Stretching Your Ringgit in Singapore

Singapore has been ranked the world’s most expensive city to live in and it’s not the first time it has acquired that title.

Hence it might seem like an unlikely destination for families going on holidays, especially those on a budget. Thanks to Far East Hospitality though, Singapore’s largest operators of hotels and serviced residences, it’s possible for families to live like a local and well within their budgets during their stay in Singapore.

The Lion City is expensive for families only if they have no idea where to go for good deals in accommodation, shopping and entertainment. Amidst the generally high price tags, far East Hospitality still manages to help travelling families discover some interesting parts of Singapore without busting their budgets. One way is through its attractive promotions and offers at Village Hotel Bugis, located strategically at the crossroads of Singapore’s famous Arab, Peranakan and Indian enclaves. Yes, value for money can indeed be found by those who seek it!

Located at the base of the hotel itself is a shopping centre, making it super-convenient for parents to shop for anything they might need. Once outside of the hotel, you’ll find yourself at the side streets of Kampong Glam, Bugis Village and Haji Lane, which are lined with delightful buys, some of which are not easily available elsewhere. You’ll find it a somewhat culture rich experience for your family. Fair warning, though, for those rows of small boutique outlets stocked with unique, fashionable items, toys and keepsakes may kick-start the shopaholic in you!

Just a couple of blocks away from the Village Hotel Bugis is the Bugis MRT, which adjourns more shopping centres and cinemas too. From here, you’ll easily connect to the Orchard shopping belt or the Central Business Districts of City Hall or Raffles City.

Families holidaying in Singapore will be pleasantly surprised to find that there are places to go and things to do that don’t require much spending of money. Take playgrounds, for instance, and by that, we don’t mean your average, run-of-the-mill ones! The ones at VivoCity Shopping Mall; 313 @ Somerset Sky Terrace and Suntec City Sky Garden are examples of really cool places where kids can burn all that pent up energy. The first two are 15 minutes away via taxi while the latter is a mere 6-minute taxi ride away from the hotel.

For the cost of a further taxi ride, e.g. 30 minutes from the hotel, families can enjoy free entry into Westgate Wonderland, a one-of a kind 11,000sf outdoor fantasy-themed wet and dry playgrounds. If you happen to be around when night falls, your kids will be mesmerised by the special display of lighting and sound effects that takes place.

One multi-award-winning horticultural family destination not to be given a miss is none other than Gardens At The Bay, accessible via a 13-minute taxi ride from the hotel. It consists of spectacular gardens including the innovative Flower Dome, the largest glass greenhouse in the world as listed in the 2015 Guinness World. While access to the two conservatories are ticketed, the public and tourists can visit the outdoor gardens for free. Additionally, the Far East Organisation (FEO) Children’s Garden @ Gardens by The Bay offers a 7.5 meter tree house and interactive water tunnels, for a fun-filled day in a lush setting.

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is another destination worth visiting. It is more than 150 years old and probably the most picturesque spot for a family picnic. It’s hardly surprising that this Insta-worthy place is honoured as an UNESCO World Heritage site. Kids will also love the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden located at the Botanical Gardens itself, for it allows children to get up close to see, smell and touch the plants there. These gardens are a mere 13 minutes away by taxi from the hotel.

Another well-hidden gem that has captivated visitors is the Pulau Ubin and Chek Jawa Wetlands, where laid-back, rustic village-like experiences awaits. A 28-minute taxi ride will get you to the Changi Ferry Point Terminal where you can then proceed to your destination via a $3 bumboat ride.

Nature walks, mini obstacle courses and family biking with rented cycles can all be experienced at Coney Island, another family-friendly spot accessible via a 28 minute taxi ride from Village Hotel Bugis. There are also five pristine beach areas nearby if the kids fancy a dip in the sea!

Other places which are easily accessible and well worth a visit are the Sustainable Singapore gallery @ Marina Bay; the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve; Chestnut Nature Park; National Library and the Chinese mythological Haw Par Villa.

After a long day of adventure, nothing beats coming back to a comfortable room. By that of course, we mean that even your little ones should feel right at home and comfy too! This is exactly why Village Hotel Bugis urges parents to go for their uniquely designed kids themed family rooms featuring characters from children’s movies, e.g. Cars, Princess Sofia, Captain America and Big Hero 6. Each spacious room can comfortably accommodate two adults and a child. The bathrooms come complete with baby toiletries, where else a baby bath tub and cot can be requested if you have a child below the age of two. Complementary coloring books and access to Cartoon Network and Okto TV channels allow even the crankiest of kids to settle in with ease!

Parents would also be highly appreciative of the facilities available, among which is a laundry room to take care of the family’s dirty clothes yourself. Good food, lovely swimming pool by the restaurant,a gym, convenience stores and free Wi Fi that connects automatically in all rooms and hotel public areas are just a few factors that make up the winning points of lodging at The Village Hotel Bugis.

Chief Executive Officer of Far East Hospitality, Mr Arthur Kiong shared that as a home-grown hospitality brand, Village Hotel Bugis aims to provide a unique Singapore-inspired hospitality to its guests, so that they may experience what’s it like to live like a local while in Singapore.