Staycation Spotlight: One Farrer Hotel

All 176 rooms in the Mint Hotel category will come with anti-viral wall coverings. In particular, carpets, which often traps dirt and dust, are replaced with vinyl floor tiles in both the rooms and common areas. If this all sounds, and look, a little... clinical, it’s because the refurbishment process has been made after consulting medical experts. A sense of warmth and luxe, one which some might expect from a luxury property, might be conspicuously missing, but in its place comes peace of mind knowing that everything is in its cleanest state possible. 

To further put safety concerns to rest, the hotel is building The Pillow Lab that is slated to open early this year. When ready, the space will house a chamber that emits germ- and mould-killing ultraviolet rays – and will be used to deep-clean all pillows after each use. According to the hotel, the facility will also be opened for the public to sanitise their own pillows for a fee. An additional perk: selected room categories will come with the option of choosing from a pillow menu when checking in.

Looking for more reasons to relax? Enjoy a leisurely soak at the hotel’s scenic pool. The expansive area comes dotted with palm trees that help lend a tropical feel, and overlooks views of the city. A tip: drop by during sunset to soak up the view of the evening glow. 

All the talk about peace of mind will help provide a restful sleep – an important activity to help guests get ready for exploring the neighbourhood. One Farrer Hotel is located right next to Farrer Park MRT, and is walking distance away from City Square Mall, Mustafa Centre, and the many shops that line Little India. It has also rolled out a three-day, two-night package, A Walk in the Farrer Park ($599), that comes with two different guided walking tours by Tour East. On the first day, explore the streets of Jalan Besar and learn about the history of the area. Pitstops include the hipster Chye Seng Huat Hardware, alleyways with murals, and a colourful Tibetan Buddhist temple, Thekchen Choling.

On the second day, the Tekka Market to Table Tour will bring guests through the famed wet market, all while learning more about Indian culture and heritage. After working up an appetite from all the walking, head back to the hotel for a culinary masterclass and lunch. Look forward to learning a tip or two about whipping up local delights of Hokkien prawn mee, rojak, and chendol.

Still hungry? Drop by Socieaty, the latest dining concept by the Les Amis Group that brings the best of its restaurants under one roof. Located on the first floor of One Farrer Hotel, choose from over 104 dishes across NamNam, Mui Kee Congee, Tenjin, Peperoni, Sushi Jin, Lemak Boys, and Tarte.

If safety concerns have been holding you back from booking a staycation, One Farrer Hotel has that covered squeaky clean. For what the rooms might lack in warmth, it makes up for the adventure you'll get in the vibrant neighbourhood. The A Walk in the Farrer Park package ($599) comes filled with activities across the three-day stay, and the culturally rich precinct makes for an interesting staycation spot, away from the crowded city centre. Oh, and SingapoRediscovers vouchers can be used too.