Travel: W Singapore, Sentosa Cove

AS WE drove through Sentosa Cove with all its elaborately designed homes, immaculate lawns and luxury cars, an enormous white “W” embossed with flowers and butterflies came into view. There was no question we were in the right place. W Singapore is a vibrant hub of design, fashion and music and it sells itself as a playground for the cosmopolitan lifestyle. Not many hotels can boast a welcoming waterfall on arrival, and a lighthouse out the back.

W Singapore, Sentosa Cove. Picture: Contributed

BUDGET OR BOUTIQUE?

With 240 rooms in several styles such as Wonderful, Spectacular, Marvellous and Extreme WOW, the hotel exudes a boutique style on a grand scale. All hotels in the chain have a design theme, and at Sentosa Cove it is the rainforest, the island’s natural habitat. With nature-inspired examples of contemporary art in every corner, and Singapore’s national flower, the orchid, spread throughout the hotel, the W is a mesmerising explosion of colour and texture.

ROOM SERVICE

Our room was Wonderful, in name and reality. The inspiration of the rainforest continued here, with delicate light fittings and sculptural wooden furnishings. The luxuriously comfortable bed with a floral embossed headboard was the centrepiece and could be lit up in an array of colours to suit the mood. All mod cons were included and could be cleverly concealed behind works of art, while an extensive Munchie Box full of treats accompanied the well-stocked mini-bar. Sliding glass doors led on to the sizeable balcony, a perfect spot to relax in privacy overlooking the pool and marina beyond. Another place to relax was the bathroom, complete with Bliss Spa toiletries and rainfall shower.

WINING AND DINING

WOOBAR is the place to be for pre-dinner drinks and late night parties. Enjoy the exotic cocktail creations and listen to the resident DJ’s set whilst relaxing in hanging cocoon chairs. The W has two restaurants on site, The Kitchen Table and SKIRT. For a more relaxed dining experience visit the former, with its motto of “Food from the Heart”, where the emphasis is on homely fare. Ask the chefs at the different cooking stations to rustle up your food just the way you like it. Enjoy the international cuisine in the whimsical dining area full of upturned tables and colourful cutlery or eat outside at the WET bar for an al fresco vibe.

For a more indulgent foodie affair there is SKIRT, the hotel chain’s first contemporary grill restaurant, named after the speciality beef cut served there. As we were taken to our table we passed numerous ageing cabinets and the open plan kitchen in the centre of the restaurant, so we could watch our food being prepared. The team serve only the finest beef produce such as Blackmore, Black Angus and Wagyu. All are cooked to perfection on the parrilla grill.

WORTH GETTING OUT OF BED FOR

The island of Sentosa has a lot to offer before you even consider hopping over to Singapore, from the world’s largest aquarium to a range of stunning golf courses. We took the bus across the island to Fort Siloso, an open-air museum dedicated to the coastal gun battery that defended Singapore during the Second World War.

If you don’t want to venture too far, take a leisurely stroll around the marina or a cycle along the waterfront followed by a relaxing drink in one of the many bars that line the marina. If you crave the city life, then a free shuttle bus runs to and from the hotel regularly.

LITTLE EXTRAS

The AWAY spa at the W features several treatment rooms, a vitality pool and herbal bath, as well as a steam room and sauna. I was pampered with a blissful hot stone massage. But what really makes the W Singapore special is its unique afternoon tea experience. The Seasonal Flush “Drop the T2” serves exquisite tea from the Sri Lankan company Dilmah accompanied by delicate sweet and savoury delights prepared in-house. The varieties of tea on offer are only harvested once a year making them some of the rarest teas in the world. Our personal favourite was the Silver Tips variety complemented by the dainty trifles infused with the tea itself. All these are served in a silver birdcage hung at your table. n

Prices: The Wonderful room starts from £200 per night, www.wsingaporesentosacove.com