The most difficult part for us during these trying times is the lack of in-person communication with our extended family, friends, and colleagues. Thankfully, we’re halfway through the circuit breaker period.

We’re sure that all of us are looking forward to seeing our extended family, friends, and colleagues again. But if you think that you’re not able to last 2 more weeks without keeping in constant contact with your loved ones, fret not.

Group video platforms are now on the rise, and here are some of our fave 5 platforms to use to keep in touch with your loved ones during the circuit breaker period, for the next 2 weeks. Ranging from the usual Skype video calls to playing mini-games with your friends via Houseparty, these apps have something for everyone.

HOUSEPARTY

Houseparty is a free-to-download application that allows its users to video call and play quizzes and games with each other. This brings us together online, when we can’t do it face to face. What makes this app stand out is the addition of quizzes and games you can play over a call, giving us the freedom to do more than just talk. It is one of the most popular apps on the App Store.

Available on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Android. More information can be found here.

SKRIBBL.IO

Skribbl.io is a free multiplayer drawing and guessing game, and the largest drawing game online. In one game, there are a few rounds. In every round, someone draws their chosen word on screen, and the others in the group have to submit wild guesses as to what the drawing is to gain points. The person who gains the most points at the end of the game wins. A great way to rewind with your friends on a lazy afternoon, we think.

Play Skribbl.io here. Available on iOS, macOS, and Android.

SKYPE

Before WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Houseparty, there was Skype. Skype is a veteran telecommunications application, specialising in video chats and voice calls. It’s also very family-friendly and has parental control features that allow their children to only add people they know, so parents need not worry.

Skype is available on various platforms, ranging from macOS (for Mac users), to Android tablets, to Amazon Alexa devices. Find the full list here.

ZOOM

Zoom was originally mostly used by business organisations to host business meetings. Nowadays, people use the app to host virtual birthday parties, or virtual classrooms for kids stuck in their homes. Their free plan allows you to host up to 100 participants, have unlimited number of meetings, and a 40-minute limit on group meetings.

Available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. More information here.

KAST

Kast is a video sharing app that allows its users to host watch parties with friends. Kast allows you to host TV and movie watch parties with 100+ friends, and you’re even able to play and live stream your games by sharing your screen. These features make Kast stand out from the usual telecommunications app.

Available on Windows, PC, and macOS. Download and find out more here.

All fans of Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market, listen up. This is the news you’ve been waiting for: the famous weekend market from will be in Singapore in 2020!

This is great news because if flying to Bangkok is not possible in the near future for you due to work or family commitments, you can still enjoy it on our sunny island for a limited period of time.

Chatuchak Weekend Market Singapore will happen from 04 Feb to 03 May 2020. 3 whole months of good food and shopping awaits!

Chatuchak Weekend Market, for the uninitiated, is Bangkok’s most popular outdoor market that spans across acres of land. It takes place every weekend and you can find anything and everything there—from food to clothes, homeware to furniture…

Chatuchak Weekend Market is a perennial favourite among visitors to Bangkok, and it is one that draws Singaporeans to Bangkok too. Bustling is an understatement; and we hope the pop-up in Singapore will not disappoint.

From 04 Feb to 03 May 2020, the Market will be held at The Grandstand in Turf Club and the organizer has, thus far, promised over 200 stalls including food, retail and services vendors. These would include vendors that will fly in from Thailand—a true taste of the Land of Smiles; aren’t you already stoked?

There will be over 1,000 vendors on rotation across the period, and you can expect an eclectic mix of food, shopping and services. How does Thai massage sound?

We are just hoping that the stalls will not be the same ones at Artbox / Geylang Serai Market / Shihlin-inspired Night Market in Singapore.

Chatuchak Weekend Market Singapore
The Grandstand in Turf Clu

Travelling with children has its fair share of rewards—fun, bonding and exposure. But let’s be real, young children can sometimes be a handful. They are fickle beings that lack the physical capacity of us adults and more often than not, have the tendency to throw tantrums when they’re tired or disinterested.

With the holidays or long weekend fast approaching, you might be thinking of taking your family somewhere special—preferably to a place filled with fun activities for kids. Well, if you want to do away with the hassle of planning but still fancy a cheeky holiday away from the confines of home, then perhaps a staycation should do the trick.

Forget the stresses of airports, immigration and all that jazz, here is our list of 11 kids-friendly hotels in Singapore that your family (especially your kids) will love.

CAPELLA SINGAPORE

If it’s luxury that you seek, then that is exactly what you’ll find at the beautiful Capella Singapore. With its spacious suites, spectacular scenery, resident peacocks and outdoor pools set amongst lush greenery, this is one staycation venue that promises decadence like no other.

1 The Knolls,
Sentosa Island,
Singapore 098297
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

D’KRANJI FARM RESORT & SPA

While Singapore may not boast a ton of farms for the family to retreat to, there is, however, D’Kranji Farm Resort & Spa. Exuding countryside vibes, here is where you can bring your family for some rustic adventure.

From prawn fishing to an actual spa, there is surely something to peak someone’s fancy, no matter how young or how old.

10 Neo Tiew Lane 2,
Singapore 718813
Nearest Station: Kranji

FESTIVE HOTEL SENTOSA

Spending a day out at Sentosa is always a treat for the family but actually spending the night there? Now that’s something to get everyone excited.

The Festive Hotel ticks all the boxes for a kid-friendly stay from colourful loft beds and sofa beds perfect for smaller guests as well as babysitting services for when the daddy’s and mommy’s want some alone time.

8 Sentosa Gateway,
Singapore 098269
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

FURAMA RIVERFRONT

Prepare for a thrilling and somewhat whimsical staycation weekend at this hotel that features a series of themed rooms from pirate to castle. Each room comes with bunk beds and perhaps the one quality about their rooms that is sure to get kids (and adults) excited is their in-room XBOX game console.

405 Havelock Road
Singapore 169633
Nearest Station: Chinatown

HARD ROCK HOTEL

Decked out in sleek, modern interiors with a rock and roll edge, Hard Rock Hotel is definitely a place we can imagine ourselves spending the weekend—and having one heck of an awesome time at that.

Kids will be spoilt for choice with the likes of Universal Studios Singapore, as well as the many beaches scattered across Sentosa Island, while adults have the luxury of choosing from several world-class dining concepts.

8 Sentosa Gateway,
Singapore 098269
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL SINGAPORE SOUTH BEACH

Home to some of Singapore’s myriad of exquisite restaurants as well as stunning rooms that just spell out elegance and proper comfort, JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach is a weekend getaway spot that promises nothing short of enjoyment for the whole family.

Tuck into a sensational buffet meal at Beach Road Kitchen, where they serve up only the freshest of regional produce and high-quality ingredients, all masterfully prepared.

30 Beach Road,
Singapore 189763
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

MARINA BAY SANDS HOTEL

Marina Bay Sands stands as a beacon of sheer luxury in the city and is without a doubt, a place where many of us would like to go for a staycation. Family rooms are spacious and have plenty of room for your entire gang to lounge about during the day or even to have a smashing movie night.

For entertainment, the nightly light show on the marina is something that always fascinates young children and not to mention, the Art Science Museum and Gardens by the Bay—which is both just a stone’s throw away—make for a great day-time activity for the entire family.

10 Bayfront Avenue,
Singapore 018956
Nearest Station: Bayfront

THE RITZ-CARLTON MILLENIA SINGAPORE

Every kid should experience a camping trip at least once in their lives, and if you haven’t yet gotten around to actually planning one, then allow Ritz-Carlton’s Ritz Kids be the solution.

Fun of the outdoors is brought indoors with tents pitched inside the Premier Suite and the deal also includes dinner daily ice cream passes, kids amenities and even a special birthday surprise for if it happens to be your kid’s birthday during the stay.

7 Raffles Avenue
Singapore 039799
Nearest Station: Esplanade

SOFITEL SINGAPORE SENTOSA RESORT & SPA

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa is a French luxury resort hotel on Sentosa island where both kids and adults alike can immerse in the tranquillity that is the blending of colonial architecture and sheer whimsical details.

Spacious rooms allow for the young ones to indulge in fun and its closeness to the Tanjong Beach Club is great for the whole family to just unwind and have fun in the sand.

2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa,
Singapore 099891
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

TREETOP LOFTS: ANGSANA & TEMBUSU

Every kid grows up dreaming of owning their very own treehouse (and we’re pretty sure some adults do too) and good news for you because at Resort World Sentosa’s Treetop Lofts, your childhood dreams of staying in a secret tree house hideaway have come true.

The log cabins feature five-star luxury living and personalised butler services between its two lofts—Angsana and Tembusu. Constructed mostly of timber to blend in with surrounding tree friends, both lofts allow guests to soak up the sweet sounds of nature.

8 Sentosa Gateway,
Singapore 098269
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Photo Credit: Village Hotel Changi

VILLAGE HOTEL SENTOSA

If you and your kids fancy an island getaway but without the hassle of ferries and tickets, Village Hotel Sentosa is the perfect destination. Built to resemble an untapped oasis, the hotel exudes a calm tropical vibe that all can enjoy.

The hotel offers a myriad of kid-friendly activities that the whole family can join in on – think Movie Nights on weekends and a Children’s Play Pool with mini slides to keep your little ones occupied.

10 Artillery Avenue, #02-01
Singapore 099951
Tel: +65 6722 0800
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Life races ahead so fast that we sometimes don’t even realise what’s happening and how much we need to bring ourselves to a pause just to take in how we feel. That desperation for a brief reprieve is how we find ourselves booking our next flight out, or if we can’t, we do with a holiday within our sunny island.

Today, we have a new destination in the South of Singapore to share. Well, we’d like to think of Native Kitchen as a destination. It is located within Village Hotel at Sentosa and it is a restaurant that celebrates the best of islander cuisine.

Aside from serving up an International breakfast, Native Kitchen specialises in Polynesian and Islander cuisines which offer a myriad of dishes using the freshest ingredients and culinary techniques that bring out their natural flavours. With that, prepare your taste buds for a gastronomical feast that will leave not just the belly, but the heart full as well.

The family-friendly restaurant boasts serious resort vibes and with so many attractions in the proximity, it is no wonder Native Kitchen is fast becoming one of the hottest spots in Singapore for families, big groups or even if you just want a casual weekend date. Here are 8 reasons why we love Native Kitchen at Village Hotel at Sentosa.

A LITTLE PARADISE TUCKED AWAY IN THE HEART OF SENTOSA 

What we love about Native Kitchen goes beyond their food—it’s a tranquil respite far from the hectic city life. Whether it’s with a group of friends, your significant other or your family, they have created the perfect environment for some much-needed intimate time with your loved ones.

Despite being conveniently close to the city, Native Kitchen somehow manages to detach you from the stresses of the concrete urban jungle and transports you to a space where you can rejuvenate, relax and pamper yourself with good food and even better company.

STONE’S THROW AWAY FROM KIDZANIA SINGAPORE AND OTHER EXCITING ATTRACTIONS  

We appreciate how the restaurant is a stone’s throw away from plenty of exciting attractions that we know your kids will love such as Palawan Pirate Ship, Universal Studios Singapore, The Merlion and Kidzania.

This makes the restaurant even more ideal because what is a family day out without some nice dinner after?

If you’re eager to get some tanning done or if the kids want to build some sandcastles, you can also bring them to Palawan Beach which is just in the vicinity. After a day of feeling the sand in your toes and the sun on your skin, you can head on over to Native Kitchen for some seriously good island-inspired food.

SPACIOUS INTERIOR WITH A TROPICAL RAINFOREST AMBIENCE 

There is nothing not to love about Native Kitchen’s interior — breezy, spacious and modern, this beautifully furnished space will be your new favourite hangout spot. The lights bathe the place in a warmth and cosiness that adds to the tropical vibe set by the woody furniture and decorative plants.

With its rattan furniture, solid wood tables and lush plants, the tropical theme throughout the restaurant truly makes one feel like they have escaped to a completely different country!

We also appreciate how they have a mixture of both small table settings for more intimate sessions as well as long wooden tables to fit larger groups of people.

SHARING PLATTER FOR LARGE GATHERINGS

To keep you prepped for any large gatherings that you may be hosting, Native Kitchen has an array of sharing platters that you can get to feed the masses.

Yes, you will be spoilt for choice, but we highly recommend their Meat Platter (S$118) which features a juicy assortment of proteins such as short ribs, striploin steak, jumbo satay skewers and pork shoulder.

CHILDREN & FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING 

Native Kitchen is a family-friendly dining outlet that provides a chic yet cosy space for families to unwind and spend some quality time together.

Do your kids get impatient while waiting for their food to arrive?

The kids-friendly restaurant is equipped with children’s utensils as well as interactive menus to keep the children entertained. The puzzles and maps drawn onto their menus will have them so engrossed that they may not even realise that the food has come. Yes, chuck them iPads aside and truly bask in your relaxing “holiday”.

To refuel before or after a day of non-stop fun and games, your kids can indulge in Native Kitchen’s extensive children’s menu with favourites such as Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti (S$13), Fish & Chips (S$12) and Spaghetti Bolognese (S$13).

Seriously, how would any kid not like these? The Fish & Chips are really good; the lightly-battered white fish are not overly oily. The Chicken Alfredo is for the little ones who love their cheeses and cream!

ISLAND-INSPIRED MENU 

Resort vibes = island-inspired menu.

Some of the unique dishes that you can look forward to at Native Kitchen are the Island Ceviche (S$18), Misoyaki Butterfish (S$40) and Big Kahuna Burger (S$28).

A standout for us was the Kalbi Short Rib Loco Moco (S$24) which consists of an insanely tender short rib patty perched atop a bed of steamed jasmine rice and surrounded by a moat of smoked mushroom gravy. The dish is finished off with a lovely poached egg that provides the dish with a creamier consistency when the egg is broken and beaten into the rice.

ASIAN FLAVOURS 

For something up your Asian alley or to please the older folks in the family, be tantalised by a range of Asian dishes such as Chili Crab Linguine (S$30), Singapura Laksa (S$28) and Hainan Island Chicken Rice (S$24).

Well, we insist that you get the Bebek Goreng (S$25) which is essentially an Indonesia-style duck confit. The dish consists of an incredibly crispy and tender Balinese styled deep-fried duck leg, kicap manis, spicy hot sambal and fragrant jasmine rice.

MASTERCARD DINE 4 PAY 3 PROMOTION

Enjoy a dine 4 pay 3 for mains promotion at Native Kitchen when you pay with a Mastercard Debit or Credit Card. This promotion is valid on all days including eve of and on public holidays from now until 30 Sep 2019.

Terms and Conditions

• Promotion valid from 1 Apr to 30 Sep 2019, including eve of and on public holidays.
• Payment must be made with valid Mastercard Debit of Credit Card for promotion to be valid.
• Promotion applicable for mains in ‘Comfort Food’, ‘Fish’, ‘Poultry’, ‘Rice/Pasta/Noodles’ section only.
• Promotion strictly for dine in lunch & dinner only.
• Promotion cannot be used with other promotions, vouchers, discounts, loyalty cards, special offers, rebate cards and/or privileges unless otherwise stated. Splitting of bills is strictly not allowed.

Native Kitchen 
10 Artillery Avenue Sentosa Island
Village Hotel at Sentosa, Lift Lobby
Singapore 099951
Tel: +65 6722 0818
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

This post is brought to you by Native Kitchen.