Marina Mandarin | 5 Star Hotel Singapore Marina Bay - Christmas Eve Staycation (2015)

ABBEY: Got reservation at Marina Mandarin on the eve until Christmas day. We understand that it will be a busy day at the hotel and services will somehow will be delayed. But the hotel management also must need to consider that if it is a holiday then more people is needed to support the workforce. Sadly, we got the room keys by 4PM. We were there since 2PM.

We got a deluxe room at 14th storey with a view of Marina Bay. Ths room and spacious, the pillows are soft and we got a bathtub :)

After spending few hours watching reruns we went down to grab some bite to eat.

Coming back to the hotel, we had a chance to see live performance at the lobby. Christmas spirit can be filled thru the songs. We also took a look at their gym. It was clean and I even tried some of their machines.

Night has passed and I'm looking forward for the breakfast. It was a buffet. It was included in the roomrate we had. They have Japanese, Indian, Western and local cuisines. I indulged myself with salmon teriyaki and sashimi, sushi. Pair it with vegan fried rice and it is a combo. I also have some sausages, ham and eggs. The egg station offers omelette, fully cooked sunny side up and the one with "runny and gooey" yolks :) The bacon is not that good as it is not crispy.

We dipped few minutes on their pool, fixed our things and then we headed for checkout.

WILL: Without having a second thought, I clicked the link when I saw the advertisement of Meritus Group for their holiday season. It will be a our first time to experience celebrating the festivity out of own home. That was August. 

Fast-forward December 24th, we have reached the hotel around 2pm. Well, the queue is not that long but we wasted so much time in waiting for our keycard to be handed over. They informed all of their guests that the rooms were not yet ready. The check-out time is 12pm and check-in is 2. I can only see that they maybe lack of people to clean the room. And you know what time when we got to our place? It is around 5pm. 

It gets me frustrated, of course, but I chose not to go to that mood because I do not want to ruin our staycation. 

As requested (came with a fee) we have a room with a view of Marina Bay Sands. The room is pretty huge, the bed and beddings feels and smells clean same as the bathroom. I commend their bath foam, one small tube is enough to bubble up the whole tub. When we go to the terrace, the floor tiles are still wet maybe because of the rain that noon time. 

After the dinner at Burger Bar, we roamed around to check out their pool and their gym. The gym is quite impressive. They have those complicated apparatuses inside. After walking and walking we sat and watched a mini concert  that was held in the lobby. The happiness is really in the air. 

Their breakfast buffet at AquaMarine is love! A quite of variety to indulge to. The pool! And the falls! Instant hydrotherapy haha! 

I noticed that their hallways are not properly lit even in the early mornings, the reason we do not get a good shots on that. 

Thanks for a wonderful experience Meritus Group - Marina Mandarin Hotel. :)

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Marina Mandarin Singapore by Meritus
6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square, Singapore 039594

Tel: (65)­ 6845 1000
Fax: (65)­ 6845 1001

Reservations: resvn.marina@meritushotels.com
General Enquiries: marina@meritushotels.com

https://www.facebook.com/marinamandarinsg

Cali "Cafe & Bar" - American Buffet Breakfast (Weekend)

ABBEY: Cali Cafe is located at Rochester Park - few minutes away from Buona Vista MRT station. Right after my night shift I went there to have buffet breakfast with Wilma, Ate Sol, and Sam. 

It is a small place but is warm got a homey feel. I got chicken franks, spring rolls, olio pasta as well as sunny side up and scrambled egg. As usual I ate a lot of bacon. I liked the ones that is in the bottom of the warmer. They're crispy and has less fat. 

Before going there we confirmed that the price is less than 12.90sgd; we even checked for the dates. But unfortunately, as per the staff the promo is already over. The experience is good but would have been better if we got discounts :)

WILL: We were with Sam and my sister Ate Sol when we visited the Cali Cafe. We love buffets and we really think that we can save more on that rather than ordering ala-carte. 

Cali Cafe and Bar posted a promotion of $12.90 nett for an American Breakfast Buffet. Why not grabbed the chance when it is just near at our home?

Around 7am we were already there. We ate as if no sun will rise on us for tomorrow. Haha. Overflowing bread, cheese, crispy bacon, sausages, and my favorite...their scrambled egg. We stay there for 3 hours. Eat-rest-eat-rest, haha! Even it is Sunday, the place is so
serene and relaxing. 

When Abbey went to the counter for payment. The boy behind the counter told us that it costs $20.00. He is not aware of the promotion posted in their facebook page. Too bad! But hey, bring your children here. Child eats for free. :) 

Till next time Cali Cafe.

The Line | Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

ABBEY:I, Wilma, Chat and Vincent, all have different plans to celebrate Christmas. So before going their own parties we booked a breakfast buffet at The Line restaurant in Shangrila Hotel. Yes, Vincent, a mid-day waker, managed to be there at 6am. 

The Line serves Indian, Japanese, Chinese and Western cuisine. My first plate is full of bacon and chicken sausage. Next is siomai and aloo prata with tomato chutney. We also ate bread topped with cheese and spinach noodles. Tea, coffee, and fresh juices is free flow. A reasonable price for 38sgd++.

WILL: If I am spending mornings with you, you should know that you are one of the lucky few. I have a sleeping problem since my childhood so its very rare for me to wake up early to do some activities. But because I will spend time with my husband and friends, I woke up 4am just to have a holiday celebration at The Line in Shagril-la Hotel. We chose breakfast why? This is more sweeter than dinner,  think, ha!ha!. 

     We hailed taxi then arrived at The Line around 6am. When we entered it, I can say that this is the biggest breakfast buffet I have seen. They served multi-cuisine in their stations... Indian Station, Congee and Noodles, Waffles with Ice Cream, Bread Station, Fresh Fruits, Yogurt, Western, Japanese and Asian Station. Too many, is it?, don't worry they have street signs you will not be lost in this place. 

    My favorite are their sausages, their chocolate muffins, fruits, yogurts, fried rice... Gosh reminiscing the taste make me really anxious to book for dinner or lunch buffet. 

    Very recommendable, the name "The Line" is very appropriate with this restaurant. Like line, the array delicious food seems no ending.  

    Kindly email them at dining.sls@shangri-la.com for reservations. Breakfast buffet is $39++. 

Sky on 57 Breakfast Buffet

ABBEY: After a good night sleep at a very homey room in Marina Bay Sands, we headed to level 57 for breaking the fast. We were given a good seat by their beautiful staff, Jennie ( I don't know if I spelled her name right). I indulge myself on bacon and eggs ( egg benedict, ). 

I also tried their pasta, fried rice and congee. Indeed, it was a good morning; waking up with your loved one and together spending time for breakfast. A buffet costs 38sgd++ including drinks.

WILL: Every hotel I stayed, I am always looking forward to breakfast buffet that they will offer to their guests. But breakfast in Marina Bay Sands room rate is not included. After Abbey heard that he immediately asked me to make a reservation to The Rise, since we experienced the buffet dinner here courtesy of my boss in Rejoice Container, a really unforgettable free dinner.

      We experienced The Rise buffet and I am up to another experience, so I want to dine overlooking the bay and the busy port of Singapore so I chose to dine here at Sky 57. I am an enthusiast of import/export, I love to see cargo ships sailing, transtrainer busy loading and discharging the container, and it will be a great view for me if we eat-in at Sky on 57.

      For $38++ you can savor the very delectable egg benedict and tonokotsu ramen, croissants "croque madam", cappuccino and hot chocolate (available by order). On the table, your eyes and tummy can feast with the crispy bacons, breads, sausages, every fruits you can imagine, salad, cheeses, and even the yogurt.

      From 7AM to 10AM you can sit there and fill in your stomach with their delights. Salute to their lovely and very approachable waiter and waitresses.

      Thanks Sky on 57, you made our MBS staycation really unforgettable.