| Sentosa (Singapore) | |
 | |
Location  | |
| State | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Website | Official site |
Sentosa is an island district located off the southern coast of the city of Singapore.
To know
Formerly known asPulau Belakang Mati ("The island after death" in Malay) and the center of the (failed) British strategy "Fortress Singapore" during World War II, Sentosa has been transformed and remodeled into a major tourist attraction. The new gem is Resorts World, a huge complex which includes the theme park Universal Studios , Singapore's first casino, shopping malls and hotels.
The small islets of Kusu Island, St. John's Island, is Sisters Islands is Pulau Hantu are managed by Sentosa. There are plans for their development but nothing has been done yet. The first two can be reached by ferry, for the others you have to rent a boat.
How to orient yourself
Sentosa: full screen map.
How to get
Access to the island costs $ 2 per person, which is included in the rate for transportation from the mainland. There are also many other cheaper tickets depending on how many things you visit. The island is open 24 hours a day for 365 days but some attractions are not.
The best way to get there is to take the North-East Line to HarbourFront and then arrive at Vivocity Level 3 where you can take the monorail Sentosa Expressto the island, every 5-8 minutes from 7AM to 11:45 PM every day. However, the cheapest way is the SMRT bus [1][link not working] for $ 2:
- RWS 8 by VivoCity / HarbourFront MRT
By taxi or by car, you pay between $ 2 and $ 7 per vehicle, plus $ 3 for taxes. you can also walk over the bridge along the Sentosa Broadwalk ($ 1, EZ-Link accepted)[2] .
The Cable Car between Sentosa, HarbourFront and Mt. Faber returned to operation in July 2010. Round trip ticket $ 26.
The old ferry terminal was demolished to make way for the casino but there are still ferries connecting [3] Marina South Pier (bus 402 from Marina Bay MRT) with the islands of Kusu and St. John. From Monday to Saturday twice a day, departures at 10am and 1.30pm. The tour gives you one hour to see Kusu, which is enough. On Sundays and holidays there are 5 races, at 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, to Kusu, St. John and back to Marina South, giving you two hours per island. They all cost $ 15.
How to get around
Aside from taxis, all means of transportation are free.
By public transport
In three colors; Yellow Line, Red Line and Blue Line - connect Imbiah Station to various parts of the island. Runs from 7 AM-11PM during the week and until 12:30 AM Fri-Sat
On the train
The Sentosa Express can be used as a shuttle between the beaches and Imbiah Station (near Merlion).
By tram
Beach trams along the beaches every 15-20 minutes. One service joins Beach Station to Siloso Beach, another Beach Station to Palawan and Tanjong Beaches.
What see
Sentosa was recently refurbished and many things demolished. The offer for adults is limited but there is enough to keep children (ages 3-12) busy for a couple of days.
- Tiger Sky Tower, near Cable Car (blue / green bus).
Adults $ 10, children $ 7. 
Mon-Sun 9: 00-21: 00. The tallest observation tower in Asia. 131 meters and 360 ° views of Sentosa, Singapore and the islands to the south. On fine days you can see Malaysia and Indonesia. - Dolphin Lagoon, Siloso Point. Ticket also valid for the Underwater World. Dolphin show
- Fort Siloso, near Underwater World (Each bus, then transfer by tram). Adults $ 8, children $ 5. 10:00-18:00. the old English naval base now turned into a museum.
- Images of Singapore, near Cable Car Station (green, blue bus). Adults $ 10, children $ 7. 9:00-19:00. The story of Singapore told for children.
- Sentosa Merlion (Imbiah station). Adults $ 8, children $ 5. 10:00-20:00. A 37-meter version of the statue on the Singapore River, you can take the elevator that takes you to look at the Singapore Harbor panorama from the mouth, or visit temporary exhibitions on the ground floor.
- Sentosa Luge & Skyride, Beach Station. $ 10 single ride, plus $ 1 per child accompanied by an adult. Take the ski lift and go down with the bob, very safe and suitable for children.
- Songs of the Sea (Beach Station). 10$. Mon-Sun 19:40 and 20:40. Saturday additional show at 9.40pm. Multimedia show with lasers, water games and actors. Highly requested, best to book.
Adults $ 10, children $ 7. 
Mon-Sun 9: 00-21: 00. The tallest observation tower in Asia. 131 meters and 360 ° views of Sentosa, Singapore and the islands to the south. On fine days you can see Malaysia and Indonesia.
There are few things to see at Kusu Island, whose name means Island of the Turtles. It is not a pristine place, in fact, it resembles the rest of Sentosa.
- From Bogong (Tua Pekong) Temple, Kusu Island. Temple dedicated to the Merchant God. Crucial point of the Kusu Festival when pilgrims come to pray for prosperity.
- Keramat Kusu, Kusu Island. Islamic shrine, not a mosque, dedicated to saint Syed Abdul Rahman and his family who lived here in the 19th century.
What to do
Resorts World Sentosa
Resorts World Sentosa can be reached from the Waterfront Station or by "RWS" buses from Harbourfront and other points in Singapore (see how to get).
- 1 Casino, Crockfords Tower B1M, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station). Free admission foreign guests, Singaporeans and permanent residents $ 100. 00:00-24:00. Singapore's first casino is located under the Crockfords Tower hotel. 500 tables and 19 different games, the most popular are baccarat, roulette, tai you know is pai gow, poker less. There is the dress code: no slippers, tank top and shorts.
- 2 Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station), ☎ 65 65778899. Weekdays: Adults $ 68, Children $ 50; public holidays $ 74 for adults, $ 54 for children. Mon-Sun 10: 00-19: 00, Fri-Sat 19: 00-22: 00 (Hollywood After Hours). The first Universal Studios park in Southeast Asia. There are seven areas: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away and Madagascar, tickets valid for all areas. The star of the park is Battlestar Galactica, the world's tallest "dueling" roller coaster.
- Voyage de la Vie, Festive Grand, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station), ☎ 65 65778899. A real show, the metaphorical journey through life made by a boy, told through images, music and dances.
Other parts
Many say they can see Sentosa in one day, but what would 23 years be like? This is what happened to Chia Thye Poh, a member of the opposition Barisan Sosialis, arrested in 1966 under the Internal Security Act. He was asked to sign a document to abandon violence and ties with the Communist Party of Malaya, but Chia, a man of principles, he refused as he had no such ties and refused violence. never charged or put on trial, he was held in prison for 23 years, becoming the second longest-serving political prisoner after Nelson Mandela, and was "released" only in 1989 under house arrest in Sentosa. He was allowed to return to the mainland in 1992 and the charges were dropped in 1998.
Among Singaporeans, the best reason to go to Sentosa are the man-made beaches of Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong. However, due to maritime traffic, the water is cloudy. In Siloso there is a beautiful beach promenade with restaurants and nightlife, while Palawan prides itself on being the most southeastern point of mainland Asia. Tanjong is the quietest, ideal for beach volleyball and where KM8 is located (see section Drinking).
- 3 Sentosa Golf Club, 27 Bukit Manis Road, ☎ 65 62750022. Weekdays $ 120, holidays $ 220. Singapore's only golf club open to the public, it hosts the annual Barclays Singapore Open. Chia Thye Poh was held captive here.
- 4 [link not working]Botanical Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road (near The Sentosa Resort), ☎ 65 63711318. 100/300$. Wonderful spa with pool and mud and many other treatments.
Even the islands of Kusu is St. John they have beaches, quieter but similar to those of Sentosa. St. John is famous for fishing.
Shopping
There are souvenir shops practically everywhere in Sentosa.
- VivoCity, HarbourFront MRT. The largest shopping mall in Singapore, the sweet shop is also located here
- Sweet Enchantment, VivoCity # 01-159. where you can watch the chefs prepare candy and lollipops. The Sentosa Express station is inside the shopping center, ticket office on the third floor in part of the food court, while the Singapore Cruise Center is joined to VivoCity with a bridge to HarbourFront Center where there are other shops.
How to have fun
The beaches come alive with parties on Fridays and Saturdays. Legendary the New Year as well as ZoukOut, a huge annual party with international DJs. Beaches, beer, bikinis and pumping basses, what else do you need?
- 1 Bora Bora Beach Bar, Palawan Beach (yellow / red bus), ☎ 65 9005-4238. Free admission. $ 8 beer, $ 12.50 cocktails. Mon-Sun 10: 30-19: 00 or later. Relaxed bar with jazz music.
- 2 Cafe del Mar, Siloso Beach (Beach Tram), ☎ 65 62351296. Free admission. $ 8 beer, $ 12 cocktails. Franchise of the famous club of Ibiza. The restaurant is pleasant but a little overpriced and in the outdoor area the music is sometimes too loud.
Other places of call are:
- 3 Privé, 2 Keppel Bay Vista (Up Keppel Bay Drive, just before The Caribbean), ☎ 65 67760777. Free admission. Drinks $ 12. Mon-Sun 12: 00-13: 00. Built on a private island connected to the main by a bridge, getting there is only half the fun. There is an expensive steak house and an equally expensive Japanese restaurant. The best, however, is given by the outdoor bar with DJs playing chillout music.
- 4 [link previously not working]St. James Power Station, 3 Sentosa Gateway (In front of the Vivocity), ☎ 65 62707676. Old power plant which today houses no less than 9 bars and restaurants with different themes: Powerhouse for dance pop, Dragonfly for Mandarin / Cantonese live music, Movida for Latin music and Bellini Room for jazz. Popular with locals and cheaper than some places on Clarke Quay. Opening times and prices vary for clubs but most are open Wednesday to Sunday and charge $ 10 / $ 20 for entry (including a drink).
Where to eat
As expected from a large amusement park, the food in Sentosa, by Singapore standards, is mediocre and expensive although things have improved in recent years.
Moderate prices
- 1 Seah Im Food Center, Seah Im Road (across road from Vivocity). 5$. The building is old but the food is quite good, Indo-Islamic cuisine.
- 2 Food Republic VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, # 03-01. 5/6$. Looks like a 1960s hawker, but has air conditioning. A little expensive, but the food is good and it is very popular.
- 3 Koufu, Palawan Beach. 4/6$. 9:00-21:00. It's good but there's better around. Absurd prices compared to the city.
- 7/11, Below Monorail Stations. Same prices as 7/11 in the other neighborhoods. 00:00-24:00. The only place that sells sodas for less than $ 3. good for a snack.
Average prices
- 4 [link not working]The Garden restaurant (The Garden @ Sentosa), 2 Bukit Manis Road, ☎ 65 63711130. 30$. 10:00-22:00. The Garden offers different varieties of dishes with even menus for vegetarians.
- 5 Thanying, 1 Larkhill Road (Amara Sanctuary Resort), ☎ 65 6825 3881. 30$. Mon-Sun 11: 30-15: 30, 6: 30-22: 30. The same restaurant as the Amara Hotel in Tanjong Pagar.
- 6 Trapize, Siloso Beach (To the north), ☎ 6563762662. 20$. Mon-Sun 10 am-11pm. The improbable combination of pasta, pizza and a school for trapeze artists.
- Sakae Sushi, Siloso Beach (To the south). 20$. Eat sushi on the beach (air conditioned), a little expensive but good.
High prices
- 7 [link not working]Barnacles Restaurant & Bar, 101 Siloso Road (On the beach in front of the Rasa Sentosa Resort), ☎ 65 63712930. 70$. Mon-Sun 6: 30-23: 00, Sunday lunch 12: 00-15: 00. Nice seafront restaurant, good Chinese and Mediterranean cuisine, terrace and outside seating. Free parking and entry to Sentosa will be refunded as well.
- 8 [link not working]The Cliff, 2 Bukit Manis Road (The Sentosa Resort), ☎ 65 63711425. 100$. Overlooking the jungle, sea and beach, repeatedly voted Singapore's most romantic restaurant. Downstairs is the best view.
- 9 The beach, 27 Bukit Manis Road (Sentosa Golf Club), ☎ 65 68661977. 200$. Mon-Sun 13: 30-14: 30, 18: 30-23: 00. Modern and elegant Italian restaurant, some dishes are excellent (try spaghetti with sea urchin and sea bass with porcini) but the price does not justify the quality.
- 10 [link not working]Jewel Box, Mt. Faber. On a hill in front of Sentosa the Jewel Box brings together three trendy, expensive, and utterly un-special restaurants (Empress Jade, Sapphire and Black Opal), but the rooftop Moonstone bar is a nice place for a drink and to admire the city lights .
- Sky Dining at Singapore Cable Car, Mt. Faber. The Sky Dining Diamond Set starts at $ 218 for couples and is available every day except holidays. You can also ask for a Floral Cabin which will be decorated according to your chosen theme (there are three of them) at 488 $ per couple. You will be served a three-course menu (you will be asked at the time of booking). Dishes served every 30 minutes (the time it takes for the cable car to go from Mount Faber to Sentosa and back)
- 11 Kunio Tokuoka, Crockfords Tower Level 2 (Resorts World Sentosa), ☎ 65 66863633. The first overseas opening of the 4-star Michelin chef Kunio Tokuoka, from Kyoto, and grandson of the founder of the famous Kitcho. On the second floor of Crockfords Tower with easy access from FestiveWalk, Kunio Tokuoka prepares haute Japanese cuisine that goes beyond the flavor of the food and presentation on the plate.
Where stay
Sentosa is not advantageous for going to see the rest of Singapore and many of the accommodations here are intended for those looking for a simple beach getaway. However, new hotels and casinos are being completed and the new monorail is a convenient way to reach the city.
Moderate prices
Camping is not allowed on Sentosa, but is possible on St. John's Island, the Sisters Islands and Pulau Hantu, but a permit from the Sentosa Development Corporation is required (tel. 65 62750388).
Average prices
- 1 [link not working]Costa Sands Resort Sentosa, 30 Imbiah Walk (Near Siloso Beach), ☎ 65 6275-1034. It offers simple "kampung" (max 3 people) for 50/36 $ high / low season and new air-conditioned chalets (max 2 people) for 125/98 $. In addition to the beach, guests have access to a swimming pool.
- 2 Treasure Resort (Imbiah station), ☎ 65 6271-2002. 180$. Once a colonial building, it is actually located away from the beach and in need of modernization, however it has a swimming pool.
High prices
- 3 Amara Sanctuary, 1 Larkhill Road (Near Palawan Beach), ☎ 65 68792538, fax: 65 62231293, @[email protected]. 500$. Surrounded by 3.5 hectares of tropical forest, the hotel has 120 rooms converted from army barracks and 10 villas. Three swimming pools, spa, easily accessible beach, also excellent for the disabled.
- 4 Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, ☎ 65 63778888. 500$. Luxury resort designed by Foster Partners, built around two colonial-era bungalows. Main building and villas, spa and restaurant.
- 5 Rasa Sentosa Resort, 101 Siloso Road (Accessible by any bus), ☎ 65 6275-0100. 235$. With 459 rooms it is the largest in Sentosa but is rather generic even if attached to the beach.
- 6 The Sentosa, A Beaufort Hotel (The Sentosa Resort & Spa), 2 Bukit Manis Road (Free shuttle to / from VivoCity), ☎ 65 6275-0331. 300$. Known for his Botanical Spa and restaurants. Recently renovated, with Olympic size swimming pool and 300 meters from Tanjong Beach.
- 7 Siloso Beach Resort, 51 Imbiah Walk (Beach Tram), ☎ 65 67223333. 260$. It looks like a minimalist city hotel built by chance on a tropical island. Despite the name it is not located on the beach, but across the street.
- 8 Crockfords Tower, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station). Admission by invitation only. Only exclusive suites for casino goers. Come in and take a look at the lobby and its million dollar glass.
- 9 Singapore Hard Rock Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station), ☎ 65 65778899. From $ 225. The ideal place to feel like a rock star, the swimming pool with real sand is noteworthy.
- 10 Michael hotel, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station), ☎ 65 65778899. From 250 $. Designed by and named in honor of the architect Michael Graves.
- 11 Festive Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS bus, Waterfront station), ☎ 65 65778899. From $ 200. Family hotel, but much more classy than you might think.
How to keep in touch
Around
Chinatown is Little India they are just a few stops on the MRT line North-east. Or take a look at the other resorts in Marina Bay.
