There it was, right before my eyes, sitting inside a tall chiller – rows of quality baby food and organic drinks from Heinz and Gerber that cater for babies and kids from a few months old to a few years old.
I don’t know about you but I’ve never seen a hotel restaurant (or any restaurant for that matter) serving a buffet spread of baby food – free. There at the baby’s corner are sterilizers and milk warmers complete with baby diapers for use. Free.
In fact, right in the middle of the buffet island is, a Kids Corner where a generous spread of food specially catered to the kids’ preferences yet providing proper nutrition. From nachos to broccoli, kidney beans to ice cream, fried rice to cereals – this special corner is set up for the kids to share in the joy of selecting and eating their own meals, giving them autonomy and accountability.
This is the Rasa Sentosa, Shangri-La resort – a name that is synonymous with providing luxurious family-centered experience. We last visited this hotel about 8 years ago before the kids came along and were pleasantly surprised that it has undergone revamps over the years to keep the guest experiences fresh and relevant.
Right next to the dining area are 4 rooms within one large venue – the Cool Zone which has customized ample space for kids of different age groups to play in. From crafts to Xbox Kinect games to sliding down the 2-storey tall Tree House, the Cool Zone provides hours of endless entertainment for the kids. The Kids Club programme changes daily. On some days, kids get to go on nature trail around the resort. On others, there are garden relays! The younger kids who are below 5 years old are not left out. The hotel has built dedicated baby areas for infants (completed with a carousel and baby TV!) and a toddler playroom, which resembles a mini indoor play gym.
The fun doesn’t stop there. Families are encouraged to participate in the unique outdoor activities too. Right outside the Cool Zone are table tennis facilities where parents and kids can paddle away at your own leisure. Walk a few steps to the beach and you can engage in simple water-sports with your spouse and children (free for the 1st hour). From paddleboats to kayaking, these water sports are excellent ways to distress and bond with the family.
Stroll further along Siloso beach and you can take your family to a new height, literally. Situated right on the beach is perhaps Singapore’s only flying trapeze (owned and operated by the hotel for guests and public to use at stipulated times). The flying trapeze activity is guided by a team of qualified, patient instructors; although height is involved, it is totally safe, fun and extremely addictive. Dana would be the first to assure you that once is never enough. In fact, we were overjoyed to know we don’t have to fly to ClubMed overseas for the flying trapeze anymore!
For nature lovers, you’ll like the hotel’s new ‘Nature’s Corner’ built under the canopy of large mature trees where guests can indulge in a bit of nature’s very own ‘aromatherapy’ among local plants and herbs. Slow your pace and take a stroll in this tranquil, invigorating little oasis perched on the rocks and you feel your tensions ease away. The whole family can also learn a bit or two about gardening while admiring the intricacies of nature’s random but beautiful patterns here.
Right in the middle of the hotel is its iconic pool that is main draw for families. After all, what are staycations without a splashing good time? In fact, on the weekend when we were there, the hotel staff was conducting fun water relay games for families at the pool. These games, facilitated by the lifeguards, are safe and fun as you get to interact with other guests. The 3 large water slides at the children’s pool never fail to draw squeals and laughter from the kids. Given a choice, the kids would be more than delighted to swim all day. For the younger toddlers, there is a water play area for them to frolick in. There are ample lounge chairs under the coconut trees and on the beach for lazing. The hotel is also thoughtful enough to supply chilled lemony drinking water by the poolside to hydrate guests.
After an exciting day enjoying the activities around the hotel and the attractions in Sentosa, the family can unwind in the one of the many comfortable guests rooms at the resort. The quality of Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa’s rooms deliver a luxurious, pampering experience for the entire family. Freshly pressed sheets, clean (and thick!) towels, kid-sized bathrobes and room slippers, free wifi, free complimentary child bed, welcome local fruit basket and nonya snacks, ice-dispenser on every floor, coin-operated laundry machines…and hear this – free mini bar (for the 1st round)! So many value-added amenities to ensure that families enjoy a fun, luxurious, pampering holiday right here in Singapore, without compromising on convenience or comfort! That’s service excellence.
During our stay, we savoured breakfast and lunch served at the hotel’s Silver Shell Cafe. The buffet offers a smorgasbord of international and local favorites. Chief among them are the Indian curries, the Biryani rice, Curry Laksa as well as the plethora of cakes and desserts. We were seriously spoiled for choice! And yes, the Kids Corner and the Baby Food are included in the buffet, adding to the heartwarming knowledge that at Rasa Sentosa, everyone’s needs (no matter how young or little) are well taken care of.
Just like its sister resort, The Golden Sands Penang Malaysia, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa is a pleasure for the senses and a sanctuary for the soul….an amazing feat considering its family-friendly atmosphere and top-notch service quality. It’s no wonder Rasa Sentosa has just been crowned the ‘Hotel Of The Year’ during the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts 2015 Annual Awards. What a big accolade! In fact, we left with a tinge of regret for not booking an additional night to enjoy this beautiful beach-front resort fully – 24 hours is definitely not enough! For your next family holiday, do take advantage of Rasa Sentosa’s attractive “Family Package” offer from now till 31 August 2015.
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Family Fun Package:
- Free buffet breakfast at Silver Shell Cafe
- Free buffet dinner at Silver Shell Cafe inclusive of free-flowing soft drinks, chilled juices, house wine or beer
- Free registration (full-day) at the Cool Zone and participation in activities organised for children aged 5 to 12. For the club’s signature giant tree-house slide, each child is entitled to one hour of complimentary play time during one of the following sessions – 10am to 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm or 7pm to 9pm
- Complimentary lunch and dinner for children registered with Cool Zone’s full day programme
- 15% off a la carte treatments at the resort’s spa
- Free use of selected water sports facilities daily (one hour)
- Three free swings on The Flying Trapeze per stay
- Free broadband Internet access in guestrooms and around the resort
- One complimentary sofa bed for the child
- Free entry to Sentosa Island
- Free Sentosa Express tickets
From SGD 485 per night. This offer is available from 1 Sep 2014 through 31 Aug 2015.
Read our superb experience at its Sunday Garden Party (which takes place every Sunday) in this review – Sunday Lunch, the way it was meant to be.
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa
101 Siloso Road, Sentosa, 098970, Singapore
(65) 6275 0100
For reservations, please call (65) 6371 1966 or email [email protected]
For more details, check out Shangri-la Rasa Sentosa’s Website or Facebook Page
EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort, we are rewarding 1 faithful couple with a weekday buffet dinner for two at the Silver Shell Cafe where a gastronomic feast of flavors from around the world awaits. The dining voucher is valid from 2 June to 1 September 2015. Check out the Silver Shell’s daily thematic buffet dinner menu here. To participate in this giveaway, simply do the following:
This giveaway ends on 17 May 2015, 11.59pm and is open to readers in Singapore. The winner will be contacted using the particulars provided when entering this draw and will have 24 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn. All incomplete and unverified entries will be disqualified. All entries will be verified before the winners are announced. To be fair to our sponsors, please note that all fake Facebook accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or very few real friends) will be disqualified. All the best!
Disclaimer: We received a complimentary night’s stay for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions and photos are, as usual, ours.
Wow, that really is a family friendly hotel! I had no idea that there were so many activities available on site…but what I am most impressed with the baby food buffet – very thoughtful of them to provide that!
We had a staycation there last year and even till now, Sophie remembers the splash pad and slides in the pool! Many wonderful memories and thumbs up for being such a family friendly hotel.
same here, Susan! i did a staycation there with the kids last year for my birthday. since then, they will every now and then ask, “mommy, can we stay hotel?”
i love the buffet spread too, Angie! pity we always don’t have enough time to slowly savour as we have to squeeze in one last round of water play time before check-out!
Wow that looks really AMAZING!! It isn’t cheap, but you wouldn’t need to spend any money on air tickets, and it would be more convenient (no need to change money, forget something can go home and take…), and for what you get it looks like really good value. No giveaway for this post? 😀 LOL
Hi,
Very beautiful picture you had captured, Good framing.
Would you mind to share what brand and model camera you were using ?
Hi Ignacia Sandra, thanks for the compliments. My husband uses a Nikon D3s for his shots along with a range of Nikon lenses but really…it’s the picturesque surroundings of the hotel that he draws inspiration from.
Name: Oh Lye Choon
EMail: [email protected]
It has enough activities to keep the family occupied
It has so many activities for the kids! Plus it’s free registration and the kids will guarantee to have a blast. Parents can also find personal time to chill and relax. The buffet spread definitely looks good, and they provide baby food too, thumbs up!
After reading your post, I really hope to get a chance to bring my kids there….they are so thoughtfully family oriented! Baby food, sterilizer, warmer, diapers, kid’s food corner and the cool zone! The kids can keep themselves occupied while we adults can enjoy the food!
Love the pool with lifeguards conducting activities, and so many activities around the hotel that allows family bonding. It’s another plus point for the child’s bed and kids’ set of bathrobes and slippers. Yeah to no fighting with mama =p
Tammy Tng Sze Pei
[email protected]
Love the impeccable service synonymous with the Shangri-la group, the thoughtfulness of ensuring everyone is well taken care of even the little ones and the tranquil surrounding!
Name: Dawn
Email: [email protected]
Evelyn Kew
[email protected]
My family has been to Rasa Sentosa for a couple of times for staycation. The reason why we kept going back to the same hotel it’s because it’s so family friendly. My kids enjoy every moment there. From the indoor fun to the outdoor fun. And it’s so convenient with the beach just walking distance from the hotel. My kids just love the sand and the sea! Mummy and Daddy also get to relax with spa treatments available at the hotel. Besides the sumptuous spread of buffet breakfast and dinner leaves us spoilt for choice. What more can we ask for!
I so so sooooo need this!! Been having a rough patch with lots of financial arguments over how we can allocate moolah to luxuries like a gd meal out or a staycation. Been cooking n working everyday for the kids that i realy don’t hv me time. This buffet will b a dream come true!!
Love the facts that they have lined up a lot of programs for the kids so that the parents can safely leave the kids to enjoy their playtimes while the parents take a short break to enjoy our own leisure..of course it help that after all the water play enjoyment which draws a lot of energy from us there is a big range of delicious and filling foods waiting for us..
Email: [email protected]
Name: Aaron Huang
It is a family friendly hotel for families with facilities and activities for everyone in the family. They even thought about the food for babies!
Jolin
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Name : Vincent Lee
[email protected]
It is agreat place for the family being it is kids friendly and has something for everyone
Because it has everything a family need!
The Family Fun Package is so attractive that serve as an outstanding hotel for families, you can enjoy free buffet breakfast and dinner,free use of selected water sports, three free wings at the Flying Trapeze,free registration with complimentary lunch and dinner at the kids cool zone! That’s very Cool!
I love the Family Pacakge because it is very family-oriented. Adults can leave the kids alone with their activities at the Cool Zone while enjoying and relaxing in the hotel!
I have never been to Rasa Sentosa. I look fabulous and I look forward to have fun at the pool!
I had never come across any buffet that serves Baby food and is FREE! Lot of exciting event for the kids from indoor to outdoors.
Indoor – the Cool Zone which has customized ample space for kids of different age groups to play in. From Craft to XBox to sliding down the 2-storey tall tree House.
Outdoor – From paddleboats to Kayaking to flying trapeze.
Rasa Sentosa has all the attraction that a family wants .. yummy food spread, appealing pool and water play plus outdoor activities to bond as a family .. what’s not to like 🙂
Wow!! Never I knew that Shangri-la’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa can offer so much activity and family friendly. Thanks for lifestinymiracles blog, I hope to plan to bring the kids there for a weekend to enjoy themselves and chilled there too
I’m sure the ooohsand ahhhhs from everyone in the family, from the kids who are ready for anything; to the old who just wants to chill – speaks volume about the quality of the hotel!
Jazry chan
[email protected]
My family had a staycation there once last year, at the recommendation of a friend. We had a similar package from your post and I have to say that it was one of our best Staycations.
We got a family room, which included another queen size mattress next to our king sized bed, which all 3 kids immediately “claimed” the moment me stepped into the room. We got to try the flying trapeze and the flyjng fox Megazip which was just walking distance from the hotel. My kids were braver than I!
Just before dinner, my kids got to spend some 2.5 hours at the kids club, where they made new friends with other children there. The staff were real fun and were genuinely concerned for the children. My youngest couldn’t check into the club, but she got to entertain herself in the play room next door. The time my kids were in the kids club, my husband and I got to relax in the room while littlest one napped.
The view from Silversea restaurant where we had breakfast the next day, was very nice. Mr Peacock and Mr Monitor lizard made a special appearance! The kids were thrilled, and so were we actually. Haha! And Shangri-la Rasa Sentosa being so family friendly, attracts many families and the children staying there all seemed to have a natural gravitation towards one another and would share toys and play. Their joy was pretty contagious!
We also loved their pools. The children’s pool had guards constantly watching and making sure of safety first. There was also a water play area for my youngest. 🙂
The entire feel of the hotel was cheerful and easy. They made my family very comfortable, including hubby, who can be very particular about paying for Staycations! He said the best thing about it was the kids club. Haha!
It is a family friendly hotel cater to all our needs.All my kids between 3-7years old need are all well taken care of. I am really impress.
Celyn Huang
[email protected]
I just love the amount of space and beach area where kids and adults can play and roam freely with safety in mind of course. So hard to find that in Singapore !! 🙂
There’s activities for the whole family. From the very young to the old. Best of all, we can engage in activities together with the kids. How precious is that bonding time!
Excellent place for a family staycation, and wonderful food at Silver Shell Cafe too! Hope to win this and have another chance to savour the delicacies with my dearest wife!
Great giveaway and wonderful to have some private time with spouse, rekindling the love and passion.
The resort is like the Club Med equivalent in Singapore, complete with kids club and a flying trapeze for kids!
Name : Felicia Leong
Email : [email protected]
This definitely suits the family for a great stay , because my family, love being in the natural air, and it totally suits to all our needs, with it’s wide spacious beach where the younger one could build sancastle, play with the sand, have a great swim and even play great sports game together! While the adults, might have some simple picnic, suntann, a walk nearby ! All of them could play freely around , without worrying about anything ! Not only that, the wonderful food that temps us at the Silver Shell Cafe, makes us felt that “Don’t have to worry about the food anymore!” It will definitely be a fun day out for all of us, from indoor to outdoor, to delicious yummy food to great scenery and im sure all these service are definitely good , awesome ! Looking forward to it ! 😀
After reading your review, it’s truly an amazing family oriented hotel! From the child friendly restaurant, the kids room, specially dedicated kids pool to all the activities. This definitely tempted me to book during Jun holiday!
Cheers!
great pool with slides and spacious room
Shangri la hotel is a great place for kids because there is Cool Zone for kids. There are the Club’s signature giant tree-house slide. Complimentary lunch and dinner for kids. Flying Trapeze for the kids. Sports facilities for kids. It is the happiest for kids!
JingRong
[email protected]
they have activities for children of all ages to engage in which leave times for the adults to interact.
Jaime Chan
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Totally kids friendly, i cant believe i didnt know of this wonderful hotel before! seems like a perfect vacation without having to deal with flight delay, check in etc, airport transfer!
Phyllis Tan
[email protected]
I didn’t know it’s so family friendly with so many yummy food range and activities to choose from
Wow, bathrobe for kids! How family-oriented is that! Every hotel we went to, my kids got to wear our adult bathrobe. I’m totally impressed!
Truly an awesome hotel suited for young and old to have a great staycation at !! The length the hotel has gone into is very commendable!! There are activities for both adults and kids and even the hotel buffet spread has items catered to kids !!
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort have all the good facilities all under a roof where families needs that make it an outstanding hotel for families
Rosalind Leong
[email protected]
I am delighted they have whole day registration for cool zone for kids and the kids corner at restaurant is awesome! Often my boy is very excited when he go buffet with us but he can’t help himself to it, I am sure he will be so thrill to pick his own food and healthier options!
Name: Jaslyn Chong
email: [email protected]
It is a good place for family to enjoy a staycation together as it is very child-friendly. The ability to keep the kids occupied, giving the adults a piece of the mind to relax is a PLUS PLUS point!
yoyo
[email protected]
it’s very child/baby friendly with its kids club and awesome buffet suitable for the little ones
The bed look super comfy and the room is like sooooooo luxury!!! The family package @$485 seems like a good deal since it include buffet breakfast and dinner.
This year is our 19th Wedding anniversary. It is not easy to come this far. I appreciate that my hubby is so patience and forgiving with my bad temper at times. This occasion mean so much to us and I hope we get the chance to dine here to mark complete celebration for us.
Shangri-La, anywhere in the world, has never disappointed us. But this one at Sentosa is probably the most family-friendly of all their hotels and resorts, complete with kid-friendly rooms, kids club and activities. And what awesome swimming pools with slides!
With so many kids-friendly amenities and interesting recreation facilities that are suitable for the young and not-so-young, it’s definitely an outstanding hotel for families! The Sea Sports Centre looks interesting and fun in particular 🙂
After reading your blog post I am now aware of how family oriented Shangri-la’s Rasa Sentosa Resort is. With 4 boys, this would be our first choice in future whenever we planning a staycation. Plus, the food there just so wow.
Everything down there is great and would definitely make both the adults and kids happy.
Everyone is being entertained! So many activities for the young and old! So thoughtful! I liked!
The hotel is a nice place to relax and at the same time to enjoy ourselves. I especially love the outdoor activities and food which would definitely make my family very happy.
Name: Kathy Woon-Tan
Email: [email protected]
Answer: Shangri-la Rasa Sentosa Resort definitely one of the world best outstanding family hotel because of the endless activities for the whole family, staying there seems like a fantasy for StayAtHomeMum like me… I dont have to think of what to engage the kids, great choices, awesome food… whoshhhh… too spoilt for words.. if only.. I can have my own staycation like yours soon… hmmm for now.. I would love to win a treat for my tummy first.. hehe (Wish me luck :*)
Esther L Chng
[email protected]
The hotel is suitable for family staycation as they have facilities to suit the old and young. In this way, no one in the family will feel bored and can enjoy to the max.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort is such an outstanding hotel for the whole family becos it has so many things that are suitable for the young to the old. It’s truly a great place to spend the holidays.
It has everything that a family looks out for. Eat, Play and creates a wonderful bonding time simply at the pool enough to keep us busy.
Name Michelle Ng
Email : [email protected]
Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Sentosa Resort is a outstanding hotel for families because it provide endless of entertainment to kids and adults with many fun outdoor activities hence good for strengthening family bonding ! <3
Name: Koh Hock Guan
Email Address: [email protected]
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort is a super family-friendly hotel as it provides a large variety of baby food and facilities, a dedicated kids buffet corner and an extensive Kids Club play area and programmes! The kids will be more busy than the adults!
Wendy Tay
[email protected]
I wish I’d win this for my wifey’s birthday and the spread looks sumptuous and reviews say it’s Awesome!
Ashley Tan
[email protected]
It is such an outstanding hotel for the whole family because it has all sort of activities to cater to children of different ages. What makes me even surprised is that there is baby food section in the buffet of Silver Shell Cafe. Everyone is so well taken care of there and I dont even have to worry about my baby stuff while staying there. Cant wait to have a staycation there soon!
Firstly, is family oriented. Secondly,they have the best facilities for the young to the old. Thirdly, buffet spread looks wonderful, cosy rooms and lastly I love staycation!
It is so much more than just a hotel!!! Besides having world class standard food and service, the hotel is also extremely friendly to kids and especially the elderly. Definitely a thumbs up!
For the simple fact that I do not have to cart a luggage full of diapers and baby food just for a few days of getting away, I give my thanks and appreciation for a thoughtful family-friendly hotel
Its more than just a great staycation hotel. In fact its a nice family hotel where families get together for a great bonding session where it provides endless outdoor activities for both adults and kids. Great way to gel and bond as a family. I would love to bring my little cousins to this place too if i have a chance. I believe they would love it because even i am excited over the adults activity !
email: [email protected]
I have been searching for a suitable family staycation for a long time until I saw your blog posting through FB… I was totally swept away and my 5 yrs old kept telling me that he wants to stay there for a long long time… I don’t have the extra budget for air tickets and have been looking somewhere similar to Club Med, and your blog post gave me the answer. Thanks a lot!
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort has all that can entertained both adults and kids (outdoor and indoor activities, dining etc).
A very family friendly hotel with much activities within. The food looks like of good spread and very tantalizing. Name: Karen, Email: [email protected]
It looks lovely – there is enough to do for a week! Will keep this hotel in mind for our next visit down Singapore.