7 family-friendly hotels in Singapore for a September school holiday staycation

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SHANGRI-LA’S RASA SENTOSA RESORT & SPA

101 Siloso Road Sentosa, tel: 6275-0100.

This hotel is a haven for children. Think facilities like indoor tree houses, splash pads, giant water slides, Wii games, racing car simulators, rock climbing walls and flying trapezes. Check them into Toots Club, where minders will keep them occupied with indoor and outdoor activities while you spend an indulging afternoon in the hotel’s spa, Chi. 

Dining options are available at the hotel’s 3-in-1 restaurant, Dine on 3. Choices include Asian-style noodles and Chinese roast meats in 8 Noodles, casserole dishes with influences from Southeast Asia, Morocco, India and the West as well as a scrumptious buffet spread at Silver Shell Café. While you delight your taste buds with the array of selections, the little ones can help themselves at a buffet counter at Silver Shell Café with kid-friendly foods just for them.

Prices start from $350++ per night for a Superior Hill View Room

SWISSOTEL MERCHANT COURT

20 Merchant Rd, tel: 6337-2288.

Rooms at Swissotel Merchant Court can be transformed completely kids-friendly spaces when you book under a Kids’ Room deal. Adjoining the main room, these will come with features that will bring a smile to every child’s face: bright-coloured bedding, cuddly toys, storybooks, cartoon DVDs, and downsized desk and chairs.

Set at the heart of Clarke Quay, it’s also perfect spot if you don’t plan to hole up in your hotel. Explore the Chinatown wet market in the morning and have a early lunch at one of the hipster cafés or restaurants along Keong Siak Street or Amoy Street before the lunch crowd hits. Or do the touristy trail along Singapore River and snap family wefies at the Merlion Park and the Esplanade.

The hotel is currently having a Family Fun Escape special until 31 December 2016 with complimentary admission tickets (for two adults and two children) to Universal Studios Singapore and a daily ice cream treat for children. 

Prices start from $320++ per night for a Premier Room

RITZ CARLTON MILLENNIA SINGAPORE

7 Raffles Avenue, tel: 6337-8888.

If you’re looking for a luxe staycation, the Ritz Carlton Millennia is it. Rooms are spacious and come with oversized bathtubs, plush feather beds, and panoramic views of the city. Plan to stay over the weekend? Take advantage of the hotel’s Ritz Kids programme, where children from five to 12 are given a free ice-cream pass and can enjoy craft activities by the poolside.

If your little ones are game for a camping experience without roughing it out, sign them up for the Ritz Kids Night Safari programme, where kids “camp” in the comfort of your hotel room with a sleeping tent, a lion beanie, an activity book and a night lamp. This is available if you book the Premier Suite, Club Premier Suite and the One Bedroom Millennia Suite. 

Nearby family-friendly places of interests to check out include Gardens by the Bay, the Artscience Museum, the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands.

Prices start from $510++ per night for a Deluxe Room

VILLAGE HOTEL BUGIS

390 Arab Street, tel: 6297-2828.

There’s something about being located near Arab Street and Kampong Glam that makes the Village Hotel Bugis particularly charming. The enclave is hip and vibrant – and while you pick up an accessory or two, the kids can learn about the history and culture of the area.

The hotel’s tie-up with City Tours takes you to places of interests around Singapore such as the Botanic Gardens, Chinatown, and Orchard Road. These are complimentary for hotel guests, and you travel on fixed routes on an open-top bus. There are no guided tours however, and you are left to explore and discover the places on your own. Nearer to the hotel are Bugis Junction, Bugis+ and foodie lanes like Liang Seah Street and Tan Quee Lan Street with a good array of lunch and dinner options.

At the hotel, themed rooms (great for kids who like cartoons like Cars and Princess Sofia) for children are available on request. They come complete with kid-friendly bathroom accessories, colouring books and cartoon television channels too.

Prices start from $205+ per night for a Superior Room

HOTEL CLOVER THE ARTS

58 South Bridge Rd, tel: 6439-7088.

For a cosy stay, there’s Hotel Clover The Arts, where walls in the rooms are a visual treat. They are painted by different artists and come in different themes – it could be a large mural of Mount Fuji, or a painting of a multi-coloured macaw, so no two rooms are the same.

The six-storey boutique hotel has all the necessary amenities such as bathroom toiletries, TV channels and a small coffee machine. The drawback is that the rooms can be a bit small, so pack light as there’s little room for your luggage. For families, go for the Family Premier room which comes with a double bed and a single bed or the Arts King, which comes with a single king-sized bed.

There isn’t a pool within the hotel, but guests can use the rooftop swimming pool at its sister property Hotel Clover 5 Hong Kong Street which is just across the street.

Prices start from $156.80++ per night for Superior Single Room

FURAMA RIVERFRONT

405 Havelock Road, tel: 6333-8898.

Not many hotels have rooms that incorporate a bunk bed that features a single, double and pull-out bed to accommodate two adults and two children like the Theme Rooms at Furama Riverfront. They are are decked out in wallpaper with murals of the pirate ship or the underwater world.

Mealtimes are at The Square, which has a slew of family-friendly international fare for even the pickiest eater. There is a play area in the restaurant, so kids can keep themselves occupied while you enjoy your meal. Other child-friendly amenities include Paws, a playroom for children aged five to 11, where they can jump on trampolines, mess around with Lego or practice their drawing skills on black or white boards.

Prices start from $167.38++ per night for a Superior Room

GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE

10 Scotts Road, tel: 6738-1234.

Family rooms in the Grant Hyatt Singapore are a pretty luxe affair. The Grand Deluxe Two Bedroom offers a separate living area with two bedrooms with a king-sized bed in the master bedroom and two twin beds in the other room. Club Rooms are also great for families as you have access to the Grand Club Lounge, which serves complimentary continental breakfast, evening cocktails and all-day beverages and is also open to children.

With a gorgeous pool and a range of classes like yoga, fitness, Muay Thai, and tennis (for both adults and children), there is no time for shopping even with Orchard Road just around the corner.

Prices start from $390++ per night for a Grand Standard Room.

*Prices may be subject to change. Contact the hotels for current room rates.