Sofitel Sentosa signing

The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel, now named The Singapore Resort and Spa Sentosa, Managed by Accor, will be unveiled as Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa in the second half of 2015, a luxury property and wellness enclave in Singapore.

A full refurbishment and renovation of the newly purchased property by Royal Group Development has commenced for one of the most iconic hotels in Singapore and on Sentosa Island.

The strategic move by the Royal Group demonstrates their commitment to Singapore as a key leisure and MICE destination.

Accor is focused on expansion in Asia Pacific, particularly within the resort segment, in response to Asia’s growing luxury market. As today’s traveller becomes increasingly discerning and sophisticated in their tastes and interests, their penchant for authentic experiences and cultural immersion increases.

Michael Issenberg, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer for Accor Asia Pacific, said: “The Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa will be a key addition to our Singapore hotels and to the Sofitel Asia Pacific network. We currently have 40 Sofitels in the region, which means Asia Pacific represents one third of our global network and a strong pipeline of Sofitels to open in the next couple of years.”

Bobby Hiranandani, Managing Director of Royal Group Development, said: “Royal Group Development is delighted to be partnering with Accor once again in Singapore to introduce a second Sofitel to our growing luxury portfolio. We are confident that this property will be a key strategic landmark in Sentosa, and will be established as one of the top luxury resorts in Singapore and the region when it transforms.”

The property has temporarily been renamed as The Singapore Resort and Spa Sentosa, Managed by Accor, whilst the hotel undergoes a full refurbishment. Expected to take between 12 to 18 months, the refurbishment will cover all accommodation, public areas, the Spa facilities, conference rooms, landscaping and some back-of-house areas.

When the hotel is unveiled in 2015, the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa will be one of the most spacious resort properties in Singapore and one of the very few hotels in the country located next to the beach, whilst still accessible to the city. The property will have 215 keys including suites and villas, with renovations handled by DP Architect / DP Green Landscape, and interiors by design house MaxStudio. As General Manager for both Sofitel So Singapore and The Singapore Resort and Spa, Tony Chisholm and his team will oversee the transformation of the new resort.

Mike Barclay, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation added his congratulations. “We are delighted to welcome the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa, which will be an excellent addition to our differentiated hospitality experiences on Sentosa. We are confident that Sofitel’s strong branding will appeal to both leisure and business guests visiting Singapore,” he said.

The Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and Spa will cater to all markets as a must-visit destination hotel. Under the Sofitel brand it will become a luxury destination for regional & international leisure travelers as well as a week-end gateway for local leisure travelers. It will also offer an extravagant wedding venue in Singapore, with a grand ballroom and terrace with sea views, as well as extensive landscaped grounds. MICE business will be well catered to with two refurbished ballrooms and a brand new pre-function room. The property will also offer opportunities for corporate guests to experience a sustainable & green environment hotel.

The spa will become a destination in its own right. The award-winning Spa Botanica will be transformed into an exclusive So Spa, offering an unparalleled experience for Singaporean residents and international travelers. The So Spa will feature 14 treatment rooms, six outdoor spa pavilions and a spa garden. Other leisure facilities will include two swimming pools, tennis, volleyball and badminton courts as well as an extensive landscaping to transform the property into Singapore’s ‘Urban Oasis’.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management