House of Melissa Boutique Farmstay @ Changi Village
With Singapore being the concrete jungle that it is, nature-infused attractions aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. Other than pockets of greenery like our various parks and nature reserves, we’re quite limited in our options due to the Little Red Dot’s scarce land mass. But, we’re not entirely stripped of outdoorsy getaways either.
Enter the House of Melissa. It’s a boutique farmstay on the outskirts of Changi Village that offers more than a glimpse into the bucolic way of life with its many hands-on activities. Should you need a breath of fresh air outside your office cubicle, here’s what you can expect at this quaint retreat in the East.
What is House of Melissa?
Image credit: @house.of.melissa via Instagram
Located in Changi Village, the House of Melissa is a chalet that has been repurposed to accommodate farmstay experiences for the public. Prices start from $350/night for a 3-night stay, with single night stays starting from $500. Do note that there are additional discounts of up to 20% off for public officers and civil servants, as well as HomeTeam NS and Civil Service Club (CSC) members.
Image adapted from: @civilserviceclub via Instagram
The estate sits on a spacious 10,000sqft lot. The house itself is fully air-conditioned, and is equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, 3 bedrooms that sleep up to 7 guests, and cooking appliances like a BBQ pit and pizza oven. Guests of the House of Melissa will also be able to use all of the facilities of the nearby CSC, which include a swimming pool and playground.
The main draw of the House of Melissa is its paid, add-on experiences that guests can opt in for during their stay. These include workshops like Kimchi & Kombucha-making classes, along with outdoor activities like permaculture tours where guests can interact with honeybees safely at an apiary.
How to get to House of Melissa?
Even though the House of Melissa is located in a somewhat ulu part of Singapore, it’s not too hard to find your way there, especially if you’re an Eastie. For those driving in, there’s free parking on the premises so you don’t have to worry about finding a car park. It’ll take you about a 30-minute drive to reach the House of Melissa from the city centre.
If you’re planning on taking public transport, your best option is to hop on bus no. 29 which departs from Tampines Bus Interchange. After about a 35 to 40-minute bus ride, alight at the Govt Chalets bus stop (stop ID 99101), and the House of Melissa is a mere 2-minute walk away.
What to expect at House of Melissa?
Firstly, who is Melissa and why is this charming farmstay named after her? Thankfully, there’s no macabre backstory here; it’s the name of a fictional British naturalist who called the premises her vacation home in the 1930s. Today, the house stands as an idyllic destination on the Eastern tip of the country, open to guests looking for a quiet retreat away from it all.
Spend the night in a colonial era-like residence
The living room and one of the bedrooms in the House of Melissa.
Image adapted from: @house.of.melissa via Instagram
Guests spending the night at the House of Melissa will feel as if they’ve travelled a few decades into the past when they step onto its antiquated grounds. The house’s interior takes on a rustic vibe, similar to that of buildings built by the British during Singapore’s colonial past. Moreover, their bedrooms come with a gorgeous view of the waters surrounding the Pulau Ubin.
Image adapted from: @house.of.melissa via Instagram
There’s also a functioning gramophone that’s almost a century old, and a cosy reading nook that’s perfect for a digital detox. Outside your quarters, don’t be alarmed by the free-roaming chickens when you go on your morning walk; during which, you might also hear the buzzing of busy bees as they hover around the honeybee apiary.
Their outdoor movie screening setup.
Image credit: @house.of.melissa via Instagram
By the way, you’ll get the entire estate for yourselves when you book a stay at the House of Melissa, so it truly serves as your own private sanctuary when you’re there. If you’re hosting a huge party instead, the premises can play host to 50 guests for an additional cost. Plus, they’ve got a whole bunch of add-ons to throw a proper shindig, from butler service to outdoor movie screenings.
The House of Melissa is also pet-friendly – your furry friends can tag along for a staycation here for a fee of $70/pet.
Try your hand at activities like beer workshops & kayaking expeditions
However, you won’t want to stay cooped up in your rooms too much during your stay at the House of Melissa. That’s because they’ve got a slew of workshops and outdoor activities you can have a go at.
Image credit: House of Melissa
For starters, sit in for their Kimchi & Kombucha workshop ($135/pax). This 2 hour-long class will have guests experimenting with all kinds of ferments such as kombucha, miso, shoyu, sauerkraut, and kimchi. You’ll get to learn more about 2 of them, and try your hand at preparing your own personal jar of bubbling ferments to bring home.
Image credit: House of Melissa
An activity that’s popular with adults and kids alike is their Permaculture Tour with Bees ($250 for up to 15 pax). Guests will get a tour of the on-site farm and get to harvest some of the herbs and veggies grown right here.
Afterwards, pick up the basics of composting with the help of the resident chickens, and the tour culminates with a close-up encounter with rescued honeybees at an apiary. Do note that stays at the House of Melissa comes bundled with a condensed, 30-minute version of the tour, completely FOC.
Throughout the tour, your friendly hosts will keep guests on their toes with urban legends and spooky old wives’ tales.
Image credit: House of Melissa
As for daredevils and those with a penchant for the supernatural, embark on their Walk With Hantu tour ($400/4pax). This one will have guests setting off for a night trek to visit paranormal places of interest in Changi, from derelict colonial buildings abandoned by the British to the infamous Old Changi Hospital.
You don’t have to stray too far from the House of Melissa for a cooling respite by the water; just join them on their Kayak a Secret Mangrove expeditions (from $400).
Image credit: House of Melissa
Spearheaded by an experienced guide, even kayaking beginners can experience weaving in and out of the mangroves surrounding Changi Creek. For an added challenge, go for their expeditions to cross the Ubin Straits, a trip that will take about 4 hours to and fro to complete. You can also choose to soak in an ice bath ($200) once you’re back at the house, to soothe any potential sunburns.
Book a quiet retreat at the House of Melissa
We all know how life in sunny Singapore can get hectic, so what better way to take a break from work-related pings than a quiet weekend refuge courtesy of the House of Melissa? With its IG-worthy vintage aesthetic and wide range of activities to keep guests occupied, we wouldn’t be surprised if it became a regular holiday home of your own.
Learn more about the House of Melissa boutique farmstay
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For more outdoorsy things to do in Singapore:
- Keppel Coastal Trail at Labrador Nature Park
- Guide to Mandai Boardwalk
- Industrial Relics & Wartime Secrets tour
Cover image adapted from: @house.of.melissa via Instagram