See Sentosa Anew at a Raffles Villa

Singapore's first all-villa resort bears the brand's hallmarks, like butlers and doormen, but offers a different experience

- Sarah Stanley

Come March 1, the Republic's first all-villa resort, Raffles Sentosa, will open on the southern coast of Sentosa Island.

This marks the home-grown Raffles brand's second property in Singapore, following the historic Raffles Hotel in Beach Road, which has stood since 1887. When it opened, Raffles Hotel had just 10 rooms in a bungalow-style building with a view of the South China Sea.

"We're returning the brand to the beachfront after so long, and I think it's more meaningful because this year is also the nation's 60th anniversary," says Ms Michelle Wan, cluster director of corporate communications for Raffles Sentosa and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa.

While Raffles Sentosa carries hallmarks of the heritage brand such as its butler service and the famous Raffles doormen - it offers a different experience.

The property has aligned itself with Singapore's tourism strategy, which seeks to brand the country as a destination for quality tourism and extend the average length of stay, says Ms Wan.