With staycations becoming a popular alternative to traveling, hotels are pushing the boundaries by bringing in exciting experiences to help guests make memories while in their home countries. We’re talking about hands-on activities like calligraphy, cocktail masterclasses, drum jamming, and even wildlife encounters—each one designed to be interactive and educational.
At Capella Singapore, guests can look forward to a rotating roster of pop-up experiences in partnership with local and international brands, to ensure that no two stays are the same. Fernando Gibaja, the hotel’s general manager, says: “We’re constantly thinking of ways we can elevate our stay experience and ensure that our guests are enjoying unique, compelling activities that they will remember for years to come.”
Aspiring rockstars can join a drumming jam session led by local award-winning drummer Er Chow Kiat, where they’ll learn basic drum theory and techniques, while animal lovers can get unclose and personal with native species such as the Oriental Pied hornbill, reticulated python, and pangolin with Dr Ooz from the Singapore Zoo. If plants are more your thing, there’s an organic farming workshop by Edible Garden City, which will impart the basics of organic and urban farming, along with tips on growing micro greens and making kombucha. German luxury brand Montblanc will also be holding a calligraphy class for guests to explore self expression via handwritten letters—perfect for modern-day romantics.
Meanwhile, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has teamed up with Italian beverage company Campari to launch a series of pop-up experiences across its South East Asia properties. To mark the partnership, the hotel group will be launching a new InterContinental Negroni drink created by Campari’s regional brand ambassador for South East Asia, Symphony Loo. Apart from savouring the new drink, guests can also immerse themselves in Italy’s rituals of “aperitivo” and “digestivo” through mixology classes, cocktail masterclasses, and suite experiences.
Mark Flower, VP of commercial, IHG South East Asia & Korea, said: “At InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, we pride ourselves to immerse guests in local cultural wisdom and international know-how. At a time when our guests are unable to travel internationally, our partnership with Campari is a great way for our hotels to continue engaging local guests and bring forth a taste of Italy through worldly classics. The new InterContinental Negroni will give us more cheers to usher in 2021.”
“Inspiration of the Camparino in Galleria with 105 years of history, is the symbol of the authentic Milanese aperitivo. The most important intervention is The Sala Spiritello, hidden within Camparino, where the art of mixology meets the aromas and flavour of the food mastery. We are delighted to partner with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts bringing the rituals of aperitivo & digestivo experience to South East Asia,” added Daniel Schwalb, Campari managing director – South East Asia and India.
Bonus: Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme Accor Live Limitless has also jumped on the bandwagon by allowing all members to use points to redeem VIP experiences at Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which operates Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari, and Singapore Zoo. Among these are a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo with director of zoology Dr Luis Carlos Neves, the opportunity to try their hand at animal training, and more.
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