ParkRoyal on Beach Road review: Recharge your senses with a wellness-themed staycation

First impressions

Credit: ParkRoyal on Beach Road

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Check-in was a breeze, and the hotel easily accommodated to my early check-in request. We waited briefly in the lobby, where a medley of plush armchairs and cosy couches are available for one to sink into comfort.

After the straightforward process, we checked into the Club Premier room for the night, and were pleasantly greeted by a bright space with a warm and inviting ambiance. A light and earthy colour palette create a soothing atmosphere, while brass fittings add a stylish flair. This is one out of the hotel’s 346 refreshed rooms, which are all elegantly furnished with a similar colour palette and contemporary touches.

The room was fitted with a king-sized bed (which served as a comfortable cocoon that was impossible to leave) as well as an ensuite bathroom with a rainshower and a standalone bathtub. The heritage details in the room, such as a traditional tiffin carrier that’s decorated with old parking coupon stickers, added a touch of nostalgia to the space.

Self-care starts with a pampering facial

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Soon, the late afternoon rolled around and I was off to the hotel’s dedicated wellness floor for a facial, the first stop of my wellness staycation. The award-winning St. Gregory spa is nestled on level four of the hotel, otherwise known as the wellness floor, which also houses a state-of-the-art gym as well as a half-Olympic-sized pool that overlooks the scenic Singapore skyline.

I was immediately greeted with friendly smiles upon my arrival at the spa, and was quickly ushered into a serene, dimly-lit room where I was offered a complimentary cup of tea as well as a hot towel whilst I waited for my assigned therapist. She soon arrived, greeting me with warmth, and we retreated into a private room with an idyllic setting.

My 75-minute treatment had been pre-selected, and I had the Thalion firm and lift facial booked. It’s a comprehensive treatment that uses a unique combination of active ingredients with marine and scientific expertise to firm and tone the skin, my therapist gently explained as she sprayed fine mist over my face before massaging my feet with a warm towel – these touches are an introduction to the treatment in order to fully immerse one into picturing themselves relaxing at a beach oasis, with fresh sea air and white sand in between their toes.

Credit: ParkRoyal on Beach Road

3/7

With over twenty years of experience, my facial therapist was well-versed in her craft with gentle touches and discerning attentiveness. Besides the typical suite of facial services that includes steaming, exfoliation, extraction and a face mask, the Thalion firm and lift facial also comprises a neck and shoulder massage to leave you completely relaxed. With my therapist’s experienced hands kneading my tight neck muscles, I could feel the tension releasing from my body. The gentle background music – a breezy and relaxing tune perfect for lounging at the beach – further lulled me into a meditative state of mind.

Alas, good things can’t last forever and I was soon roused awake with a soft touch and friendly smile. I emerged from the private haven with a revitalised, renewed and utterly radiant complexion, and drifted dreamily behind my therapist as she led me to a cosy alcove to enjoy another cup of tea as well as a snack.

Besides facials, the spa also offers a plethora of other treatments, including traditional Asian healing therapies such as Chinese tui na and Indonesian Balinese massage. If you’re tied for time and seeking a brief escape, there are also short massages that range between 15 to 30 minutes for a quick treat.

Up next: Yogilates

Credit: ParkRoyal on Beach Road

4/7

Feeling very much like a snake who has just shed its old skin and emerged with a new skin layer that’s illuminated and smoother than ever, I quickly popped back up to my room to change into my workout gear before returning to level four. I’m booked for a Yogilates (a combination of yoga and pilates) class next, and the fitness studio is conveniently located right next to the spa.

My friendly instructor guided us through a series of exercises that focused on toning the deeper core muscles whilst working on balance and movement training. The class is beginner-friendly and the class size is relatively small, with only four other people in my session, which means the instructor is able to attend to each individual and correct the various forms and postures when needed. Towels, mats and yoga blocks are all provided, so all you truly need to do is show up.

I’m told that there are other classes such as zumba, yoga and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions. And while I didn’t manage to test out the equipment at the gym during my short stay, I did pop by for a quick peek; the brightly-lit space is decked out with a panoply of sleek fitness equipment that fitness enthusiasts will greatly rejoice in.

Healthy gourmet options

Credit: Her World/Cheryl Lai-Lim

5/7

To round out the wellness getaway, the hotel’s pioneering Sichuan restaurant, Si Chuan Dou Hua, has an array of innovative wellness-focused dishes that combine characteristics of Sichuan flavours with nourishing ingredients and healthier cooking techniques like braising and boiling.

The restaurant had thoughtfully prepared a rejuvenation set menu for my stay, which included a rich consommé with mushrooms and Chinese yam, soon hock fish with Canada wild rice (a nutritious and naturally gluten-free source of fibre) in a thick flavourful broth (my personal favourite dish!), as well as braised fish maw with millet.

Truth be told, I was initially apprehensive at the thought of the menu that was designed with nutritional completeness in mind. When it comes to food, I prefer dishes with a stronger and richer taste, and so I was pleasantly surprised to find that each dish was packed with flavour and a far cry from the bland dishes I was expecting. While the exact set menu that I had is a specially curated one that’s not available, I’m told that several of the dishes, including the consommé, can be ordered from the restaurant’s a la carte menu.

Credit: ParkRoyal on Beach Road

6/7

For breakfast, we headed down to the dreamy pastel-hued Ginger, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, to indulge in a breakfast buffet spread whipped up from the restaurant’s halal-certified kitchen. Besides breakfast staples such as a selection of bread and pastries, cold cuts and meats, as well as an omelette station (cooked to order), there were also a myriad of local delicacies, such as roti prata, you tiao, and even dim sum. If the dishes sound too heavy for breakfast, all-day lighter selections are also available, such as fresh salmon sashimi platter, assorted sushi and various salads.

Final thoughts

Credit: ParkRoyal on Beach Road

7/7

Life in our city-state can often be a furious rat-race, and it’s important to prioritise your well-being and allow your tired body some much-needed pampering while giving your anxious mind a real break. If you’re trying to avoid the hassle of weekend jaunts to Phuket or Bali, give this wellness staycation a go. By the time you check out, all your senses will feel refreshed and recharged; the genuine wellbeing experience will go a long way in undoing the tension and stress you’ve been holding in.