by Coleen Leong
Australians are known for their easy-going and friendly nature, and to experience the unmistakable Aussie laid-back charm, warmth and hospitality vibes in the Orchard Road area, step right into the first Vibe Hotel to open outside of Australia!
Occupying the building that once housed The Elizabeth Hotel on Mount Elizabeth, Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard, which opened in November, brings the Aussie way of life into its social spaces with the help of its friendly staff (aka “Vibe Hosts”).
Besides greeting you with a hearty contemporary Australian hello, Vibe Hosts are also the best folks to consult on unique local things to see around the hotel, must-dos in the city and hidden gems that even locals may not know about.
Managed by Far East Hospitality, the 256-room hotel is offering a special opening rate of $250++ onwards for a one-night stay in its Deluxe Room. Far East Hospitality members (aka Far East Insiders) get 15 percent off the Best Available Rates and special perks such as breakfast, and early check-in or late check-out. Premier Room guests also get a $50 nett ROOS dining voucher and access to the Vibe Pantry. Book this offer by 31 December for stays till 31 January. Memberships with Far East Hospitality are free, so create an account before booking your stay.
We highlight three ways to enjoy an Aussie-style staycay at the hotel.
Veg out in cosy, bright rooms
The hotel has five categories of rooms – Superior, Deluxe, Premier, Family and Suite (available next year) – spread across levels two to 12.
Rooms sport a soothing palette of beige, brown, grey and black, and are furnished with lamps with gold accents, contemporary artworks and potted cactus.
In place of wardrobes, Deluxe rooms are fitted with sleek black metal rails for a modern touch. Bathrooms in Deluxe and Family rooms come with bathtubs while Premier room bathrooms have standing showers fitted with handheld as well as rain showers.
Bathrooms are stocked with bath products from Australian haircare brand O&M (Original & Mineral). O&M products are made with native Australian ingredients such as lilly pilly, banksia flower and Tasmanian sea kelp, and are free from harsh chemicals.
For in-room entertainment, there’s a 55-inch LED TV with 41 channels. There are also Nespresso coffee machines in Premier and Family rooms (Nescafe coffee sachets are provided in Deluxe rooms) and a selection of Dilmah teas for a hot cuppa whenever you need one.
Savour Aussie-style meats & fresh housemade pasta at ROOS
A hearty Australian feast awaits at ROOS, the hotel’s all-day eatery which takes its name from the Australian slang for “kangaroos”.
The most sought-after seats in ROOS are those by the window overlooking the hotel’s tranquil rock waterfall so be sure to ask for those seats when making your reservation.
For lunch and dinner, open your palate with the Aussie-inspired Beetroot Salad, a vibrant plate of beetroot, goat cheese, Spanish onion and housemade purple cabbage slaw tossed in olive oil and balsamico, paired with a yoghurt dressing.
Then, sink your teeth into meaty delights from the grill like Angus Rib-Eye, Australian Lamb Rack, Kurobuta Pork Chop, Grilled Maine Lobster Tail, Barramundi Fillet and Rosemary Spring Chicken, all served with purple cabbage slaw and garlic mash.
Pasta lovers will want to tuck into freshly made pastas like Beef Stroganoff Linguine, Linguine Vongole, Pistachio Pesto Angel Hair and Truffle Gnocchi.
If you prefer Asian flavours, ROOS offers a selection of local noodle dishes like Prawn Noodle Soup, Singapore Laksa, Braised Beef Brisket Ramen, Fried Bee Hoon Lala and Fish Noodle Soup, as well as snacks such as Local Yam Cake and Crispy Honey Prawn Dumpling.
Pair your meal with a glass of red or white wine from Penfolds, one of Australia’s leading winemakers. Wine lovers will want to check out the Penfolds Lounge, a walk-in cellar housed within ROOS, which stocks an impressive selection of premium Penfolds wines.
For brekkie, there are Aussie favourites like Avo Toast, Brekkie Logs & Bagel and the popular Chef’s Brekkie, a platter of fry-up staples like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, chorizo, shaved ham, mushroom, confit thyme tomatoes and rosti potato served with sourdough bread. Those who prefer something local can go for the Nasi Lemak or Chicken Congee. All brekkie items come with pastries, yoghurt with berries, chilled juices, coffee and tea.
Lounge by the pool & watch Aussie sports at the Pool Bar
A staycation wouldn’t be complete without dipping your toes in the pool or stretching out on a lounger while working on your tan. Be sure to grab some snacks, treats and drinks from the 24-hour, self-service Vibe Pantry or order your favourite cocktail from the Pool Bar before unwinding by the pool.
Instead of having dinner at a restaurant, do it the Aussie way and enjoy an outdoor barbie with all your favourite meats by the pool while keeping up with the latest on Aussie sports on the big screen at the Pool Bar.
