“Besides the pool, what else can the kids do beside watch TV in the room?”

“Plenty.” I replied to the hubby’s ‘standard’ question whenever we checked into any hotels for staycation. “There’s the VIK PLAYtivities for kids, we can walk around to discover Joo Chiat, have a meal at one of the many restaurants that accept the $40 Village Currency vouchers that come with the stay. Take your pick!”

The VIK (Village Important Kids) Family Staycation package is a newly launched programme by Village Hotels by Far East Hospitality, designed with families in mind.  To make the children feel like a VIP upon arrival, the hotel has opened a VIK priority check-in counter – a kid-friendly feature dedicated to offering children between three and 12 years old the opportunity to check-in on behalf of the family.

At Check-In, each child will receive an activity book; a “Discover Our Partners” list that provides a guide to over 20 places to Eat, Play, Explore like a Local; and S$40 Village Currency to spend at any stores listed on Village’s partners list.

We decided to check out the PLAYtivities first after we checked-in.  For this Media Preview, we had a selection of either Nerf Shooting range, Caricature drawing, Balloon sculpting, Photobooth and Movie screening.  These PLAYtivities activities, were good to occupy the kids for the afternoon.  There is also movie screening every night from 4pm to 6pm, where guests can curl up in comfort and unwind as a family. Complimentary drinks and snacks will be provided for all moviegoers.

Oh yes and there’s VIN and VEE, the hotel’s 2 adventurous and cute mascots that was a hit with the kids. The Family Room is comfortable, with 2 Queen Beds which fit 2 Adults and 2 Children. It comes with an array of child-themed welcome amenities such as children’s room slippers, kids’ hangers and kids toiletries. A baby cot is available upon request for toddlers and infants.

When dinner beckoned, we didn’t have to go far to have some good food! While Joo Chiat is famous for its culinary offerings, right at the hotel’s attached Katong V Mall are some good eateries.  Best of all, some of them accept the Village Currency that come with the stay.  We had a good western dinner at a newly opened western restaurant, Wine Mansion that served some seriously good steak and western staples (think pizzas and pastas).  

The staycation stay comes with a modest buffet breakfast.  Enough to get us fed and ‘fired-up’ for the self-guided heritage walk with the Locomole App. The 1.5 hour walk took us to some of the well-known landmarks in Joo Chiat as well as those which we were pleased to discover! Seldom do we have a staycation that is, well, educational and with lots of good photo-ops!

While walking, we were tempted by the many lunch options around Katong!  From Awfully Chocolate to 328 Katong Laksa, from Kim Choo Dumplings and Peranakan Place, we were really spoilt for choice. So once the walk ended, we treated the kids and ourselves to our fav Acai to cool off in this sweltering heat.

Right after lunch, it was back to the comfort of our hotel room to shower before heading home with delightful memories of a surprisingly engaging and delightful 1N staycation.  

Letter to the GM:

This staycation is what a family staycation should be! Not only does it take the guesswork (or hardwork actually) for families to think how to engage the kids whist on staycation, it allows the flexibility for families to relax and enjoy what the hotel’s vicinity has to offer at our ‘own time, own target’. A definite bonus to staycay in Katong where shopping, great food and heritage all converge.

More about VIK (Village Important Kids) Staycation Package:

Experience the VIK Staycation when you book the Family Room at Village Hotel Albert Court, Village Hotel Bugis or Village Hotel Katong through Village Hotels and Residences, Far East Hospitality, or overseas travel agents’ online platform.

Available from 28 May 2022, the VIK Staycation priced from S$270 nett per room per night includes:
• Daily breakfast(s)
• Village Currency worth S$40 nett
• Complimentary desserts
• Complimentary interactive LocoMole precinct trail
• Kids’ Activity Book
• Complimentary daily movie screening
• Participation in VIK PLAYtivities
• Photo-taking opportunities with Village Mascots

Follow Village Hotels & Properties on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/StayVillage | Instagram: instagram.com/StayVillage

SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to our sponsor, we are giving 3 readers a chance to win a 2D1N VIK Staycation at Village Hotels (Katong, Albert Court and Bugis) this June school holidays! To participate in the giveaway, make sure you fulfill these conditions:

1. LIKE AND FOLLOW THESE ACCOUNTS:

a. StayVillage FB and IG

b. Life’s Tiny Miracles FB and IG

2. CLICK ON THIS RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY WIDGET BELOW TO COMPLETE THE OTHER MANDATORY STEPS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends 31 May 2022 (2359 hrs) and is open to readers in Singapore. The winners will be contacted via FB/IG and will have 12 hours to respond, failing which a new winner will be drawn.  T All steps must be completed and incomplete entries will be disqualified. Please note that all Facebook and Instagram accounts (e.g. accounts set up purely to take part in contests with no or few authentic posts) will be disqualified. he choice of hotel (Katong, Albert Court or Bugis) will be randomly assigned to each winner by Village Hotels. No change in hotels will be entertained. All the best!