by Coleen Leong
The French are known for their lifestyle of living life to the fullest, being in the moment, choosing quality over quantity, and elevating simple daily routines into something pleasurable.
To experience a touch of French flair and joie de vivre, book a staycation at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa. As the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France, Sofitel celebrates the French way of life and the art of living, as well as the art of luxurious French-style hospitality.
Located at the top of a cliff rising above Sentosa’s Tanjong Beach, the luxury resort is spread across lush green grounds and offers captivating views of South China Sea.
The resort offers three SRV-eligible staycation packages including one where you can spend quality time with your fur kid: Infinite Family Experiences (from $338++), Retreat to Sanctuary (from $438++) and Furkid Retreat (from $428++).
We highlight four ways to enjoy French-inspired adventures at the resort.
Explore the resort’s elegant spaces and lavish gardens
A charming blend of 1930s colonial architecture and contemporary French-inspired design, the resort bears the creative fingerprints of Bangkok-based interior design agencies toineinbangkok and M.A.X Studio.
Throughout the resort, French elegance is married stylishly and playfully with Singaporean elements such as orchids. At the lobby, guests are greeted by Stellar, a custom-made pink installation made up of 685 handcrafted glass pieces, created by Czech glass and lighting manufacturer Lasvit.
The resort’s lush gardens, inspired by Paris’ famous Jardin du Luxembourg garden, feature various chill-out spots, complete with cocoon hanging chairs, patio chairs and gazebo tent.
On the lawn next to the pond are metal sculptures of a saddled brown horse, and a gold and black lion. Look out for a school of koi fish sculpture in the shallow pond.
But the real wildlife stars of the resort are the peacocks and peahens that roam its grounds freely. The birds often show up during breakfast (though you shouldn’t feed them so as not to upset their delicate digestive system), and occasionally, outside your balcony.
Luxuriate in spacious Balinese- & French-inspired rooms
The resort has 174 stylish luxury rooms and 37 suites spread across two five-storey wings, and four villas. Luxury rooms are decked out with warm wood furnishings with green floral motif carpets; while suites have spacious living areas, and sport a red and purple palette with gold-toned furnishings including leaf-shaped artworks on the headboard and little climbing and swinging gold men artefacts.
All bathrooms have bathtubs and are stocked with Lanvin toiletries. The mini-bar, housed in a white and beige cylindrical pod that is a cross between a dim sum basket and a French hat box, is equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and stocked with TWG teas, soft drinks and snacks.
Each 300sqm villa boasts two bedrooms, a swimming pool, a garden terrace and parking space for two cars. The Villa du Jardin’s designer bathroom is equipped with two mirrored dressing areas, two basins, two showers and a Pharo massage-jet whirlpool bathtub for decadent soaks.
Savour every bite, relish every sip
Until the dine-in restrictions are lifted, you can enjoy the resort’s Magnifique Takeaway Treats from Kwee Zeen, LeBar and The Cliff in the comfort of your room.
The a la carte menu features classic Western and Asian dishes from Kwee Zeen and favourites from Cali-Italian speciality restaurant The Cliff. Tuck into dishes such as Prosciutto Di Parma, Burrata & Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Beef Burger, Garganelli Alla Bolognese, Spaghetti All Vodka, Roasted Barramundi, Frutti Di Mare Pizza, Sunrise Pizza, Fennel Sausage Pizza, Wok-Fried Noodle with Barbecue Pork, Butter Chicken and Lamb Do Pyaza.
Perk up your afternoon by indulging in a French Classic High Tea featuring delicate patisserie like Passion Raspberry Mousse; Lemon Meringue Tart; Wild Blueberry Financier; Strawberry Pistachio Cake; and Butter Scone, and savouries such as Chicken Mayo Sandwich; Smoked Salmon, Capers, Mini Bagel; and Avocado, Cucumber & Tomato Tortilla Wraps. Take things up a notch with some bubbly or cocktails!
For a dining experience with a difference, customise your own Bespoke Picnic Basket (comes with a bottle of housewine and a picnic mat) with your favourite dishes and enjoy them at Tanjong Beach while soaking up captivating sunset views.
Reset, rejuvenate, unwind
What’s a staycation without some head-to-toe pampering? Relax, unwind and rejuvenate at Sofitel Spa which features a unique spa garden concept. Garden facilities include a mud pool with mineral-rich volcanic mud, float pools with cascading waterfalls, swimming pool and labyrinths for meditative walks.
The spa houses six outdoor pavilions, each with its own garden, bath and bathroom, and 14 indoor treatment rooms.
Treatments combine ancient traditions with the latest in French cosmetology using products from French tea-based brand Themae. Signature treatments include Exhilarating Massage, The Sentosa Massage, Marine Salt and Clay Scrub, Intense Antioxidant Body Wrap, Rejuvenating Facial and Ultimate Collagen Facial.
If your idea of rejuvenation is working out, head to the resort’s 33m-long black pearlescent tiled pool to complete a couple of laps or get on one of the resort’s Giant mountain bikes and explore Sentosa on two wheels.
