SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
June 2019
Park Hotel Clarke Quay: Park Rewards, Staycation Review & Dining Giveaway!
The June school holidays are in full swing and the kids are running riot. Need a breather? How about a relaxing family staycation that lets you earn rewards at the same time? To learn what the new Park Rewards programme is all about, we checked into Park Hotel Clarke Quay for a weekend. We also tried Porta’s refreshed menu – it was so good, we had to share. Keep reading to find out how you can win dining vouchers so you can try Chef Alex Phan’s culinary adventures for yourself.
Earn PARK$ and Redeem Park Rewards!
Let’s face it, most Singaporeans love travelling, dining and shopping. And if we can enjoy discounts and earn perks while we’re at it, all the better! Here’s where the new Park Rewards programme comes into play. Park Hotel Group’s loyalty perks programme lets you earn PARK$ when you stay and dine at participating hotels and restaurants.
You can then redeem PARK$ for an array of rewards from hotel stays to dining and shopping vouchers. Think Robinsons, Zara, Best Denki and more. We tried it out – the Park Rewards online portal is really easy to use too.
Bonus Tip 1: You can even convert PARK$ to NTUC LinkPoints!
Unlike many other rewards programmes, PARK$ don’t expire, as long as you keep the account active by earning or redeeming PARK$ at least once every 12 months. Also, you can redeem Park Hotel Group e-vouchers online instantly, and blackout dates don’t apply. This means you can use the e-vouchers when you book a last-minute staycation or dine on a whim, even on a public holiday long weekend!
The best part? It’s free to become a Park Rewards member – just sign up at www.parkrewards.com. Join now to enjoy 10% off hotel rates and earn a bonus PARK$250 for your first stay at participating hotels. Need further persuasion as to why you should sign up for Park Rewards and book a staycation? Read on!
Relaxing Stay at Park Hotel Clarke Quay
On Mother’s Day weekend, we checked into Park Hotel Clarke Quay to experience it for ourselves. A three- to five-minute walk from Fort Canning and Clarke Quay MRT stations made getting there pretty easy. The moment we entered the hotel lobby, we could feel the stress of the work week melting away. One of the things that struck us immediately was that the hotel staff were friendly and approachable.
In fact, that was the overall feel throughout the hotel. Nothing felt too stuffy or opulent. Instead, it was elegant and understated, and made us feel at home. Our room overlooked the Singapore River, and the floor-to-ceiling windows certainly showed off the panoramic view. It gets extra magical at night – we found our noses glued to the glass quite a bit!
(See also: How to Take the Best Family and Kids Photos)
As the hotel had kindly arranged for us to stay in a Crystal Club Premier Room, we had access to the Crystal Club Lounge. Located at the top level of the hotel, it’s a tasteful light-filled space offering light refreshments all day long. It even has a small library for those quiet moments with a cup of tea and cookies. Club guests also enjoy complimentary breakfast and evening cocktails here daily.
Bonus Tip 2: Small eaters can save on dinner, thanks to the generous buffet spread during evening cocktails!
Family-friendly Play and Exploration
To be fair, Park Hotel Clarke Quay isn’t positioned as a family hotel, so there’s no drop-off kids’ club. However, it’s certainly family-friendly enough, and more than adequate for a relaxing staycation with kids in tow.
(See also: The Best Kids Clubs in Southeast Asia Resorts)
You can book Family rooms or connecting rooms, and request for extra pillows and blankets for kids. Baby amenities such as a playpen, bathtub and bottle steriliser are also available upon request. Kids can also order from dedicated kids’ menus at in-house restaurants Porta, Cocobolo and in-room dining.
We spent some relaxing time lazing in one of the cabanas by the outdoor swimming pool. It felt like a secret garden far away from the city, something that couldn’t be further from the truth! There’s also a decent 24-hour gym on the same level.
Staying here is also a terrific opportunity to explore the scenic waterway as a family, on foot or by bicycle. Alternatively, nature lovers can head towards Fort Canning Park, just minutes away.
(See also: The Bicentennial Experience – A 700-year Journey that Families Must See!)
Just around the corner, you’ll find the bustling Clarke Quay – GX-5 Extreme Swing, anybody? – Boat Quay and Robertson Quay enclaves. That means no lack of shopping, food and entertainment. Or jump on the hotel’s complimentary shuttle service to the Orchard Road and Marina Bay shopping belts.
Bonus Tip 3: Right across from the hotel is UE Square, where you’ll find a supermarket, pharmacy, and a number of cafés. There’s also a Power Kids Gym for Junior to work off excess energy, and Curly & Spike, a hip hair salon just for kiddies.
Fuel up at Porta and Cocobolo
One of the most important reasons we were here was to dine at Porta, of course. Park Rewards members can exchange PARK$ for e-vouchers that can be used to your dining bill. While buffet breakfast for hotel guests is served at Porta every morning, you can enjoy à la carte brunch favourites and more from 8am onwards. We like The Porta Breakfast and Croque Monsieur, while the kids will love PB Pancakes, for sure!
During dinner, we got to try some of Chef Alex’s new dishes that are inspired by his travels. Spicy Salmon Tartare really whetted the appetites and we loved the crispy rice paper and nori crackers. Order the playful Chicken and Egg and let the kids try to figure out which came first. Mains include the locally sourced oven-grilled Barramundi is served with ratatouille and charred mussels. The Roast Chicken Leg sounds boring but is excellent, cooked confit-style and served with Lyonnaise potatoes and red wine sauce.
(See also: Father’s Day 2019: 28 Fab Feasts for Your Foodie Dad)
Love a poolside barbecue against the setting sun? If you’re there on a weekend, Cocobolo Poolside Bar + Grill features a barbecue buffet dinner every Friday and Saturday. It boasts free-flow premium meats and fresh seafood from New Zealand Angus Beef to Tiger Prawns with Saffron Spices. While we didn’t get the chance to try Cocobolo’s sizzling buffet this time, we’ll definitely be back to spend some of those PARK$!
Bonus Tip 4: Don’t miss Chef Alex’s creative desserts at Porta. We loved the multi-layered Spiced Apple Tarte Tatin and the beautifully plated Black Forest. We only wish we had tummy space to try the Key Lime Meringue too!
:: GIVEAWAY! ::
We have $50nett Porta dining vouchers to give away to THREE lucky winners!
How to win:
- Like and Share this article on Facebook with the hashtags #portasg and #DineStayShopRepeat (make sure your share is set to ‘public’)
- Like Park Hotel Clarke Quay’s Facebook page and follow Porta’s Instagram account @portasg
- Leave a comment below to let us know that you’ve done the above
- Sit back and relax. We’ll be in touch if you’ve won!
Terms and conditions:
- Prize vouchers can only be used for à la carte dining in (no minimum spend) at Porta, Park Hotel Clarke Quay only
- Prize vouchers are valid for 6 months from date of issue and expiry date is non-extendable
- Blackout dates apply, and advanced reservation is required
- Prize vouchers are non-replaceable, non-refundable and not redeemable for cash
Closing date: 12 noon, 18 June 2019
Header image: Park Hotel Clarke Quay
All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeMotherhood.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest article and promotion updates.
