First published on TripZillaStays, in collaboration with Far East Hospitality.

Staycation Highlights:

• Rooftop infinity pool overlooking the South China Sea
  
• Chilling at the Wine Company's al fresco dining area (located at the lobby level)
• The Village Passport, a comprehensive guide of the area, given to every guest upon check-in

The Hotel

We booked ourselves the Ubin Adventure Package which, on top of a night’s stay plus buffet breakfast, included a complimentary 3-hour bicycle rental at Pulau Ubin (the voucher for which was given to us upon check-in). 

The package even included a late check-out at 3pm plus a complimentary upgrade from a Superior room to a Deluxe Room. This allowed us to hop over to Pulau Ubin on day two (the ferry terminal is located just a 2-minute walk from the hotel!), and have sufficient time to come back for a shower before check-out.

Room Choices

Superior Room

One of the features that caught our eye was the large window pane separating the room and bathroom. Couples can choose to keep this window open, and families/friends have the option to draw the blinds for more privacy. The room comes with a stash of tea and coffee – perfect for when we need a hot cuppa to go with a soothing soak in the bathtub. We also really liked how we could watch TV from the bathtub through the window!

We got peckish later at night, and couldn’t resist traipsing downstairs to grab ourselves some supper. We highly recommend the butter chicken and egg prata from the coffee shop opposite the hawker centre. Alternatively, room service is also available round-the-clock!

Deluxe Room

We stayed in a Deluxe Room, which was surprisingly a lot bigger than what we expected. We absolutely loved all the space we had. The smooth wood panelling gave the floor a polished feel and the pastel green walls added to the rejuvenating sanctuary vibes.

To our delight, we discovered a large balcony attached to the room. Not all rooms have this balcony, so be sure to request for one upon check-in. We especially liked how this balcony was entirely enclosed, allowing us to gaze at the views whilst in air-conditioned comfort. We were given a sea-view room, which gave us sweeping views of the area. 

P.S. Yoga fanatics – this is a great spot to practise all your poses! 

Executive Club Room

The room comes with a balcony overlooking the sea, and a large spacious bed with lots of plush pillows. For those who like al fresco balconies, the room comes with a big balcony that overlooks a canopy of green.

Not all rooms come with a balcony, so do request for one such room upon making your reservation! Staying in this room category will give you lots of Club benefits, such as all-day light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages at the Club Lounge, as well as 2 hours of free-flow cocktails in the evening. More on this later!

Junior Suite

For those looking for more space, spread out with the Junior Suite that comes with a unique curved wall design. If you’re travelling with your family, this suite is just the right size. The hotel will provide any extra beds if you require any – simply make your request at the counter whilst checking in. The Junior Suite comes with Club privileges as well.

Executive Suite

For the ultimate indulgence, choose the Executive Suite – it not only comes with a separate living area, it also comes with lots of comfy sofa seats and a large wide-screen television. The suite also comes with a large bathtub. Choose to draw the curtains should you wish to watch TV during your soak, or keep them closed should you desire more privacy. 

We couldn’t help but run all around the large space; we also decided to get creative and use the gigantic mirror as a prop for our couple photos. Double vision, anyone? 

We especially liked the curved windows as well – they made a pretty cool Instagram spot and added a touch of elegance to the suite. The size of the suite is also great for groups of friends or families.

Things to Do in the Hotel

Relax at the Club Lounge

Staying in an Executive Club Room, Junior Suite or Executive Suite gives you exclusive Club privileges that are worth every penny! In fact, we dare say that these Club privileges are enough to make us book a stay at any of Far East Hospitality’s hotels. These Club privileges include exclusive breakfast at the Executive Lounge, all-day light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages, 2 hours of free-flow cocktails in the evenings as well as unlimited Wi-fi access.

On top of that, Club guests also are able to choose an early check-in timing of 10am, or a late check-out timing of 4pm. Is that crazy or what! Be it for locals or foreign travellers, these Club benefits are seriously the highlight of any stay here at Village Hotel Changi. The Club Rooms don’t cost that much more than the other rooms, so we highly recommend this room category! 

And, we love how the hotel allows Club guests to share this experience with their friends and family; for every extra person, breakfast and cocktails are chargeable at a modest fee of S$20 and S$30 per pax before taxes respectively. It's time to party!

Swim in the 2 Pools (Infinity Pool + Creek Pool)

The infinity pool on the roof of the hotel was simply gorgeous. Gorgeous! The pool overlooks the South China Sea, and is absolutely stunning anytime of day. We could even spot Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong from where we were. There’s also a children’s wading pool on one end, and a frothy jacuzzi on the other. This pool gets rather crowded towards the evenings on weekends, so do visit in the afternoons if you prefer some peace and quiet.

The Creek Pool is located right next to the Saltwater Cafe, and has really cool transparent walls! This allows parents to grab a quick bite at the cafe whilst keeping a close eye on their kids during their swim. We came down for a swim in between meal times to avoid being somewhat of a zoo exhibit, and were able to capture some pretty interesting shots of us mid-paddle!

Tone your muscles at the Gym

We were taken by surprise when we entered the gym – the gym is housed in a curved semi-circle like room, and offers almost every type of workout equipment imaginable. It’s also a lot bigger than expected! 

The best part? It’s open 24 hours, allowing restless insomniacs like us to come in and work up a sweat in the middle of the night. 

Recharge at the Spa

The spa facilities on the first floor came in the form of Stella Wellness Centre, offering all sorts of soothing massages. We didn’t have the chance to try this during our stay, but we heard that the skilled masseuses give one mean foot massage!

Have a hearty breakfast at Saltwater Café

Our buffet breakfast was at the Saltwater Cafe located at the lobby of the hotel. We were greeted by a sumptuous spread – all our favourite breakfast staples were there: bread, cheese, ham, baked beans and so on. For those that prefer Asian cuisine, enjoy a heartwarming bowl of congee topped with all kinds of condiments such as peanuts or seaweed.

Our favourites were the live egg cooking station – where a chef cooked eggs in any style we wanted, on the spot! – and the fishball noodles station where we got to try our hand at cooking our own bowl of steaming goodness.

Be spoilt for choice with the many dining options

Besides the Saltwater Cafe, take your pick from 4 other dining options within the hotel itself. All of these are located at the lobby of the hotel, with the exception of La Cantina de Venezia Restaurant being on the 8th floor.

The Wine Company probably needs no introduction, and is known for serving good wine at fantastic prices. Whether for a post-meal tipple or late-night drink, this is the place to go! You can choose between an indoor or al fresco seating area, but we chose to sit outside for added ambience. Should you be unable to make a decision, simply call upon the friendly waiters who are ever-ready with a recommendation or two.

Every guest receives a complimentary welcome drink upon check-in, which is served at the Vau Wine Bar. The bar is peppered with lots of comfy plush sofas, which are great to sink into after a whole day of activity. The entire place has a delightfully chill vibe, enhanced by the soothing piped music floating through the air. It’s also home to a grand piano, so feel free to tinker some tunes in between your cocktails.

Choubei Restaurant is a Japanese restaurant that serves authentic Japanese fare. We especially loved the sashimi, which tasted fresh without any trace of the frozen taste often found in many local Japanese joints. We also recommend the Wagyu Don – the beef slices came in a generous portion, and every bite was succulent with that amazing melt-in-your-mouth quality.

What drew us to this restaurant, however, was the Happy Hour from 6-9pm from Tuesdays to Sundays where we could down bottle after bottle of beer at affordable pric

The La Cantina de Venezia Restaurant is located on the 8th floor, and overlooks a sweeping view of the South China Sea. The restaurant is also located right next to the infinity pool, where the deck is known to be a popular wedding solemnisation venue. Our favourite dish at this restaurant would be the squid ink linguine or the Ferrari pizza.

On top of all these dining options, the lobby also has a vending machine which dispenses all sorts of hot food. The touchscreen interface is easy to use, and we were sorely tempted to order a platter of roasted chicken with mushroom sauce or a plate of vegetarian briyani rice. Perhaps next time, when we have more space in our stomachs!

Things to Do in the Area

Get back to nature at Pulau Ubin or visit a vintage café. The Changi area is full of surprises! Rent a bicycle and journey to East Coast Park or Changi Beach, and top it all off with a heaping plate of Nasi Lemak at Changi Village Hawker.

Coastal Settlement

The Coastal Settlement is a darling little cafe tucked away in an enclave of lush greenery. What surprises customers, however, isn’t its tranquil location but its eclectic interior; stepping into The Coastal Settlement was like travelling to the past. Every bit of the café’s interior is adorned with timeless memorabilia, ranging from rustic vespas to antique gramophones. A vintage car even sits in one corner of the room!

The thin-crust Wagyu beef and mushroom pizza is a definite crowd-favourite. Do be warned that despite the café’s interesting decor, the interior is rather dark so do opt to sit outdoors if you prefer to dine al fresco.

Chock Full of Beans

Chock Full of Beans is just a 3-minute walk from Village Hotel Changi, and is widely known for their adorable 3D latte art. Just look at it! You can choose from either 2D latte art (for both hot and cold beverages), or 3D latte art (for cold beverages only). Prepare to wait 20-30 minutes, depending on the crowd, for the masterpiece to be served.

The food served is decent as well, with our favourite being the poached eggs over garlic toast, with the homemade garlic spread adding an extra zing to the usual eggs benedict.

Changi Point Ferry Terminal + Pulau Ubin

The hotel is located just opposite the Changi Point Ferry Terminal, which is a short bumboat ride away from Pulau Ubin. Pulau Ubin is home to some of Singapore’s last kampongs, and offers a rustic experience for anyone looking to travel back in time.

One of the best ways to explore the island is on two wheels, and luckily for us we had a free 3-hour bicycle rental as part of our Ubin Adventure package with Village Hotel Changi.

We got a pretty good workout as we cycled around exploring; we even came across a family of wild boars! Don’t forget to check out Chek Jawa Wetlands, which is one of the highlights.

Changi Village Hawker Centre

We only have two words to describe the food here at Changi Village Hawker Centre – absolutely delicious! We love how the hawker centre is so close to the hotel, allowing us to pop over for a meal any time we wished. The Nasi Lemak here comes highly recommended, so does the unique longan red tea dessert. The stalls here open till pretty late, which is perfect for when you want a late-night nibble.

Fun Facts About the Hotel

You can plane-watch from the infinity pool

Due to its close proximity to Changi Airport, guests are able to plane-watch from the infinity pool located on the top floor of the hotel. The pool makes for an idyllic spot to spend an afternoon; just think: a gorgeous view of the sea and the sound of places roaring overhead. If you want to feel removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, it doesn’t get more countryside than this!

Discover with the Village passport

In line with the hotel’s #livelikealocalsg theme, every guest is given this Village Passport upon check-in. Don’t be so quick to discard this unassuming little booklet – the Village Passport is a fun-sized book stuffed to the brim with information about the surrounding area, where you’ll be able to find out what’s there to ‘eat’, ‘drink’, ‘play’, ‘learn’, ‘talk’ and ‘bike’! 

Besides containing vital information about the surrounding attractions, the booklet also contains snippets of Singapore Slang – colloquially known as Singlish – as well as detailed maps of biking routes along the Changi Coast. This Village Passport is basically all you need to make the most out of your staycation, so use it well.

Sample local food and wine pairing at The Wine Company

One of our favourite places to chill in the hotel would be at The Wine Company’s al fresco dining area. What we particularly like about the place would be their local food and wine pairings – The Wine Company serves up local fare such as Char Kway Teow and Carrot Cake, and even recommends the corresponding wine to go with it. We never imagined how good local food and wine could taste when put together!