by Coleen Leong
In need of a getaway but can’t leave the country just yet? Enjoy tropical vacay vibes with a touch of French flair and joie de vivre at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa on Sentosa Island.
A tropical sanctuary away from the bustle of the city, the luxury resort’s location at the top of a cliff which affords captivating views of South China Sea coupled with its lush green grounds make the perfect setting for a staycation that feels miles away from home.
Here are four ways to unwind and soak up vacay vibes at the gorgeous resort.
Explore the resort’s inspiring 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, be greeted by Stellar, a custom-made pink installation made up of 685 handcrafted glass pieces, created by Czech glass and lighting manufacturer Lasvit.
Look out for metal sculptures of a saddled brown horse as well as a gold and black lion on the resort’s lawn and lush gardens which are inspired by Paris’ famous Jardin du Luxembourg garden. Keep your eyes peeled also for a school of koi fish sculpture in a shallow pond.
Photo: C. Wee
In another pond next to LeBar, you can dip your feet into the water and chill out while tiny fish nibble off your dead skin!
But the real wildlife stars of the resort are the peacocks and peahens that roam the resort grounds freely. The birds may even show up during breakfast (though you shouldn’t feed them so as not to upset their delicate digestive system), and occasionally, outside your room.
Luxuriate in spacious Balinese- & French-inspired rooms
The resort has 174 stylish luxury rooms and 37 suites spread across two five-storey wings, as well as 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 Balmain 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.
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.
Feast on a multitude of flavours
No staycation would be complete without eating and drinking to your heart’s content. Indulge in Italian fare with a modern touch at The Cliff. Sit outdoors to soak up calming jungle and sea views while tucking into specialities prepared by Head Chef Peter Podbiol and his team.
Standouts include Hokkaido Scallops Crudo, Beef Cheek, Pork Pluma and Sanchoku Wagyu Beef. For something more classically Italian, go for the Traditional Italian Pici Carbonara, Malfade Alla Vodka, Squid Ink Tonnarelli Pasta with Crab Meat or Risotto Al Funghi Porcini. For pizza lovers, there are crowd-pleasers like Egg and Bacon Pizza, Pizza Bianca and Meat Lovers Pizza.
Feast on a mouth-watering array of well-loved hawker dishes and local favourites at Kwee Zeen’s Magnifique Hawker Nights every Friday and Saturday evening. Load up your plate with Chef Nelson Lim’s slow-cooked till fork-tender Beef Cheek Rendang, smothered in a thick and aromatic sauce made with coconut milk, kerisik (dry toasted grated coconut), blue ginger, lemongrass, turmeric and kaffir lime leaves; and the BBQ Stingray that’s laced with Chef Lim’s signature sambal sauce.
Sink your teeth into other local delights like Popiah, Kueh Pie Tee, Rojak, Nasi Lemak, Satay, BBQ Chicken Wing, Sambal Squid, Singapore Laksa, Mee Goreng, Chilli Crab, Braised Pork Knuckle, Fried Carrot Cake and Nyonya Kueh, as well as Indian specialities such as Butter Chicken, Fish Curry, Vegetable Sambar, Naan and Briyani Rice.
For a little mid-day splendour, head to LeBar to partake in its French Tropical High Tea. Nibble on patisserie like Mango Cheese Cake, Banana Lemon Tartlets, Passionfruit Choux and Pineapple Coconut Cake, along with savouries like Tropical Ham & Pineapple Sandwich, Tuna & Pickle Cucumber Tartlet and Smashed Avocado & Egg Sandwich while enjoying the wafting sea breeze and tranquil views of water fountains and green spaces.
Take your pick of TWG tea or Nespresso coffee to pair with the delish bites or splash out extra for Champagne or Sparkling Tea.
Enjoy some head-to-toe pampering
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 float pool with cascading waterfall and a swimming pool so make time to chill out the spa’s outdoor areas before or after your treatment.
If it’s a massage you’re after, try the spa’s signature Sentosa Massage which combines eastern and western techniques to relax the mind and reinvigorate the body. There’s also the Be Spoilt treatment (available on weekdays from 10am to 3pm) which lets you enjoy 90 minutes of pure bliss through the massage of your choice (Inner Calm, Sentosa or Deep Muscle) along with access to the spa garden facilities.
Those looking for a revitalising facial will find it in the Rejuvenating Facial. The 75-minute facial combines French massage techniques, honey and a mini stone to restore the glow to your skin.
The spa also offers alternative therapies such as Craniosacral Therapy and Sound Healing, as well as private wellness sessions like Forest Bathing – Sunrise Nature Bath at Tanjong Beach or Sensorial Hike to Fort Serapong, and Fitness Training.
