Background
Sofitel has two hotels in Singapore, one on the mainland and this 27-hectare property in Sentosa, an island resort off the country’s southern coast. The resort and spa opened in 2015.
Where is it?
The resort is located on the southern edge of Sentosa. A complimentary shuttle bus departs from the lobby every 30 minutes from 0915 until 2330. Another complimentary shuttle bus alights at Harbourfront MRT station (at Harbourfront Exit D) and ferries you to the resort every half hour.
What's it like?
The resort is made up of several open-air pavilions, interspersed with beautiful water features and manicured gardens, in a quasi-symmetrical layout. The grand driveway makes for a special arrival experience, with a road flanked by palm trees opening onto a landscaped forecourt area with a water feature at the centre.
Bellhops immediately take your luggage and hand you a tag. The pink-hued lobby, held up by various columns, is spacious and airy with a glass chandelier-style installation suspended from the soaring pink ceilings. Reception is located in a room to the right-hand side. Check-in was a little slow due to queues – there is an express check-out box for departure.
The entire resort has a contemporary décor, with an emphasis on the brand’s French roots – there are nods to Picasso’s Dove lithograph in the rooms, as well as framed black-and-white images of Parisian locations.
The hotel’s 174 rooms and 37 suites are split across two wings, named Peace and Tranquillity, both located on the eastern side of the resort. The west side is home to the dining and leisure facilities, with stairway access to the beach by the swimming pool – beware there are 132 steps to reach the promenade.
Staff are particularly friendly, with special mention to Natalya, Mani and Fara.
Rooms
Categories include luxury room, junior suite, prestige suite, prestige family suite and imperial suite. These differ in décor, with the entry-level rooms having a green colour scheme, the suites a pink and red theme and the high-end Imperial and Prestige suites opting for gold furnishings and opulence. There are also four two-bedroom villas with a private swimming pool and terrace.
All accommodations include coffee and tea-making facilities presented in a Parisian-style vanity cabinet, a safe, iron and ironing board, torch, large refillable Balmain bath products, bathrobes and slippers. There’s also complimentary mosquito repellent spray, several recyclable cartons of drinking water and antibacterial wipes.
My spacious junior suite had a fuchsia and deep purple colour scheme, with floral patterned carpets nodding to the natural surroundings. It featured an open-plan living room and bedroom, with a wall in the centre (with 47-inch LED Smart TVs on either side) somewhat dividing the space.
The king-size bed was incredibly comfortable, with soft and silky sheets making for a perfect night’s sleep, and there’s a pillow menu if you’re picky.
The separate bathroom included a cubicle for the toilet, a separate cubicle with a hand-held and rainfall shower (both with great power and heat). The design is fun with bright pink and purple tiling, with the ‘singing in the rain’ imprint on the shower wall having its intended effect and in keeping with Singapore’s wet climate.
For those that need to get some work done on their retreat, the desk is well-designed for working, with a leather mat for your laptop, a comfortable leather chair and a UK plug socket by your feet. The light switches, both at the entrance, in between the living room and bedroom and on either side of the bed were a little confusing.
Guests can scan a QR code to order room service or find out more about the hotel’s facilities, but the monthly newsletter (in rooms and also at reception) is your port-of-call for opening times of on-site facilities, shuttle bus timetables and seasonal events on Sentosa.
Food and drink
The resort has plenty of dining facilities for every occasion. Kwee Zeen, a play on ‘cuisine’, is the largest space and is located to the left of the lobby.
It serves a buffet breakfast (watch out for the resident peacocks – one stole my hash brown), à la carte lunches and dinners, plus various special menus such as the highly popular brunch buffet on Sundays (12-3pm) with 15 live cooking stations including meat carvings and fresh seafood (with bottomless Champagne for an additional fee). It was a little too quiet at lunch and dinnertime, and seemed shut, but buzzy at breakfast.
Le Bar at the centre of the resort serves cocktails, small bites and French Tropical high tea.
Italian restaurant The Cliff is located at the back of the resort, perched on the mountaintop overlooking the South China Sea, and serves a set menu at lunch and à la carte dinner. It’s a beautiful setting, particularly for couples, and the food is excellent – recommended is the cod wrapped in Parma ham on a bed of spinach and scampi bisque ($48).
Meetings
There is 1,300 sqm of meeting and events spaces, as well as a small business centre on the lower-ground level with a computer and printer.
Leisure
There’s a large 24-hour fitness centre and 33-metre-long outdoor swimming pool on the premises, as well as a fish spa and kids’ club. The hotel also has a spa with 14 treatment rooms but this is located off-site, accessible by shuttle bus (5 minutes) or by walking along Tanjong beach (10 minutes).
Verdict
This large, leafy resort offers great leisure facilities and spacious suites for those looking for a retreat with friends and family.
FACT BOX
- Best for A holiday on a tropical island with warm and friendly staff
- Don’t miss A three-course Italian dinner at The Cliff restaurant at sunset
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in January started from £309 for a Luxury Room
- Contact 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, Singapore; +65 6708 8310; sofitel.com
