Mindful in the metropolis
Forget the great outdoors – urban resorts such as Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay are now the go-to destination for wellness and relaxation in the city
AS CITY LIFE GETS EVER more frenetic, and escapist desires become more prevalent, urban resorts have blossomed like wildflowers. These luxurious havens, located in city centres, offer weary travellers and worn-out locals an oasis of tranquility amid the urban jungle.
As early as 2012, Banyan Tree, known for its tropical retreats, began making inroads into Shanghai, then Kuala Lumpur. From 2014, Aman Resorts, a name synonymous with secluded luxury, started embracing city life with properties in Tokyo, followed by New York, and most recently, Bangkok.
While better known as a city hotel brand, Parkroyal Collection embraced the urban resort mindset wholeheartedly when it debuted Singapore’s first garden-in-a-hotel concept with Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in 2020.
Talk about an urban jungle: Entering the hotel lobby, you’re greeted by a towering 13-metre-high green wall. Over 2,400 plants from 60 varieties, arranged in an amphitheatre format, create a veritable indoor forest within the skylit atrium. Floating staircases and a skybridge spanning the atrium allow you to walk above the forest canopy, as it were.
It’s a shining example of biophilic design, and an ideal venue for meditation, recentring and self-care. So it’s not surprising that from May 2025, the hotel is planning to roll out three room packages to inspire holistic well-being, giving guests a chance to practice mindfulness without leaving the city centre.
From intentional eating to deep relaxation
In the first instance, “Mindful Nourishment”, the focus will be on intentional eating and connecting with food meaningfully. Guests can explore the hotel’s 150-square-metre Urban Farm, enjoy handcrafted farm-to-bar drinks at Portman’s Bar, and dine at Peppermint, a halal-certified buffet restaurant serving wholesome, nature-inspired cuisine.
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Friday, 2 pm
Lifestyle
Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself.
The second package, “Mindful Restoration”, is designed for deep relaxation and mental clarity. It may include pampering spa sessions at the hotel’s award-winning St Gregory spa, relaxing dips in the 25 m outdoor pool illuminated by 1,380 fibre-optic lights, and a unique sleep ritual featuring singing bowl therapy paired with soothing herbal teas.
Lastly, the “Mindful Movement” package is aimed at guests who want to embrace fitness with joy and appreciation. Activities may include cycling trails to Marina Barrage with kite-flying, HIIT (high-intensity interval training) sessions led by the hotel’s personal trainer, and access to state-of-the-art gym equipment.
The package inclusions are still being developed and are subject to changes, but one thing is clear: They all lean into a growing desire to cultivate calmness, restore balance, and find a deeper connection to oneself and the wider world.
Work-life balance, perfected
But what’s driving this desire, and in turn, the mushrooming of urban resorts? For one thing, the lines between work and leisure have become increasingly blurred. Urban resorts have seized upon this shift, presenting the perfect balance for travellers who want to combine business with pleasure. Such properties provide state-of-the-art facilities for work, while also offering luxurious amenities for relaxation and rejuvenation, all within the heart of vibrant city centres.
These urban sanctuaries also cater to the increasing appetite for immersive experiences. Travellers no longer want to be isolated from local culture; instead, they crave authentic encounters with the city’s essence.
Urban resorts serve as gateways to these experiences, providing easy access to local cuisine, art, and cultural attractions. At the same time, they offer a tranquil retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle.
If anything, the rise of urban resorts reflects a broader focus on wellness in society. As the rhythm of modern life intensifies, both residents and visitors are seeking sanctuaries for rejuvenation without having to venture far from the urban core.
These resorts answer that call, providing lush natural environments, spa treatments, fitness centres, and wellness programmes that rival those found in remote destination resorts. By bringing these elements into the city, urban resorts are redefining what it means to have a restorative getaway, proving that one doesn’t need to leave the city to find peace and renewal.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
