Our firstborn turns 5 this January and wants more say in his birthday celebrations. There was some pain in deciding the theme for his school’s party because he was spoilt for choices. (Shall leave that for another post!) So I learned my lesson and decided to make the out-of-school celebration a tad easier by limiting his choices.
Me: Baby, how do you want to celebrate your birthday? A bigger party at somewhere with more friends? A hotel stay? Go somewhere you like?
Cub: Hmmm. I want to stay at hotel.
Me: Sure, but that means you will only be celebrating with Daddy, Mommy and meimei. Is that okay?
Cub: Can I still have party in school?
Me: Yes, that’s a separate thing. You will still have a small party in school.
Cub: Ok, then I want to stay at hotel.
Definitely no more a baby.
I was pretty much decided on Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa when we confirmed on a birthday staycation for the cub because we always have such a good time there. This package I found on their website sealed the deal!
Family Fun Package
- Free buffet breakfast at Silver Shell Cafe
- Free buffet dinner at Silver Shell Cafe with unlimited soft drinks, chilled juices, house wine or beer
- Children between the ages of 5 and 12 will receive free (full-day) registration at the Toots Club and be able to participate in organised activities there. Each child will be entitled to one hour of complimentary play time at the club’s signature giant tree-house slide during one of the following periods – 10am to 12noon, 2pm to 4pm or 7pm to 9pm
- Children that are registered with the Toots Club’s full-day programme will receive complimentary lunch and dinner
- Toddlers below the age of 5 that are under parental or guardian supervision will receive complimentary access to the Mini Toots Club
- 15% off a la carte treatments at the resort’s spa
- Free (one-hour) use of selected water sports facilities on a daily basis
- Three free swings on The Flying Trapeze per room, per stay
- Free broadband Internet access in guestrooms and around the resort
- One complimentary sofa bed for a child
- Free entry to Sentosa Island
- Free Sentosa Express tickets
Offer is available from 22 Nov 2015 through 31 Oct 2016. See here for more information.
I was planning to fill up the day with plenty of activities for the kids that include attractions like the Luge, cable car rides, or visit the Universal Studios Singapore if the cub wants to, before checking in at the hotel. But in the end, I didn’t. Figured I should go easy on everyone – relax and enjoy the amenities in the resort since we were only going to be there for one night.
Boy, was that the best decision!
There was no rush in the morning to get every one out of the house by a certain time. We went for a leisure breakfast before heading over to the resort to see if we could get an early check-in.
We were pretty early at around 12ish for check-in but the lovely Front Desk staff tried to expedite a room for us while we kept the kids entertained at the Cool Zone area.
There were kids’ movies to keep them (and me) entertained inside the Mini Toots Club room. I thought they have grown out of ball pits but I was wrong.
Just as the kids were getting warmed up running amok in the Mini Toots Club room, the hotel informed us that our room was ready.
It was our first time getting a Garden Room to stay. The space is a little tight in comparison to what we had at our last stay but definitely good enough. In fact, I always appreciate smaller rooms with lesser blind spots so I know exactly where the kids are.
Their beds are still as comfy as ever! If we could buy one home, the husb just might! He couldn’t resist getting some shuteye so I brought the kids back to the Cool Zone for more playtime.
There is the signature giant tree house slide at the Toots Club for older kids aged 5 to 12. Here’s where you can drop off your kids if you want to head off for some couple spa time ‘cos parental supervision is not required at this area of Toots Club. The recreational team at the Toots Club will help to watch the kids!
Because only one of my two kids is eligible to go for the one without parental supervision, we headed over to the adjacent playground where both of them can run wild together.
[Tip: always bring a pair of socks along for the kids – never know when you see a playground. 🙂 ]
It was not easy getting them to leave the Toots Club. Unless it’s water play at the Rasa Sentosa’s swimming pool you are offering in return.
We were koala-carrying them to swim when we first stayed at Rasa Sentosa for our family staycation 4 years ago, and now they are scooting off to go at the water slides themselves. Helps that the cub recently gained more confidence in the water from swim class with his Dad and he FINALLY trusts the life jacket enough to allow us to not hold him!
And to top that off, a bubble bath after water play!
Because of the Garden Room’s location, we got to explore a part of the resort we never did before.
Another lovely spot in the resort where we could sit by the sea and marvel at how beautiful our little country is.
The room package we booked included buffet dinner at the Silver Shell Cafe. There’s a different theme every day and Saturday is probably one of the best-themed – Seafood Sensation!
Amazing spread of seafood they have here!
The kids could help themselves at the Kids Zone but they were happy to share most of whatever we are having!
There was a live band playing and upon knowing that we were there to celebrate the cub’s birthday, the staff and the band presented him a cake and sang him a birthday song! He was a little overwhelmed by all the attention initially but was happy to get a birthday cake.
Everyone (except me) slept in till 8ish in the morning! Not too bad, by our standards.
We went for a little walk by the sea again. Really enjoying the convenience of our room’s location!
Before heading to Silver Shell Cafe for breakfast.
The kids wanted more time at the pool instead of going to the beach before we leave the hotel.
Whatever the birthday boy says goes! 他开心就好! Of course, 我们也开心!