First look: Raffles Sentosa Singapore opens as glamorous all-villa resort

A Singapore institution steps into the 21st century.

It's not the Singapore Raffles you know.

Few hotels are more synonymous with the cities in which they stand than Raffles. Since 1887, it has drawn vagabonds and film stars, politicians and authors. It has also seen the city go from British colony to independent state and just quietly invented one of the world’s most iconic cocktails, the Singapore Sling.

The brand now has outposts dotted around Asia and Europe but up until now it hasn’t played in its own back yard. The newly opened Raffles Sentosa Singapore couldn’t be more different from its predecessor. Instead of three-storey colonnaded wedding cake, liveried doormen and more British than Fortnum’s feel, you instead a get a series of low-slung oceanside suites and pavilions.

The Presidential Villa at Raffles Sentosa.

It’s an all-suites affair with a 100,000 square metre footprint on Sentosa Island but it’s still just a 15 minute drive to Orchard Road and the CBD. Best of both worlds right? Beach and Balenciaga.  There are 62 villas starting at 210 square metres and going up to 650 square metres with the four-bedroom Royal Villa. Each comes with a private pool, terrace and butler.

The one-bedroom pool villa at Raffles Sentosa.

Any new hotel worths its five stars in 2025 needs a wellness component and the spa here has 13 treatment rooms (including the obligatory couples suite), a 22 metre lap pool, mud pool, indoor hot and cold plunge pools, steam rooms and whatever a wellness butler happens to be.

High tea is served in the Raffles Room.

Singapore knows its food and there are some high-end options here. The Empire Room does Tuscan, Royal China is all about Cantonese, the Raffles Room serves the hotel’s storied high tea, Hashida brings the omakase and the Chairman’s Lounge is the spot for cocktails.

A grand reception at Raffles Sentosa.

For something special, there is a four-hour city tour in a Rolls-Royce with lunch at the highly rated Peranakan restaurant Joo Chiat, a trundle through Chinatown, the Gardens By the Bay and much more.  For more information or booking enquiries, visit www.raffles.com/sentosa.

Originally published as First look: Raffles Sentosa Singapore opens as glamorous all-villa resort