For Wedding Anniversaries & Intimate Birthdays
1 THE PLACE Pulau Pangkil, a private island for hire off Bintan, complete with well-ventilated villas that boast four-poster beds, a swimming pool, bar, and free use of water-activity equipment like kayaks, speedboats and snorkelling gear. You won’t have to lift a finger – all three meals a day are provided for. And you’ll be the only ones there, so there’s lots of privacy.
COST $6,900 for up to 10 people, for a 3D/2N weekend stay from December to March, inclusive of transport between Bintan and Pulau Pangkil; you will have to buy the return ferry tickets from Singapore to Bintan separately.
BOOKINGS Visit www.pangkil.com
For Family Gatherings
2 THE PLACE Take the clan out on a yacht, where everyone can dig into a barbecue on board while enjoying the sunset. Blue Star Yachting’s 60ft catamaran is good for large families as it can accommodate up to 37 guests; for smaller families, consider the 40ft cruiser from Neo Yacht, for up to 18 guests. Both services chart routes to the Southern Islands and along Marina Bay, and offer a catering menu for an additional fee.
COST From $2,050 for a three-hour charter (up to 23 passengers) with Blue Star Yachting; from $1,060 for a four-hour charter (up to 18 passengers) with Neo Yacht. Both charge a $200 fee for self-catering.
BOOKINGS Visit www.bluestaryachting.net and www.neoyacht.com.
For Pet Parties
3 THE PLACE Doggiestyle Cafe, a pet cafe that can be booked for your exclusive use, so you can celebrate Pooch’s birthday memorably. Your friends can bring their furkids – the kitchen specialises in scrumptious dog-friendly dishes like pork pie and chicken stew, and even customised birthday cakes. You won’t go hungry, either – there’s a separate menu of regular sandwiches and finger food for humans.
COST Rates available on request.
BOOKINGS E-mail doggiestylecafe@gmail.com. Doggiestyle Cafe is at 496 Changi Road, tel: 6449-1296.
For Kids’ Birthdays
4 THE PLACE Fidgets World, an indoor playground with separate studios for kids to take part in music, baking, or arts and crafts workshops. We like the Fidgets Makeover Party, where kids get hairdressing, makeup and face painting services, then try on various costumes over two-and-a-half hours – it will be particularly appealing to little princesses.
COST $1,090 for 12 children, plus $50 for every additional child.
BOOKINGS Call 6466-7611. Fidgets World is at #03-10 The Grandstand.
5 THE PLACE Lilliputt, an indoor, 18-hole mini golf course modelled after Singapore landmarks and attractions. The birthday celebrant and friends will have a ball (pun intended) on the course, and will also enjoy the fun, games and gift bags during a 90min party facilitated by a host. All you need to do is bring the birthday cake.
COST $300 on weekdays or $420 on weekends for 15 children, plus $12 for every additional child.
BOOKINGS Call 6348-9606. Lilliputt is at #03-05 Big Splash Block B, 902 East Coast Parkway.
6 THE PLACE Universal Studios Singapore (USS) or Adventure Cove Waterpark. If Junior’s a daredevil, round up his buddies to join him in exhausting his energy on roller coasters or water slides. The My Birthday Package includes a one-day pass to either theme park for all little party guests, as well as a hosted two-hour party with games, food, a 1kg birthday cake, and goodie bags.
COST $1,770 for 15 children, plus $118 for every additional child at USS; $1,320 for 15 children, plus $88 for every additional child at Adventure Cove Waterpark.
BOOKINGS Call 6577-8888. USS and Adventure Cove Waterpark are at Resorts World Sentosa.
For Baby Showers
7 THE PLACE Como Shambhala, a wellness centre, offers yoga and pilates classes as well as massage therapy. Food isn’t allowed in the studio, but it’ll be fun to rope in your friends to join you in a private prenatal yoga workshop instead of having your baby shower at home or at a cafe.
COST From $280 for a one-hour class for 10 people.
BOOKINGS Call 6304-3552. Como Shambhala Urban Escape is at #06-01/02 Delfi Orchard.
For Girlie Gatherings or a Hen Night
8 THE PLACE Blow+Bar, a one-stop beauty salon for hair, nails and makeup. Remember the makeovers you and your gal pals used to give each other at slumber parties in your teens? Relive those times, except with expert hairstylists and makeup artists, and lots of bubbly.
COST Packages for groups of four to 10 start from $70 a person for a blowout (hair wash, scalp massage and hair mask treatment) and a makeup makeover or express manicure. Or book the salon for $600 for two hours (additional $300 for each subsequent hour) so everyone can choose their own hair, makeup and nail services.
BOOKINGS E-mail info@blowplusbar.com. Blow+Bar is at #01-32 The Watermark Condominium, 7 Rodyk Street, tel: 6238-7338.
9 THE PLACE Espa, a luxury spa in Resorts World Sentosa that offers an Exclusive Bachelorette Party package in your preferred private venue – a Garden Suite, Beach Villa Suite or the Finishing Studio (in-house nail salon). The four-hour deal includes a 90min treatment of your choice for every member of your party, champagne, canapes, and access to all spa facilities like the onsen-style pools.
COST $250 a person
BOOKINGS Call 6577-8880. Espa is at Resorts World Sentosa.
For Luxe Bashes
10 THE PLACE Newly renovated with a swanky function room and outdoor poolside bar, the Four Seasons Rooftop Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is ideal for mingling while savouring cocktails and the city skyline. The decorations can be designed to complement the event theme while dinner menus can be supplemented with customised cakes for a special touch.
COST $4,140 for four hours with food and drinks for 30 people; $138 for each additional person.
BOOKINGS Call 6831-7211.
This article was originally published in Simply Her November 2014.