Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort

RASA SENTOSA RESORT

Rasa Sentosa, a simple word in the Malay Language meaning “Feeling Tranquil”. And yes indeed, being in the paradise, Sentosa Island, it does makes you feel at peace with nature and yourself.

This is a Resort Hotel which is probably one of the better ones I have been throughout my entire life travelling around the world be it for work of leisure. This is a place in which your heart never fails to tell you to always come back.

To come back to a home away from home and yet giving you an exceptional experience and worth every single penny that you spend there.

So now I present to you, my honest review of this magnificent place which always holds a special place in my heart. It has it’s flaws which I would write down and but despite all that it’s still a place to stay in if you ever need a break from the hustle & bustle of the world you are living in.

Enjoy.

Overview

Check in

Checking in was easy & a breeze in this 5 STAR hotel, to ensure the best experience, always check in at the designated time which is 3 pm, so that they could have enough time to turn over the room and make it a great one to stay in.

THE HOTEL LOBBY

Rooms

Being Shangri-La, it does has its 5-STAR standard to uphold and they did not disappoint. The room are generally clean and smelled nice. The view was fantastic overseeing the green gardens, pool & the beach. (I stayed on the 7^th floor – Sea-facing)

However, there is one glitch that I must point out. Some section of the toilet grouting’s is moldy and are black in (near the shower sit down bench)

THE ROOM UPON CHECK IN

THE ROOM. NICE & CLEAN

Public Area

Taking a walk around the resort is an experience, much effort must have been put in place to make this place felt as if it’s in paradise within the hustle of Singapore. At every corner of the hotel that you explore, you will be awed by what you see. Kudos to the team who maintained these areas.

The gardens & lawn areas are so beautiful that people actually book these areas for their wedding dinners or solemnization event.

Now every Resorts heartbeat are the Pool. Without the pool, it won’t qualify as a resort, a beach resort. This resort has one of the best pools with a big free formed pool with a section for the kids and a secluded section named the “Quiet Zone” where kids are not allowed to be in. Again, these simple touch makes this place seems to understand you. The quiet zone gives you a very tranquil & peaceful environment away from all the noises. (It also includes 2 Jacuzzi areas)

THE LAWN AREA  BY THE SEA

VIEW WHILE HAVING BREAKFAST - DINE AT 3

VIEW AT ENTRANCE OF DINE AT 3

KIDS AREA AT THE POOL

THE POOL

THE POOL BAR

SOLEMNIZATION (SUNSET WILL BE IN THE HORIZON)

SOLEMNIZATION AREA

Just one thing that I should bring up to the management and perhaps the Engineering Department are the exposed trees lighting cables that have surfaced on the grounds. I notice a few but I am sure if more checks were done, it will uncover more. This poses a risk to the guests where the exposed cables could pose an electrical shock to anyone who stepped on with the cables being damaged overtime. This location is at the Hotel Beach entrance to the pool. Electrical Hazard!!!

EXPOSED CABLES ON THE GROUND - HAZARD

 

AREA OF EXPOSED CABLES

Kids Club

I have been to a few resorts which are kids friendly, and this really tops the list. The Kids Club located at level 1 are the best! If you have kids, drop them here and they will be taken care of for the whole day (if you want to) and meals will be provided as well.

They have plenty of activities, games & rides here to keep your kids occupied while you can laze by the pool, beach or just laze in your room.

Restaurants

Ok, I have visited 2 restaurants here in Rasa Sentosa but I will only comment about the “Dine at 3” the other (Trapizza) I will review in my next blog.

Dine at 3 is the official breakfast area for this resort. It is huge! Full of nice foods! Incredible settings. Friendly staffs and that effort of having a kids corner where the little ones could get their own food as the kitchen top are lowered for easy access for the kids. A genius idea to make this place more kids friendly.

OUTDOOR - BREAKFAST- DINE AT 3

 

KIDS ZONE - DINE AT 3

In a nutshell

I would recommend this to everyone be it for your staycation, vacation or just somewhere to take your kids to over the weekend. It just doesn’t feel like you’re in Singapore and truly feeling being “Home Away from Home”.

Rooms – 8.5/10

Restaurants – 9/10

Public Areas – 8.5/10

Services – 9/10

Rojak Mama - Ministry of Rojak

Venue- Ministry of RojakAddress - 1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3, White Sands Shopping Center, Singapore 518457

Ministry of Rojak

Starters
This time, let us dwell in this uniquely Singapore local cuisine where others tried to mimic but always fell short.
It is nonetheless, the almighty Rojak Mama!

Some call it by any other name e.g. Rojak Fondue etc. but hey.. Don't be trying to act smart in renaming it like how our train provider the SMRT tried with their signage's. #tongueinchick

This place is nicely situated and reachable from anywhere in Singapore. Why? Because it is situated just outside the Pasir Ris MRT station. Beside McDonald to be exact.

Service & Ambiance
The space is a bit tight as it could possibly only sit max 25-27 pax max in one sitting.
Taking orders are self service. 'Dei its Rojak Mama, what do you expect"?

Get the plates + Tongs & load it up

So you will have to get the tongs & plate by the stall side and just start filling it up with whatever you wish.

WARNING! In my years of eating rojak, one thing I learn.
Do not overfill your plate and let gluttony sets in. Dude, trust me this is one common mistake that each and everyone of us has and having food wastage at the end.

Food
To go with the Rojak, I had the Milo panas and my missus had the Teh Tarik. Both were deliciously nice. Ammaak!!

Unfortunately, I didn't realized they too have the Teh "Halia" (Ginger) as well. Darn, I should have ordered that cos there's a table behind us that were swooning over it as they sip the hot Teh Halia. #showoff

The Menu

So, the dish came out after they had to diced it up for awhile, less than 5 minutes. It was garnish with the standard onions and green chilies. I guess in the rojak, what makes or break this dish are the "Kuah Rojak" (Rojak Sauce/ Dips). This dips are what makes the shop sell or fell.

Well, Ministry of Rojak definitely did well in their dips. It wasn't so spicy nor too sweet but yet manage to tingle the taste buds just enough to complement the Rojak itself. 

This is a place that you must try if you are around the area. 

No one mess with the Authority.. Definitely not with the Ministry of Rojak.

Well done!

Sittings - Indoor AC. 25 pax.
Food Type - Malaysian, Western & Middle Eastern
Cleanliness - 6.5/10
Service - 7/10
Parking - Paid Parking. In White Sands or the surrounding HDB (cheaper)
Recommended? - Yes. Of course!

Click here for location

Click here for their FB page

Best Prata in the East of Singapore! The New Mahamoodiya Restaurant.

Venue: New Mahamoodiya Restaurant
Address:335 Bedok Rd, 469510Phone:  6446 5176Time: Breakfast

New Mahamoodiya Restaurant

Overview

So it's the weekend again where we sometimes wanna have breakfast outside and have some great good to start the day with  your loved ones.

As for me and my family, we headed down to the already famous local culinary area, the ever rustic Simpang Bedok. Now, Simpang Bedok are well known for it's diners during the dinner time, but did you know, there is a nice little place called the New Mahamoodiya Restaurant which is located just by the road?

You wont missed it as it is just beside the SHELL petrol station.

Service & Ambiance

Being a typical Mamak Restaurant, definitely you won't expect something fancy with proper AC and all. But hey, who needs all that when I am there to eat, not viewing some artsy decor?

Seating's are all outdoor and getting a table might be a challenge in the peak hours but it will be worth it.
Just seek the ever helpful "Uncle" if you need a seat, he would help you with one if there are any.

The place could easily sit about 60 pax.

Although it's just next to a petrol kiosk, surprisingly, there are no fume smells. In fact, the trees helped to provide a good shade and its breezy as well.

Food

So I had the 1 Roti Prata kosong and 1 Prata with Egg with a Teh Tarik to suit, You gotta agree this is a great local combo.

My Prata arrives within 5-7 minutes, which is efficient I should say with all that crowd in the morning. It is served with a side curry and some sambal tumis.

Now, this is something that most of our Singapore Prata eateries does not have. The sambal adds more ummphh! and kick to the already savoury curry. Power da dei..!

The Prata itself is so sedap.. The skins are crunchy & crackling whilst the fillings are soft, It is easy to tear them apart and it is easy to chew.
Some Prata are chewy & not too friendly for old folks.

I whacked the Prata in 10 minutes with the Teh Tarik and I am sold... Just take my money!!!

So if you wanna have some nice local breakfast the next time you decide to eat out, drop by this place. It will be worth the effort, even if you have to drive all the way from Jurong.

Sittings - Outdoor - 60 pax

Food Type - Indian

Cleanliness - 6/10

Service - 7/10

Parking - Public. Paid Parking.

Recommended? - Yes. You will like it.

Click here for location

Somerset Residences, Puteri Harbour. Johor. Malaysia

Venue - Somerset Residences @ Puteri Harbour
Address - Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour 79000 Iskandar Puteri, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Phone - +60 7 287 1088

The Somerset Residences @ Puteri Harbour

Overview
Well since this is a Travel & Food Blog, I shall for the first time, review one of the many places I have stayed during my travels.
For my first review, I shall write about my recent one where I spent 41 days in the state of Johor, Iskandar Puteri. Puteri Harbour.

Rooms
For a start, I was staying in the King Premier Room with a modest size of 100 sq/m. It's a nice spacious room where you will find what you will find at any Service Apartments.
It came with a modest fully functional kitchenette and the
(Washer + Dryer, Fridge, Microwave)

On top of that it has a generous living room space with
a full balcony. The study is big in space as well.
I had a comfortable experience staying in this room. 
WiFi signal was excellent as each room has it's own Router. Internet Speed are good as it could accommodate my WEBEX conferences with no issues!
Now that's a must for us business travelers.

One Bedroom Suite - King Deluxe (Somerset.com)

The Gym (Somerset.com)

The Pool

Sunrise from Pool View

Service & Ambiance
They have a very pleasant group of people working for this place. Checking in & out was a breeze.
The housekeeping are prompt as well, cleaning the rooms everyday except for Sunday. (Unless requested)

Perhaps the only one thing that perhaps the property could improve are the breakfast.
It is a tad too simple and for long staying guest like me, it only last a week and I stop going altogether.

The Gym
It's pretty decent, have all the needed equipment's for me. (I only run on the treadmills).
Standard towels & drinking water are available in the gym. The TV help to ease any any boredom if you are away.

The Pool is definitely not one of the best unlike it's competitor next door (Hotel Jen) but being a service apartment, it does serve it's
functionality with a nice view of the Marina with the relaxing pool chairs and Gazebos by the Pool Side. 
Bring your own F&B! 
Towels are available by the lift landing.

Getting around the property is pretty easy and its best when you start wandering around the Puteri Harbour Atrium where there are many restaurants to suit your taste buds.
Other than that, being that Puteri Harbour are not yet being fully developed, it gets pretty boring if you intend to stay in Puteri Harbour if its more than 4 days. And I survived 41 days..!

Puteri Harbour from a distance

Rooms : 8/10
Services : 8/10
Surrounding Environment : 7/10
Public Area Cleanliness : 8/10
F&B : 6/10 (Only for breakfast)
Worth Staying - A definite yes.

Click here for their website

The Marco Polo Kitchen @ Bukit Indah

The Marco Polo Kitchen - Bukit Indah, Johor.

Address: No. 35, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, Johor, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Phone: +60 7-234 3111

Time - 8pm - Dinner

Overview

By now, mostly everyone should have know the town called Bukit Indah in Johor.

A nice town where you will find a lot of things that might tickle your fancy. It has grown into

a mature town now with Aeon as it's anchor attraction and alongside it, all those nice 

restaurants that have cropped up around it. And this next one that I am about to review upon

snugs right in the heart of Bukit Indah.

The Marco Polo Kitchen.

The exterior of the Restaurant. Free Parking.

Getting to is quite convenient as it is just situated just by the main road next to the Islamic Bank.

Get ready to be surprised by them!

Service & Ambiance

This restaurant are nicely done on it's interior & deco, minimalist but left nothiing too bare 

that made it feels like a supermarket. It's a family friendly place which could caters to

different type of generations.

It is also a great place for you young souls to chill out and unwind after a turbulent day at the

office.

Service are always readily available despite being in the peak period.

Food are always delivered hot, normally about 15 mins.

Nicely done up interior

Food

So, we had our food as below.

Chicken Calzone

This dish is one of my favourite Italian Dish, but unfortunately it was below it's mark here.

I have tasted better ones.

Chicken Calzone

Tom Yam Seafood Pasta

This is a normal pasta and easily found in many places, but the ones served here in awesomely tasty.

Give it a shot!

Pizza - Bilis Sambal

I totally adore this Pizza. It is nicely done and full of flavour. It is not so spicy but yet you

could taste the Chili Paste with Anchovies here. This is a MUST TRY Pizza.

Pizza Bilis Sambal

Sittings - AC Indoor - 60 pax. Outdoor - 20pax

Food Type - Italian & Fusion.

Cleanliness - 7.5/10

Service - 7.5/10

Parking - Public. Free Outdoor Parking.

Recommended? - Yes. You will like it.

Click here for their address in Bukit Indah

Click here for their website

The Marco Polo Kitchen @ Bukit Indah

The Marco Polo Kitchen - Bukit Indah, Johor.

Address: No. 35, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, Johor, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Phone: +60 7-234 3111

Time - 8pm - Dinner

Overview

By now, mostly everyone should have know the town called Bukit Indah in Johor.

A nice town where you will find a lot of things that might tickle your fancy. It has grown into

a mature town now with Aeon as it's anchor attraction and alongside it, all those nice 

restaurants that have cropped up around it. And this next one that I am about to review upon

snugs right in the heart of Bukit Indah.

The Marco Polo Kitchen.

Getting to is quite convenient as it is just situated just by the main road next to the Islamic Bank.

Get ready to be surprised by them!

Service & Ambiance

This restaurant are nicely done on it's interior & deco, minimalist but left nothiing too bare 

that made it feels like a supermarket. It's a family friendly place which could caters to

different type of generations.

It is also a great place for you young souls to chill out and unwind after a turbulent day at the

office.

Service are always readily available despite being in the peak period.

Food are always delivered hot, normally about 15 mins.

Food

So, we had our food as below.

Chicken Calzone

This dish is one of my favourite Italian Dish, but unfortunately it was below it's mark here.

I have tasted better ones.

Tom Yam Seafood Pasta

This is a normal pasta and easily found in many places, but the ones served here in awesomely tasty.

Give it a shot!

Pizza - Bilis Sambal

I totally adore this Pizza. It is nicely done and full of flavour. It is not so spicy but yet you

could taste the Chili Paste with Anchovies here. This is a MUST TRY Pizza.

Sittings - AC Indoor - 60 pax. Outdoor - 20pax

Food Type - Italian & Fusion.

Cleanliness - 7.5/10

Service - 7.5/10

Parking - Public. Free Outdoor Parking.

Recommended? - Yes. You will like it.

Click here for their address in Bukit Indah

Click here for their website