Staycation : Parkroyal on Pickering

Lounge Parkroyal on Pickering Singapore HotelSometimes we all need a mental health day.

Just to get away.

Play hooky.

And not do anything. Absolutely nothing. Maybe except nap and have room service.

Which is exactly what I did that week in May.

I started googling hotels that morning and by early afternoon, I was checking in at the newly opened Parkroyal on Pickering.

Or trying to.

It was not a great start to my staycation.

As I sipped my Limenade, reception was running around. Confused. Somehow my online reservation didn’t go through.

Lobby at Parkroyal on Pickering Singapore

I had booked the “Pickering Spa-cation”. For $338++ (superior room) or $368++ (premier room), you get to “soothe your frazzled mind with a well-deserved retreat at our hotel-in-a-garden. Relax in effortless comfort with a one-night stay and revitalize your senses with a 30-minute spa treatment at the award-winning St. Gregory, the latest addition to our dedicated wellness haven located on Level 5.”

It was like they were talking directly to me. I chose the 30-minute St Gregory Aromatic Floral Milk Bath over the 30-minute Anti-Stress Back and Neck Massage. I was booking a Tui Na massage anyway.

My relaxing stay stalled at reception. I even offered to re-book my reservation on my phone. Something about the offer not being in the system at the front desk. The general lack of English proficiency made the situation just a little annoying. With the receptionist looking more and more stressed, repeatedly disappearing into the back office, I just put in another reservation online. To get myself closer to that bed for a deep nap.

Parkroyal on Pickering is a relatively new hotel (just a few months old; opened in 2013) at the edge of Singapore’s CBD. It’s hard to miss, with its gardens in the sky and generous landscaping. Its hotel-in-a-garden concept is based on sustainability – something that attracted me to the hotel in the first place.

According to their info sheet, rain sensors and natural and sky gardens support their “innovative sustainability features”. Some stats: 2m² of greenery for every 1m² of land area; 32.5 olympic-sized pools worth of water is saved through conservation measures each year; 20% reduction in lighting power using LED bulbs and sunlight harvesting; and 680 households could be powered by their energy savings each year.

The room was quite comfortable. The view looked onto greenery on one of the balcony tiers. I was intrigued by the landscaping. The pool and sky gardens would have to wait until after my long overdue nap.

Because I woke up so refreshed I decided to stay another night. I was disappointed to learn that no matter how many nights you stayed, you were entitled to only one 30-minute treatment. I have to say the fine print is a bit misleading. It does say that one redemption is allowed per package booked. I took it to mean one night is a package as the description is for “a one-night stay”. Front desk actually didn’t even know if I was entitled to another treatment or not if I stayed another night. Growing pains of a new hotel, I suppose.

Undeterred by the lack of inter-departmental communications, I set off to the pool deck for some (more) downtime before my afternoon treatments. The pool overlooks the city and the park across the street. The skyline was a nice visual contrast. Lining the sides are, for lack of a better word, domes. Domed cabanas. I chose the one furthest out, over the water, at the edge of the pool. I snuggled in with a book under a canopy of pink mesh that disguised the colourful HDB blocks behind the hotel. It was very quiet. A few people were lounging.

Domed Cabana at the Parkroyal on Pickering

Pool View from Parkroyal on PickeringPink Dome Cabana at Parkroyal on Pickering

Next up – St Gregory Spa.

I think I had high expectations. I did not realize that the spa, too, was new. Even newer in fact. The reception was quite good. I sat with my tea, filling out the wellness form, which asked the usual health and injury questions. And then I was led to a room. This was where the milk bath was already drawn. In a dazzling display of lights, the bathtub flashed like a disco and roared with bubbles.

I was left to change. Or I assumed because nothing was explained. I kinda just found everything, rummaging through the drawers.

At every spa I always take note of their discretion policy (like draping, etc). After I undressed and robbed up, the therapist came back to explain the bath. She seemed to be waiting for me to get in the tub. I outwaited her and she finally left me to undress for the bath. It was awkward.

The bath was nice. The jets were strong. 30 minutes, for me, was way too long and I actually got somewhat dizzy. I took a nice shower and sat sipping my tea by the picture window, waiting for my session to end.

Next was my tui na. Again, there were some awkward moments of de-robing to get onto the massage table. Draping is not her forte. It’s unclear if it’s a lack of training by St Gregory Spa or an absence of such a policy, which would be surprising for a high-end spa. I am actually okay de-robing in front of therapists. They are professionals, like doctors, right? Though sometimes you get a weird vibe from some people.

The tui na therapist had good technique. I don’t remember much of my massage, which just means I dozed off pretty quick. A good sign.

I associate the massage bed with relaxation and I have been conditioned to almost instantly relax once I lie down. The technique of a particular therapist can send me to deep sighs of relaxation quickly or leave me questioning my choice. Always thought, they already have this Pavlov thing going for them.

Tui na uses pretty strong pressure, which was lovely and is my preference. Working on the computer as much as I do, my neck and back are more prone to tightness, even with regular breaks from staring at the screen. Another reason why having dogs is good for your health. Some of my breaks are taking them for a walk.

Massage is a great way to boost circulation, an essential part of wellness. Some people feel that a massage is only for special occasions or de-knotting. Honestly, we can all benefit from regular massages, whether it’s a foot reflexology so abundant and affordable in Singapore or self-massage. I love using a foam roller to get my quad muscles relaxed. A foam roller can be everyone’s 24/7 therapist.

Relaxed, I took a stroll through the sky garden located on the same floor. The lighting made a such an impact. The interplay of light and shadows on the architecture really showcased the features of the hotel, with the tiers of undulations.

Night View from Sky Garden at Parkroyal on Pickering Singapore Night View from Sky Garden at Parkroyal on Pickering SingaporeThe rest of my stay was uneventful. Dined on room service. Caught up on TV shows and movies. Finished off some work and research.

The two nights away from home was exactly what I needed.

A staycation is the perfect getaway for a mini retreat – minimal packing and no transport hassles. Of course, for a pet-friendly staycation in Singapore, it’d have to be Capella on Sentosa.

I’m thinking this may be a regular treat. Once in a while.

March 14, 2013

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