Sipping mocktails while lazing on a unicorn float, letting the glistening pool ease your work-stress away as you find yourself engaged in your favourite sort of conversation. The type of honest candid talk that you only have with the one person who totally gets you – your best friend.
We all deserve to spend quality time relaxing, and Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa’s BFF StayCay is the perfect opportunity to do just that. So reignite those bromances, make your galpal take the weekend off because this promotion only lasts until end August 2017, and you’d best start gearing up for some serious chillaxing.
Last weekend, I stole my favourite galpal away from her stressful work situation and convinced her to join me in this arduous task of… doing nothing.
With a floor-to-ceiling glass entrance, natural light spills into the marble-floored foyer. This sense of openness that it provides to the space immediately takes one far away from the thought of small claustrophobic offices.
Stepping into the beautiful Amara Sanctuary Resort felt like someone had draped the comfiest, fluffiest bathrobe over both our shoulders. Whilst waiting for check-in, help yourselves to Kacang Puteh, and the very refreshing Amara Sanctuary Signature Iced Tea.
And because #POIDH (Pics Or It Didn’t Happen), we Instagram-ed and Snapchatted our way through this getaway with complimentary WiFi throughout the resort.
Amara Sanctuary’s Guestrooms
Amara’s BFF Staycaytion Package comes with Deluxe rooms, located in the Sanctuary Block, closest to the main lobby. But for $60++ per person, upgrade to the gorgeous Larkhill Terrace Suite which allows exclusive private access to the Larkhill Terrace Pool – perfect for all that lazing about on gigantic unicorn floats.
Aside from Deluxe Rooms, the three hectares of greenery allows you to choose from Verandah Studios, Courtyard Suites, and one or two-bedroom Villas that come with their very own pool.
The Courtyard Suites formerly served as the British Army Sergeant’s quarters in the 1930s, during World War II. Now refurbished and restored, each Courtyard Suite comes with its own private jacuzzi.
Sidenote: If you’re looking for a venue for intimate gatherings, there’s even the Larkhill Mansion available.
Three Infinity Pools & Jacuzzis To Choose From
The sprawling property has a surprising number of pools. The Sanctuary Block has a Rooftop Infinity Pool with a stunning view, there is the Dream Pool and Kiddy pool with a slide and then the more exclusive Larkhill Terrace Infinity Lap Pool with a jacuzzi.
Because the Dream Pool requires a bit of a walk, it is often pretty quiet and you might get the pool all to yourself. Just a heads up, you’re going to want to load up on the mozzie spray.
Still, the quiet, crowd-less view and a “private” pool makes the trade-off pretty worth it in my opinion.
The Larkhill Terrace Suites
Our Larkhill Terrace Suite was a little away from the main lobby, perfect for staying hidden from the bustle! Located on the ground floor, couple suites have direct access to the private Infinity Lap Pool.
Our terrace suites were closest to the main gate, just five minutes walk from Palawan Beach, if you feel like some sand and sea.
Situated amongst lots of green, Amara’s free-roaming peacocks tend to have little morning gatherings and will indeed wake you to the sounds of nature. But it’s not every morning you’ll get to throw open your doors to beautiful peacocks, so I’d take it with the package.
Standing bathtub, private daybed, and an awning to let some sun in on yourself – there’s nothing you could want more during this timeout. Also, you’ll appreciate your proximity to the pool once the huge unicorn float is blown up and ready to set sail!
And because happiness shouldn’t cost extra, the unicorn float comes with the BFF StayCay deal!
Believe me, climbing on this unicorn float is much harder than it sounds. In fact, it was big enough for both me and the galpal to float about on.
Thankfully, we didn’t bring along a third pair of hands to snap shots of us flailing about ridiculously trying to steer the direction of the floating. I really wasn’t kidding when I said you get to float about with your BFF and have heart-to-heart talks.
When you’re done expending all that energy laughing and falling off the float, indulge in a nice long hot soak in the bathtub to relax before the Sharing Tasting Dinner Experience.
Sharing Tasting Dinner Experience @The Shutters Restaurant
The Shutters Restaurant is where breakfast happens every day, and, if you take up the BFF package, this is also where you’ll both take on the Sharing Tasting Experience at dinner.
The BFF Sharing Tasting Experience ($68++ for two, without package) starts first with a Charcuterie Board. We were served Salami, Parma and Serrano alongside toast and cornichons.
The shared main comes with two options, Sous Vide Australian Beef Striploin or the Baked Herb Crusted Petuna Salmon. We opted for the first, and we also tried their highly recommended best seller on the menu, the New Zealand Pure South Spring Lamb Rack ($40).
The Sous Vide Striploin came served with fries and salad, beautifully seared on the outside, and yet somehow kept tender and rare on the inside. I must say, I take my steaks (very) rare; practically when they’re still mooing. So I never knew I’d like my meat done Sous Vide – but I was well surprised.
The sharing portion was sufficient for the galpal and I, but if any of you bros decide to take up this staycation and are worried about food portions, the ala carte menu is still available to order off from.
The New Zealand Pure South Spring Lamb Rack isn’t actually part of the BFF tasting experience, but I have to admit that it totally stole the show for us that evening. Served with Ratatouille and Potato Gratin, these juicy pieces of meat are possibly one of the best lamb racks I’ve tried in Singapore.
I would definitely pop in for this dish if I’m on the island.
Also included in the BFF Sharing Tasting Experience is a dessert platter that you must save space for. It comes with Chempedak Creme Brulee, Chocolate Fondant, Tiramisu and Ivory (White Chocolate) Ice Cream.
The galpal made the mistake of starting with the Chempedak Creme Brulee so, I don’t think she managed to taste very much of the Ivory Ice Cream at all. I’d say, start with the Ivory Ice Cream, which has the subtlest hint of a white chocolate taste right on the end and then work your way up to the strongest tasting, which is the Creme Brulee.
Even though we were the last guests out the restaurant that evening, we were very well looked after by the Restaurant Manager, Azrin, and great service always makes any experience better.
Breakfast @The Shutters Restaurant
Aside from offering quiet BFF dinners, the restaurant stays open all-day making your meals available at your convenience. This means the included buffet breakfast for two will bring you right back here.
Most of us are pretty familiar with continental buffet breakfasts whenever we travel, and it’s quite the hit and miss. Well, breakfast at Amara was definitely a hit for us both.
Priding themselves in adding a personal touch to their services, the Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa takes care to cater specially to each season and guests that come in at different periods throughout the year.
At the moment, Summer Holidays in China meant that there was more Chinese food available. Any buffet breakfast that includes a decent pick of dim sum is worthy of praise.
With Tau Huay (Soya Beancurd), You Tiao (Fried dough fritters) and Zhok (porridge) alongside well-made mini pastries like Croissants and cinnamon rolls, there was a little bit of something for everyone. I was thoroughly impressed with the options I got to pick from at breakfast, including live stations that served eggs and mee rebus.
If you’d like to catch the restaurant looking as refreshingly empty like we did, pop in for breakfast super early to beat the crowd.
The Tier Bar
Open from 3pm onwards, sit al fresco at The Tier Bar with a drink. If you feel adventurous, ask the bartender to whip up something that’s not on the menu, and let yourself be surprised.
The hotel bar happens to be incredibly quiet, and overdue chats to end off the evening are best without the club music in the background.
The Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is just the sort of place that gives you a space to recharge. Instagram-worthy unicorn float aside, the compound of the resort alone does offer sanctuary from the outside world.
There are always so many romantic staycation packages and family deals, and hardly any just for you and your best buds. With the BFF Staycaytion Package ending on 31 August 2017, and all the perks that come with it, this is one steal of a deal.
So instead of letting it float past you, go book this staycay ASAP so you can do the floating instead!
Dates: BFF Staycaytion Package ends 31 August 2017
Prices: $340 (Weekdays), $380 (Weekends)