'Never expected': Surprise find while staying at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa in Singapore
As I headed out on my first day in Sentosa Island in Singapore, I was stopped in my tracks by a peculiar sounding honk.
Walking towards the car park of the hotel, my mind flurried with thoughts - was that a motorcycle? Or a baby with a particularly unique cry?
A few steps later, my answer was standing in front of me, with all of its feathers proudly on display.
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The peacock stood proudly in the pathway. Supplied/Madhurima Haque
Right there in the middle of the car park of Shangri La Rasa Sentosa was a glorious peacock.
It didn't seem shy taking up the foot path meant for guests to walk out of the hotel. In fact, many stopped and took photos with it, with the bird being completely unbothered by its fawning fans.
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It's not the only wildlife you'll be able to see at the accommodation.
As you lounge by the pool area on the ground floor filled with families enjoying the kids play area, as well as the adult-only pool, you can expect to be joined by massive monitor lizards.
The pool was open all day and into the night. Supplied/Shangri-La Group
Be prepared to share the path with monitor lizards. Supplied/Madhurima Haque
They too remain unbothered, though tourists can't help but be transfixed by their slow and deliberate movements across the manicured lawns and the sand of the hotel's private beach.
Inside the hotel
The beach is home to the hotel's Sea Sports Centre, allowing guests to engage in water sports like kayaking, pedal-boating, and stand-up paddle boating. It also connects to Siloso Beach, which features Italian restaurant, Trapizza.
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The hotel has it's own private beach. Supplied/Madhurima Haque
As the name suggests they do great pizzas, gluten-free pinsas, and even a seafood salad with candied walnuts that I am still craving.
It's just one of the many food options available at the resort, with the hotel also being home to Silver Shell Café, a buffet restaurant on the third floor which provides any cuisine of your choosing - from western, to Indian, an Asian noodle bar, and more.
I haven't forgotten those candied walnuts. Supplied/Shangri-La Group
Just below the restaurants you'll be able to find Chi, The Spa, where guests are able to indulge in treatments inspired by Asian cultures.
Its signature "Singapore Massage" incorporates techniques from the island country's three main cultures: Chinese, Malay and Indian.
When I received the treatment, the bamboo stick massage relieved my aching muscles, while the abdominal massage and cooling kansa bowl therapy were so relaxing it lulled me to sleep.
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Views from my room were breathtaking Supplied/ Shangri-La Group
While guests are busy indulging, kids can be dropped off at the Cool Zone Kids Club, catering for children up to 12 years old.
Their Toots club, mini-Toots club, and arts and crafts activities were beloved by the kids at the resort - when they weren't at the kid's swimming pool, water slide, Splash Pad or the outdoor Nestopia playground, they could be seen milling about the club area.
More things to do on Sentosa
There is plenty to do across the island as well. A few minutes via the hotel's shuttle bus or the island's cable cars can take you to The Palawan @ Sentosa.
Here, kids and adults alike can enjoy the thrills of Hyperdrive, Asia's first indoor gamified go-kart experience (think Mario Kart but in real life), or HydroDash, Singapore's first and only floating aqua park, where guests can parkour their way through obstacles.
Hyperdrive was like Mario Kart in real life Supplied/Madhurima Haque
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The most tranquil I felt on the trip was while watching the sunset as I lounged on a daybed at +Twelve, the Palawan @ Sentosa's adults-oriented beach club.
Even though it rained, I was at peace watching the raindrops fall on the surface of the infinity pool while eating some big and juicy dynamite shrimp that no matter what I can't replicate at home.
The most tranquil I felt was watching the raindrops on the pool at +Twelve at The Palawan @Sentosa. Supplied/Madhurima Haque
On my way back to the hotel I took an evening stroll through SensoryScape, the island's half-a-kilometre sensory walk featuring magnificent gardens, glorious architecture, and glistening lights.
For those wanting the full Singapore experience, it's also not far away.
I made it my mission to get myself to the nearest hawker centre, which happened to be Seah Im Food Centre - only fifteen minutes away by car, just off the island.
Here you can find all the classics, like kaya toast and eggs, milo dinosaurs, hainanese chicken and rice, and more at affordable prices.
I had the classic Singaporean experience at the nearby Seah Im Food Centre. Supplied/Madhurima Haque
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Across the road is VivoCity Mall, where you bet I spent time exploring, even nabbing myself a pair of heels from local accessories brand Charles and Keith.
When I was full and satisfied, I simply hopped on the hotel's shuttle bus from the mall, which takes you right back to the hotel.
Of course, the best part of any hotel is the room you retire to at the end of a busy day, and mine was no exception.
I was put up in a suite room, which offered panoramic views of the South China Sea right from my private balcony. I spent the night soaking in the outdoor Jacuzzi, before relaxing in the lounge area of my suite, and later dozing off to sleep in the gigantic cozy bed.
The writer stayed as a guest of Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa.
