Staycation review: A 2D1N getaway at D’Resort @ Downtown East

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed, especially as work and responsibilities pile up. 

That is when we need a breather to get back on track and one good way to do that is a short getaway from the daily grind – like a two-day, one-night stay at D’Resort @ Downtown East. 

We were recently offered a chance to check out the resort, along with activities such as rock climbing, roller skating and prawning.

Here’s an honest review on whether this staycation is worth it.

Tucked away in the far east of Singapore, the 387-room resort offers a refreshing change of pace with its lush greenery and serene surroundings.

We were assigned the Rainforest Room which boasts a clear view of Pasir Ris Beach.

Besides the gorgeous view, we were also greeted by a box of complimentary snacks, including custom made chocolates.

As for the washroom, there wasn’t anything special – just a simple shower, toilet bowl and sink.

My only gripe is that the stench from the Gallop Stable nearby greeted me whenever I exited the room in the early morning – and it’s absolutely foul. Unless you’re within the air-conditioned areas of the mall or resort, it’ll be hard to escape.

If the complimentary snacks aren’t enough for you, you can always go on a quick grocery run to the resort’s minimart which is located next to the main lobby.

Apart from food and beverages, the mart also sells BBQ essentials like paper plates and tongs.

For a full meal, the adjacent Rainforest cafe serves mains like Fish & Chips and Mee Goreng. Prices range from $6.50 to $14. The cafe also serves hot drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Otherwise, an alternative would be to venture out to E!Hub@Downtown East where there’s a variety of F&B offerings like Haidilao Hot Pot and Wine Connection.

Along with the stay, guests can also book recreational activities to keep themselves occupied.

For us, we tried a series of three activities – rock climbing, roller skating and prawning.

Located at E!Hub@Downtown East, Upwall Climbing is a beginner-friendly rock climbing gym that features walls 12m high.

The gym has 13 auto-belay systems and eight manual systems.

First-timers won’t have to worry as there are staff on duty to teach you the ropes.

On top of that, each route has been colour graded according to difficulty so climbers can choose what suits their skill levels best. whichever best suits your skill level.

A single entry pass, inclusive of a four-hour climb, starts at $19.

The second activity we tried was roller skating at Singapore’s biggest indoor roller skating rink – Hi!Roller, which is also at E!Hub@Downtown East.

Retro neon lights, groovy beats from the 2010s and opportunities to take Instagramable pictures with your friends are some things to look forward to besides the low-intensity workout.

One thing to note would be to bring your own long socks. Otherwise, a pair from the counter will cost you $3.

Prices start at $14 for a two-hour session, inclusive of skate rental.

The final activity required us to take a short walk to Aranda Country Club, where prawning arena Bait N Catch is.

It has a total of four freshwater ponds, consisting of big head prawns and yabbies. Patrons can also opt to have your freshly caught prawns and yabbies grilled! Bait N Catch will provide charcoal and can assist in starting the fire.

Prices start at $18 for an hour’s session. D’Resort guests are also entitled to a 10 per cent discount when they flash their key card or booking confirmation to the staff on duty.

You can view the full list of activities available at D’Resort’s website.

All things considered, D’Resort @ Downtown East is a great choice for anyone seeking a peaceful getaway amid nature without having to travel far from Singapore. It’s also an alternative to the usual five-star hotel stays.

While the room costs an average of $174 a night, D’Resort @ Downtown East may have additional offers available, depending on the time of year.

D’Resort @ Downtown East is located at 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599.