A first hand look at this holistic club for families
Tanderra Singapore is the place that we never knew we needed. A resting place to be exact (that’s the Aboriginal translation), and we really need a new one of those (kids keep finding us in bed). So we’ve been waiting for this ‘home away from home’ to open so we can move in. With a soft opening phase now in effect, we went along to check it out with thigh high expectations (give us zen fast!) and the harshest critics of all – the little people.
When You Arrive
Nestled amongst the lushness of Dempsey Hill, Tanderra is like a colonial estate, making use of several black and white buildings to house all it’s wellness, fitness, food and fun. It looks tranquil and we’re ready to buy into what’s inside. With dark wood paneling, black and white tiles and an Asian-inspired chandelier of epic proportions in the foyer, we’re getting spa retreat vibes from the get-go. The interiors, furniture and look of Tanderra have been carefully designed by Jody Chapman of Seventy Seven Design (who traditionally designs superyachts!). It’s touch and go as to whether or not we can make it past the shelving decked with finds from Singapore Trading Post (note to self – return later to purchase that vintage globe of the world), but the kids are clambering at the windows desperate to get to the Atelier space.
From the foyer and adjacent yoga room (more of that later), we walk out onto the covered porch that leads directly to the safely gated Atelier building. Beaming teaching staff greet us and the kids make a beeline for all the inventive play areas that are staged along the length of the building that make creative use of recycled materials. Atop the rubberized flooring and under shade cloths there are sandboxes, water and hoses, big cardboard boxes for construction, dress ups and a mini botanic set-up begging for interaction. Since the founder of this place full of sensory stimulation is Barbara Deay, former Assistant Director of Blue House, it’s no surprise that Reggio Emilia-inspired ‘invitations’ are waiting. Which is just as well because our kids are opening them like it’s pass the parcel.
The Play Ateliers
Eventually, we manage to usher the kids into the Mynahs Atelier for a look-see and enjoy the idea that we can look-see into each of the other age appropriate rooms too (Hornbills, Sunbirds and Kingfishers) via internal windows. It’s a nice touch that makes each space feel connected and continuous. The rooms themselves are worthy of a Petit Bateu photoshoot – sparse and light but inviting with plenty of space to create and materials with which to do it with. Thank goodness for that because while we’ve been peep-showing, behind us every vessel that once contained collections of bottle lids, paddle pop sticks and balls of wool are now in a pile in the middle of the floor. The on-hand teaching staff, trained by Barb herself and equipped with first aid skills to boot, kindly refer to the mess our kids have made as avante garde art and congratulate them on their ‘expression’. We try to retain this perspective for when things get ugly with glue and glitter at home later.
While we have been calmed into submission by this lovely space and are prepared to retreat into a comfortable heap in the corner while the kids go about their destruction/discovery, Barb provides the kicker: you can leave the kids here and go do something (like yoga, art, cooking, bootcamp, coffee). Or nothing. Really? Sign us up! In a stroke of genius, Tanderra offers parents the opportunity to drop off children from 6 months to 12 years at the supervised ateliers for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 4 hours. And here is where Tanderra unfolds to become a hybrid of wholesome playschool and a private club. The kind of place that The Art of Happiness would be if it wasn’t a book. The idea that our kids can be deposited in a place that is wholesome, nurturing, educational and fun, while we go and get our own holistic needs met a few steps away, is a revelation.
Spaces To Chillax
In the interests of research we leave the kids at the Atelier and continue our own discovery along the series of wooden pathways that connect each area of activity. Once past the Nutmeg Spa, which is due to open soon (offering mani’s and pedi’s for both kids and adults, hair and make up styling, massage and reiki), it doesn’t take us very long to find another oasis of calm: the café. Named the Officer’s Mess, it is a relaxed space full or muted tones and natural materials (we love the reclaimed timber bar and bespoke leather chairs) that could serve for some alone time with a book, but which incidentally serves a good selection of cocktails and wines by the glass too. It also has a beautiful balcony overlooking the rainforest that has aperitif written all over it. We’re not trying to lead a horse to water here, but apparently it’s acceptable to drink. Just saying. We make note of the fact that Tanderra is planning to open the Atelier doors until 10pm (currently 6pm), come June to coincide with the operational hours of other areas within Tanderra. This could be especially beneficial to those that don’t have helpers and want to enjoy a bit of date time.
Outside again, we are drawn to strains of laughter coming from beneath a stunning oversized fig that is over 200 years old. This large shady tree is doing an excellent job of shading an awesome sandpit that is currently filled with kids, recycled materials being applied in miraculous ways and sturdy tree stump seating. Later on we bring the kids here for the kind of play that can only end in tears because they just don’t want to leave. Surrounding the sandpit is a freshly installed pond with little viewing windows that will soon play home to a variety of fish. Just beyond the sandpit is a sloped grassy area that contains a giant trampoline, Connect 4 and Chess set. While this is all set up for the kids, we count no fewer than 3 dads getting in on the action. Which suits Barb just fine – she wants Tanderra to be a happy place for both parents and children, a community of families that want to recharge and share. We like the idea of a happy place that exists in the real world and not just a place that we’re supposed to find in our minds.
Activities and Exercise
Before we turf out our copy of Ageless Body, Timeless Mind though, we decide it’s prudent to investigate the Angsana and Banyan Rooms. Overlooking the giant sandpit and outdoor play area, the Angsana Room is where the broad selection of art, dance and drama classes are already taking place, and proving popular too since they’re conducted by some standout facilitators. Rather than signing up to individual schools, both kids and parents can take classes at Tanderra as part of their membership. The room where these enlightening shenanigans take place is long and narrow but with glass doors down one side opening up towards that amazing sandpit it suggests one thing: party. In fact, Barb is adding some decking to the exterior and has had so much interest in the space that it is booked out for parties until the end of March.
Putting party planning to one side, we’re keen to find that resting place for our body and mind. We wander past the unisex bathroom area (beautifully fitted out with families and small people in mind) and back through the foyer to discover the Banyan Room. This large space with the flexibility of an anteroom that opens up for larger groups doesn’t open up to the lush greenery outside as we were hoping it would but it seems a suitably non-distracting space in which to get privately sweaty over Yoga and other studio classes: Hatha, Vinyasa, Dynamic Hatha, Active (is there any other kind), Infants and Juniors Yoga, Standard Pilates, Pilyoga (no guesses needed there) and even Zumba. If we’re left to Shivasana here, we’d probably fall asleep.
Across the road at Tanderra Woods and Tanderra Green you can up the ante with Boot Camp by the personal trainer behind Ooberfit, the lovely Sam Blakey. Or if you prefer your yoga outdoors, some classes are scheduled to be conducted here. And when you’re finished, you can wash it all off with a dip in the Tanderra Baths. While the pools have not been installed yet, they are set to be the perfect place for swimming lessons, Aquaspin and weekend chillaxing with adjacent change rooms so that you don’t have to traipse up the hill.
Visits Welcome During Soft Opening
Meanwhile, until the Baths are complete Tanderra is inviting families to visit and try out the facilities and classes before membership is required. Various prices apply but you can access common areas free or charge during the soft opening and the Ateliers are prices at $15 per hour.
Our hour is up and we’re interested to see if Ms Reggio Emilia has worked her magic on our kids. We spy them quietly making investigations with magnifying glasses and pouring water while the friendly teachers gently extend their discoveries with helpful comments. In the absence of a sprawling backyard at home, it’s good to see them enjoying the great outdoors. It’s also pretty nice that our usual level of mum guilt at not being present for every waking moment of our children’s lives is somewhat reduced. In fact, the kids are keen for us to leave them a while longer and we’re suddenly faced with the dilemma of time on our hands: do we do a yoga class or return to the cafe for a drink? We decide to head back to the foyer to purchase that globe of the world while we think about it.
Special HoneyKids Asia Offer
Barb is kindly offering all our readers an exclusive 2 for 1 deal. Experience a Tanderra Club drop-in session (art, drama or music) and bring a friend for free. The normal price is $20 per session. This is a great way to trial Tanderra and is valid for one time use only during the soft launch.
Silver Membership:
$175 a month per family (minimum of 12 months) which includes access to all of the facilities and services mentioned above (please note, classes are at an additional fee).
Gold Membership:
$250 a month per family (minimum of 12 months) which includes access to all of the facilities and services and 5 hours of play atelier time and 1 core adult or child’s enrichment class per month.
Platinum Membership:
$475 a month per family (minimum of 12 months) which includes access to all of the facilities and services and 14 hours of play atelier time, 4 core adult or child’s enrichment classes per month and 10% off any other core adult or child’s enrichment classes.
Memberships are to be capped at 800 families. Helpers are welcome from Monday to Friday but are not required in the Ateliers. A maximum of 15-20 children can attend each Atelier room with the shaded outdoor area acting as a spill over area. It is best to book ahead to secure a spot in the Atelier. Members have the opportunity to bring guests to Tanderra.
If you’re keen on the furniture you see at Tanderra, as we are, then we hear that Jody Chapman could be taking orders!
For more information contact Tanderra, Block 73 Loewen Road, #01-21, Singapore 248843, p. 6509 3468, e. [email protected], Currently open 8am to 6pm 7 days a week.