I've finally completed Module 2 and successfully withdrawn from the course last Friday! After saying goodbye to all my classmates, we embarked on another dog staycation.
This time at a unique spot called House of Melissa, a boutique farmstay in Changi Village. This colonial-style chalet on Netheravon Road was originally a 1930s residence, now restored to offer a countryside escape with a tropical-colonial theme. It boasts stunning views of the Ubin straits.
This time at a unique spot called House of Melissa, a boutique farmstay in Changi Village. This colonial-style chalet on Netheravon Road was originally a 1930s residence, now restored to offer a countryside escape with a tropical-colonial theme. It boasts stunning views of the Ubin straits.
ST generously covered most of the cost (huge thanks!), and I only paid the additional $140 pet supplement ($70/dog) for the boys. However, as House of Melissa promotes a rustic farm experience, there are free-roaming chickens and ducks on the property, meaning we had to keep our dogs leashed at all times. This felt like it defeated the purpose of a relaxing dog staycation, as the boys couldn’t run freely. The colonial house itself is spacious and beautifully designed with vintage décor, but we encountered quite a few insects, including ants on the beds and pillows, which was uncomfortable. Additionally, there seemed to be extra charges for almost everything.
This place feels more suited for families with kids who enjoy hands-on activities like permaculture tours or interacting with farm animals and don’t mind the many mosquito bite or insect encounter. For dog owners, however, it’s less ideal due to the leash requirement and lack of open space for pets to roam. I wouldn’t recommend it for a dog-focused staycation. In comparison, we still think Lazarus Island is the best dog staycation spot in Singapore, with its amazing beach where our boys can run unleashed and have a blast.
Another challenge was dinner. The house lacks a microwave, indoor BBQ, or stove, so we had to walk a short distance to Changi Village to grab food. While this wasn’t a huge inconvenience, it would’ve been nice to have more on-site cooking options. The highlight for me, as a birder, was finding a huge feather and spotting a variety of birds around the property. That said, Changi Village is a great spot for birdwatching any day, so I didn’t need a staycation to enjoy that.
Sorry, boys—we’ll head back to Lazarus Island next time for more unleashed beach fun!