beyond toxicity

Hainanese Chicken Rice… Fried Hokkien Mee.. Iced cold water chestnut… One-dollar-ice cream bar… Sri Mariamman Temple… Perhaps, the cleanest Chinatown… Orchard Road… Esplanade… Sentosa… Merlion Park… These and more can obviously describe the city where we spent our Hari Raya holiday this year.

Now, if you’re still clueless of the place, you may have left your brain cells somewhere, haha! *kidding*

We loved Singapore! Although our pockets and credit cards are now weeping, the experience was worth it! My wife,Tina and I took our soon-to-be 7 year old kid, Gabby to the Lion City for four glorious days (August 30–September 2, 2011) of food indulgence, fun and of course, family bonding!

Let’s begin this Singapore blog series from our arrival at few minutes before 2PM, Tuesday 30th August at the Changi airport, Terminal 1…

Gabby with Mr. Lee, one of the friendliest Singaporean drivers we’ve met (We encountered almost a handful, and you’ll meet them with some of their stories toward the end of this series).

PERSTAYMERS :  It’s our first time to be in the  city described by the National Geographic as “the smallest nation in Southeast Asia that has long been a financial powerhouse.” and by the -The Lonely Planet as a place with “a strange brew of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Western cultures, a rich social stew that’s anything but boring.” …Who would not be excited?

I planned the trip several months back with gradual let go of the budget by purchasing online plane tickets via Air Asia (Penang-Singapore) on its promo rates and reserving rooms in 2 different hotels (read: maximizing the range of experience at the same time, reducing the cost); we only chose one theme park over a volume of choices and pre-paid it online on a non-peak season. I even asked blogger-friends who have been to Singapore many times over and former colleagues who are presently based there, for their recommendations and whatnot (credits at the end of the post). I made sure my family and I would enjoy our vacation the way we know how.

After reading tourists’ reviews at tripadvisor.com countless times and after paying attention to what bloggers have been raving about, I finally settled for Quincy. I thought it wouldn’t be voted as the tripadvisor.com’s Winner, Travelers’ Choice, Trendiest Hotel 2011 for nothing. I know Tina and Gabby will like it too.

Our airport pick up, included in the room package I availed for my family…

Jologs lang po kami. (repeat : Jologs lang po kami!) We’re so easy to please, and so riding a Mercedes benz E-class limo that doesn’t happen on a daily basis was indeed something for the 3 of us! Hence, that explains those sweetest smiles mixed with pure bliss and excitement inside the car…

Mr. Lee made us feel so welcome while he was driving. He confirmed some of the (positive) things about Singapore that I have heard and read.  Everything, including the air in Singapore seems so sterile!

Singapore in so many ways is so expensive yet seductively beautiful. Prices of almost all items are notoriously steeper than you could imagine. Hotel rates and charges could leave you begging for alms in the streets, haha! And so one of my considerations that made me chose Quincy is its being an all-inclusive boutique hotel. It’s amazing! Imagine buffet breakfast, set lunch and dinner, all served with appetizers, salad, soup, bottomless canned sodas, free flowing brewed coffee and tea, distilled water exclusively bottled for Quincy and even beer and cocktails in the evening are all included in the package! It’s the first time in the history of our vacations that we didn’t buy bottled water from any 711!

About 25 minutes after we left Terminal 1 of Changi airport, we arrived in Quincy.

Tucked in the secluded end of Mt. Elizabeth Street, one of the laterals of the famous high-end shopping district, Orchard Road, Quincy is strategic in its location. Quincy is about 5-7 minute-walk away from Orchard Road.   It works best for guests like us who would like to walk after a sound sleep and particularly after partaking on a heavy, sumptuous meal. We felt so secured (physically) as we passed by Paragon Medical Center and Mount Elizabeth Hospital from Quincy just before reaching the upscale malls like Paragon, Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City, and as per Mr. Lee’s words, Lucky Plaza -”the little Philippines in Singapore” due to its Filipino stalls and patrons.

As Mr. Lee dropped us off at the lobby of Quincy, (although we know Singapore offers jobs to many Filipinos) it was (still) surprising that 2 Filipina staffs were at the reception area to welcome us. One of them accompanied us to the 10th floor to endorsed the entire room and its gadgets to us nicely.

This was the view from our window…

Pillows that provided us one of our restful sleeps…

Everything’s so impressive at Quincy. I love its interiors in neutrals and its atmosphere, so edgy and manly.

The king-sized bed with 400-thread-count-immaculate white sheets were too perfect to curl up in bed the whole day and do nothing. –now, that’s a luxury!

I told Tina, I like this desk lamp other than the presence of 42″ LCD TV and  everything so ergonomic!

For a moment, the world seemed to stop revolving as my lovely wife and our wannabe-chef son, had their amusement over the coffee gadget inside our studio deluxe room (read : My wife and I are coffee-addicts!). It’s not just your ordinary coffee making facility but Nespresso Expresso Machine! In Tina’s words, “kape pa lang, sulit na!” (“abundance of coffee alone makes the stay in Quincy worth it!”….  because Quincy also offers free flowing coffee at the spread every meal time, even have takeaway coffee cups to Tina’s delight!) 

How many hotels offer complimentary mini bar with Lays potato chips, cup noodles, lots of tea bags, canned sodas, soya milk and iced tea and even canned beer? They replenish it everyday for free!

It’s difficult to get over with that coffee machine, hahaha! …I should get one for Tina (read : but where’s the budget?), haha!

Availability of a number of electric plugs is also a plus! Everything spelled convenience at Quincy!

The tandas was spotless…

The toilet and bath left us in awe! Quincy provides toiletries by Molton Brown, London with scents that definitely, rejuvenating.

There’s that rainfall effect shower, pull-me-down curtain blinds if you want some privacy on that glass walled comfort room. Bath tub seemed sterile, weighing scale’s available, slippers were uniquely thicker than usual hotel room footwears, they’re even smart in providing toothpaste that my gums prefer!  Our toilet experience at Quincy was truly beyond expectation…

The wardrobe essentials are commendable too. Sana lang, Quincy goes for better choice of towels…

We didn’t waste time and checked out their facilities at Level 12…

The infinity pool gives you a relaxing view of the slice of Singapore skyline…

Popcorn’s offered every weekend, 9PM when they show movies on big screen by the pool. Chilled drinks are again available for free!

A gym, a sauna and steambath rooms are located adjacent the swimming pool.

The lobby boasts of mac computers and egg-shaped lounge seats too.

Now, the succeeding photos make us miss Quincy more…

Quincy pampers guests on the gastronomic department too! We’re given menu of entrees to choose from, then free flowing beverages from fruit juices, canned sodas, tea and coffee, and cocktails are at the bar for self-service.

The dining area gives you a view of the greens at the hotel’s facade…

Admittedly, Tina and I rarely drink. She tried sipping her red wine paired with her main dish, but she’s really not into alcohol, while I finished my glass of white wine.

My lovely wife had an appetite for prime steak…

She had it well done, still the beef slab was tender, passed Tina’s discriminatory taste.

While I was delighted with my salmon plate… yum, yum, yum!

Gabby had tomato-based seafood pasta; and unlike kids of his age, he loves mussels and clams!

Beverage bar…

The buffet spread is simple but satisfyingly good! There’s a self-service ice cream bar too! The soft ice cream can pass as gelato with its thicker and creamier- less-air consistency. We loved the chocolate syrup topping!

Gabby at the ice cream station …see the reflection of the lush green from the outside; i love this shot! hehehe

I asked the wait staff if there’s any available dessert, he replied, “Apple strudel.” Gabby and I ordered (repeat : it’s an all-inclusive hotel package!).  I went to the ice cream machine but was no expert in topping my apple strudel with it, nonetheless was superb!  Gabby’s apple strudel (on the right) was perfectly ice cream topped by the staff… Dinner was absolutely delightful!

I opted for an open-faced steak sandwich… sublime!

But Gabby’s choice was the winner that lunch…. He decided to eat Creamy mushroom pasta; even asked for more parmesan cheese! The fusion of shitake and button mushrooms with the creamy sauce was unforgettable! Sarap talaga…

Almond jellies and Longan was the dessert of the day. Of course, we had another round of ice cream + dark chocolate syrup topping!

These smiles apparently show that we loved our Quincy experience…

If you are looking for an ultimate relaxing respite from the busy and stressful life, a staycation in Quincy when you’re in Singapore is highly recommended. In a city where hotel accomodation defines a huge portion of its tourism, Quincy rose above the rest in my family’s book.

I’m glad I made a right decision in choosing Quincy. Wouldn’t you be happy if you’re family’s content too?

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This is the first of Beyond Toxicity’s Singapore blog series. Disclaimer : DocGelo’s stay in Quincy was only for 24 hours; accomodation package was personally paid and Quincy has nothing to do with this blog entry. For specific inquiries and details about Quincy kindly *visit their website here -> Quincy Hotel Singapore. Thank you.

UPDATE : 11 September 2011 sourced from tripadvisor

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*Thank you to fellow bloggers, Dyanie (she did my initial itinerary!), Cza (recommended the other hotel we stayed in), Chyng, Sards , Dom/Dong Ho, Annevdns, Bambi (all of their blog posts about Singapore and replies to my queries served helpful references for this trip) and former colleagues, Ms. Gina (who provided useful links online about her work place), Dr. D. and former student, Lea for replying to my questions about the city we all like.