Urban sanctuary
Sentosa‘s got it all. Not only is it a hotspot for tourists, the island is also where locals pop in for a little weekend adventure without skipping town. There’s something for everyone — whether you’re looking to admire Singapore from up above in a cable car, get your heart rate up at bungee jumping, sunbathe on spectacular strips of sand, sip cocktails as the sun sets, or immerse yourself in a different world at Universal Studios Singapore.
With this much to do, it’s best to take a couple of days in one of the beautiful hotels peppered around the island, for convenience’s sake. The best part? They’re more than just a bed to rest your head for the night. To save you the internal conundrum of picking one, we’ve sorted out the viable options based off the kind of traveller you are.
Perched next to the glittering oceanfront of Sentosa Cove and surrounded by a good number of restaurants and bars, W Singapore, like its achingly stylish counterparts around the world, strives to present guests with the height of design, luxury, and comfort — albeit in a tongue-in-cheek way that the brand is known for. WOOBAR at the lobby is great for unwinding with a refreshing cocktail in hand, even when you are supposedly here for business. More recently, the bar has also introduced Raw Bar, a new culinary arm encompassing a culmination of Asian flavours. While over at the pool, which happens to be the largest freeform pool in Singapore that’s open all day and all night, you’ll find the W Slide at the ready. Partied up an appetite? SKIRT cooks up some top-of-the-line steaks and seafood, while the kitchen table offers an assortment of international flavours including sushi, tandoori and wood-fired pizzas.
The Outpost Hotel is exclusively for adults, so you can rest easy knowing your vacay is sealed within calm and peaceful quarters. What we also love about the property is its superb location, which offers easy access to the best parts of Sentosa. If you’re feeling restless, head down to Resorts World Sentosa to eat, drink and play. If you’re in the mood to dance the night away, you don’t have to travel far. Within the hotel, there’s a stunning rooftop restaurant-bar 1-V:U Restaurant and Day Club, which boasts panoramic views of the South China Sea, and has a resident DJ on the decks every day of the week, meaning that you can let your hair down even on a Monday. Rooms are cleverly designed to include all the necessities you need for a comfortable stay — including a Smart TV, personalised minibar, and a built-in tap with filtered drinkable water. Look ma, no plastic bottles!
Restored from a former British artillery outpost, The Barracks Hotel is Sentosa’s newest-oldest hotel. With 40 premier rooms and suites, this storied property is perfect for those looking for a more intimate and secluded getaway. Guests can relish in the luxe life with round-the-clock Equerry service that will arrange everything for you, from ground transfers to dining reservations. While its elegant interiors pay tribute to its colonial past, the hotel celebrates present-day Singaporean culture at The Living Room, which serves popular local dishes for breakfast. Don’t miss the heritage walking tours (available exclusively to guests only), that will take you around the hotel premises, while unravelling the history of the land and buildings to which is now The Barracks Hotel.
The rich and famous like it here — simply because it’s easy to go incognito. Madonna and Lady Gaga were guests during their latest visit to Singapore, and the Trump-Kim summit was also held on its grounds. Add to that, this five-star hotel is a lover of the arts with more than 900 art pieces housed within. If you’re feeling extravagant, splurge on one of the 38 villas — each comes equipped with a private outdoor plunge pool. It’s understandable if you get too lazy to venture out for food. Thankfully, there’s Cassia, one of the best contemporary Cantonese restaurants in the city; The Knolls for authentic Mediterranean fare; and Chef’s Table for a private dining experience. Fatigued bodies will find bliss at Auriga Spa, which offers treatments that are specially formulated to lift your mood and senses.
We get it. Planning a getaway can be ironically stressful. That’s where staycations come in, and we think Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa makes a comfortable respite with its dreamy French-influenced interiors that evoke an ethereal escape. The verdant surrounds is a feast for the eyes, too — a much-needed change in scenery for nature-deprived workaholics. To pamper yourselves further, head to Sofitel’s award-winning So SPA that is centered on a French cosmetology blended with a little local influence. Once you’re all relaxed and glowing, opt to dine in one of the three dining concepts that cater to all sorts of dining preferences, from Asian to French and Italian. If you’re in the mood for live performances and cocktails, get yourself a seat at LeBar lounge and be entertained.
Enter Singapore’s only beachfront resort — Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa. A space that transports you from the confined cravices of our tiny city to an expansive sanctuary boasting of spacious rooms. That’s not even the best part; a room at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa will look over views of either a hill, garden, pool, and our personal favourite — the open sea. Choose from their Panoramic Sea View Room, complete with an open concept bathroom with views of the South China Sea, or Deluxe Sea View Suite where you can spend a few good hours soaking in your own private outdoor jacuzzi. Find solace and some vitamin D at the Siloso Beach Bar or eat to your heart’s content at Trapizza, a beachfront Italian eatery that serves hearty classics and innovative cocktails.
You can achieve zen without hopping on a flight to Japan: just check yourself into one of Le Méridien’s Onsen suites. Each one houses a sleek hot tub and a dual steam-and-shower room to help you get into the zone. After a good soak, guests can savour a host of cuisines at Latest Recipe, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant. Love whiskies? You’re in luck. The WoW — World of Whisky carries some fine and rare Scotch labels for discerning drinkers.
The idyllic appeal of this resort is perfect for those looking for a tranquil, nature-filled vacation away from the chaos of city life. Peacocks and squirrels often make their appearances amongst the native fauna and flora within the property. Better yet, Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa is also a dog-friendly resort where you can (finally) bring fur kids. Designed to encourage quality bonding time with owners and their pets, the Pampered Paws staycation package includes a stay at the colonial-style Courtyard Suite, buffet breakfast for two, a complimentary fur kid welcome pack, and — get this — an in-room menu for Fido.
For more information about Sentosa, visit its website.
ADVERTISEMENT. CONTINUE READING BELOW