Staycations are awesome for a short relaxing getaway. You won’t need to worry about missed flights, lost luggage, or arguing over which restaurant to eat at. You get to enjoy your surroundings and visit some nearby places which you always wanted to but don’t have the time. Imagine taking a walk on a Friday afternoon when most people are at work. It’ll make it that much more enjoyable.

About 2 weeks ago, we were invited to Orchard Hotel for a 2D1N staycation. We were offered an elegantly designed Claymore Wing Premier Room which is generously spacious and well equipped.

A 40″ LED TV welcomes you. They have a comprehensive selection of channels and a ipod dock! Their best feature is arguably the pillow menu which is available upon request. You have 10 different types/shapes of pillows for you to choose from.

Separate bathtub and shower stall

Staycation at Orchard Hotel is great because it has many dining choices. I checked in first while waiting for the boy to join me when he finished his work. It was already late afternoon, so we decided to roam around the hotel instead.

We popped by Intermezzo bar as they were having afternoon tea. We were offered a selection of gourmet tea, and specialty coffee with open assorted sandwiches, sushi, fresh scones, dim sum and desserts. We thought this was it, but no, ALL THE ITEMS ARE FREE FLOW! So you can eat as much as you want! And guess where the dim sum comes from? From their famous cantonese restaurant, Hua Ting! I think this is quite worth it as there is quite a huge variety. The boy enjoyed his sushi (he is a huge Japanese food fan) and I enjoyed my dim sum and scones.

Afternoon Tea @ Intermezzo Bar

Daily from 3pm to 5pm
Price: $32.80 per pax
Reservations: 6739 6668

UOB credit card holders will enjoy 1-for-1 Afternoon Tea buffet. Valid till 31 Aug 2013.

I wanted to swim in the pool but after taking these photos, it started to drizzle. 🙁

The good folks from Orchard Hotel has kindly arranged for peranakan buffet dinner for us at Orchard Café. They have recently welcomed their new Executive Chef Paul on board and have added a whole new delicious spread of authentic Straits Chinese dishes.

I will share more of this pernakan buffet dinner in tomorrow’s blog post but for now, here’s two photos taken at the buffet: Lembu Rendang (Slow-cooked Australian Beef Cheek Rendang with Nonya Spices) and their chempedak ban cheng kueh which is super yummy!

Plan out your Red & White ensemble and book your table in pairs now! Valid from 1 to 11 August 2013 (up to a maximum of 12 diners only), every 2nd diner in RED will get to enjoy all these scrumptious food at only $4.80!

Orchard Cafe

Buffet Lunch: Adult $46, Child $23; Buffet Dinner: Adult $64, Child $32; Sunday Brunch: Adult $68, Child $34
Reservations: 6739 6565

After a filling dinner, we went up to our room to take a break. The good thing about having local staycation is, I can watch my favourite local dramas. I told the boy I must finish my dinner by 9pm so as to catch Channel 8’s drama “The Dream Makers” (志在四方). Sorry lah, you can call me a TV addict but I grew up watch these dramas and I really enjoyed it.

Then we took a rest before heading to Shaw House to catch PACIFIC RIM! Because Orchard Hotel is so near to Shaw House, the boy bought two midnight 3D show ticket to watch Pacific Rim in iMax! It’s a great movie and because of the 3D effect, the monsters were practically underneath my nose lah.

I forgot to take photos with the boy and he was busy taking photos of me while I was busy taking photos for the food! Hahaaaa… life of a food blogger… I promise we will have more photos of us in our next staycation!

We woke up abit late for breakfast so decided to settle our lunch at Noodles, a new noodle eatery within the hotel. Walked past it and saw the chef making ala minute handmade la mian which caught my eyes.

We asked for recommendation and the waiter suggested the signature abalone noodles ($12.80). You get to choose what kind of noodles you want and they have handmade la mian, handmade thin la mian, handmade flat la mian, egg noodles. We picked the thin la mian which is very fine noodles pulled together and made with chef’s special mix of three different types of flour to create that unique texture of extremely thin noodles. It is springy and well soaked in a savoury-sweet chicken soup.

The boy had a bowl of Stewed beef brisket and tendon noodles. The stewed beef brisket is so tender and goes really well with any noodles. This has more flavours because of the stewed beef brisket and is definitely my favourite amongst all!

I wanted to try their dry noodles so we shared Noodles with Fresh Tomatoes and eggs ($7.80). A very sweet tomato paste, I was hoping that it has more eggs. If you love dry noodles, the eatery also has Sichuan Dan Dan noodles ($7.80) and Noodles with Shredded Chicken and Onion Oil ($7.80).

Noodles

Address: Level 1, Orchard Hotel, 442 Orchard Road
Open daily 11am to 10pm
Reservations: 6739 6565
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Thank you Orchard Hotel for the staycation. We enjoyed it thoroughly. You can enjoy an exclusive 15% off their Best Available Rates for the elegantly designed Claymore Wing Rooms – Premier Rooms, Premier Club Rooms and Premier Suite Rooms. This package is also complemented with daily breakfast buffet and high speed Internet access!

In addition, in the lead up to Singapore’s 48th birthday, celebrate the nation’s birthday from 7 to 12 August through a rejuvenating getaway and partake in the revelry from the comfort of the guestrooms in Orchard Hotel.

Package includes:
– 25% off best available rates
– 20% off in dining outlets
– Complimentary breakfast buffet for up to 2 persons
– Complimentary in-room internet access
– Complimentary late check-out until 3pm (subject to availability)
– Complimentary movie tickets for up to 2 persons

View more here.