Three sustainable staycations to consider in Singapore
Forget hotels with shopping malls and restaurants. From island getaways to rustic farm stays, offbeat eco-chic getaways promise complete escape
SUSTAINABLE travel has taken centre stage in today’s tourism landscape. An impressive 96.4 per cent of Singaporeans value eco-travel, indicated the 2024 Sustainable Travel Consumer Report by Trip.com Group. Adrian Chia, co-founder of Big Tiny, which integrates the concept of tiny houses with eco-tourism, observes that “low-impact holidays and ecotourism are increasingly valued by travellers”, signalling a growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
Globally, the ecotourism market is also expected to grow by 13.5 per cent annually, as stated in the Business Research Company’s Ecotourism Global Market Report 2024.
Opting for local escapes not only offers a respite from daily life but also reduces travel emissions, aligning with the push towards more conscious holidaying. Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island, one such venture, exemplifies this trend. Since its launch in May 2023, the retreat has hosted more than 6,000 guests, achieving an average occupancy rate of 80 to 90 per cent.
Beyond environmental benefits, these retreats offer an immersive experience, where sustainability intersects with luxury. From the island serenity of Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island to the verdant tranquillity of Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay, and the rustic charm of House of Melissa in Changi Village, here are some green getaways you might not know about.
House of Melissa
Just 30 minutes from Singapore’s dynamic city centre lies House of Melissa, a recently opened boutique farm stay that is surrounded by unspoilt views and bucolic greenery.
“As the area is not artificially lit, guests tend to wake up at first light and first rooster crow”, says Clarence Chua, co-founder of House of Melissa. “They can have breakfast al fresco, with the gentle morning sea breeze, feed the free-roaming chickens and connect with the provenance of nature.”
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House of Melissa is the lush project of Chua and his wife, Candice, who first gained recognition for their award-winning Sundowner Nature Experience Centre. What began as a haven for rescued honeybees grew into a larger vision, requiring a new space to store more than 100 bee colonies annually.
After a year of searching, the couple discovered a 10,000 square foot colonial-era chalet in Changi Village. This historical gem, amid the calmness of nature, provided the perfect canvas for a farm stay that merges the charm of yesteryear with modern luxury.
Chua cites the “salubrious setting” as the inspiration behind the House of Melissa. Central to this retreat is the fictional British character Melissa Evelin, whose name symbolises the farm stay’s ethos –“Melissa” means “honeybee” in Greek while “Evelin” translates to “source of life” in Hebrew.
Melissa’s 1930s-inspired backstory allows guests to partake in nearly 20 curated activities that she would have enjoyed, such as gardening which was prevalent in the area during the colonial era. Other offerings include a movie screening under the stars with a picturesque view of Ubin Straits, craft workshops, kayaking, and even a spooky ghost walk around Changi Village.
A standout experience is donning a bee suit to observe honeybees in the apiary, one of only three bee relocation centres in Singapore. The farm stay also operates a zero-waste permaculture farm where food waste is composted to nourish the garden, and spent barbecue charcoal is repurposed in banana circles. Guests can harvest fresh ingredients from the farm to make artisanal pizzas or enjoy coffee brewed from the chalet’s robusta trees.
The retreat’s eco-conscious ethos extends to its interiors. Almost all furniture and décor are second-hand or repurposed, with many pieces sourced from platforms such as Carousell and Hock Siong. One unique feature is a portable sink repurposed from the HMS Keppel, a 1950s British Navy frigate. “Instead of expending carbon commissioning a new sink, we gave an old relic a new lease of life and also a conversation piece for guests,” says Chua.
House of Melissa’s plans include expanding its composting programme by partnering with nearby restaurants to recycle food waste and growing its Food Forest to harvest durians and rambutans.
Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island
Opened in May 2023, Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island introduces the first accommodations on this serene island, offering a secluded retreat just a short ferry ride away from the mainland. It comprises five uniquely themed cabins and was developed in partnership with Sentosa Development Corporation as part of the First Mover Framework which aims to facilitate a pro-enterprise environment with the use of public land.
The cabins are built using reconstituted wood and minimalist designs that require fewer materials and less energy for cooling. Moreover, solar energy primarily powers the units while organic toiletries such as body lotion and shampoo are stocked to ensure eco-conscious comfort.
“Our ethos is centred on reducing resource consumption and environmental impact without sacrificing the quality of accommodation”, says Big Tiny’s Chia.
Despite their compact size, the cabins are thoughtfully equipped with air conditioning, a kitchenette, cooking essentials and a bathroom with a hot shower. Three of the five units are pet-friendly, offering animal lovers the chance to enjoy a tranquil retreat with their furry companions.
Guests can immerse themselves in guided or self-led nature walks to discover the island’s rich biodiversity. A notable feature is the high-tech food waste recycling system, which allows guests to transform leftovers into compost within 24 hours. These kits double as souvenirs or fertilisers for home plants, adding an educational touch to the stay.
Endorsed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island exemplifies how mindful design and operations can enhance local tourism while promoting environmental stewardship. Being “unknown to many locals”, this getaway offers a chance to explore one of Singapore’s 64 islands, making it a truly unique staycation.
“There are not many accommodation experiences that require you to truly disconnect and make your own fun. Once people experience a weekend of putting down their digital stimuli and switching off and just admire the nature that surrounds them, it tends to leave a special feeling”, says Chia
Guests can reach the retreat via a 20-minute ferry ride from Marina South Pier or a 15-minute ride from Sentosa Cove. The journey itself adds to the charm of the off-the-beaten-track staycation.
Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay
With just four exclusive suites or “pods”, Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay immerses guests in lush greenery, creating an intimate stay in the iconic Singaporean attraction.
Conceived during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Garden Pod was a “bold and innovative initiative to redefine how urban dwellers and tourists connect with the environment in the heart of Singapore”, says Seah Liang Chiang, founder and CEO of movable and sustainable hotel, Tiny Pod.
Repurposed from shipping containers, the fully air-conditioned pods are equipped with energy-efficient systems and can be relocated with minimal environmental impact. A standout feature is the outdoor deck, offering an idyllic space for guests to soak in the scenic beauty of Gardens by the Bay.
Guests can explore the surrounding gardens and take part in activities such as sunrise walks, meditating in the Japanese garden, and visiting prominent landmarks such as the Supertrees and Flower Dome.
“By situating the hotel within such a biodiverse environment, we hope to inspire our guests to reflect on the importance of living harmoniously with nature. The experience at Garden Pod is not just about comfort and privacy; it’s an invitation to appreciate and contribute to the principles of sustainability in a meaningful way”, says Seah.
The Garden Pod aims to elevate its offerings with a farm-to-table cooking session led by private chefs. Guests will join chefs in exploring the gardens to gather fresh plants and herbs, learning about local produce along the way. These ingredients will then be used to cook a personalised meal, offering an interactive and educational culinary journey. Guests can also take part in preparing the dishes.
More than just a place to stay, Garden Pod is a retreat where environmental consciousness meets modern comfort, offering guests a unique opportunity to rejuvenate and embrace a greener lifestyle.
“It’s the perfect blend of convenience – as it’s still close to the city – and seclusion, allowing guests to feel as though they’ve truly gotten away from it all”, says Seah.
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