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Your guide to a long weekend on Singapore’s Sentosa Island

Meredith Bryan
With a slate of new hotels and world-class attractions, Sentosa Island packs in relaxation, luxury, adventure and thrills.

Just 10 minutes by train from the urban heart of Singapore, Sentosa Island feels like a far-flung tropical paradise – with palm-lined beaches, destination theme parks and a vibrant food scene all within easily walkable distance (or jump on the monorail giving rides around the island). A former British military fortress ambitiously reimagined after Singaporean independence in 1965, in recent years, it has become one of Singapore’s must-see destinations. For the most seamless getaway, base yourself at Resorts World Sentosa, a lifestyle resort encompassing many of Sentosa’s most compelling hotels and restaurants, not to mention Universal Studios Singapore and Singapore Oceanarium.

This sample itinerary will excite everyone in your travel crew.

Day 1

Afternoon

The Laurus hotel Grand Luxury Suite
Stay in luxury at The Laurus.

Arrive on Sentosa and check into one of five unique hotels. The most discerning luxury travellers will love The Laurus, a new luxury collection resort in partnership with Marriott International. Here, tropical charm meets classical refinement, where every space tells a story of Singapore’s heritage and modern artistry. You’ll want to check out the on-site dining later in the day. The thoughtful menu emphasises local seafood, sustainably-farmed fish and organic produce from the hotel’s own garden.

At the luxe Equarius Ocean Suites, you’ll be lulled to sleep by reef sharks, rays and 40,000 fish gliding peacefully past your bedroom window, which looks out into the Singapore Oceanarium. All 11 suites also boast a personalised butler service, private balcony and jacuzzi.

Sister property Equarius Hotel is positioned on the edge of a tranquil tropical rainforest with views of the lush greenery beyond, appealing to nature lovers and families. Each room has plenty of space for maximum relaxation, complete with bathtubs and private balconies, plus a resort pool that begs to be swum in.

Equarius Ocean Suites
Have a front row view to marine life at Equarius Ocean Suites.

Newly reimagined and renovated Hotel Ora is a sophisticated property that attracts digital nomads and anyone mixing work and play, with modern design, communal coworking spaces, meeting rooms and a fitness centre.

Meanwhile, the delightfully original Hotel Michael pays homage to its architect – the late American postmodernist Michael Graves, best known for his exuberant, playful geometric shapes, pop colours and brilliantly streamlined household appliances. His only Singapore project features curved architectural forms, custom murals and artworks, and sculptural furniture.

After check-in, head to Adventure Cove WaterPark to ride the Riptide Rocket, South Asia’s first hydro-magnetic water coaster, or get up close and personal with marine life when you snorkel with 20,000 reef fish or wade in among the rays.

Evening

Harry Potter: Visions of Magic
Experiences Harry Potter: Visions of Magic.

Grab a table at Soi Social for inventive cuisine by famed Thai chef and cookbook author Ian Kittichai, before checking out the Asian premiere of Harry Potter: Visions of Magic. This immersive, self-guided multimedia exhibit takes visitors on a journey through the Ministry of Magic, Grimmauld Place, the Chamber of Secrets, and more. Accio magic!

Day 2

Afternoon

Singapore Oceanarium Ocean Wonders zone
Head into Singapore Oceanarium.

From there, it’s off to the newly transformed and renamed Singapore Oceanarium, where 22 immersive, interactive zones – from coastal mangroves to deep seas – promote connection between humans and nature.

The spectacular Open Ocean habitat’s 36-metre-wide viewing panel takes you straight into an underworld of fish, sharks, rays and more. While an Ancient Water zone takes you back to an age of ocean giants with a life-sized animatronic, towering replicas and live habitatsThroughout, immersive programmes and interactive digital experiences bring the wonders of the ocean to life.

Next, stop for a pastry and peruse the shops at WEAVE – a curated collection of Asia-exclusive flagships and first-to-Singapore dining experiences. Savour an afternoon treat with Pierre Hermé’s iconic macarons and bubble tea, or unwind at Din Tai Fung’s first cocktail bar concept in Asia.

Evening

yakitori at KA-MON
Dine on yakitori at KA-MON.

Enjoy the lively spectacle of Japanese grilling at KA-MON. Watch as your food is prepared over open flames using traditional Irori, Robatayaki and Warayaki techniques. And enjoy dishes boasting bold, smoky flavours and meticulous craftsmanship, from straw-fire grilled seafood to slow-cooked meats over a sunken hearth.

Afterwards, stop for a nightcap at Horatio, a sultry new whisky-focused cocktail parlour specialising in rare spirits and theatrical flourishes.

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Day 3

Morning

Ora Hotel Loma Breakfast Buffet
Sit down to a breakfast buffet.

Start your day with an indulgent hotel breakfast buffet at your hotel.

Afternoon

family at Universal Studios Singapore
Head out to Universal Studios Singapore.

Head out to Universal Studios Singapore for an afternoon of thrilling rides and attractions based on popular movies and shows. Jump aboard adrenaline-pumping rides and sit down to fun interactive shows. Later, walk through convincing replicas of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and the streets of NYC.

Evening

Osia Steak and Seafood Grill
Enjoy a final meal at Osia Steak and Seafood Grill.

Wrap up your getaway at Osia Steak and Seafood Grill, an innovative Australian steakhouse and gastronomic journey combining the finest ingredients from land and sea. Start with the warm flatbread, served with cultured butter and bush tomato. Then move onto the signature Hancock 2GR fullblood Wagyu, known for its marbling. For a taste of home, the 300g rump cap paired with a rich cognac black pepper sauce offers a beautifully balanced finish.

From underwater suites to gastronomic delights to wizarding worlds, Resort World Sentosa casts a spell that lingers reminding you that paradise is always closer than you think. Make the most of your short Singapore getaway and discover everything from world-class attractions to shopping and dining all in one place at rwsentosa.com. Use code RWSIT2025 when booking from 13 Oct – 31 Dec 2025, for a 5 per cent discount – terms and conditions apply.

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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.