From new luxury resorts to rich cultural experiences, Sentosa is cool again

When plans to demolish the Merlion Tower on Sentosa were announced in 2019, some Singaporeans were sad to see one of the island’s most iconic attractions go. After all, the quirky creature – with the head of a lion and the body of a fish – had been a significant part of their memories of Sentosa.

The 37m-tall, 12-storey structure, completed in 1996 and designed by Australian sculptor James Martin, was a focal point for laser light shows and projections that transformed its ivory facade into a vibrant display of colours.

The Merlion Tower was a popular attraction for families. Singaporean couple Anand and Vrunda Patel would often take their children there for outings. Vrunda, now 50, fondly recalls climbing the structure and admiring the views of Sentosa from the Merlion’s mouth. “Outside the Merlion, there was a beautiful step garden with flowing water. I used to love walking there,” she shares.

Years later, the statue, covered in dirt and grime, required a refresh. The demolition was not only part of a larger vision to connect Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in the north to the three beaches (Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso) on the island’s south, it was also the start of a massive rebranding project to transform Sentosa from a recreational family destination to a premier lifestyle attraction.

Today, Sentosa Sensoryscape stands in its place. Set within a lush landscape, the 30,000 sqm attraction features a 350m-long connector that leads visitors to six sensory gardens – where they can explore the gardens’ massive vessel-like sculptures, observe the various flora and fauna inhabiting the space, and interact with Instagrammable light displays through an augmented reality app after nightfall.

“To attract younger visitors, our additional focus is on creating more authentic and immersive experiences, recognising that this demographic seeks deeper, more engaging interactions with the places they visit,” says Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).

Just as Sensoryscape is designed to create an otherworldly atmosphere after dark, the Sentosa Night Mode campaign, launched in August, aims to introduce the island as a day-to-night destination for both locals and tourists, who would typically only make day trips to Sentosa. In addition to more nightlife events – such as the recent Waterbomb Festival, which saw about 10,000 revellers partying to a live K-pop line-up – the initiative includes extended operating hours at key attractions, along with street performances and dining promotions.

It’s a move that has boosted visitorship to the island, with total numbers reaching 16 million in the third quarter of 2024. “This is a 20 per cent increase in the number of visitors as compared to the same period in 2023,” reveals Kwee Eng.

Investing in a five-star glow-up

Amid the buzz around Sentosa’s rebranding campaign, luxury hotels on the island have been busy with their own upgrades. One example is Capella Singapore, which launched a refreshed lobby and its newest bar concept, The Pineapple Room, in October.

“Today’s travellers are looking for deeper ways to connect with each other and learn the stories behind the places they stay. We wanted to share more of Sentosa’s hidden past as a pineapple plantation [in the 1880s], which inspired The Pineapple Room,” says general manager Yngvar Stray.

“The space it resides in used to only house the Living Room, where guests can enjoy light refreshments, beverages and afternoon tea. After the redesign led by Matthew Shang Design Office, it now seamlessly transitions from the Living Room into our bar at dusk.”

An elegant Carrara marble-top and teak bar stands between the doorway that connects the Living Room and The Pineapple Room. Rattan furniture, botanical paintings and two airy al-fresco terraces create a laid-back atmosphere. The day-to-night concept, however, is most evident in the cocktail menu. The bar’s signature cocktail, Triple P (a tropical concoction comprising pineapple, reposado, agave nectar, lime and orange bitters with a hint of chilli salt) feels right at home on a brunch or dinner table.

“When we first opened 15 years ago, Capella Singapore stood out for its exclusive and unique resort grounds, craftsmanship and memorable stays. While these remain at our core, we’ve grown to offer experiences that go beyond what is expected at traditional luxury hotels.

“We strive to take our guests closer to the unique stories of each locale we call home, to allow them to discover each destination’s culture and heritage,” shares Yngvar.

Also tapping on Sentosa’s heritage as a way to connect with their guests, the team at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa and Raffles Sentosa is creating a special drink that they hope to share with other establishments on the island.

Cluster general manager, Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale, reveals a cocktail that will debut during the launch of Raffles Sentosa soon. The inspiration for the Sentosa Sling, he says, is rooted in the tropical nature of Sentosa. Featuring an Amaro, XO brandy and Eau-De-Vie base with a splash of passionfruit, rose nectar and calamansi, the drink is crafted with natural ingredients – lemon leaves foraged from an edible garden at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa, and watermelon skin tincture made from upcycled watermelon skins.

“Sentosa does not have a signature drink that represents the island. We’re planning to launch it during the opening of Raffles Sentosa,” he shares. “We hope it will be embraced throughout the island. Ideally, every hotel on the island will carry this recipe as a way to welcome guests.”

Located next to Sofitel Singapore Sentosa, the 100,000 sqm property boasts sprawling tropical gardens overlooking the South China Sea. Each of its 62 villas features a private pool and terrace, along with a 24-hour butler service – the first of its kind in Singapore. It’s no surprise that Raffles Sentosa is set to become one of the most exclusive stays here. The highly anticipated event is already drumming up interest from the public.

“We’ve received numerous inquiries from guests, media and others. It’s likely to be one of the biggest openings ever,” says Cavaliere.

Not to be outdone, Capella Singapore completed the redesign of three standalone bungalows recently. At Capella Manor, a cavernous 576 sqm space, Melbourne-based interior designer Simone Haag envisioned an eclectic home filled with global influences. The two-storey, three-bedroom bungalow is decked in an earthy colour palette. Details such as artwork referencing Australian indigenous culture and fabrics with bold motifs lend a breezy contrast to the bungalow’s Brutalist structure. Natural textures are seamlessly woven into the living space – a pair of 1930s Swedish Carved Monk Chairs and Peanut chairs add a touch of personality.

The unveiling of Raffles Sentosa and Capella Manor marks the beginning of an extensive redevelopment. In November, Genting Singapore held a groundbreaking ceremony for its up-and-coming waterfront development at RWS, slated for completion by 2030. The $6.8 billion project adds more than 164,000 sqm to RWS, including plans to build a Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Singapore (USS). An 88m-high experiential “mountain trail” and two more hotels with 700 rooms are part of the development.

But visitors won’t have to wait until then to visit a refreshed RWS – the first quarter of 2025 sees the soft launches of Minion Land in USS, and a luxury all-suite hotel replacing Hard Rock Hotel Singapore. A rebranded and expanded SEA Aquarium, which will be known as Singapore Oceanarium, will also open in the first half of 2025. 

Curating a unique space for culture

Sentosa has been a playground for the well-heeled since the development of luxury residential enclave Sentosa Cove in 2003 and the 2005 revamp of Sentosa Golf Club, which introduced two championship courses. While the island is known for hosting international golf tournaments, art and cultural events catering to discerning collectors are rare occurrences. However, at Maduro, showcases of music and culture are de rigueur.

In November, the cigar and whisky lounge, tucked away in the basement of Sofitel Singapore Sentosa, served as a platform for intimate performances by a South Korean cellist and an er hu player. Maduro’s owner, Peter Ng, an accomplished jazz pianist who has performed with singers Frances Yip and Anita Sarawak, and collaborated with Golden Horse Award-winning music producer and composer Ricky Ho, often indulges his guests’ requests to perform an impromptu piece or two.

“An authentic soiree experience cannot be planned, it organically evolves throughout the evening, based on the magic and creativity in the room on each occasion. This is different from our regular weekly live music nights,” says Peter. It was during one such occasion that he met French graffiti artist and painter Cyril Kongo, a fellow cigar enthusiast. Cyril, 55, a pioneering figure in the graffiti scene who has worked with Hermes, Richard Mille and Chanel, has studios in Bali and Singapore.

“We actually share many mutual friends, but we had never met before. One day, he came to Bali, and we had a really nice dinner at my studio.

“When friends visit, they play the piano, sing songs, and create this really random, creative vibe with music and painting. Peter was there that evening, and at some point, he got up, went to the piano, and started playing,” shares Cyril, whose philosophy is “vivre le moment present”, or to live the present moment. This spontaneous event sparked the start of their friendship. In November, the duo presented Cyril’s first exhibition at Maduro, a collection of vibrant artworks featuring the artist’s signature graffiti lettering and a handful of portraits – including one of former senior minister Lee Kuan Yew, titled “The Boss”.

“Our pop-up with Cyril Kongo will hopefully be the first of many. This allows everyone to be able to appreciate and experience art outside of the conventional art gallery or museum, and in a more friendly setting over drinks and conversations,” says Peter.

Creating core memories

Despite Sentosa’s new additions, it is undeniable that special moments – whether shared during family outings, over cocktails, or at soirees – create a deep and lasting connection to a place. Reliving these memories remains the core reason that people are drawn back.

Student Charmi Nagar shares that she visits Sentosa on special occasions, and whenever she wants to experience “vacation vibes”. The 22-year-old adds: “My favourite memory is celebrating my boyfriend’s birthday at a beach club. It was such a refreshing change from our routine life. We had great cocktails and even got to swim in the rain.”

For others, Sentosa holds a reservoir of life-changing recollections from their childhood. It was a typical workday for Suresh Kumar, a security supervisor at Amara Sanctuary Sentosa, as he carried out his rounds. During his patrol, he and a colleague came across an elderly man crying and hugging a pillar at one of the resort’s colonial buildings.

“We thought he was ill and needed help. I asked him, ‘Sir are you okay?’,” says the 57-year-old. As it turned out, the Briton was overcome with emotion when he recognised the former army barracks as his childhood home growing up in pre-war Sentosa.

Over the years, Amara Sanctuary has hosted guests who were children of British army officers during the 1930s and ’40s. Some of the guests included family members who wanted to experience the significance of the locale first-hand, and learn about its heritage and history as a former abode for British soldiers.

They would bring with them photographs and anecdotes of the past, and as a result, pieces of Sentosa’s forgotten history were uncovered. These memories are currently on display at one of the two known air-raid shelters left on Sentosa, both of which are located on the property.

Suresh conducts regular heritage tours around the 3.8-hectare resort, comprising a mix of colonial suites, as well as modern buildings housing offices, event spaces and guest rooms. He shares nuggets of Singapore history and culture, peppered with interesting trivia. For instance, he points out a villa that was a favourite staycation spot of former president Halimah Yacob during her tenure.

“The hotel has been open since 2007, and the essence of the resort remains the same today. We focus on two pillars: The first is the heritage of this property. The second is its connection to nature.

“Our goal has been to preserve as much of this heritage as possible while building around it. As a result, the modern additions and new buildings are thoughtfully woven into the fabric of the historical ones,” explains Dawn Teo, COO of Amara Holdings and third-generation owner of Amara Singapore.

The heritage trail, launched in 2018, is a unique experience of Amara Sanctuary. The resort partnered with Singapore History Consultants and Journeys, known for developing heritage tours at Battle Box on Fort Canning Hill and Haw Par Villa.

“They investigated who had lived here in the past and other fascinating details, like whether the guns defending Sentosa were pointed in the right direction during the war. A lot of these stories tie back specifically to this particular estate, with stops that highlight its unique historical significance,” says Dawn.

Although parts of the resort have undergone a makeover – with local design studio Farm incorporating biophilic details along with minimalist Scandinavian-inspired decor – evocative storytelling remains at the heart of the Amara brand.

Dawn sums up her approach: “Luxury today is not just about marble floors and gold accents. For us, it’s really about space, time and, in some ways, simplicity. When we think about what a modern traveller wants, we believe it’s about curating meaningful moments.

“We don’t measure it by asking, ‘Did you get this? Did you visit that place?’ At the end of the day, it’s about how the guest feels. It’s a work in progress for us, but with what we have on-site, it’s really about crafting their stay with space, time, and experiences to make it truly complete.”

PHOTOGRAPHY ANGELA GUO
ART DIRECTION ADELINE ENG
COORDINATION CHELSIA TAN
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH PRIYANKA PATEL
HAIR & MAKEUP BENEDICT CHOO, USING SHU UEMURA