By Angeline Ng
My daughter Cherice can’t swim. And she’s only two. But she came up close-and-personal with a shark last week.
We had the chance to stay at Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) new Ocean Suites for a night and what an experience it was. Part of the Beach Villas near the Equarius Hotel, the 11 Ocean Suites are double-storey rooms with an ooh-and-wah view: floor-to-ceiling windows that look right into the world’s biggest aquarium exhibit, the Open Ocean Habitat at the S.E.A Aquarium. With 80,000 animals of 800 species, the aquarium also has the world’s largest viewing panel.
The first thing that greeted us when we entered our suite was the viewing panel and the arresting blue of the sea. Little Cherice was intrigued by the schooling cownose rays, sharks and the various ocean inhabitants that glided past our viewing panel. Feeding time was the best; as the divers dished out food to the huge manta rays a mere few inches from us.
I didn’t know until then that that the manta ray is one of the vulnerable inhabitants of the ocean. According to my Daddy-Knows-All (DKA), diver-certified husband, they can grow up to 7.6 metres across, the length of a four-wheel truck. Unlike the infamous rays that have a spine on its tail for defence, the manta ray sadly is hunted down by the larger marine predators in the ocean.
When a docile manta ray gulped down its food right before our very eyes, Cherice squealed with delight.
After exploring the ocean-themed bedroom, we trotted upstairs to the living room. I don’t recommend this suite for those with elderly parents given the two flight of steps we had to climb, but for an energetic tot, it was a great drill to tire her out nicely for nap time. The living room was spacious enough for four, bright, airy and with an outdoor Jacuzzi. The sofa could be turned down into a bed for those with older kids.
Having fun with the colourful fruits and her newfound clownfish friend from the S.E.A. Aquarium gift shop, “Fishy”
Staying at the Ocean Suites meant the luxury of five-star amenities and Mommy’s favourite on the menu – butler service 24/7. Shortly after we arrived at the suite, our butler came by to give us a walkthrough of the room and served us lemongrass drinks and wet towels.
“Mommy, can I have a chocolate please?”Welcome amenities included signature lemongrass drinks, fruits and a platter of marine animal-shaped chocolates that Cherice loved.
The best part about it all is that I get time off from mom-duties – for once, I did not have to run the bath for Cherice or whip up her meals. We ordered room service, took advantage of the buggy and were carted off to anywhere we wanted in the resort. We relished the service; for a couple with a tot in the Terrible Twos, this was heaven-sent. Cherice didn’t get restless like she would if we had to walk the distance.
Who would have thought that there would be a bathtub, right beneath where we were standing just minutes ago in front of the full-length acrylic panel?
After spoiling ourselves with the complimentary chocolates, Cherice had a long bath in front of the viewing panel – watching the fishes as they watched her.
Cherice’s favourite has got to be the cute cownose rays that swam to and fro past our window as she took her bath – they were the little ones, just like her.
She might grow up recalling the marine animals that peeked at her in the bath, but that is something we can deal with in the distant future. We had a great stay and are definitely coming back . The next time, we will end our day with a visit to the now-opened S.E.A. Aquarium and Ocean Restaurant, which I hear has a panoramic view of the Open Ocean Habitat from another angle, great food and a very romantic ambience. The DKA and I are planning our next holiday.
Having fun with the colourful fruits and her newfound clownfish friend from the S.E.A. Aquarium gift shop, “Fishy”
“Mommy, can I have a chocolate please?”Welcome amenities included signature lemongrass drinks, fruits and a platter of marine animal-shaped chocolates that Cherice loved.
Who would have thought that there would be a bathtub, right beneath where we were standing just minutes ago in front of the full-length acrylic panel?
Cherice’s favourite has got to be the cute cownose rays that swam to and fro past our window as she took her bath – they were the little ones, just like her.
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