We love staycations.

When we want to recharge our batteries, and we’re too lazy (or broke) to hit a beach resort in Bali, a weekend hotel getaway in Singapore will do just perfectly.

Our hotel of choice? The Conrad Centennial Singapore. We can’t get enough of the rooms, the plush beds, the service, the breakfast buffet… the list goes on. Best of all, they have a special rate for locals on weekends! We’re quite regular guests there, and I must say, we’ve never been let down.

So, since Carol’s birthday was on Sunday, I decided to surprise her with a weekend at the Conrad. It was some much-needed chill time for us, and it turned out great.

After checking in on Saturday afternoon, we headed straight to the hotel spa for a 2-hour massage. Heavenly! Then, we had a simple dinner at Suntec just next door. And when we got back to the room, Carol’s birthday cake (compliments of the hotel) was waiting for us! It was a deliciously-sinful chocolate hazelnut cake, pictured below. It was delightfully creamy and had a crunchy wafer base. Yes, I know it says “Happy Anniversary”, but who’s complaining?

We checked out the next afternoon, and Carol went to Chinatown Point to do her eyelash extensions. She claims her eyes feel naked without them!

Anyway, the next part of the surprise was dinner at her Grandma’s. I know Carol treasures time spent with family, so I got them involved. Carol didn’t know that I’d asked her mum to bring a cake over.

It turned out to be a double celebration because Carol’s and her cousin Melvyn’s birthdays are just days apart. The whole family was there, Grandma cooked up a feast, and we had two cakes at the end. Lovely!

More pictures below:

Carol, her Grandma, and Kooshie the cat, who was dragged away from a nap specially for this.

Carol and Melvyn, the birthday cousins.

Carol gives a killer smile with her brand new eyelashes – over her brand new wallet, a pressie from her aunt.