1. Best Singapore Staycation: The Laurus
The Laurus makes a Sentosa staycation feel like a proper escape without putting you far from home. We spent two nights in a Deluxe King Suite, and the all-suite layout was the biggest win. There is a separate living area for relaxing, a bedroom with its own television and a walk-in wardrobe with space for two large suitcases. That last detail sounds minor until you have spent another staycation stepping around an open bag on the floor.
The bathroom has a freestanding tub and Byredo amenities, while the minibar was complimentary during our stay. We also liked the seated check-in lounge and the breakfast at The Laurus Table: the spread was modest, but the food was consistently good. The pool and gardens have a relaxed resort feel, and Resorts World Sentosa’s attractions are nearby. Just note that there is one shared pool, not separate adult and children’s pools.
2. Best Babymoon Resort: Hilton Burau Bay Langkawi Resort, Malaysia
We visited Hilton Burau Bay while Marilyn was pregnant, and enjoyed having a few days to slow down together. The resort is spread across Burau Bay, with rainforest paths, a private beach and quiet corners to slow down for a few days. Our Deluxe Suite had separate living and sleeping areas, two balconies and a bathroom with a freestanding bathtub.
The strongest reason to choose it for this trip was the wellness spa. Marilyn booked a prenatal aromatherapy treatment, and we both found the therapists attentive to details such as the room temperature and oil used. We also enjoyed breakfast at Gingerfire, and had a private dinner beside the beach. There are busier family areas, and the adults-only pool can get crowded, but the large spa and quieter spaces gave us room to take things at our own pace.
3. Best City Stay: The Singapore EDITION, Singapore
The Singapore EDITION is our choice when we want a city hotel that feels removed from the city. It is on Cuscaden Road, within walking distance of Orchard Road, but the interiors are calmer than the shopping district outside. We used a Nightly Upgrade Award for a Garden Suite, which had a separate living area, bedroom and walk-in wardrobe. The warm lighting, thoughtful furniture and familiar Le Labo scent made the suite feel unmistakably EDITION. We liked the gym and spa facilities, including a plunge pool, sauna and steam room.
4. Best On-Theme Interior: W Muscat, Oman
W Muscat does not hold back on the W aesthetic in the Marvelous Suite. A large wooden sliding panel divides the living room from the bedroom, and an enormous round bathtub sits beside the bed. It is a dramatic setup rather than a discreet one, and the walk-in wardrobe felt almost comically large for our one-night visit. Our eighth-floor balcony looked over the property towards the Gulf, giving us a sunset view from the suite. The rest of the hotel backed up the first impression. Breakfast at Harvest was among our favourites, with a broad selection and made-to-order dosas. We spent time at the pool, and the gym had equipment for a proper workout.
5. Most Unique Location: Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, UAE
Al Seef Heritage Hotel feels less like a hotel building and more like part of the streets around Dubai Creek. Its rooms are spread across the Al Seef heritage district, so after checking in we took a golf cart to ours. Wooden furniture and plastered walls matched old Dubai, while our balcony overlooked the creek. For a first visit to Dubai, staying here made exploring old Dubai part of the experience.
6. Best Sea View: The Bodrum EDITION, Turkey
We stayed at The Bodrum EDITION’s Sea View Loft Suite. The suite was enormous, with a living room, separate bedroom, kitchen and balcony overlooking the bay. Both rooms opened onto that view, making the upgrade feel special. Even the welcome was memorable: staff offered Turkish ice cream at check-in, followed by more treats in the room.
The view extends beyond the suite. The infinity pool sits on a terrace above the water, and we joined a sunset yoga session overlooking the bay while a musician played traditional Turkish instruments. There is also a private beach below the terraces.
7. Best Amenities: Regent Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Regent Phu Quoc won us over before we had even finished exploring our Garden Pool Suite. The suite had its own garden, plunge pool and sunbeds, although monsoon-season weather limited how much time we spent outside. Inside, the bathroom was exceptional: a freestanding tub, bath salts, a bath pillow, twin basins, and both indoor and outdoor showers. The toiletries included Acqua di Parma and Marvis products during our stay. Then there was the in-room bar. Snacks, coffee, chocolates and even alcohol were included, which was far more generous than the usual hotel minibar. We also received fruit, chocolates and wine as welcome amenities. The attentive, personal service tied it together. This is our pick when small comforts inside the room matter as much as the resort.
8. Best Honeymoon Resort: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was the kind of trip we had planned for years. Reaching it required a seaplane from Malé, and although the journey was not the easiest, the stay made it worth the while. Once we arrived, the staff welcomed us on the pontoon and took us into a resort that lived up to the anticipation.
Our Sunset Overwater Villa had a spacious bathroom, patio and steps leading towards the sea. We snorkelled, kayaked between the islands, went diving and tried several restaurants; dinner at Sunset Grill came with a sunset view and fish below us.
9. Best Safari Exploration Base: Protea by Marriott Kruger Gate, South Africa (now operating as Kruger Gate Hotel)
For a Kruger National Park trip, Kruger Gate’s advantage is its location. The drive from the car park to Paul Kruger Gate took about two minutes, making park days easier. After a game drive, we could return to a large room, a games room and a pool bar overlooking the park. Animals can sometimes be seen in the field beyond its infinity pool.
The rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious. Our King Guest Room was spacious, but the bathroom was basic. Both pools were unheated and felt cold when we visited. On the other hand, the Wi-Fi was surprisingly reliable: we could make international video calls, which was not a given so close to the park.
10. Best Heritage Hotel: The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore
The Fullerton Hotel is our choice if you want your Singapore stay to come with a history lesson. Walking through the property felt like visiting a museum: photographs and displays explained the building’s past, and its colonial architecture gave our courtyard room character that modern rooms often lack. Large windows brought natural light into the room, while the bathroom was almost as big as the bedroom.
To learn more about ShrugMyShoulder, visit them on their website or read our previous article on their digital nomad life. They also recently launched ShrugMyCar.
To view other travel recommendations from the NUS alumni community, visit the NUS Food & Travel Map.
