Orchard Hotel Singapore Staycation - Review

Baby André Aaron and me

It has been quite a while since we went on a holiday. Having a 2-month old baby makes it extremely tough to have a relaxing vacation. Going for a staycation is fantastic for a short getaway without having to travel overseas and go through the hassle of booking flights. 

Father and son bonding session

We were planning to bring our baby, André Aaron on a staycation, therefore I was delighted to win a night’s stay in a Deluxe Room at the Orchard Hotel Singapore at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel’s Dinner and Dance held on 22 September. 

We initially wanted to book the room on 11 November to celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary, however, I realised that the voucher was only valid for weekends so we booked the room on 7 November instead.

When we arrived at the hotel, we were awed by the vibrancy of the lobby and the hospitable staff. The check-in was smooth and efficient and we were happy to be upgraded to the Premier Room located at the Claymore Wing.

Welcome message by the hotel

Upon entering the room, we were greeted by a 40-inch LED/ HD TV with comprehensive cable TV channels. The room is spacious, elegant and tastefully furnished. 

Writing desk

There is also a large writing desk, perfect for business travellers.

Bathroom

               

The bathroom is of a decent size with rain shower, separate bathtub and bath amenities.

Bath amenities

Orchard Café 

A staycation at Orchard Hotel Singapore is awesome as there are many dining choices available. After depositing our bags in the room, we decided to dine at Orchard Café at the lobby. 

The lunch buffet spread priced at $48++ is pretty extensive with a plethora of healthy salads, fresh seafood including prawns, scallops, mussels and clams, Indian creations such as butter chicken and curries, a Japanese station featuring assorted sushi and fresh sashimi and a noodle station where delicious laksa is prepared à la minute. My favourite is the Japanese station as the sashimi is sliced on the spot, tempting me to request for more.

Salad section

Fresh scallops and clams

Assorted sushi

Dory with miso cream sauce

Other perennial dishes include chicken rice, pork belly, dory with miso cream sauce, sayur lodeh and beef rendang.  The dory has a nice, smooth texture and the sauce is well balanced with sweet, savoury and creamy flavours without being overwhelmingly rich.

Chocolate fudge cake

There is something for everyone at the dessert station. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the chocolate fudge cake, rainbow cake, green tea and caramel pannacotta, berry cheesecake, apple strudel and kueh lapis.

Green Tea Pannacotta

Rainbow cake

Orchard Café is the perfect place to indulge in a wide variety of food and satiate your inner gourmand.
For reservations, please call 6739 6565 or email orchardcafe.ohs@millenniumhotels.com.

Fitness and Recreational Facilities

Orchard Hotel also offers fitness and recreational facilities for hotel guests to keep fit and unwind. Have a relaxing swim at the hotel’s 20-metre lap pool, soothe those tired muscles at the outdoor Jacuzzi or burn calories at the modern gym equipped with the latest exercise machines.

Ready for a swim

At the gym

Relaxing by the pool

If you are thirsty after a swim, you can also enjoy a cocktail or a juice at the poolside snack bar while basking in the sun.

Room Service 

Orchard Hotel Singapore also offers a decent room service menu with a selection of local, Western and Chinese favourites. Room service is great as it is impossible to enjoy a hearty meal at a restaurant when you have a restless baby with you.

Nasi goreng istimewa

Seafood hor fhun

We ordered the nasi goreng istimewa ($26) and the seafood hor fun ($24). The former was tasty and came with achar, sunny side up, satay and fried chicken while the latter was equally flavourful with generous servings of fish, prawn and squid in a rich egg sauce.

Other popular items include Hainanese chicken rice ($28), lobster laksa ($32), cod fish and chips ($30), prawns with wild mushrooms ($42) and chicken with spring onions ($28).

After a good night’s sleep, we had buffet breakfast at Orchard Café which was sumptuous with salads, assorted cold cuts, smoked salmon, breads and croissants, prawn noodles soup, muffins, pancakes, prata and fresh fruits.

Smoked salmon and assorted cold cuts

Prawn mee soup

Overall, the staycation at Orchard Hotel Singapore was a pleasant one and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. We will definitely be back!

Orchard Hotel Singapore is located at 442 Orchard Road, Singapore, 238879.

To find out more about Orchard Hotel's room promotions, please view here

Burn Fats, Improve Your Stamina and Eliminate Toxins at Active Hive!

  Working out on the Minus Calories Machine at Active Hive

Many of my friends have wondered how I lost so much weight just a month after delivery. I put on a total of 10 kg during my pregnancy and I lost about 6 kg in a week and after about six weeks, I was back to my pre pregnancy weight.

Losing weight is not as difficult as it seems. It is about adopting the right approach. I went for a series of post-natal massages (I will elaborate more about the massages in another blog post), exercise classes and the 30 minutes Active Hive Minus Calories Workout. After delivery, it is vital to have a healthy and nutritious diet. I do not recommend going on diet or starving yourself as it causes extreme fatigue and is detrimental to your health. 

The Minus Calories Machine

When I was invited to try the Active Hive Minus Calories Workout, I accepted the invitation without hesitation as I was eager to shed the extra pounds I have gained so that I can go back to work looking fit and trim again. Active Hive Minus Calories Workout is a 30-minute workout which helps to burn calories faster and more efficiently than other exercise programmes and weight loss methods. In fact, you can burn over 500 calories in just 30 minutes! What is most amazing is that the Minus Calories Machine not only burns fats, it also uses infrared and ionised Air Technology to increase blood circulation, boost your metabolism, eliminate toxins, stimulate collagen production, shape the body and reduce pains and body aches due to rheumatism and arthritis.

Active Hive's 7Rs Approach

This machine is only available at Active Hive – a fitness and wellness centre that emphasies on a 7Rs approach which includes Responsible, Right Exercise, Right Consideration, Right Nutrition, Right Effort, Right Balance and Rest. Active Hive is not a commercialised fitness centre where you can go for cardio classes and gym workouts. It focuses on a personalised one-to-one approach where a special programme is customised to suit your needs.

I went for a total of five sessions and after every session, I felt energised and rejuvenated. During my first session, the staff, Nikki did a body composition analysis for me. She took my height and weight and my measurements and produced a printout indicating my body fat percentage, bone mass, muscle mass, metabolic age and visceral fat rating. After the body analysis, I was brought to a small room with the Minus Calories Machine. It resembles a step machine just that it emits warm, infrared light. Initially, I was a little sceptical as I was expecting to have an intensive cardio session. Nevertheless, I went ahead to try it. Before the start of each workout, Nikki would apply the Anti-cellulite and Body Sculpt cream to my arms, thighs, tummy and chin. The cream is supposed to help to accelerate the fat burning process. It left a tingling sensation on my skin.

During the workout, I could catch up on my favourite drama on the tablet provided and this helped to keep me entertained throughout the whole workout.

After about 10 minutes, I started to feel warm as the heat got more intense progressively. At the end of 32 minutes, I was perspiring profusely. I managed to burn over 600 calories during the first session. On the fifth session, my stamina increased and I burnt over 1000 calories. There is also a significant reduction in inches. 

Enjoying rejuvenating juice after the workout

Somehow, after the workout, my skin seemed more radiant probably also because I was treated to a glass of rejuvenating fruit juice after each session. I like the concoction with apple, orange, celery and other veggies. I am satisfied with the overall results after the five sessions. I have lost two inches on my hips, one inch on my right thigh and 1.8 inches on the left thigh and 0.5 inch on each arm.

Active Hive Minus Calories Workout is perfect for busy people who are looking for a personalised, customised programme and have no time to go for exercise classes or spend long hours in the gym. It is effective and you can see significant results after a few sessions. Active Hive also sells health products such as chia seeds, quinoa, truffle olive oil and more.

At the entrance of Active Hive

Active Hive is located at 65 Ubi Road 1, #02-88 Oxley Bizhub, Singapore 408729. For enquiries, please call 6384 2758. 

The fitness and wellness centre is also having a workshop 'Get the Right Balance' this coming Saturday, 7 November. To register, kindly call 9477 7838. 

Here's the programme:

3.30pm to 5.30pm ($5 per person)

- How to Balance Your Calories

- Understanding Your Body Composition and why High Fat % is risky

- Minus Calories complimentary 15 mins Trial

- Right eating habits

- Free healthy juices

- Free healthy salads

6pm - 8pm (free workshop)

- Healthy Cooking in less than 15mins for Right Nutrition

- Food tasting

1. Steam Quinoa with Brown Rice

2. Ma Po Toufu (Chicken)

3. Oil-free Honey Chicken

4. Healthy Stir fry Broccoli with carrots

5. Chocolate Almond Milk 

And now for a GIVEAWAY

I will be giving away Active Hive Minus Calories Workout to 3 male readers and 3 female readers. 

3 male readers will stand a chance to win the following

- 2 Free workouts

- 1 Body Composition Analysis

- 2 post workout juice.

Worth up to $178 (per male reader).

3 female readers will stand a chance to win the following: 

- 2 Free workouts (with Anti Cellulite & Body Sculpt cream)

- 1 Body Composition Analysis

- 2 post workout juice.

Worth up to $198 (per female reader).

Closing Date: 21 November 2015

How to win?

Here are the steps:

1. 'LIKE' and 'SHARE' Active Hive Facebook page

 https://www.facebook.com/activehivesg/?fref=ts

2.'LIKE' and 'SHARE' Journal of a Working Mum Facebook https://www.facebook.com/journalofaworkingmum/?fref=ts

'

3.LIKE' and 'SHARE' Jennifer Yeo Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Yeo-1590089271218719/?fref=ts

4. Email your name, mobile, NRIC and fitness target to yeo.jen@gmail.com

Baby André Aaron's First Haircut

During the haircut

Today is a special day for Baby, André Aaron as it is the day that he had his first haircut. His hair has been getting a little long and I have been thinking where to bring him for a nice haircut for the past few weeks. According to friends and some material I have read, the newborn's first haircut is symbolic and parents choose special days to cut their baby's hair. Some choose to cut when the baby reaches full month, while others prefer to wait till 48 days, 100 days or even four months. When you cut your baby's hair during the first month, it is believed to bring happiness and bliss. Having a haircut after 48 weeks helps your little one lay a strong foundation for his future career. At 100 days, a haircut is thought to bring him longevity and at four months, it is believed that his life will be smooth sailing. We are not strong believers of tradition and we decided to bring André Aaron  for a haircut today as we wanted him to look tidy.

After the haircut

Thomas and I brought André Aaron to Scissors, Paper, Stone - a salon that specialises in haircut for newborns and children. The hairstylist was very friendly and professional and our baby felt completely at ease at the salon. She started by applying powder on his neck to reduce friction and prevent stray hairs from scratching his delicate skin.  Thomas had to carry him as he is too young to sit on the chair. The entire process took only about 10 minutes and his hair was nice and neat again.   After the haircut, I was invited to join as a member of the salon. As a member, we will receive a free customised keychain with a picture of our baby (only for first-time customers). In addition, we can also view and download pictures of our baby's haircut session. That's not all! The 8th haircut session is free for all members.  

Circle-of-Friends® Hair Products

Scissors Paper Stone also carries eco friendly hair products from Circle-of-Friends®  made using premium ingredients, botanical extracts and natural elements including Bonitas Banana Shampoo, Hans Blueberry Shampoo, Rosas Raspberry Conditioner, Pias Pineapple Detangler and more. The salon also has a range of cute backpacks for sale. These products are available online.

Scissors Paper Stone is located at Katong 112, 112 East Coast Road, Katong 112 Mall, #03-36A, Singapore 428802. The salon is open from 10.30am to 8.30pm daily (including public holidays). It also has other outlets at Forum, Vivocity and Suntec City. 

For more information on the salon's services and products, please log on to www.scissorspaperstone.com.sg  

Silver Shell Café - A Place to Indulge and Bond with your Little Ones

The interior

I have been to Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa many times for events and weddings but have never dined at any of the restaurants. Therefore, I was quite excited to try the weekend lunch buffet at Silver Shell Café  when my friend suggested going there. I must say I was quite impressed with the overall service and child-friendly facilities of the restaurant. Before our baby, André Aaron was born, my husband, Thomas and I make it a point to try new restaurants almost every week. We are pretty adventurous with food and are always on the hunt for restaurants with nice ambience and tasty food. However, since the birth of André Aaron, dining out becomes a complicated affair. We have to look for restaurants that are family-friendly and not too crowded or noisy. 

Silver Shell Café is a casual international buffet restaurant located on level three of Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa and is part of Dine on 3, a collective of three restaurants and a bar. The restaurant is spacious, airy and has a resort-like ambience.

The alfresco  area

There is also an alfresco area for diners who want to enjoy the gentle breeze and the tropical feel. We chose to sit indoors as the weather was hot and humid that day.

Kid's zone

What caught my attention was the exclusive Kid’s Zone which features a medley of delightful treats to woo the palates of your little ones such as salads, nuggets, fried rice, pastas and cheese baked beef stew. 

Baby zone

There is also a dedicated baby zone which offers complimentary baby food, organic pear and carrot juice, bottle sterilisers, hot water, a microwave and baby cutlery, making the dining experience hassle-free for families with babies. Being a first-time mum, I forgot to bring the milk bottle for my baby and I was so relieved when I managed to get one from the souvenir shop located at level five of the hotel. The restaurant staff were very helpful and one even helped me to wash and sterilise my milk bottle.

The centre island features an enticing array of appetisers such as fresh prawns, herb potato salad, Thai papaya salad, chickpea salad, trio mushroom salad and assorted sushi.

Fresh prawns

Assorted cheeses

There is also a cheese section with a selection of cheeses for your indulgence.

Indian station

My favourite station is the Indian station which has an interesting ensemble of popular favourites such as naan, dhal curry, butter chicken, pulao rice (spicy rice dish prepared using different vegetables and spices) and vegetable khorma. I also like the different sauces and condiments such as mango chutney, mint chutney, pickles and raita.

Meat lovers will be thrilled by the barbecue meat station which offers roast duck, pork and chicken (on a rotational basis).

Chef preparing laksa at the noodle station

You can’t leave the buffet without trying the restaurant’s signature laksa, which is a bowl of comforting flavours. The gravy is rich, creamy and delicious, delivering heartiness in every mouthful. You can have a choice of thin or thick vermicelli or egg noodles.

Tempting chocolate clafouti

A meal is not complete without desserts. End your meal with a selection of spellbinding desserts such as chocolate clafouti, kueh lapis, carrot cake, cheesecake, lemon tart, strawberry shortcake, tiramisu, nutella, blueberry and white chocolate and yuzu mousse.

Strawberry short cake

Kueh lapis

Tiramisu, nutella, blueberry and white chocolate and yuzu mousse

Overall, Silver Shell Café is a fantastic place to bond with your family and indulge in good food. The spread is not extensive but the items are very fresh and tasty. Service is prompt and efficient making the dining experience very pleasurable.

Silver Shell Cafe is located at Sentosa, 101 Siloso Road, Dine on 3, Level 3. The buffet is priced at $48++ per person. Child below the age of five dines free when accompanied by a paying adult. Child aged six to eleven enjoys 50% off adult price.

For reservations, please call 6371 1966.

Baby André Aaron’s 1st Month Celebration

The first few weeks after delivery was a whirlwind of physical and emotional changes for me. There were many things happening at the same time and I was exhausted having to cope with household chores, taking care of myself during the confinement month and learning to adapt and look after a newborn. I am glad I have a supportive and hands-on husband and a helpful mother-in-law and this made my postpartum recovery a lot faster.

Organising a first month celebration for my baby boy in the midst of the frenzy was by no means an easy task. In fact, we had absolutely no time to plan it till two weeks before the party. We wanted to keep the party simple as we did not want to stress ourselves too much.

The first thing we had to do was to work out the guest list which included relatives, close friends, colleagues, ex colleagues and former school mates. We had about 80 guests in total. Initially, we wanted to hold the celebration at the multi-purpose room at a condo. However, two days before the event, the Condo Manager informed us that the water pipes in the function have burst and they were unable to get it fixed in time. Therefore, we had to change the venue and cancel the catering arrangements which caused a lot of anxiety. Thankfully, we managed to secure a function room at the Copthorne King’s Hotel. Our next important task was to inform our guests of the change of venue. We managed to inform our guests, however, due to the mad rush, I forgot to inform one friend, which was a huge blunder on my part.

Fortunately, everything else went smoothly, thanks to my wonderful colleagues at the hotel, who ensured that the decoration, menu and all the details were well taken care of. A million thanks to Naili Printing for sponsoring the beautiful banner for our baby boy. Thank you to Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel's Executive Chef, David Toh and the Pastry team for designing such a stunning cake for us.  Last but not least, I would  like to thank all my guests for the lovely gifts and for making the party such a memorable one for us. 

Here are some pictures taken at the event which I want to share with all of you.