately, Changi Airport transit activities will make most kids smile, this means less anxiety for parents. This airport never sleeps, there will always be something for everyone in the family.

We were granted special permission to explore Changi Airport’s transit area during our recent staycation (Crown Plaza).

Video : With two indoor playgrounds, butterfly and sunflower enclosures, movies, console games and even swimming pool! This airport’s transit area is anything but quiet.

At Butterfly Garden, kids dab their fingers with nectar and pineapple, and butterflies pose for us 🙂

Transit area’s indoor playgrounds are free, and parents can enjoy a cup of coffee while the kids run around.

Nothing like kois and orchids to soothe the tired souls. We had to try very hard to remind the kids to keep their hands off the pond! We love all the green landscaping in the airport.

Did you know Changi Airport was voted the best airport in the world for sleeping? Seriously, free beds at this link, and we are not talking about the hotels.

Artificial decoration (Enchanted Garden).

Real Sunflowers. We can spot planes taking off (real LOUD) from the Sunflower Garden roof. You can even embark on a nature trail between the Terminals.

Game consoles for kids and families. For those who prefer their own smartphones, you are always connected via free wifi and charging stations.

Movies delight, the comfortable couch might even provide a good shuteye option (T2 and T3 transit only)

Scratch and imprint, more activities for kids. Kang just outline control tower.

If the above list of activities does not suit your taste, there is a bewildering range of shopping and eating options. We explore some of them over our 3D2N staycation.

Another indoor playground, in the shape of an aeroplane.

Swimming Pool (fee apply) and more photos.

T1 has a Social Tree. You can call it a Social Media tree too haha. Once you upload your photos, it will stay there for 100 years! Make sure your photos are glamorous.

Kids were challenging each other to pose their weird and funny selfies 🙂

Frequent travelers, especially parents, will appreciate Changi Airport Transit activities.
With the upcoming Terminal 4 and Jewel, Changi Airport is shaping itself to handle more visitors, and cementing itself as a lifestyle hub.

How can you make something good even better?

We list some ideas and wishlist here. Perhaps a Sports theme in the airport. Let people jog around the complex, free sports trial like scooter, roller blades and even rock climbing or abseiling from T1’s Control Tower. We are looking forward to Jewel’s garden and waterfall.

Perhaps, let kids pick up diy learning themes at Changi Airport:
1) one day as a pilot
2) one day as a stewardess
3) one day as a janitor
4) how does the luggage flow from a plane to your belt?
5) how does ICA controls passport(immigration)
6) how do we prevent disease from entering Singapore
7) who controls the aeroplanes flight path, and clockwork landing and taking off
8 ) is that a Jumbo 747 crossing the overhead bridge above! Ground crew refilling etc
9) firefighting crew in Changi Airport, any different from normal firefighters?

– With many more activities to keep us entertained in Changi Airport, Daddy hopes carpark charges will become more affordable

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Meanwhile, more children activities (Transit) are listed on this page. Those with time to spend can even signup for a free city tour.

Changi Airport’s transit area will pose another problem for parents, kids do not want to leave! Do pop by our Crowne Plaza Changi Airport itinerary here :
– Day 1 Checkin, swim and canape
– Day 2 Exploring Changi Airport (photos)
– Day 3 Transit area‘s attractions (photos)
2014 Disney Magic at Changi Airport

– Follow Changi Airport lifestyle through their Instagram @fansofchangi, Fanpage and Website.
– Crown Plaza Changi Airport enquiry here.