SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
July 2024
Our Family Wellness Staycation at Oasia Resort Sentosa (review)
Nothing makes my almost six-year-old jump in joy more than going for a staycation. So when I told him that we were having one at Oasia Resort Sentosa soon, he was thrilled! After weeks of him constantly asking if this was the day of our staycation, I could finally answer, “Yes, today is the day we will be staying in a hotel.”
Oasia Resort Sentosa, an Oasis in Sentosa
Located in front of Imbiah Station, Oasia Resort Sentosa is easily accessible via public transport. Just take the MRT to Harbourfront, then the Sentosa Express from level three of VivoCity to Imbiah Station, two stops away. We took a leisurely 10-minute walk from Beach Station in Sentosa though as we had just had a family gathering at Palawan Beach. The walk from Beach Station to Imbiah Station was sheltered throughout, and the sights along the way kept us entertained. Sentosa Sensoryscape, Sentosa’s latest multimillion-dollar attraction, caught our attention, and we vowed to visit it during our staycation.
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the resort. Housed in a majestic conservation building set amidst lush greenery, Oasia Resort Sentosa has 191 rooms and suites across five different room categories. These are spread across two connected buildings.
The Wellness Sanctuary is a three-storey heritage structure that houses the Junior Suites. The Palawan Wing, a contemporary six-storey annexe, has the Premier Rooms, the Suites, the Duplex Suites, and the Courtyard Premier rooms. Oasia Spa, the Wellness Lounge, and hotel restaurant Bedrock Origin are also located in the Wellness Sanctuary.
(See also: OUR FAMILY BAKECATION STAYCATION IN A PREMIUM LOFT AT HOLIDAY INN LITTLE INDIA)
Modern and Inviting Junior Suites that are Perfect for Families
After a quick and fuss-free check-in, we made our way to our Junior Suite on level two. My son could hardly contain his excitement as I opened the door. He bounced right into the spacious 40 sqm room to check out all its different areas: from the roomy living room with a comfortable sofa that converts into a bed, to the cavernous bedroom with home-y wood furnishings, a king-sized bed, and sky-high floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Sentosa Sensoryscape. (Note: only selected rooms overlook Sentosa Sensoryscape).
After conducting a jump test on the bed, he ventured into the bathroom which has two vanity sinks, a gorgeous deep soaking tub, and separate stalls for a standing shower and toilet. Australian-made Biology Smart Skincare toiletries are provided for maximum luxury and care.
As the living room, the bedroom, and the bathroom in the Junior Suite are connected, my son had a blast running from one to the other throughout our stay.
The Courtyard Premier Room for Families or Pet-cations
We were originally meant to stay in the Courtyard Premier Room, a new category of rooms that was recently added to the resort’s offerings. Unfortunately, these were full on the day we checked in. Located on level two in the Palawan Wing, Courtyard Premier Rooms span a generous 63 sqm. Each has an expansive alfresco area with bean bags and a dining table, and a bedroom with a king-sized bed.
There are nine sets of connecting rooms available, allowing families to enjoy the generous space. Children can make merry in the alfresco area while adults chill in the room. Paw-rents and their fur-kids can enjoy a pampering retreat with a pet-friendly package which includes dedicated pet amenities.
(See also: PET-FRIENDLY HOTELS IN SINGAPORE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, FURKIDS INCLUDED!)
Family-friendly Gastronomic Dining Options
Our stay comes with breakfast at Bedrock Origin, which is located at the lobby of the Wellness Sanctuary. This cosy restaurant exudes a sophisticated charm, with warm wooden accents that pair beautifully with a modern design to create a contemporary yet rustic ambience.
Breakfast is semi-buffet style, with a choice of main course accompanied by a fruit bowl and free-flow juices, coffee, and tea from the beverage bar. The kid had his favourite, pancakes, while my husband and I opted for Western options. I would love to return for the restaurant’s signature Barramundi Mixed Oat Congee, which I hear is delicious!
(See also: 8 ZI CHAR PLACES AND RESTAURANTS WITH PRIVATE ROOMS FOR FAMILY FEASTS AND CELEBRATIONS)
Lunch at Village Hotel Sentosa’s Native Kitchen
For lunch, we decided to explore the dining options at the other Far East Hospitality hotels. Just a short walk away, at Village Hotel Sentosa, is Native Kitchen. This eatery boasts an open and airy space filled with natural light, welcoming us with a tropical atmosphere featuring earthy tones, vibrant hues, furnishings in natural materials like wood and rattan, and lush indoor plants.
We opted for the restaurant’s signature dishes: Native Kitchen Nasi Lemak, Hokkien Fried Noodles, and a side of Jumbo Satay Skewers, while the kid had Spaghetti Bolognese from the kids’ menu. The portions were super generous and we actually struggled a teeny bit to finish everything. Still, we couldn’t bear to leave a single grain of rice or strand of noodle untouched because everything was so delicious!
Despite feeling way too full after all that, we also ordered the Ice Cream in Coconut for dessert, because, hey, there’s a separate stomach for desserts, right? Served in a coconut with a scoop of coconut ice cream atop a layer of coconut jelly and garnished with a drizzle of chocolate sauce and crushed nuts, this was the highlight of our meal.
The smooth and creamy coconut ice cream contrasted perfectly with the firmer and refreshing coconut jelly at the bottom. It didn’t take us long to finish the ice cream and the jelly, but we were far from done. The coconut had some flesh left in it, so we scraped it clean. It was truly a dessert to remember.
An Idyllic Destination to Refresh, Recharge, and Refuel
With a focus on wellness and rejuvenation, Oasia Resort Sentosa offers guests an array of holistic activities and workshops such as yoga, aqua Zumba, and Wellness Hour workshops. We attended one workshop during our stay, where we learnt how to make our own body balm using natural ingredients.
The workshop was held at the Wellness Lounge, which is next to the entrance of Oasia Spa. It was a cosy group of guests which was great because the therapist could give everyone present personal attention. Although a small flame was used in the process, it was safe for children, even one as young as my almost six-year-old, with adult supervision.
For the ultimate indulgence, book a treatment at the award-winning Oasia Spa. It is the first in Southeast Asia and Oceania to use KOTOSHINA, an organic skin care brand from Kyoto, Japan. The spa also uses Biology Smart Skincare from Australia, and was the first hotel spa in Singapore to offer cryotherapy facials.
More Family Fun and Dining Options at Far East Hospitality’s Cluster of Hotels in Sentosa
Oasia Resort Sentosa is part of Far East Hospitality’s collection of four unique hotels in Sentosa. These include Village Hotel Sentosa, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa, and The Barracks Hotel Sentosa. For the heritage aficionados, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa offers bespoke luxury and a glimpse into Singapore’s past. The adult-centric The Outpost Hotel offers bespoke experiences in the heart of Sentosa.
Designed for guests of different interests and demographics, Oasia Resort Sentosa empowers guests to recharge with a variety of fitness programmes available across this precinct of four hotels. This includes activities such as Sunrise Yoga, Sunset Pilates, Aqua Zumba, Aqua Boxing and Tabata, as well as Pool Activities for kids. Additionally, the Wellness Hour workshops are complimentary for guests staying in Junior Suites and above.
Pool Time at Village Hotel Sentosa
We strolled over to Village Hotel Sentosa to enjoy its four thematic pools, which we’d heard from friends are pretty fabulous. As my son is not a fan of the water or swimming, I thought he would enjoy the Children’s Play Pool. This shallow pool has play features and slides, and is the perfect place for younger children to frolic around safely in water.
However he ended up spending the most time at the Lazy River Pool, floating leisurely along the meandering waterway, before taking one last dip in the cascading pools at the Pamukkale Pool that overlooks the sea. There was a water ball game going on at the Adventure Pool, so we did not stay in there long.
We had so much fun at the pools that it took quite a bit of persuasion to get the kid to leave for more island adventures. Before that though, we scored some yummy churros from the lobby where free activities and snacks were available for kids because we were there during the school holidays. Outside of the school holiday season, the hotel has a permanent carnival-like welcome at the lobby featuring a Village Cart offering complimentary local sweets and snacks too. Pro-tip: if you are staying over the weekend, hop over to the pool deck on Friday and Saturday evenings for family-friendly movies under the night sky.
Sentosa Sensoryscape — An Immersive, Multi-sensory Experience
After exploring the facilities and dining options at Oasia Resort Sentosa and its neighbouring cluster of hotels, we were ready to check out the attractions outside the resort. We took a leisurely walk to Resorts World Sentosa, where Universal Studios Singapore, the S.E.A Aquarium, and Adventure Cove Waterpark are located, then went to the island’s newest attraction, Sentosa Sensoryscape.
Sentosa Sensoryscape is a 350m-long walkway that connects visitors from Resorts World Sentosa to the island’s beaches. Here, you can enjoy different experiences at six sensory gardens: the Lookout Loop, Tactile Trellis, Scented Sphere, Symphony Streams, Palate Playground, and the Glow Garden. During the day, these gardens marvel with their architectural beauty. At night, they transform into structural wonders that offer an immersive, one-of-a-kind night experience.
Along the walk, visitors can engage all five senses, including a sixth one – imagination. This is best done with ImagiNite, an app that you can download and use to reveal interactive digital floor projections and augmented reality. We had so much fun prancing around dancing butterflies and blooming flowers, and swimming with sea turtles and other marine animals!
I was especially enamoured with the Glow Garden. This features a long flight of stairs lined with towering stalks of flowers that light up in rainbow hues at night. It’s the perfect place for an Instagram-worthy picture, I reckon.
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A Perfect Family Vacation without leaving Singapore
Our stay at Oasia Resort Sentosa was fun and fulfilling, but way too short. I love how convenient it is to get here by the Sentosa Express. I also love how convenient it is to venture out for more dining or entertainment options. There is a Starbucks outlet on the other side of Imbiah Station, and Resorts World Sentosa is a five to seven-minute walk away. There is also a plethora of casual dining options, including Shake Shack, at Beach Station.
That we were able to visit Far East Hospitality’s neighbouring properties opened doors to even more entertainment and dining options.
As for my family and I, we can’t wait to return to Oasia Resort Sentosa for another staycation. Hopefully, it’ll be a longer one this time!
Oasia Resort Sentosa is at 23 Beach View, Palawan Ridge, #01-01, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098679. Book your stay at oasiahotels.com
(See also: 17 NEW STAYCATION DEALS AND PERKS FOR FAMILIES IN 2024)
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