Did you know that Haji Lane is the narrowest street in Singapore at just over four metres wide? Or that Singapore used to be a hub for leather tanning as far back as the 1940s?
Discover these nuggets of local trivia with Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts’ “All Things Local” stay package, where guests can explore the hidden gems of their destinations and explore the culturally rich precinct of its properties through a curated experience.
We all know that going beyond guidebooks when travelling can oftentimes reap pleasant surprises, which is why the “All Things Local” programme has been launched to provide authentic, immersive and novel ways to connect with people and places.
Kicking off the programme is Parkroyal on Beach Road. The hotel offers a thoughtful curation of hands-on and interactive experiences, ranging from culinary experiences for an in-depth look into the rich heritage of the destination to artisan workshops led by local entrepreneurs.
Situated in the historic and vibrant precinct of Kampong Gelam (famed for its larger-than-life street art, heritage businesses, and Malay traditions), guests who book a stay at the hotel are be able to select packages that include a leather crafting workshop or an intimate visit to the home of local kueh mould collector.
The leather crafting workshop is conducted by local atelier Crafune, located along the lively Haji Lane. Participants can try their hand at creating a leather coin pouch using weaving techniques inspired by the woven palm leaf packets of iconic local foods ketupat (a traditional Malay dish) and bazhang (a Chinese- style glutinous rice cake).
If that piqued your interest about local foods, sign up for Household Treasures with Jasmine Adams. Adams will take guests on a captivating journey into a world of domestic kitchenware and share fascinating tales about their little-known origins.
Culinary connections
The foodie experience doesn’t end there; head to Parkroyal on Beach Road’s Ginger to sample timeless local dishes. We highly recommend trying keropok (deep fried crackers) or a plate of crab bee hoon (rice vermicelli) with the restaurant’s signature fiery sambal balado. You can also bring a bottle home at $8 per jar.
After your meal, kick back and relax with Club 5’s new drinks menu, inspired by the neighbourhood of Kampong Gelam and the district’s rich history of spice trading dating back to the 1950s. New cocktails include the refreshing and tropical vodka sour High Tide Swizzle that transports guests to those sandy shores of Beach Road, and Nasi Lema’rgarita, a margarita with all the flavours of the popular local nasi lemak breakfast (it tastes a lot better than it sounds).
Other Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts in the Asia-Pacific region will also offer respective hyper-localised activities. At Parkroyal Melbourne Airport, Australia, guests can embark on a unique experience with a day spent in the historic Woodlands Homestead, while guests at Parkroyal Penang Resort, Malaysia, can participate in the Garden Nature Tour within the resort, led by a Parkroyal’s ambassador thrice a week.
Available from Oct 6, 2023 to Apr 6, 2024, Parkroyal on Beach Road’s All Things Local stay packages are priced from S$380++ (terms and conditions apply) and include a 2D1N room stay with one activity of choice for two persons. The activities are provided in partnership with local curator Culturally.
Book your All Things Local Experience – Leather Crafting stay package at Parkroyal on Beach Road here, and the All Things Local Experience – Household Treasures with Jasmine Adams here.
For more information, visit panpacific.com.
