Not planning to travel to Korea yet? Quincy Hotel has the next best option: a Qool Weekend at its boutique hotel! We checked in to check it out…
Those who know me are aware of my adoration for all things Korean. I’m all for K-fashion, K-pop is what I almost exclusively listen to nowadays, and I love my Samyang noodles and KFC (that’s Korean fried chicken, folks). That said, I’ve yet to visit Korea (gasp). But that’s okay – Quincy Hotel Singapore offered to whisk me away with its Korea-inspired Qool Weekend package!
This “adults-only” boutique hotel is located at Mount Elizabeth, a stone’s throw away from the Orchard Road shopping belt. This means you’re close enough to good food and shopping but still far from traffic. Be prepared for quite a walk – up a slope, no less – when you’re done with your day and returning to the hotel. You’ve been warned…
Did somebody say quirky?
I was greeted with a colourful sight when I stepped into the hotel. The check-in area features two bright, pod-shaped sofas and a shelving unit with a lightbox telling me to “#be yourself”. I immediately fell in love with the hotel’s eclectism. Checking in was seamless. Psst: you’ll get to pick an ice cream snack from local brand The Ice Cream & Cookie Co during check-in. Time to head up to the room!
The Deluxe Room is 26 sqm of lush space, very comfortable for two persons. Unfortunately, the hotel’s quirky vibes don’t extend to the room. Perhaps that’s the point. It’ll probably be overkill, and folks might not be too comfortable to rest in it. Regardless, I appreciated the bay windows, which look out into the nearby Orchard Road. Daebak!
Awesome amenities and benefits
Despite being a boutique hotel, the amenities are worth talking about. Where else can you get 24-hour access to the infinity pool and gym? Only at Quincy Hotel. The infinity pool is sheltered, which means you can go at any time, no matter the weather. It was raining when I decided to go for a swim, but the weather didn’t interrupt my soaking. When you’re done, pop over to the sauna and steam room for a rejuvenating hot steam session.
Besides the awesome amenities, you get to enjoy perks during your stay at Quincy Hotel. If you’re not an early riser (or prefer to lounge in bed till almost noon), rejoice ‘cos breakfast waits for you until 3pm! I was spoilt for choice – both in terms of time and menu. I’m not a breakfast person, but the brunches were much needed and savoured.
What if you’re famished in the middle of the night and don’t feel like ordering in or heading down to the nearest convenience store? You’ll be glad to know that refreshments are available around the clock at The Lounge. Late night hunger pangs, begone! There are also evening cocktails that you can enjoy during your stay.
I’m walking on sunshine…
The Qool Weekend package includes a few experiences that you can participate in. Head over to the aesthetically pleasing Walking on Sunshine at Orchard Central, where your tresses get a wash and blow at the salon followed by lunch or dinner at its cafe. After that, stroll down to Orchard Gateway, where you get a 20-minute photoshoot at Photoholic. The order of the experiences is up to you, though it depends on their available timeslots.
I’m a loyalist when it comes to hair. I’ve been with my hairstylist for over a decade, so I was a little nervous about having someone else handle my mane. But it turned out fine! I looked like an oppa – minus the adoring public and advertisement deals. The meal at the cafe was very filling, though it’s the typical fare you can find at other cafes.
My companion and I went to Photoholic after our meal. Pro-tip: go to the salon first, have your photoshoot after that, and end your experience at the cafe. We felt too bloated, but we went all out for the photoshoot. I just wish we were allowed to select more photos for our photo print.
“How is all this related to Korea?” my companion asked. I was stumped too. But we got our answer on the second night of our stay.
From Singapore to Seoul
The Qool Weekend experience continued to the second night, when my buddy and I were invited to The Lawn for the chimaek (chicken and beer) dinner, complete with kimchi pancake. If you’re not into beer, you can request it to be swapped with a drink of your choice. Just like our meal at Walking on Sunshine, the chimaek dinner was filling. That spicy sauce on the chicken was the highlight and the hotel’s lawn was the perfect setting for the meal.
The final thing that tied this Korean-inspired package (and answered my companion’s query) was the hanbok outfits in our room’s wardrobe. I had a ball of a time trying on both hanboks and taking Top Model-esque photos at The Lawn. P.S. Upload your best shot on Instagram and tag the hotel for a chance to win a stay at Quincy Hotel Melbourne! Excuse me while I go through my photos…
Quincy’s Qool Weekend: kkuljaem or nojaem?
It was such a Qool Weekend that I dragged my feet when it was time to check out. What made the stay such a memorable experience was the attention that the hotel team showed to my partner and me. They remembered our names, checked in on us from time to time during the chimaek dinner, and even left a bottle of sparkling juice in my room while we were out on the first night. Colour me impressed! If I decide to go for another staycay, Quincy Hotel is at the top of my list.
Qool Weekend at Quincy Hotel Singapore, from now till 12 February 2023, price from $800 nett for a two-night stay (Fri-Sun), 22 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228517
