I spent the night in the hotel’s Grand Deluxe Suite, which is large enough for a solo guest, couple or even a small family of three. If space is what you’re looking for on a staycation, this is it. The suite is perfect to unwind in and comes with a separate living area as well as a workspace. I was there on a workday so having a desk that I could work comfortably on was especially useful for me. And it helped that this was far enough from the King-sized bed—which was both luxurious and inviting.

Personally, the most important feature of a hotel room for me is its bathroom. The suite’s marble bathroom exceeded my expectations due to the ample amount of space provided. There was a separate shower cabin, a huge bathtub for you to soak your worries away as well as Balmain bathroom amenities.

With Covid-19 precautions in mind, the hotel also made sure to sanitise surfaces and helpfully provided a QR code for guests who require extra services such as in-room dining.

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As it was a wellness-themed staycation organised in conjunction with local athleisure company Kydra, I attended a couple of activities that allowed me to practise relaxation and mindfulness. 

During the evening of my stay, I went for a guided meditation class held at one of the hotel’s indoor fitness studios—yes, the hotel has fitness studios and tennis courts tucked away at the back of the property. Walking from my hotel suite to the fitness studio was a mini adventure of its own as I discovered a whole new section of the hotel that’s hidden from the public.

The meditation class led by Grand Hyatt’s spa director Karu Nanith (who recently conducted a meditation guide on Tatler Singapore's Instagram page) was a much-needed activity as it introduced me to the basics of this mindful practice and how I should incorporate it into my daily life more often. During the hour-long session, I was guided through an immersive journey of sound therapy that involved gongs, Himalayan singing bowls, chimes as well as other instruments. The class helped me bring awareness to my breathing and I learnt how to focus on just relaxing the mind during the entire session. It’s definitely a must-try for those of us who find it tough to put work aside and have struggled to cope with work-from-home arrangements.

Related: 6 Wellness Retreats and Self-Care Staycations in Singapore to Boost Your Mental Health

There are numerous restaurants within the hotel that are highly popular among not just guests but the general public, including Straits Kitchen, Pete’s Place, 10 Scotts, Mezza9 and Oasis Restaurant. While I was there, I had the opportunity to sit down for a four-course sustainable dinner at Mezza9. The restaurant was pretty crowded for a weekday evening, attracting both the post-office hour crowd and in-house guests. My meal comprised of a plant-based sushi platter; heirloom tomatoes with pomegranate, shallots, tarragon and mint with sumac dressing; steamed Soon Hock with superior soy sauce and shredded ginger; stir-fried organic Asian greens with ginger and garlic; and a pink lady apple tart with plant-based vanilla ice-cream to ends things off on a sweet note. Along with my partner, our tastebuds were suitably pleased on this culinary journey but we could hardly finish the entire meal because the portions were really generous. We’ll be back for more but with an extra guest or two next time!

I wish I had more time to enjoy the facilities such as the fitness centre and swimming pool. I’d recommend setting aside some time to get a workout in during your stay and afterwards, treat yourself to a healthy meal at Oasis Restaurant which is conveniently located right next to the pool. It’s a rather lush spot, surrounded by greenery and hidden from the main part of the hotel.

If you’re anything like me, your idea of a staycation includes shopping while enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city, which means Grand Hyatt Singapore’s location is a major plus point. It’s within walking distance to popular malls such as Ion Orchard, Wheelock Place, Scotts Square and more—perfect for a quick post-dinner evening stroll (or mini shopping spree).

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