IF YOUR BUCKET LIST includes indulging in serious ‘me time’ in a dream destination where your slightest whim is pampered by your own personal butler in your private villa (with pool), with world- class restaurants and spa at your fingertips, then have we found the spot for you! Raffles Sentosa is a serene tropical- island resort just 15-20 minutes from the bustle of downtown Singapore, where you can hide away and relax in ultimate privacy and style. Toronto and New York-based designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg had some big shoes to fill when designing the recently opened resort. Becoming affectionately known as the glorious granddaughter of the historic Raffles Singapore, you cannot help but compare this sparkling new baby to the distinguished grand old dame with its extraordinary legacy that dates back to 1887, so it is still comforting to experiencethe essence of the beloved Raffles brand.

And yet, this sensual, slick and luxuriously modern creation sets a spectacular scene for Singapore’s first all-villa resort, set within 100,000 square metres of tropical landscape that allows Mother Nature to proudly lead the way. The property connects the indoors to the outdoors on every level as your Rolls Royce buggy whisks you along lush green pathways to arrive at your villa with your personal butler at the ready to unpack your luggage and serve you your Sentosa Sling. Given there are 62 villas in total it is incredible that you can feel as if you are the only guest here, thanks to the intimate design that promotes a wonderful sense of seclusion. My butler, Rose, was soon to become my bestie as she curated a bespoke itinerary for me that was the perfect blend of relaxation and discovery. Rose and her team were able to remain with me at any moment of the day or night thanks to a system brilliantly executed via WhatsApp, and it was just as well, as they had the seclusion element nailed so perfectly I would never have been able to find my way to the main buildings without them. Infinite details from the plush soft furnishings, to the tapestries and artworks, to the beautifully designed and tailored creamy beige and silky soft green uniforms show careful thought regarding colours, materials and textures that invite you to immediately slow down and dissolve into island life while leaving the city behind. I wonder how many guests notice or understand the clever copper water cup discreetly placed on the bedside table to promote overall wellbeing.

Mornings can be as relaxed as you like perhaps with breakfast poolside after a wellness session at the spa which might include breathwork, mat pilates, yoga, qigong or a sound bath to foster inner peace, and there are a multitude of experiences on and off site curated to fill your stay with discovery and cherished memories. Expert naturalist- led tours will introduce you to the diversity of the magnificent plants and birds on the island, while a must-do is the Rolls Royce island tour personally hosted by the resort’s concierge and well-being manager, Ali Alsagoff. A few hours spent with this clever, charming and extremely entertaining gentleman will unearth art, history, culture, architectural and botanical storytelling, and valuable insight into what makes Singapore so special. Within the five in-house restaurants and the spectacular Chairman’s Room you will find diverse menus showcasing Cantonese, Italian and Japanese flavours along with some popular Singaporean- inspired sips and bites and a plant-based spa menu. You can also work directly with the team to design your private and exclusive in-villa dining experience with personalised service. For me, the highlight was the awe-inspiring Royal China where executive chef Ling Heng Yao draws on his Chinese heritage – with a deep connection to Szechuan flavours – and impressive global influences to deliver refined Cantonese cuisine in superbly timeless dishes. Freshly chilled silken bean-curd skin with ikura (cured salmon roe) contained a gentle kick in the mala soy sauce that bears his signature touch. To follow, the Royal China dim sum collection included four outstanding creations that showcased steamed shrimp, pan-fried crab meat with truffle, steamed quail egg siew mai topped with Oscietra caviar and an oven-baked char siew puff, again delivering the gentle buzz of the mala. A pan-fired scallop topped with chef’s home-made XO sauce was almost too pretty to eat – almost – and the wok-fried fragrant rice with its side of umami-filled fish broth was like a super-comforting hug in a bowl. To finish, a chilled bird’s nest with coconut ice cream served in a young fresh coconut. The meal in this sophisticated and elegant room is one that I will remember for years to come for its perfect execution and careful consideration of pace and flavour. Five courses, plus a bread course that featured delicate steamed and fried buns, and yet I left feeling light and full of energy, perhaps a nod to the overall goal of this stunning island sanctuary, where serenity meets vitality to enhance your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. If you are Singapore-bound for business, a visit to Raffles Sentosa will provide you with the blissful recharge you need before heading back to the office. Because you are worth it. raffles.com/sentosa.

A heartfelt thank you to Raffles Sentosa’s Michelle Wan – Cluster Director of Corporate Communications – for sharing such valuable insights on community and culture.