Even with vaccinations underway in many markets, the COVID-19 pandemic is unlikely to abate in the foreseeable future. With most borders still remaining closed, necessity becomes the mother of invention as a means to stay ahead and relevant.

Operating in a market just a fraction smaller than New York City, Singapore hoteliers are launching creative options to pacify a small domestic market whose travel appetite has yet to be suppressed. Among high demand from guests is more than the usual staycation.

From Glampcations to Pawcations — yes, animals, are also part of the market audience — to partnerships with global fast-food chains, staycations have evolved.

Leveraging on its heritage Civic District location, the Grand Park City Hall hotel has initiated its Glampcation suite package, which includes a two-hour Glamping Picnic held in a tent or gazebo on the hotel’s scenic rooftop. This experience includes bite-sized gourmet items such as wagyu beef burgers, lobster blinis, foie gras brioche and wine and prosecco for a maximum group size of five.

Customers also can choose to book the glamping picnic on its own, minus the overnight.

Jeane Lim, the hotel’s general manager, said “we wanted to offer a room package that will appeal to people looking for a unique stay experience to celebrate milestones … especially since traveling is not possible now."

“After much brainstorming, we decided on a Glampcation, offering a suite stay, dining … and Instagram-worthy moments that create lasting memories,” she said.

With encouraging response from the bookings and the surrounding publicity, the hotel is mulling over an offer extension beyond June.

The Raffles Hotel Singapore decided to join forces with local arts production house, Double Confirm Productions and Sightlines Entertainment, with support from the National Arts Council, to produce a virtual interactive play “The Curious Case of The Missing Peranakan Treasure,” which is set against the hotel’s famous backdrop and which its creators believe is the first of its kind.

From April to June, guests can solve the case from their rooms, moving through various checkpoints across the property on the hunt for a missing jewel.

“To date, our daycation and staycation experiences, including the treasure hunt, have been very well-received. Guests have commented that the experience is a very engaging, one especially for families,” said Christian Westbeld, the hotel’s general manager.

“In watching the virtual play, our overseas guests [are] able to reminisce on lovely times from previous stays with us, while those who aspire to visit Raffles and Singapore use the opportunity to explore our restored spaces online as they plan forward vacations,” Westbeld said.

Organized by technology company Xctuality, the play was filmed entirely on location at the Raffles, with 360-degree virtual reality cameras, surround sound and augmented-reality choice-based functions.

At One Farrer Hotel, the Les Amis Group — which has numerous restaurants in Singapore — has taken over Escape, the hotel’s former lobby-level restaurant. It's introduced Socieaty, an all-day dining concept highlighting seven of its popular concepts from Italian to a variety of Asian cuisines in one space and served at guests’ tables.
General manager Gilbert Madhavan said the space’s buffet-dining business model was no longer feasible given pandemic protocols.

“Consequently, we took a bold step to lease out Escape,” he said.

Royston Soo, Socieaty’s restaurant director, said extensive renovation and fit-out work was done to the kitchen to accommodate all seven brands.

“All our dishes are prepared from scratch in-house every day. We had to also acquire new crockery to fit all seven concepts,” he said.

Madhavan said the hotels also has created Nest, a private dining space on the hotel’s 20th level, to meet increasing demand for private dining experiences.

Collaborations with guest chefs and culinary associations are also being explored to offer limited-time menus and intimate live sessions to entice diners.

Luxury hotel and serviced-apartment operator Oakwood Premier AMTD decided to partner with fast-food chain McDonald's on a staycation package called the “Happiest Night-In.” Priority booking is for McDonald’s company’s delivery subscribers, then for non-delivery subscribers signed up to the Klook Travel platform. Goodies include loungewear, cushions, towels, food vouchers and collectibles.

With more than 80% of the population living in high-rise urban dwellings, Singapore’s island of Sentosa is a popular escape, both for guests and their pets. Pets have become more important than ever during lockdowns, and guests understandably do not want to be apart from them, even on vacation.

This has not been lost on hotels Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa and Capella Singapore, which are two Singapore hotels offering pet-friendly packages.