In a fast-paced city like Singapore, our weekends are often swallowed up by mega-malls that are as loud as they are exhausting. True relaxation, however, requires a slower pace, less noise, and completely unpretentious surroundings. If you are looking to escape the frantic crowds and treat yourself to a day of pure self-care, it is time to look towards Paya Lebar.
City Plaza may have a retro exterior, but it remains the ultimate destination for an affordable, crowd-free day of personal pampering. Here is a step-by-step itinerary for spending a blissful Saturday resetting your mind and body without blowing your budget.
10:30 AM – The Pre-Spa Prep & Comfort Check
A true day of self-care requires absolute comfort from the ground up. Thus, consider starting your morning on the ground floor by freeing your feet from restrictive sneakers.
Head straight to blackOut, a boutique specialising in sturdy sandals and flip-flops that are remarkably lighter than they appear. If you are someone who walks roughly and constantly suffers from premature footwear breakages, their durable designs are made just for you. The best part? You can entirely personalise your pair on the spot, choosing everything from the straps to the soles and their colours, all while receiving top-tier, friendly service from the attentive staff.
With your feet feeling light, make a quick stop at Perfect Beauty Brow House. This multi-award-winning establishment is helmed by certified brow specialists whose bread and butter is pain-free eyebrow embroidery. The patient staff will explain the different embroidery styles based on your skin type and preferences, rather than pushing the most expensive option.
Using organic, Korea-based colour pigmentation products with no side effects, they take great pride in meticulously shaping your brows to complement your face shape. The entire process is hygienic, natural, and symmetrical, leaving you with perfectly defined brows and helpful aftercare tips to ensure the results last.
blackOut
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-102 City Plaza Shopping Mall, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Friday & Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM | Saturday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Perfect Beauty Brow House
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-87 City Plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11:30 AM – 8 PM
11:30 AM – Deep Relaxation & Tension Release
Now that the grooming basics are sorted, it is time to unplug your phone and melt away the week’s built-up work stress. Step into the immaculate QiQi Beauty Center for a dedicated hour of professional care.
If you are unsure of what your skin needs, the friendly, professional staff offer custom beauty consultations to analyse your skin condition. Succumb to their signature Bo Jing facial massage—a specialised technique that relieves deep facial tension and boosts circulation—or opt for their natural-looking eyelash embroidery and extensions. The team consistently goes the extra mile to ensure zero discomfort and, best of all, there is no up-selling here. You are guaranteed to leave feeling thoroughly refreshed and amazing.
QiQi Beauty Center
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #03-31 City Plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM | Closed on Saturdays
1:00 PM – The Legendary, No-Fuss Lunch
By lunchtime, your body will be fully relaxed, and your appetite properly awakened. Self-care is as much about feeding your cravings as it is about skincare, so make your way to Level 2 for a legendary local institution: Arnold’s Fried Chicken.
Despite its rather bland interior and the inevitable, popular queues, Arnold’s never fails to deliver an authentic, no-fuss fried chicken experience. This is homegrown, old-school Singaporean fried chicken at its absolute best.
Each piece is perfectly seasoned, hot, and bursting with juices on the inside, while the skin remains thin, golden-brown, and crispy on the outside. Because they consistently use fresh oil, the chicken has a clean aroma and lacks any greasy, heavy aftertaste.
Insider Tip: Order the whole spring chicken alongside their famous criss-cut fries. Supplement your meal with their generous, hot sides like mashed potatoes in savoury gravy, creamy coleslaw, or golden onion rings. When it comes to condiments, their self-service pumps offer a hilarious choice of “chilli, chilli, or chilli”—though you can always ask for ketchup sachets over the counter.
Arnold’s Fried Chicken
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-99 City Plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Open Daily: 11 AM – 10 PM
2:30 PM – The Aesthetic Refresh
With a satisfied appetite, dedicate your afternoon to a total aesthetic polish. Begin at Cantik Nails Spa, a clean, spacious oasis known for its excellent hygiene practices and welcoming team. Treat yourself to their most popular service: a classic spa gel manicure and soak-off. Watch the staff work their magic to give you beautifully manicured nails. If you fancy a full, cost-effective makeover, they even provide budget-friendly hair services under the same roof.
Alternatively, if you prefer a classic salon experience with decades of neighborhood charm, step into Magenta Hair Salon. This hidden gem has garnered a fiercely loyal following of regulars over the years. The owner and her talented team are bonafide experts at everything from a simple cut with bangs to sophisticated updos and a relaxing wash and blow.
Cantik Nails Spa
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #01-104a city plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM | Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays
Magenta Hair Salon
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #01-78, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Sunday-Friday: 9 AM – 7 PM | Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
4:30 PM – No-Frills Fuel & Winding Down
As the afternoon sun begins to wane, ease your way back into reality by finding a quiet corner at SK Café. This cosy, tucked-away spot is intimate and a little tight on space, but it makes up for its size with wonderfully executed comfort food and friendly service.
If you have room for a light bite, their salmon salad features a perfectly seared, juicy fillet with a well-tempered lemon dressing that cuts beautifully through the richness. If you are hungrier, their perfectly done spaghetti or signature chicken chop are absolute must-tries. It is simple, comforting fare executed with excellent culinary technique.
SK Café
Location: City Plaza #04-18/19, 810 Geylang Rd, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 AM – 7:30 PM | Closed on Sundays
5:00 PM – Bring the Retro Vibe Home
Before you head to the Paya Lebar MRT station, make one final stop to ensure your peaceful evening continues long after you leave the mall. Drop by Everlasting Entertainment, a charming little shop dedicated to those who still love owning their media in a tangible format.
While you won’t find Blu-rays or 4K titles here, the shop boasts an extensive, affordable selection of brand-new physical movies, music CDs, and classic television shows in various languages. The attentive and accommodating staff are more than happy to share their personal recommendations. Pick up a physical copy of a nostalgic film, head home, and cap off your ultimate day of independent pampering with a cozy movie night.
Everlasting Entertainment
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #01-36 City Plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10:30 AM – 8 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Final Thoughts
At a time when a simple facial and a meal at a trendy downtown district can easily clear out a chunk of your monthly savings, City Plaza stands as a refreshing reminder of what relaxation should actually feel like: simple, unpretentious, and completely stress-free. It is a mall that doesn’t demand you dress up just to walk through its doors, nor does it bombard you with aggressive sales pitches while you are trying to unwind.
So, block out your next free Saturday, leave the frantic pace of the city behind, and treat yourself to the ultimate retro reset at City Plaza where you’re guaranteed to leave with both your soul and your wallet feeling thoroughly replenished.