The ‘Pandemic Gamble’
I had booked a surprise staycation for my husband’s 50th birthday in May but a week before that, Singapore tightened its safe management measures (Phase 2HA) which means no dining out among others.
My husband wasn’t in favor of having a staycation during these pandemic times because it meant a lot of pre-booking required (think swimming, meal times etc.) and restricted movement and access. The Phase 2HA tightened measures made me consider if I should postpone this staycation altogether.
I decided to take a ‘gamble’ and went ahead; as a family we were feeling cabin fever and after-all, it was a milestone birthday. I reckoned since it is The Capitol Kempinski, the experience should be one notch above the rest, even with all these restrictions.
And I was right.
The Capitol Kempinski Difference:
Right from the time we checked-in, the level of service won us over. From the warm welcome at the lobby to the updating of necessary instructions regarding the hotel’s safe management measures, it was all communicated in gentle, polite and unrushed manner. We felt safe and eager to start our staycation.
Michelin-starred Meals:
Because our stay happened during the Phase 2HA, consumption of meals are confined to the hotel room. We were happy we chose to pay for a bigger room (the Stamford Suite) so that our family of 4 can enjoy nicely plated meals which were delivered to our room in food warmers.
The menu selection is worth its own mention! It features notable eateries from the attached Capitol Mall which includes the 1-Michelin Starred ‘15 Stamford by Alvin Leung . The Family Glampkation Package we booked also came with 2 complimentary pizzas from La Scala – another excellent Italian restaurant. The pizzas are out of this world, definitely one of the best we’ve tasted. All our meals and amenities requests were always promptly attended to and delivered to us with an obliging smile.
For the Kids:
As part of the Family Glampkation Package, the room came with a large tent decorated with beautiful fairy lights, colorful banners, dinosaur plushies and sleeping bags sewn with the ‘Kempinski Kids’ tag. This makes a thoughtful souvenir for us to remember the staycation long after it’s over. There are also some art and craft materials to occupy the kids while we were indoors. The children love the kid-sized bathrobes and room slippers. This truly is a staycation designed with families in mind.
The ‘Pandemic Pampering’
Even though we didn’t get to dine at any of the restaurants, use the gym, nor swim at the pool during our short 1 night stay, the level of luxury we experienced at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel sets the benchmark for other 5-star hotels in Singapore.
Our experience of the hotel was not compromised by the tighter safe management measures. Rather, the hotel leveraged on its key strengths – its people. For instance, our kids wanted a soak in the suite’s bathtub but we had forgotten to bring bath bombs from home. The Manager, Ms. Lenten personally arranged for some to be purchased from a nearby retail store and surprised us with them. This little gesture made us feel extra special.
If this is the level of service and luxury The Capitol Kempinski’s experience is despite the safe distancing restrictions, imagine the full suite once this pandemic is over.
Then again, why wait? We all know we need that pampering break from all the WFH and HBL.
We hope to be back. Soon.
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel, Singapore
Address: 15 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178906
https://www.kempinski.com/en/singapore/the-capitol-singapore/
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