Review of Raffles Sentosa Singapore

“I feel like Elizabeth Taylor!” I theatrically sigh while posing in front of a Rolls-Royce Phantom—one of two house Rolls-Royces available for tours while staying at the new Raffles Sentosa Singapore. 

“No!” Ali, a concierge and my guide for the afternoon, jokingly corrects as he snaps my photo. “Say you’re Alexis Carrington from ‘Dynasty!’” 

Our references might be a tad dated, but the experience is all part of the wow-factor at Singapore’s buzziest new hotel that shares a name with one of the region’s most established luxury brands. 

138 years after Raffles Singapore first opened its doors and put this Southeast Asian city on the luxury map, a second Raffles has debuted on the leisure-oriented island of Sentosa, a 15-minute drive from its flagship. Some hotel historians note that the new Raffles is a return to the original property’s roots, as the first property on Beach Road began as a waterfront beach house before various land reclamation projects broke ground in the 1800s.  

While the original Raffles now best serves as a decadent bookend to a day of hustle-and-bustle city exploration, its new sibling is perfect for vacations of languid bliss, where floating in one’s private pool has the potential to be the most strenuous cardio routine of the day—note that I said “potential“ to be. (Don’t judge my five-star sloth ways, please.) 

Before my Rolls-Royce gallivanting, the day began with blackout shades whirling open to reveal the Singapore sun glowing upon my villa’s private pool. The lazy side of me was tempted to have my butler deliver an iced americano so I could enjoy it with a book and birdsong on the canopied day bed parked on one side of the pool. But, the wellness-minded me instead opted to make my way out to the main pool deck for a little sound bath to drown out all the stress I’d left behind in Boston. 

Seclusion and solitude—despite being in one of Southeast Asia’s busiest cities—are canon here, and that’s most evident in the property’s all-villa layout. Following a turn-off at a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance, arriving guests are swept up a winding driveway past a fountain centered around the watchful eye of a leaping horse sculpture. In keeping with Singapore’s “Garden City” reputation, this is a very lush resort. The birds and swaying ficus trees are one thing, but I also passed the occasional peacock wandering the shrub-lined pathways en route to afternoon tea. 

Despite fronting a major shipping lane, the lush, abundant flora helps cinch Raffles Sentosa’s place as the brand’s luxe resort iteration in its hometown. You might catch the occasional glimpse of cargo ships in the Singapore Strait when the trees blow, but one can’t help but feel a few more months of growth will fully cocoon Raffles Sentosa out of sight from the floating economy surrounding the property—that’s a leg-up over some of its neighboring competitors perched upon the hills. 

I moved straight from sound bathing to stuffing my face during my first morning at Empire Grill, the resort’s Italian restaurant that also serves the most important meal of the day. Guests face a difficult choice deciding between towering plates of heritage Singaporean, Western, or healthy options, but the affable Raffles Sentosa staff is more than willing to make substitutions (or additions—it’s vacation, after all). 

Kaya toast—a gooey, glutenous local delicacy that involves butter and coconut jam smeared on toast and is typically served with soft-boiled eggs—is elevated at Raffles Sentosa. The hotel’s version is more of a fried peanut butter toast with eggs swimming in dark soy sauce—it was a notable upgrade from the first kaya toast I had during my first trip to Singapore 13 years ago. My elation was clearly evident, and another helping of the griddled goodness appeared in my villa living room later that afternoon without me even having to ask. 

While it was easy to gear shift away from work life into resort time, I also wanted to get out and explore the island that serves as a master class in image overhauls. Sure, there were ample photo ops in front of the pièce de resistance on four wheels, but Sentosa is more than the beachy day party venue I frolicked in as an early twentysomething. 

Ali pointed out that the island was once a less-than-useful military base during World War II, but has since lived up to its namesake (“sentosa” is the Malay word for “peace and tranquility”). We observed the beach clubs I visited more than a decade ago during my first visit to the island, as well as the string of high-end homes and luxury hotels that now dot it. Capella Singapore, the next-door neighbor of Raffles Sentosa, has hosted everyone from Taylor Swift during her “Eras Tour” to a 2017 meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. 

Back at Raffles Sentosa, I was reminded of how the overall brand experience is as much about ultra-luxury as it is the storied ambiance that drew in everyone from Rudyard Kipling and Joseph Conrad to Charlie Chaplin and, yes, Elizabeth Taylor over the years at the original Raffles Singapore. Does this new property live up to the storied brand’s reputation?

Keep reading to find out what it’s like to stay at the Raffles Sentosa Singapore.

The Rooms

This Yabu Pushelberg-designed resort veers contemporary over colonial, striking a contrast to the original Raffles Singapore. Neutral tones, coffered ceilings, and large private swimming pools abound across each of the resort’s 62 villas, which start at more than 2,000 square feet in entry-level one-bedroom pool villas and can boast as much as nearly 7,000 square feet in the four-bedroom Royal Villa. 

Pops of color arrive in the form of floral murals (look closely for cameos of monitor lizards and the Asian koels that provide much of the background bird soundtrack) on the living room walls.

My one-bedroom pool villa had more than enough space for me to stretch out over a three-night stay, and my butler greeted me with a bergamot hand spray and quick ring of a singing bowl to help my city senses ease into the resort atmosphere. He also pulled a chilled Sentosa Sling—a watermelon-forward spin on the Raffles-born Singapore Sling cocktail—from the minibar, which quickly ushered me into “you’re on vacation” mode. 

Functionally, I appreciated the you-sleep-here and you-entertain-here two-building layout around the pool. Though there certainly were some mornings when my slothy self grumbled about having to walk all of four steps from the sleeping quarters to the living area building to make a pour-over coffee. (I took a U-turn in attitude upon discovering I had four types of Moroccan Bacha Coffee to choose from.) 

The sleeping quarters included a king-sized bed stocked with six pillows of various sizes (a pillow menu is available for those particularly choosy with where they lay their head at night). Off the bedroom, there was a walk-in closet stocked with straw hats and umbrellas to combat the tropical weather as well as a bathroom with a marble double-vanity sink, soaking tub, and walk-in shower (complete with Ortigia Sicilia bath products). 

Like my coffee commute quibbling, if I had to nitpick, it would have been nice to have a half-bathroom situated in the living room quarters to truly make that a standalone lair relative to the sleeping quarters. Those looking to truly entertain a gaggle of travel companions might consider larger or connecting villa options. 

But it’s hard to complain when one has a designated butler willing to unpack and pack your luggage (highly recommend for the space-saving packing tips alone!) and draw a bath alongside turndown service. 

The already expansive accommodations appeared even larger thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows (which could be covered thanks to electronically controlled sheer and blackout curtains) fronting the entire pool deck, where there was also a small dining area and seating area. The resort is open enough to enjoy a sea breeze, but fencing and shrubbery provide ample privacy for sunbathing and swimming in peace.

Food and Drink

I started my food tour shortly after arriving at Royal China, a Cantonese restaurant with a sleek table-clothed dining room of high-backed chairs, accented with dangling crystal chandeliers and a window wall overlooking the surrounding greenery. 

While I basked in the lush landscape after my long flight, I indulged with a glass of champagne and a lunch tasting menu of unexpected delights. Some of my favorites included bean curd skin and deep-fried mushroom yam dumplings served alongside classic Cantonese options like steamed shrimp dumplings and wok-fried rice from chef Ling Heng Yao. 

Breakfast began each day at the Empire Grill, an Italian restaurant that led not with red checkered tablecloths but instead with a design of midcentury modern furnishings, onyx inlay flooring, and sliding partitions of greenery that could break the expansive, high-ceilinged dining room into more intimate enclaves. The heritage breakfast was my favorite of the trinity of breakfast offerings—it arrived on a tiered platter of smoked salmon, charcuterie, fruit, pastries, along with that scrumptious kaya toast and poached egg. 

Service at all meals at Raffles Sentosa was doting without being overly hovering, but Empire Grill—helmed by chef Bjoern Alexander—became a fun standout during sunsets. A roving saxophonist wanders the property on select nights of the week to encourage guests to unwind poolside with a cocktail or mocktail. I went with the natural progression to step inside and enjoy a meal amid the crooning of jazz classics—a melodic pairing with a Chianti while perusing the menu that emphasizes wood-fired grill offerings. 

Grilled Alaskan king crab and anchovies drizzled with egg yolk and accented with basil were a strong starter. I was surprised by the complex taste profile of the housemade pasta that had been lightly charred on the grill for a smoky taste—combined with almond milk and chili, it gave off a cheesy taste despite containing no dairy. (And it reminded me to start thinking outside the box more when it comes to my own at-home smoker attempts in the backyard.)

Lamb with Szechuan mala spices and grilled Spanish octopus were worth finding the last remaining available corners of my stomach, while a wagyu beef tenderloin was the tender, carnivorous pièce de résistance for my last supper in Singapore. 

Elsewhere, the Raffles Room off the arrivals hall is a bright, airy lounge for afternoon tea and like small bites kueh pie tee, a crispy pastry shell filled with wagyu beef—it was just the right amount of fuel before my two-hour Rolls-Royce tour. On the other side of the arrivals hall is the Chairman’s Room, a dimly lit getaway designed as a nod to speakeasies. While the venue was still developing a full cocktail program during my stay, it was the perfect spot for a martini nightcap amid soft house music. 

Raffles is awaiting the arrival of Iyasaka by Hashida, an omakase restaurant by chef Kenjiro Hashda slated to open later this spring, but guests can also arrange a private dining experience in their villa (or even at neighboring Tanjong Beach). While I preferred eating at the actual restaurants, this was a welcome option when jet lag began to rear its head on the second night of my stay.

Further, the hospitality didn’t stop at check-out: Unasked, the Raffles team packed a to-go basket of fruit and granola for me to enjoy on my early-morning departure that took place before any of the restaurants’ openings. 

Activities and Experiences

The Rolls-Royce Phantom tour of Sentosa is available to all guests and includes a two-hour tour of the island, with stops at attractions like Fort Siloso and the Sentosa Sensoryscape gardens. Those who turn to their Zillow app as much as they do Instagram should ask for a drive-by of some of the glitzier neighborhoods on Sentosa, as the island has turned into a Beverly Hills of the South China Sea in recent years. 

Additionally, guests can take a longer Rolls-Royce tour onto Singapore’s main island for neighborhood hopping and local dining or even have a guided birdwatching tour. Morning poolside wellness experiences vary by day and include offerings like the sound bath, breath work, yoga flow, mat Pilates, and qigong. 

Additional experiences are expected to be available in the coming months as the resort fully opens. 

The Spa

The Raffles Sentosa Spa is expected to open later this spring within a former military barracks building that is clearly veering more couture than combat these days. The spa facility will have three pools as well as 13 treatment rooms. 

The fitness center within the spa building is already open and features a mix of cardio and strength-training equipment, including free weights, as well as an outdoor deck for yoga practice. 

Family-friendly Offerings

While the resort doesn’t have a kids club or other targeted family-friendly options, some of the experiential offerings, like birdwatching and the guided tour of Sentosa, are options for guests of all ages. Raffles Sentosa Singapore also has direct access to neighboring Tanjong Beach. 

Accessibility and Sustainability

Raffles Sentosa Singapore is wheelchair accessible throughout the property’s public spaces, and there is a wheelchair-accessible villa sited close to the arrivals hall. 

The resort has a fleet of electric-powered buggies for guests to easily move within the property, and solar-powered outdoor lamps are featured throughout the property and villas. In keeping with a broader Raffles movement, the Singapore Sling is going local and sustainable—the Sentosa Sling utilizes lemon leaf grown in the resort’s edible garden, while a rose-colored tincture found in the cocktail is made from upcycled watermelon rind from the kitchen. 

Location

Raffles Sentosa Singapore is nestled on a quieter stretch (except for a brief nightly fireworks display nearby) of the island of Sentosa, located about 15 minutes away from the original Raffles Singapore and a 25-minute drive from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). 

Car service, either arranged via the hotel or through ride-hailing services like Uber and Grab (a Southeast Asian app), is the best way to get to and from the hotel. The nearest metro station is the HarbourFront MRT station, from which Raffles Sentosa Singapore offers a limousine transfer.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Raffles Sentosa Singapore participates in Accor’s Accor Live Limitless loyalty program, meaning Accor members can redeem ALL points for a stay. At the time of publication, the resort had not yet joined a credit card rewards program, but is slated to join American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts later this year. 

Nightly rates at Raffles Sentosa Singapore start from 1,398 Singaporean Dollars (about $1,066 USD).

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.