I badly needed some time out but hesitated to do a staycation at a fancy hotel called ‘The Clan’. The hotel has always been on my mind since I frequently walked past its mysterious door, a sight that you wouldn’t typically see in a hotel. So I booked my stay at The Clan on the night before I check-in. I’ve been working hard, and many things have happened, so why not?
Before checking in, I lugged my backpack, Ukelele, and laptop and had my lunch at Don Don Donki foodcourt @ The Central, Clarke Quay. I had Mazesoba ‘まぜそば’, and it was yummy! The broth-less ramen was topped with scallions, minced meat (a choice between pork and chicken), seaweed, a raw egg, and some Umami sauce.
I mixed the ramen and the ingredients and took my first bite; the Mazesoba was flavourful, and the noodles were chewy! Next, the cook instructed me to drizzle some vinegar on my noodles for a different taste experience. The noodles were strangely not as acidic as I thought when the vinegar was added; instead, it brought its flavour down by a notch. This bowl of Mazesoba cost me $13, and it comes with some pickles on the side.
What is a staycation when there is no alcohol? Haha! You guessed it! I proceeded to Donki to get a bottle of sake. The good thing about Donki is that you can get good quality stuff like sashimi and sake for affordable prices. So I got this bottle of Junmai Daiginjo for $39; cheap, considering that it is a JUNMAI DAI GINJO, the highest grade for Japanese rice wine. It was smooth on my palate, and I was happy with this purchase 🙂
I took a train to Telok Ayer Station (Downtown Line), a stop away from Clarke Quay, where the Clan is located. The check-in was smooth and fast, and the hotel staff were friendly, and stepping into the hotel lobby was like stepping into another world.
The lady at the reception asked if I wanted to start the ‘Ritual’. I gave her a blank look and asked her jokingly if I was going through some blood oaths and sworn in the secret of some secret society that’s been cleverly masked behind this pretty facade. Me and my imagination, haha! The lady chuckled and told me they were serving me their welcoming tea, brewed specially by their ‘Tea Master’ and their sweet local traditional pastry, Tau Sar Piah. I couldn’t resist when it was some pastry in question.
I looked out of the window and at the bustling streets while soaking in the aroma of the tea and savouring the sweetness of the pastry. Ah! The simple joys which I’ve been missing!
I booked the deluxe room king bed, for which I’ve paid $300+ for a night. It has all the basic amenities, and my favourite would have to be the Nespresso machine with its free capsules, the walk-in shower, and the TOTO washlet with a heated seat. The room was simply furnished with a modern business design to it. But the muted tones and the warm lighting gave the room a warm and welcoming feel.
If you are expecting some photos of the room, I don’t have any. I forgot to take them! I was so caught up in exploring the space and started leaving things here and there, and before I knew it, the room was no longer ‘Instagram’ worthy. So might as well. I shall leave it to you to check out the rooms yourself, haha!
But check out the view from my room on the 28th floor.
I showered and then practised my uke while sipping on my Junmai Daiginjo. I felt that life was good, and I should be doing this a little more often when I could to keep my insanity in check 🙂
You know how people say that time flies when you are having fun, it did! The afternoon came and gone, and it was time for dinner. I booked an appointment at the QĪN, a restaurant and bar (apparently under the wings of the Tung Lok Group). The restaurant allows for indoor and outdoor seating, and I chose the latter to enjoy the view before me.
I went for the Kurobuta Pork Rack, with some Asian Salsa, Seasonal Vegetables, Garlic Pommery Mustard Sauce on the side. Suitable for two (or more) to share, and there is one word to describe this dish; heaven. The meat was tastefully done, and while I sank my teeth into it, the juice from the beef exploded in my mouth.
I went easy on my alcohol intake because I still had half a bottle of sake waiting for me in the room.
The rest of the night was relaxed for me; I took a quick shower, practised my Ukelele while sipping the rest of my sake and retired for the day.
I woke up early the following day after an uninterrupted and a good night’s rest. Sometimes you feel that nothing in the world can make you flinch and bring you down; You feel strong, energised, and ready to tackle whatever problems come your way? That was how I felt when I woke up; amazing what a good sleep can bring you 🙂
And what is a staycation without a nice and elaborate breakfast? So I went down to the QĪN restaurant to have my QĪN BREAKFAST. There were some grilled gourmet sausages, hickory wood smoked bacon, sautéed shiitake mushroom, roasted vine tomato, hash brown, BBQ baked beans and my choice of the omelette! It also came with the traditional local toast served with kaya and butter and a fruit bowl with Osmanthus Honey, Goji Berry and Chia Seed. Knowing that life is short, and we will never know what tomorrow brings, relishing that breakfast moment was the way to go. I’ve always enjoyed holiday breakfast and count my blessings for the ability to afford them.
I went back to my room and changed into my swimwear. Yes! It was next to the pool next! The sky pool is located on the 30th floor, and the view in front was pleasing to the eyes. Looking at the skyline in front of me and taking in the cool air made me feel that no amount of obstacles would bring me down. There were no people, and I had the pool that morning. My only grouse about the sky pool was not a heated pool.
After a few laps of trying hard to lose some calories from the good food I had, it was time to head back to the room. I had some time before I checked out at 2 pm., so I did a bit of reading and practising my Ukelele.
So that basically sums up my one night staycation at The Clan. One night was good enough for me to recharge, but would I have gotten a two-night stay instead in hindsight? I guess not, but if you are someone who enjoys signing up for classes to learn, let’s say, how to make your own scent or simply want to find out more about the life of a Samsui woman, the hotel has many of such tie-ins with their partnering merchants with tours and classes that you could sign up for. And if you are a Far East insider member, watch out for promotions and discounts they offer.
So there you have it, my attempt to give you a humble review of the Clan hotel. It has been a well-rested staycation, and I needed this short break to face the unknown and unchartered road ahead.
Hmmm, so where shall I go for my next staycation?