Treating yourself to a spa experience is probably far from your mind at the moment.
Or maybe it has been on your mind, but you just don’t have the time or maybe even feel guilty about taking some time off for yourself.
Well, I say- screw that, because every woman – especially if you’re a mum- deserves to take some time to rejuvenate and be pampered.
As the saying goes, a happy mummy makes a happy baby, so taking 2 hours of your time way from your baby or kids would probably do more good than anything else.
If you’re cracking your head on where to go because there are just too many to choose from, well, let me share my recent experience at Swasana Spa at Impiana KLCC Hotel so you can judge the place for yourself.
Swasana Spa is located on the 4th floor of Impiana KLCC Hotel.
Upon arriving, you’ll be led to a waiting area where you’ll be served a refreshing cup of their signature welcome drink.
If you opt for an oil massage, here is also where you can choose the type of oil you’d like to use for your treatment.
Swasana Massage– their signature massage is a blend of Asia’s 3 most popular massage styles – Balinese, Thai, and Malay. The signature massage also incorporates Seri Dewi Facial – a type of facial that adopts an acupressure approach to the vital points on the face.
It enhances blood circulation while effectively revitalizing facial features and is my favourite part of the whole treatment.
Other spa treatments that are available include body scrubs, body wraps, facials, bath treatments, and waxing.
They also have a section called CHILL that centres around reflexology and acupressure – concentrating on the feet, neck, and shoulders. Perfect for those who have had a long day (or just don’t want to get naked).
After your treatment, you’ll be led to a lounging area where you can enjoy tranquillity further while sipping on some hot ginger and lemongrass tea. Ahh yes, serenity… Well, that’s also where you’ll realize that it’s time to face reality again. But you know what? You’ll feel much more energised, rejuvenated and ready to face every dirty diaper that comes your way.
Swasana is a multiple award-winning establishment, among which the spa clinched the “Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards- Spa of the Year since 2016-2018, ASEAN Spa Service Standard 2019 to 2021, Tripadvisor’s #1 Spa 2018 and many more.
To view Swasana Spa’s signature menu, please click here
Book your slot via WhatApp at (6017) 216 6508
For further enquiries, please email them or call (603) 2147 1089
Desaru – a coastal town in Johor has been on my “To Visit” list for a while now. It is known for its pristine beach and is easily accessible especially if you stay in Peninsular Malaysia. So while doing some research for our family vacay, I came across Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, which recently opened its doors to the public in December 2019.
I’m familiar with the Anantara brand having visited their hotel in Seminyak and Ubud, Bali. From their great hospitality to amazing rooms and amenities, I knew I just had to make a visit to the brand’s first luxury hotel in Malaysia to see if they are child-friendly as well.
Anantara’s hospitality was immediately prominent the moment we arrived at the resort. We were greeted with sounds from the kompang accompanied by their staff singing the Rasa Sayang song (a beautiful Malaysian welcome, in my opinion!).
We were then led to a beautiful check-in lounge that overlooked their pool and the ocean – a truly breath-taking view that left us at awe. We were offered their signature welcome drink and a strawberry smoothie, which my boy enjoyed, and it was straight to our room for some much need rest.
Stunning Sea Views & Child-Friendly Amenities
It’s good to note that all of the rooms in Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas’ main blocks are facing the sea. We stayed in the Deluxe Sea View Corner Room which has some extra balcony space – perfect for my boys to run around.
The rooms in Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas are also child-friendly. We were very happy when we saw that they had a cot set up in the room and also had a baby bathtub prepared in the bathroom together with toiletries for the kids. Definitely a plus point in my books! Besides that, they also provided a kite and some batu seremban – another very Malaysian element – for some good ol’ family fun.
Check out this review of LinDees, a new intergrated playland, cafe and co-working pace in Hartamas Shopping Mall, which has a lovely Malaysian twist to it!
I’ve been to a few playlands having a 3-year-old at home – most of them have the usual slides, toys, playhouses- but none of them are as unique and Malaysian as LinDees. Nestled on the second floor of Hartamas Shopping Centre, Lindees is a place where both work and play can intersect. Being a working mum myself, walking into LinDees was like looking at the answer to my prayers- a smart integration of play, work and eat all together in this beautifully designed space (it’s so Instagram worthy I promise you!).
There are three key areas in LinDees, which include their Playland, Kerjasama Deck and Nom Nomland.
Playland
LinDees’s Playland is divided into a few sections that cater to infants all the way up to children 12 years of age. When you first enter the playland, you’ll find Manja Nest- an area for the 0-2-year-olds. The area is closed off from other parts of the playland and padded so babies can freely (and safely) crawl, roll, jump and explore as freely as they wish. What really caught my eye were the switches, locks and other common household items that kids love to play with- all placed at their eye level. With playmats, puzzles, musical instruments, books and even a steering wheel overlooking a picturesque view of Kuala Lumpur, the Manja Nest is definitely a baby-friendly play area that’ll stimulate their senses and motor skills.
As you walk through the rest of the playground, you’ll notice some Hollywood inspired stars that feature successful and notable Malaysians, which I think is a beautiful touch and not to mention educational too. The Playground also has a wide wall with beautiful Malaysian fabric designs and graphic where kids get to touch, feel and do some colouring.
Colouring isn’t the only activity to stimulate your child’s creativity, in LinDees, they have a dedicated arts and crafts area called Seni Station where kids get to create, build, paint and craft all sorts of things. There are also costumes and musical instruments in LinDees’s Ceria house to encourage imagination.
To get them moving with physical activities, LinDees has the Sukan Arena, where kids can play football, sepak takraw and basketball among other things. There’s also a wall for wall climbing and a beautifully curated playground area called Tanah Discovery. Kids can also do a little bit of gardening in Laman Green, to cultivate a love for nature, So there’s lots to do here!
Towards the end of playland you’ll find Harmoni Hall- a closed-off area with a library of books and a stage, which makes a great place for kids to do a little role-playing, read some books, and works great as a place to have birthday parties or small events.
A few other things that is worth mentioning is their washroom, which is equipped with children sized toilets, diaper changing tables and a shower area in both female and male washrooms. They also have a cozy breastfeeding room for nursing mummies, so no worries there.
Kerjasama Deck
This co-working space is located on an upper deck (sort of like a treehouse) located in between the playland and eatery. It isn’t that big, but fits 2 private meeting rooms, some private pods and hot desks to accommodate any working style. The best part about the Kerjamasama Deck as a parent myself, is the fact that it overlooks the Playland so you can keep an eye on your little one while you’re working. It may seem that you’re high above and far from your child, but rest assured that there are staffs around the playland to keep an eye on your children- plus they are also CPR certified.
Nom Nom Land
Savour the best of local and Western Delight at Nom Nom Land with dishes such as nasi lemak, spaghetti Bolognaise, sandwiches and many more. They even have a Kid’s menu to cater to juniors and are reasonably priced. I didn’t get a chance to try any of their food, but I do like the fact that they have junior tables and chairs in the cafe, where kids can have their very own space to eat and drink.
Founded by Ms Nurlin Salleh and Ms Mien Dee Yong, who are working mothers themselves, they understood the need to have a place where they can balance both parenthood and career at the same time. “Our goal is to create an environment that encourages a healthy work-life balance in all families. We want to empower mothers to come back to work after giving birth while reminding our kids of what Malaysia a unique country.”
As Malaysia’s first integrated indoor playland and co-working space, LinDees has definitely caught my eye, not just as a place for kids to play and for parents to work, but as a place that pays homage to Malaysia’s diverse culture.
So how much does it cost?
Depending on what you’re there for, be it to work, play, eat or all of it, prices will differ accordingly. LinDees prices are divided into bundle price, playground price and Kerjasama price, so you can conveniently pay according to what you need.
Whenever I hear Shangri- La I’d think about luxury, men and women in business attire, romantic couples and travellers- not so much a child-friendly hotel. So when I saw some stories of Patricia K’s recent staycation in Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, I was amazed at how child-friendly the hotel actually is and decided to check it out myself.
It’s true what people say, once you have kids, your priorities change and decisions such as where to eat, where to stay or where to go on holiday are made with your child in mind first. You’ll be asking yourself questions like, is it child-friendly? Is it baby-friendly? Will the kids have activities to do there? Where are the kids going to sleep?
My husband and I are island lovers. We used to go snorkelling 3 times a year, but when my two boys came along, everything changed! Holidays are now closer to home and they must be child-friendly.
In short, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur changed my perception towards it entirely. From the kid’s buffet spread in Horizon Club, to the daily activities to keep the little ones busy, right down to the little details they’ve prepared inside our room, Shangri- La is indeed a child-friendly hotel, one that we will surely go back to.
So let me break it down for you as to why I would say so.
Child-Friendly Rooms and Amenities
We were booked in the Premier Selection Suite that comes with a kid’s tent (limited numbers available) that I’m sure all kids would love- my son included. There’s something about tents and kids that gets them excited- probably gives them the feeling of having their own little nook.
In our Premier Selection Suite they also have little touches for the little ones such as kids’ toiletries and stool, which I think are thoughtful touches that made our stay all the more better. You can also request for a baby cot if you need one.
Horizon Club Lounge
Depending on the type of room you’re staying in, guests at Shangri-La will also have access to the Horizon Club. This privilege begins with a personalized check-in at the Horizon Club Lounge, with the option of late check-out until 4pm, which means more quality time to be spent with the family!
During the weekends, Shangri-La has a special family area in the Horizon Club Lounge for a more inclusive family bonding time. It includes a mini playroom and a child-friendly mini buffet spread during breakfast, afternoon tea & cocktail hours catering for children under the age of 12. After our activities, (which I’ll talk about next) we always found ourselves going back to the Horizon Club Lounge as we find it to be a comfy place to hang out and have refreshments, which are available throughout the day. Plus, the staffs there are really friendly and accommodating too!
Kids Activities at Shangri-La
Once you’ve done your booking, you’ll receive an email from Shangri-La closer to the date of your stay that will tell you about the exciting activities that they have lined up throughout the weekend. Activities include- fish feeding, movie nights, family yoga or Zumba and even a kitchen tour. All you have to do is key-in your details in the form they provided in their email and book a spot for the activities that you’re interested in.
Once you have checked in, your child will receive an Activities Passport that can be used to collect stamps from the activities that you’ve registered them in. You’ll also be able to redeem a gift at the end of your stay!
Our favourite activity during our stay has to be Movie Night, where we could cuddle up as a family and watch a movie while eating warm popcorn and marshmallows! If you have a toddler or a pre-schooler like myself, you’ll probably be worried about making noise and getting them to sit still, but you really don’t have to worry as the room is pretty laid-back and filled with some books and toys to keep them entertained as well.
For older kids (4-12 year olds), I would say that the Kitchen Tour is a great activity! Not only do the kids get a tour from the chefs in Shangri-La’s Lemon Garden Restaurant, they also have the chance to create a dish of their own- and this time it was sushi. My boy is 3-years-old, so he wasn’t in the mood to join in, but there were other younger kids joining in as well. As long as an adult is there to accompany, they do accept kids below the age of 4 as well.
Free Shuttle Service
If you hate driving around KL City Centre, you’ll be glad to know that Shangri-La also provides free shuttle service to a number of places of interest around Kuala Lumpur. It saves you the hassle of driving and looking for parking, plus the kids love bus rides anyway – it’s adventurous!
Overall
Overall, we loved our short staycation at Shangri-la Kuala Lumpur. Besides the child-friendly amenities and activities, we also enjoyed the delicious food from Lemon Garden, Zipangu and Shang Palace. Lemon Garden is one of my favourite places to have a buffet and I absolutely recommend it!
Would I go back to Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur? Absolutely! I think the perks and complimentary service at the Horizon Club makes it worthwhile. So if you’d like to know more about what Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has to offer, head on to http://www.shangri-la.com/
Here’s a little review on Cetaphil Baby Moisturizing Bath & Wash from a mummy with a boy who has sensitive skin.
Looking for the right baby wash can be a little overwhelming especially when you’re a new parent. With all the dos and don’ts and what’s good and what’s not, I can imagine what you’re going through- in fact, I know exactly how you feel because I too went through it all.
By now you probably already know that babies and toddlers have much more sensitive skin compared to an adult’s, and that is why picking the right baby bath and wash is so important. I used to think that any bath or shampoo that are ‘made for babies ‘ is good enough- that’s until I found out that my firstborn Eidrix had eczema (yup, had– he eventually grew out of it, alhamdullilah).
Ever since then, I was a bit pickier and cautious when it came to choosing the right baby bath or shampoos. Some of the things that I look out for are:
• Is it paraben-free? –More info on why we should be cautious with paraben here.
• Is it soap-free? – Soap can be drying for the skin
• Is it hypoallergenic?- which means it is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction
• Is the fragrance overpowering?
So recently I came across Cetaphil Baby Moisturizing Bath & Wash, which fits the bill for what I’m looking for. As a working mama I need a baby wash that is fuss-free, which means that it has to clean well yet gentle on the skin.
There are a few reasons why I really like the Cetaphil Baby Moisturizing Bath & Wash, so let me expand on them below.
Besides being paraben- free, soap-free and hypoallergenic, the Cetaphil Baby Moisturizing Bath & Wash also is 1/3 lotion with aloe vera and almond oil, which are 2 ingredients that are beneficial to keep the skin moisturized, soft and smooth.
It is also a product that is recommended by paediatricians – According to Cetaphil’s Website, a total of 200 dermatologist and paediatricians in Germany surveyed online in 2015 for this. That’s a relief!
It lathers up just nicely- I personally do not like the ones that don’t lather up. But I also do not like ones that lather up too much, so this one is just nice- We can still have that bubble bath effect if we want to.
I love the smell!– The best part is the scent sticks on even after bath, which kinda makes me want to hug and kiss my kids all the time… haha! But most importantly, it’s not overpowering!
DID YOU KNOW? 10/10 mums agree that Cetaphil Baby Moisturising Bath & Wash gently cleanses and moisturises baby’s delicate skin*.
I also like the packaging because it’s easy to grip and easy to bring along on our travels too. Imagine if it’s a pump-out type… susah right? There’s a risk of it leaking if you don’t pack it in properly.
In terms of the amount of liquid used for one bath, I just use a coin size amount every time and it does the job!
Besides that, the formulation is made tear-free, which means it won’t sting if it accidentally gets into your baby’s eyes.
Overall, the Cetaphil Baby Moisturizing Bath & Wash is so far the best body bath and wash for us because it meets all the requirements that a working mummy like me need, plus it’s gentle on my boy’s skin and moisturizing too!
Ohh ya, I forgot to mention that I found that I don’t even need to put on any oil or lotion after his bath anymore!- save me time and money! hehehe
If you’re interested to know about the Cetaphil Baby Moisturizing Bath & Wash, you can get more info via their links below:
When I first knew aboutThe Butterfly Project– a community for beauty and lifestyle bloggers, I thought it was a great initiative by founder Tammy Lim and I knew I wanted to be a part of this community. I’ve been following them for a while now and whenever they had a community gathering, I almost always didn’t have the chance to join them- until NOW, and boy was it one hell of a party!
The Coachella Unity Celebration was a community gathering where members could get to know each other and mingle with other bloggers alike. There were fantastic booths from sponsors, live entertainment, great food and drinks and even a painting party! When I heard it was going to be a Coachella themed party, I was so excited because that meant that I had the chance to dress up and have a little fun! (This mama needs her “me time” too okay :P)
Let me break down what went down during the celebration because each and everyone who was involved is worth mentioning!
I’m one of those people where I hate crowded places and I hate queuing for long periods of time, especially when you’re hungry and just need to fill up your tummy! So recently, I came across an app that could do the queuing for me! It’s called QueQ, and is a Thai- based community mobile app that helps us to eliminate the hassle of queuing up at my favourite dining outlets.
As you guys might know already,K FRYis one of those restaurants that can get really ridiculously long queues, which is why I haven’t tried it till the day I found out about QueQ. Anyway, the process was pretty easy: Continue reading
LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is a family holiday destination that brings together a LEGOLAND Theme Park, Water Park and Hotel in one LEGO themed location. With more than 70 hands-on rides, slides, shows and attractions, and designed for families with children aged 2-12, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort has a new baby in town- SEA LIFE Malaysia!
SEA LIFE Malaysia is the first SEA LIFE to open in Malaysia and is located at the heart of Iskandar Puteri, right next to LEGOLAND Theme Park. I got a first-hand experience to look into the brand new 2,123 square-metre indoor aquarium and what an experience it has been!
Entrance is through the ground floor where you will already be greeted with some marine life and LEGO figures, but the real adventure starts on the first floor, where you’ll find yourself in a 360° view of hundreds of yellow tail fusilier swimming around you in their Shoaling Ring. Continue reading
