“Uncover an oasis of green,” that’s what PARKROYAL on Pickering, a PARKROYAL Collection hotel will tell you about their property.

We love PARKROYAL on Pickering so much and it is easily one of the most stunning hotels in Singapore. Apart from the fact that the hotel is strategically located at Chinatown and just minutes away from the CBD district and Marina Bay, PARKROYAL on Pickering has a lot to offer. A stay at the property will be a stay like no other, for it is unique in its own rights in ways you never knew.

And we will touch on those in a bit. Before you read on, let us just drop a little warning that what you are about to read and see might just stir up an uncontrollable desire in you. Well, if that happens, a staycation is always good if you are local, right? And if you are a tourist, we assure you that this is one hotel that will make you fly to Singapore for.

Here are 12 things you never knew about PARKROYAL on Pickering – one of the most environmentally friendly hotels in Singapore which offers a unique hotel-in-a-garden experience.

#1 SIGNATURE LIMEMADE WELCOME DRINK

Talk about a warm, no, cool welcome and we have PARKROYAL on Pickering’s signature homemade concoction of freshly squeezed lemon, lime and calamansi juice, infused with kaffir lime gomme, fresh kaffir leaves and sparkling soda.

Created by Lime bar’s mixologist, this refreshing drink is a signature mocktail that is served as a welcome drink to all hotel guests. Those in need of an alcohol fix can choose to spike their Limenade with a liquor of their choice. We are not even gonna lie; it is slightly pricey, but very worth the splurge, and just what you’d need after a long day out in the scorching hot sun.

#2 LIME RESTAURANT HAS ONE OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL BUFFET SPREADS IN SINGAPORE

Not a hotel guest at PARKROYAL on Pickering? No worries, we have another reason for you to pop by the property. The international buffet spread at Lime Restaurant is reason enough for a trip down.

The restaurant is stylish and modern, with a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. It features high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Dining in this restaurant-in-a-garden is always a welcoming break. It is the kind of place that works well for all occasions: From a casual business luncheon with your clients (just a few minutes away from the centre of the city’s business district), to a date with your partner for some quality time together, a family gathering over hearty chats, a get-together with your friends, or even a much-needed and indulgent me-time.

#3 PARKROYAL ON PICKERING’S ORCHID CLUB ROOMS/SUITES COME WITH MANY BENEFITS

The Orchid Club might just be our favourite hotel club lounge in Singapore. Sitting on high grounds and overlooking the beautiful Singapore, PARKROYAL on Pickering has club rooms and suites that include access to the homely lounge – perfect for that quiet me-time over some afternoon tea, and if you need a cosy space to get some work done, or to simply be away from everyone.

The Orchid Club privileges include complimentary champagne breakfast, afternoon tea and sunset cocktails, priority check-in and check-out, complimentary local calls, laundry and suit pressing, and 20% discount off ala-carte dishes at Lime.

#4 PARKROYAL ON PICKERING’S SUITES ARE PERFECT FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION

Whether it is a girls’ night out, wedding anniversary, birthday party, or hens’ night, the Orchid Club Suites are perfect for you and your loved ones to celebrate that special occasion.

The Orchid Club Suites come with an infinity bathtub which you can fill it to the brim without the water overflowing. It is also a reclining bathtub, so you can lie comfortably in the tub with your partner and do without that awkwardness of adjusting your positions. And it is made of recycled composite granite.

The luxurious Suite Life Package starts from S$698++ for junior suite. A black Mercedes will pick you up with Champagne and Strawberries awaiting your arrival in the suite. Other package inclusions are buffet dinner for two at Lime, Orchid Club privileges and an indulging 60-min massage for two before departing in the Mercedes.

#5 PARKROYAL ON PICKERING WAS ONE OF THE FILM LOCATIONS SELECTED FOR HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER – AGENT 47

You know that excitement when you spot a scene set in Singapore when watching a Hollywood blockbuster? Agent 47 – yes, baby. And it was filmed at PARKROYAL on Pickering no less. Word has it that the movie will hit the big screens this August 2015, just in time for our National Day celebrations. Glad that the world got to see such a beautiful part of our Home!

#6 A 300-METRE GARDEN WALK

Set on the wellness level, this 300-metre Garden Walk is a wondrous path that makes a good jogging track. Well, a walk is lovely all the same. Think of it like having some me-time and retreating to nature, and something better than jogging/ walking in the park – because this is elevated and you are able to enjoy the greenery while looking out to the beautiful city.

The path pretty much goes around the circumference of the property, and you need not worry about the heat because the massive plants will bring the temperature down. Or if all else fails, refer to #4; you could do with a soak in the infinity bathtub.

#7 THE CHEFS AT THE HOTEL GROW THEIR OWN INGREDIENTS AT THE HERBS AND SPICES GARDEN

How often do we get such dedication? Here at PARKROYAL on Pickering, the chefs take pride in dishing out your meals prepared with only the finest ingredients, and that includes home-grown (or hotel-grown) herbs and spices. If you are a hotel guest, you can even take a walk around the little garden (on the fifth level) and to find out more about the various herbs and spices they grow.

#8 THE GUESTROOM WINDOWS ALLOW MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT INTO THE ROOM

One of the reasons why we love PARKROYAL on Pickering’s rooms is because the windows are not tinted and the rooms are always flooded with sunlight in the day. It is like embracing Mother Nature, and morning sun salutations cannot be more perfect! This is a green factor too because, trust me, you won’t even need to switch on the lights till about 7pm.

#9 A UNIQUE HOTEL-IN-A-GARDEN EXPERIENCE

With 15,000m² of lush greenery, PARKROYAL on Pickering truly delivers a hotel-in-a-garden experience that you will not find anywhere else. It is every bit aesthetically-pleasing, yet very environmentally friendly altogether. And ain’t this considered a quintessential Singapore experience? After all, we pride ourselves to be a Garden City.

A hotel stay at PARKROYAL on Pickering will surely be memorable for both locals and tourists alike.

#10 ONE OF THE MOST, IF NOT THE MOST, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY HOTELS IN SINGAPORE

Most people know about PARKROYAL on Pickering for its awe-inspiring architecture, but not many know that it is actually one of the most eco-friendly hotels in Singapore.

Beyond the usual measures – such as placing recycle bins in the rooms, printing on recycled papers, dimming the lights, or not changing bedsheets on a daily basis – adopted by most hotels, PARKROYAL on Pickering is also one of the first few hotels in Singapore to feature a solar energy and rainwater harvesting systems which integrate into the design of the property.

The mere fact that the hotel has 15,000m² of greenery – which could have gone into building more rooms or restaurants – speaks volume about the hotel’s resolution in going green. Also, two thirds of the hotel’s guest rooms’ corridors are naturally ventilated and not air-conditioned – which is possible because the four-storey vertical greenery located along the outdoor corridors helps to cool the building down.

#11 ROOM TIPS – REQUEST FOR ROOMS ON LEVEL 6, 10, AND 14

The rooms on level 6, 10 and 14 come with the best views of the iconic sky gardens in PARKROYAL on Pickering. Of course, this is still subject to availability, but it does not hurt to put in this request when you make your booking. You might just be delightfully surprised!

#12 INFINITY SWIMMING POOL

Also listed in our Best Swimming Pools in Singapore, PARKROYAL  on Pickering indeed has one of the most stunning and photogenic pools in Singapore. Famed for its infinity pool with colourful cabanas, the pool is exclusively open to hotel guests. It will be one dip that you’ll always remember. By the way, don’t forget your cameras! The infinity pool is definitely Instagram-worthy.

PARKROYAL on Pickering, a PARKROYAL Collection Hotel
3 Upper Pickering Street
Tel: +65 6809 8888
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Clarke Quay

This post is brought to you by PARKROYAL on Pickering.

A hotel club floor room, for the uninitiated, is like a VIP floor, with benefits like priority check-in/out services, all-day refreshments, laundry services, wireless high speed internet, and the use of the exclusive club lounge. The misconception is that only business travellers stay in hotels’ club floors. However, this is not true because for those who are in-the-know and do not mind paying a little more can enjoy the perks and amenities.

In this feature, we will talk more about the benefits of hotels’ club floors and lounges, how you can get free upgrade to a club floor, as well as some of the things that you never knew about this VIP service.

Benefits of Club Floor Rooms

Benefits of a club floor room differ for every hotel, but in general, you will get to skip the queue and enjoy personalised check-in/out services.

Other perks include butler service, complimentary wireless high speed internet, laundry service, discounts when dining in the hotel’s F&B establishments, use of business centre and meeting room, and dedicated concierge staff.

And of course, it grants you exclusive access to the club lounge which is a conducive venue to have business meetings, or simply to rest after a day out. The club lounge provides complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres, with some hotels even providing free flow of alcoholic beverages. Not to mention drinks like coffee, juices, tea, soft drinks and some snacks available throughout the day.

Difference between Club Floor Rooms and normal rooms

Other than the aforementioned benefits, club floor rooms are usually located at higher levels with good views of the cities they are located in, and they also come with better amenities.

At Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Hotel, there is a distinction between club floor rooms and normal rooms. Ms Carrie Sim, Marketing Communications Executive, shared with us that the club rooms have direct access to the outdoor landscaped pool and club lounge on the same level.

For Carlton Hotel Singapore, a popular hotel with business travellers, the premier club rooms are located on level 17 to 19 with a view overlooking Singapore’s skyline. On top of that, the club rooms are furnished with Molten Brown toiletries, said Ms Daphne Sim, Marketing Communications Manager.

How much is the cost of a club room?

The rates of club floor rooms are usually S$100 (per room for each night) more than the regular rooms.

How to get a free upgrade to club room?

This is where loyalty (to a brand) comes into play. If you are a member of a hotel’s member loyalty programme and frequently stay with the hotel, you will more likely be entitled to a free upgrade.

Ms Teresa Koh, Assistant Marketing Communications & PR Manager of InterContinental Singapore, said that guests who are InterContinental Ambassadors are entitled to a room upgrade to one or two room categories above that which they had made their reservation for and should they, for example, book a Business Room then they could be upgraded to the Club level.

For guests who are checking in to Fullerton Hotel Singapore, we understand from Mr Giovanni Viterale – General Manager of The Fullerton Heritage – that a complimentary upgrade of room category with Straits Club benefits is applicable for Emerald and Diamond card members under its rewards programme, iPrestige.

Should you get a club room?

The answer is yes if you are the kind of traveller who will be spending a lot of time working or relaxing in the hotel. If you were to consider the complimentary meals and drinks, the savings could be more than the cost of the extra charge for the club room. But if you will be out of the hotel for most of the time, then it is probably not worth it to get a club room.