Because we enjoyed our last staycation over at RWS, we decided to try out Equarius Hotel this time round. This hotel is nestled towards the end of the RWS compound so you are pretty much isolated from the crowd. Peace and tranquility is what you can get from this hotel so if you wish to pamper yourself for a nice spa, I think this is probably the best place to have it. Of course, this just my opinion; we didn’t go for a spa because it’s definitely way out of our budget. Lol.
Now, back to the review…
We got a room for S$290/night exclusive of breakfast. First impression of the hotel is it speaks of luxury and comfort. The hotel lobby and the ambiance feels very resort-like. Check-in is slower as compared to Festive Hotel but that’s fine. I guess it’s the resort’s effort to make the guests feel more relaxed and get their mind off Singapore’s fast paced lifestyle.
The room is a very pleasant surprise. Indeed, it wowed us the moment we opened the door. The room is huge. The view is amazing. We can see the Singapore skyline and Adventure Cove (although Adventure Cove seems to be in a very sad state…). Similar to the rest of RWS hotels, the room has 2 glass jugs with filtered water and a water dispenser is located just along the corridor.
This is the view that greets you the moment you wake up…. Isn’t that just breathtaking?
The hotel’s swimming pool is located along the beach villas and is more for adults so we decided to skip Baby’s swimming. Festive Hotel’s swimming pool is better suited for kids than Equarius Hotel.
There’s a free shuttle bus that roams around RWS. We decided to hop on to the bus and have lunch at RWS. Restaurants in Equarius hotel costs a bomb and because there’s a free monorail ride, we decided to go Vivo City for a more economical lunch.
We went to Aburi-En for a nice butadon lunch. The unagi is really good portioned so you got to try it out.
Do note that the shuttle bus operates from 9am so breakfast left us no choice but to have it a Forest @ Equarium. We were told that breakfast was on a “special rate” of S$29++ per pax and because we could not quell our raging bellies, we decided to give it a go.
Forest restaurant feels like a log cabin up in the Swiss alps. It has a nice, high ceiling and full glass windows overlooking the lush garden. A very pleasant and relaxing environment indeed it is.
Breakfast has a good selection of breads, pastries, fruits, juices, and a good selection of Chinese, Indian and Western dishes. Our recommendations are the egg tarts, chicken karaage and the curries. The rest are pretty much standard breakfast buffet spread.
The verdict? Equarius hotel is a luxury hotel. It’s a great escape away from the city’s hustle and bustle. The feel and vibe is close to what you can get from a beach resort. It’s not an apple to apple comparison with Festive Hotel.
Bottom line: If you are going as a couple, Equarius is the hotel for you. However, if it’s a family staycation, especially with a baby or a toddler, it’s hands down Festive Hotel.
Give Me A Break! 