Travel: The Seletar Mall Visit

The Seletar Mall opened in Nov 2014 only meant one thing to me: A new place to explore! :) And that was exactly what I did on 15 Dec 2014, Monday.

Being so new, some of the shops have yet started business. There are also vacant spots here and there, waiting for their potential bosses' to lease them. Hence, I think I should probably revisit it in a few months' time.

Once you step in, you will definitely notice the many food eateries scattered on various levels of the mall. It not only houses the usual McDonald, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, but also the less commonly seen Delifrance. In any case, you will be spoilt for food choices if you are a non-vegetarian. 

But for a vegetarian, the food court operated by Food Fare does not have a vegetarian stall. Hence if you want to grab a bite, you will have to settle for the vegetarian dishes offered by one of the eateries or exit the mall and walk to the nearby non air-conditioned Koufu food court.

Some of the pull factors would probably be NTUC Finest and Shaw Theatres. For those staying Seng Kang/Punggol area, it definitely beats going to The Seletar Mall than travelling to Kovan and Serangoon MRT station respectively. 

You will also see the usual variety of shops ranging from fashion to travel. But one thing did catch my eyes is that the mall would appeal to new parents because of the many kids related stores such as Mothercare, Lamkins, Baby Spa etc.

Being new to parenthood, one of the places that I zoomed into is the baby care rooms (again~ Haa~!), which are located at levels B1, 3 and 4. I managed to check out the ones at levels 3 and 4.

At level 4 (where the cinema is located), the main sliding door to the baby care room is automated with lock function. There are 2 diaper changing stations, a sink, a hot/cold water dispenser, a nursing section separated by a sliding door with lock function, dust bin and 2 power sockets (located in the nursing section).

Level 4: Automated main sliding door with lock function

Level 4: Water dispenser, 2 changing stations, sink, dust bin

Level 4: 2 power sockets in the nursing section

Level 4: Nursing section's sliding door

Level 4: Nursing section's cushion seat

The power sockets, which I feel is especially useful for pumping mothers, is hanging on the wall and not near any physical structure (e.g. table or shelf). Also, the distance between the sockets and the cushion seat is pretty far. So, it might be a bit of a inconvenience if you want to pump comfortably because you do not seem to have a convenient spot to place your pumping essentials.

Comparing to the baby care room at level 3, the one at level 4 is larger in terms of size (though still smaller than the one at Compass Point). It should fit in 3 strollers comfortably (2 to use the diaper changing stations and another in the nursing section). The nursing section is also better ventilated as it has a dedicated air-conditioning vent.

On the other hand, level 3 has 1 diaper changing station, a sink, dust bin and 1 nursing section separated by a sliding door with lock function. It is smaller than level 4's baby care room but it can probably fit in 2 strollers (1 to use the diaper changing station and the other the nursing section). I personally feel that if you close the level 3 nursing room's sliding door (which I can't seem to lock!), you will feel that it is very stuffy because of the lack of air-conditioning vent. 

Level 3: Water dispenser, changing station, sink, dust bin

Level 3: Nursing section's cushion seat

To end, I feel that the mall is a pretty kids friendly place. I hope that the mall management has/will looked into ways to ensure that people do not misuse the baby care rooms (for their water dispensers and/or sinks), so that those who truly need to use the facilities can access them.

In any case, I will write another post on the mall again with details on the B1 nursing/diaper changing room when I revisit it. In that post, I will also include the roof top garden (which I think is probably kids friendly too).