8 things we loved about our staycation at Pan Pacific

We enjoyed a lovely staycation at Pan Pacific last weekend, in time to catch Fireworks by the Bay.

Here are 8 things we loved about our stay.

1. Our room with a view

The Pacific Harbour Room we were in was spacious and comfortable for our family of five. It came with a great view of the Marina Bay area, and the kids loved perching atop the bar stools to gaze outside.

The king sized bed was luxurious to the touch. We also requested for an extra bed for Vera to be placed just beside us.

The bathtub was a good size, and we bathed all the kids together here! There is also a rainshower facility if for whatever reason you don’t like the tub. I thought the bath salts were a nice touch too.

As a family with young kids, we obviously appreciated the presence of this Nespresso machine.

2. Catching the National Day Parade fireworks display

Imagine catching the fireworks display in our PJs. We felt like the sky was exploding in colour right before our eyes. (In Vera’s words, This is the best day EVER!)

When the NDP rehearsal began, we could watch the lively performances from the big screen. The fly past by the RSAF was around 645pm, but alas it happened so fast (and we weren’t ready for it as we were getting the kids out of the bath after their swim) so I wasn’t able to catch it on camera.

So when 8pm came, we were all on standby to catch the fireworks display. We made sure the kids were nicely propped up on the bar stools so they could see properly. (Would have been perfect if the room came with full length windows!)

Fireworks displays are scheduled to take place every Saturday as part of the National Day Parade rehearsals (from 12 July to 9 August 2014).

3. In-room dining

Since we didn’t have time (we didn’t want to miss the fireworks display!!)) to wander around the hotel or surrounding malls for dinner (with 2 kids and a baby in tow), what else to do but call for room service.

Our dinner greeted us shortly (hmm, about 30-40 minutes?). Hello, mee goreng, satay, butter chicken with prata, and hainanese chicken rice. The satay was pretty average but the hubby and I enjoyed the mee goreng and butter chicken, which was surprisingly not spicy at all, but very strong and flavourful. The kids gobbled up their chicken rice without complaints.

4. Impeccable service

We were greeted everywhere we went by the friendly hotel staff. Our requests for an extra bed was very promptly handled and we were also treated with super delicious and sweet mangoes upon arrival. (Vera and JJ also had chocolate mysteriously handed out to them upon arrival, so I think they give the thumbs up too.)

The good service continued all the way to checkout, where I noticed a few hotel staff walking around to help guests checkout in a timely manner.

5. Sumptuous buffet spread at Edge

Josh woke us up early at barely 6am, so we were all glad that breakfast was served from 6am-11am. The restaurant was huge, and I don’t think we covered all the various types of cuisines (We were pretty focused on muesli, and bacon and eggs, and didn’t manage to go all the way to thosai and nasi lemak and even Japanese).

I was busy feeding a super-active Josh with banana and other fresh fruits, and managed (just barely) to tuck into my own omelette, bacon and baked beans. Hubby enjoyed his cheese platter and smoked salmon though. And the kids were kept busy munching on breadsticks and crispy bacon.

6. The Pacific Club

Credit: Pan Pacific

Access to the Pacific Club (Level 38) is available for those who book the Pacific Harbour Room, Pacific Harbour Studio and Pacific Suites. It does have a child policy however, and only those aged 12 and above are allowed entry. I wanted to check it out but unfortunately didn’t have the time to do so during our stay. The champagne breakfast, and 24-hour service does sound very very tempting. Makes me wish we had arranged for an extra room for babysitters so that we could head up for a nightcap!

7. Chilling at the pool

We decided to head straight for the hotel’s fan-shaped pool on the 4th floor after checking in. I was slightly disappointed that there wasn’t a kiddy pool, but the kids didn’t seem to mind playing on the steps leading into the pool. Joshua, as usual, delighted in splashing about and playing with the cups we brought along.

Using mummy as a lifebuoy. The depth of the water was friendly enough for Vera to wade in actually.

Never too young to walk on water

8. Proximity to everywhere

After breakfast, we decided to head out for a morning walk. We meandered through Millenia Walk to the Helix Bridge, and found these art pieces lining the brick wall leading up to the bridge.

It was a beautiful day to be out.

So there you go. If you’re keen to go on a staycation, do check out Pan Pacific’s Fireworks by the Bay package. You get to enjoy the following privileges:

Complimentary Internet connectivity
Breakfast for two people at Edge
Daily parking
30% savings for dinner at hotel-operated bars and restaurants
Access to outdoor swimming pool and round-the-clock fitness centre
Pacific Club access at Level 38 (available for bookings of Pacific Harbour Room, Pacific Harbour Studio and Pacific Suites)