Sentosa Island is Singapore's purpose-built leisure getaway. This compact island of pristine beaches, golf courses, roller-coasters and casinos offers a therapeutic break from the city for locals and is an essential port of call for travellers.
From the sensory indulgence of Resorts World Sentosa to the laid-back beaches and peaceful nature walks along the coast, Sentosa has been cleverly designed to appeal to everyone, and no visitor to Singapore can resist its charms for long. The twinkling lights of Sentosa beckon wherever you're staying in the Lion City – just 15 minutes by road, by monorail from VivoCity or by scenic cable car from HarbourFront.
Resorts World Sentosa Singapore
Hard Rock Hotel Singapore suits pleasure seekers. Picture: Hard Rock Hotel
You could be excused for wanting to spend your entire Singapore holiday within Resorts World Sentosa, with its 49 hectares of luxury accommodation, mouth-watering restaurants and world-class family attractions. Other attractions include the educational Maritime Experiential Museum and Aquarium, which takes visitors on an inspiring voyage through Asia's seafaring history, and the thrilling rides of Universal Studios Singapore, which will satisfy even the most toughened adrenaline junkies.
Staying overnight in Sentosa is the best way to make the most of your precious time here. The 5-star hotels of Resorts World rank among the finest in Singapore and, like everything else on the island, they cater to the diverse needs of every traveller.
The Hard Rock Hotel Singapore is ideal for pleasure seekers, with its convenient location on the doorstep of the casino and Universal Studios. Families who prefer laid-back surroundings can enjoy the Festive Hotel, which offers a free babysitting service, giving parents the freedom to see the sights.
If you'd prefer to stay away from the crowds, the Equarius Hotel is the perfect starting point for nature hikes on the coast, and the Hotel Michael offers unbeatable views of Sentosa and the iconic Merlion.
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History-Themed Attractions
Everything on Sentosa is entertaining and immersive. Picture: Getty Images
Singaporeans are proud of their country's history and rightly so, when you consider its rapid rise from a colonial backwater to one of the tiger economies of Asia. The city itself isn't short on great museums, but like everything else on Sentosa, the history-themed attractions on this smaller island are just that little bit more entertaining and immersive.
The first case in point is Images of Singapore, formerly the Pioneers of Singapore/Surrender Chambers Museum. A must-visit for anyone who's curious about the Singapore story, this award-winning attraction occupies the site of a former military hospital and is easy to find next to the cable car and Merlion.
Stepping inside, you'll embark on an unforgettable journey through 200 years of multicultural history, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of a Malay fishing village, Japanese occupation and Formula One racing before boarding the illuminating Spirit of Singapore boat ride.
Natural Attractions
You can see pink dolphins at Underwater World Singapore. Picture: Getty Images
If you've already seen the white tigers and elephants at Singapore Zoo and you're hungry for more animal encounters, Sentosa won't let you down. You can get up close to magnificent creatures of the sea at Underwater World Singapore, feeding rays and watching beautiful pink dolphins show off their talents.
Let the encounters continue with a stop at Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, where you can delight in the sight of so many colourful creepy-crawlies.
Sentosa's development hasn't been left unchecked, and efforts have been made to conserve the island's natural beauty around the glittering attractions. In fact, many people escape to Sentosa just for the nature, with accessible walking trails threading through 45 hectares of protected forests along the coast and inland that provide a habitat for a reported 170 species of native wildlife.
Then there are the beaches, with the 3.2 kilometres of white sands and clear blue waters at Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong rivalling all other beaches in Asia.
