Grand Mercure Roxy, Singapore

Beside Novotel Clarke Quay, we also like this Grand Mercure Roxy. Set on the Marina Promenade road, Grand Mercure is our option for a more relaxed atmosphere. The hotel room is bigger, with a cozy feel. If you wanted to spend your day just lazing around your room or around the hotel, then this is the perfect choice. We normally have a stroll around East Coast park (10mins walking distance), watching a group of teen in their inline skates, or a family having a picnic.

However, accessibility is a bit difficult, since the closest MRT station is Paya Lebar (about 10mins drive from the hotel). Luckily the hotel provides one way free shuttle to either airport or Paya Lebar station, and if you miss the shuttle, you can ride a bus too (from the opposite site of the hotel). Despite the hassle of transportation, we still love this old but has been renovated hotel. There are lots of foodcourt around the hotel, where you could have your own culinary experience. At night, stroll along the nite market, who knows what you will find there (^ . *)  

Novotel Clarke Quay, Singapore

Clarke Quay, the famous nite spot @Spore. Even with the new-hot-spot of Marina Bay Sands, Clarke Quay has never faded in term of its charm. It still has its own fans who like to dine or simply chat over a beer or two, overlooking the river. The spot is still packed with alfresco cafés or pubs, which make it difficult to get a best seat on the weekend, especially when the clock is closing in to midnite. Not to mention the sight-seeing-boats which cruise along the river, surely add certain allurement. The very same view which makes me back here every time I come to Spore.

My girls posed at Clarke Quay

For accommodation, we always stay @Novotel Clarke Quay. Despite the tiny minimalist yet neat room, who could resists the benefits offered by its location? 5mins walking from MRT Clarke Quay, with Central mall nearby, and if you are lucky, you can get the riverbank view from your hotel room. Simply a splendid view at night (betcha!). Beside, Novotel also has many more in store, Square restaurant that offers breakfast buffet at reasonable price, small yet nicely maintained swimming pool, to name few facilities there. There is a supermarket on the same building as well.

Clarke Quay at night

Nite view from hotel room

For entertainment, we can go to Clarke Quay which normally holds an event during the weekend. I remembered last year, there was a Turkish food festival being held there and this year, we had Tiger’s football challenge. The host’s assistant was asking me whether I would like to participate in the game…WHAT??? You expected somebody who never touched football to kick the ball around few obstacles and make a goal…geez (sorry football fans…no hard feeling). There was Bollywood festival too where all the Indian folks were dancing and singing on the promenade. Surely entertaining!  

Hunting books @Spore

I can say that we always visit this small yet clean and well maintained city at least once a year (especially since there are lots of LCC offers). Unlike others who frequent the Orchard Road, I always manage to drop for few hours @Brash Basah complex (5mins walk from Circle line MRT exit Brash Basah). One compulsory thing-to-do within my Spore itinerary is to buy books, especially school books for my girls. Since my girls are studying @nasional plus school with Singaporean curriculum, I can find lots of references and practice papers, especially for English and Math subjects. It doesn’t mean that I cant find those book @Jkt, however the price is doubled with limited options to choose (Times Lippo has a very limited collection of Sporean curriculum school books, try Gramedia GI or Matraman for bigger collection)

New books on sale

Beside school books, you can find lots of reference books (either in English or mandarin or any other language) on any other subject here @Brash Basah Complex. It is a complex which mostly sells books (used books), school attributes, sports attributes, as well as music books and instruments. My fav store here is Popular (for new books) and Book Points (for used books). The price is much cheaper, however do keep remind yourself not to exceed your baggage allowance.

Lets hunt some books   :-)