Sometimes we need a mental health day. Just to take a break, to leave the paperwork on the table, and walk off for some alone time and self-care. After researching hotels in the morning and quickly arranging for dogcare, I headed for downtown Singapore. And the newly-opened Parkroyal on Pickering.
The Check-in Experience
My staycation was not off to a great start. As I sipped on the welcome drink, the receptionist was running around, confused. There was a problem with my online reservation.
I had booked the “Pickering Spa-cation”. For $338++ (superior room) or $368++ (premier room), you get to “soothe your frazzled mind with a well-deserved retreat at our hotel-in-a-garden. Relax in effortless comfort with a one-night stay and revitalize your senses with a 30-minute spa treatment at the award-winning St. Gregory, the latest addition to our dedicated wellness haven located on Level 5.”
This was exactly what I needed. I booked a Tui Na or traditional Chinese medicine massage. I also chose the 30-minute St Gregory Aromatic Floral Milk Bath over the 30-minute Anti-Stress Back and Neck Massage.
To expedite the process, I offered to re-book my reservation on my phone. Apparently the offer was not yet in the system for the Front Desk. I was surprised by the general lack of English proficiency, given that it was Singapore. With the receptionist looking more and more stressed, repeatedly disappearing into the back office, I just put in another reservation online. My body really needed to lie down for that nap.
The Parkroyal on Pickering
Parkroyal on Pickering is a relatively new hotel (just a few months old; opened in 2013) located at the edge of Singapore’s CBD. It’s hard to miss, with its gardens in the sky and generous landscaping. Its hotel-in-a-garden concept is based on sustainability, something that attracted me to the hotel in the first place.
According to the info sheet in my room, rain sensors and natural and sky gardens support their “innovative sustainability features”. Some stats: 2m² of greenery for every 1m² of land area; 32.5 olympic-sized pools worth of water is saved through conservation measures each year; 20% reduction in lighting power using LED bulbs and sunlight harvesting; and 680 households could be powered by their energy savings each year.
The room itself was quite comfortable. The view was of the greenery on one of the balcony tiers. I was intrigued by the landscaping. The pool and sky gardens would have to wait until after my long overdue nap.
Because I woke up so refreshed I decided to stay another night.
I set off to the pool deck for more downtime before my afternoon treatments. The pool overlooks the city and the park across the street. The skyline was a visual contrast. Lining the sides are, for lack of a better word, domes. Fabric domed cabanas. I chose the one furthest out, over the water, at the edge of the pool. I snuggled in with a book under a canopy of pink mesh that disguised the colourful HDB blocks behind the hotel. It was very quiet. Only a few people were lounging.
St Gregory Spa
I did not realize that the spa, too, was new, only just opened. The reception was quite good. I sat with my tea, filling out the wellness form, which asked the usual health and injury questions. And then I was led to my treatment room, where the milk bath was already drawn. In a dazzling display of lights, the bathtub flashed like a disco and roared with bubbles.
I was left to change. Or I assumed because nothing was explained. I kinda just found everything, rummaging through the drawers.
At every spa I always take note of their discretion policy (like draping). After I undressed and robbed up, the therapist came back to explain the bath. She seemed to be waiting for me to get in the tub. It was an awkward several minutes, as I waited for her to leave so I could undress for the bath.
The bath was a good soak. The jets were strong which led me into a rhythmic trance. Thirty minutes for me was way too long and even though I didn’t stay in the whole time, I still felt somewhat dizzy. I took a refreshing shower to cool off and sat sipping my tea by the picture window to wait for the tui na to begin.
Tui na is a deep massage and bodywork that is a branch of Chinese Medicine, along with acupuncture, herbs, and qigong. It doesn’t use oil and is more for therapeutics than for relaxation. This strong pressure massage works to harmonize energy patterns.
Working on the computer as much as I do, my neck and back are more prone to tightness, even with regular breaks from staring at the screen. Somehow my dogs always know when I need a break. Every so often they come over, for attention, for playtime, or to go for a walk.
As before, there were some awkward moments of de-robing to get onto the massage table. Draping is not her forte. It’s unclear if it’s a lack of training by St Gregory Spa or an absence of such a policy, which would be surprising for this spa. I am actually okay de-robing in front of therapists. Though sometimes I get a weird vibe from some people.
The tui na therapist had good technique. She used a strong pressure without relying on kneading with sharp elbows. I don’t actually remember much of my massage, which just means I dozed off pretty quickly.
Massage is a great way to boost circulation, an essential part of wellness. Some people feel that a massage is an indulgence, for special occasions or emergency de-knotting. Honestly, we can all benefit from regular massages, whether it’s foot reflexology so abundant and affordable in Singapore or self-massage. I love using a foam roller to get my quad muscles relaxed.
The Gardens at Parkroyal
Relaxed and unknotted, I took a stroll through the sky garden located on the same floor as the spa. The landscape lighting made such an impact. The interplay of light and shadows on the architecture showcased the features of the hotel, with the tiers of undulations.
The rest of my stay was relaxing and low-key. I ordered room service for dinner and checked out some TV shows and movies. I actually don’t have a TV at home. I also brought some work which I had both time and energy to leisurely finish.
A staycation is the perfect getaway for a mini retreat – minimal packing, no transport hassles or long airport lines. Of course, for a pet-friendly staycation in Singapore, it’d have to be Capella on Sentosa.
Pickering Parkroyal Singapore
3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore
Phone: +65 6809 8888
www.PanPacific.com