Raffles Sentosa Singapore | Yabu Pushelberg

Perched on a lush hilltop of Sentosa Island, lies an intimate retreat that offers a new expression of luxury—secluded, storied, and serene. This is Raffles Sentosa Singapore, the brand’s first all-villa resort in the place where it all started.

Designed as a journey of quiet discovery, Yabu Pushelberg crafts an experience that
unfolds like a story—one that balances the grandeur of Raffles with the tranquil spirit of
Sentosa.

Marking Yabu Pushelberg’s first resort project and its inaugural collaboration with Raffles,
the studio was entrusted with the comprehensive design of the property—master planning,
building design, landscaping concepts, interior design, furniture design, lighting,
wayfinding, and art advisory, led by Hanabi: Art and Artists.

"Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the granddaughter of the original Raffles Singapore — she
carries her grandmother’s DNA but embodies a modernity that is both gracious and entirely
her own. As our first resort project where we had the opportunity to shape every aspect of
the design—from interiors and master planning to landscaping concepts — this project
represents the fullest expression of our studio’s multidisciplinary approach." – George
Yabu & Glenn Pushelberg

Spanning 100,000 square meters of tropical landscape, the resort features 62 private pool
villas ranging from 211 square meter one-bedroom villas to 650 square meter four-
bedroom villas, each designed as a personal oasis. Raffles Sentosa Singapore bridges
time, tradition, and place, creating a sanctuary where past and present, the city and
nature, refinement and vitality exist as one.

The Arrival

The experience begins the moment you cross the threshold from the street to the winding
arrival road. You sense the shift from pavement to crushed granite beneath your wheels,
while a lush landscape begins to sweep you away from the urban environment as you wind
your way up to unwind.

The Arrival Building is an ode to the classic design of the original Raffles Singapore façade,
giving guests the impression of arriving at a grand mansion. As the sun rises and falls, light
filters through the patterned screens, creating a playful dance of light and shadow. By
night, the building transforms, its silhouette accentuated against the dark sky. The architectural arches, carried throughout, emit a warm amber glow from within, evoking nostalgia for the framed window arches that greet you at Raffles’ original 1887-built property—just miles away, yet a world apart.

Within the Arrival Building is the Raffles Room, an open salon for tea and cocktails. With a
view that frames the long-standing heritage tree, the Raffles Room serves as an introduction to the magical landscape of Raffles Sentosa Singapore. Just past the reception area, tucked discreetly behind mural-paneled doors by Canadian art studio SpaceNWalls, the Chairman’s Room awaits. Here, bartenders craft classic cocktails in a relaxed setting that feels as if you’re a guest in the home of friends or family. Cloaked in richly hued blue-green wood paneling, the space shifts with the light, while antiqued mirror panels inset into the ceiling draw attention. At one end, a softly curved bar offers an intimate setting for a nightcap while the room itself invites camaraderie, rounding out the sense of effortless indulgence.

The Footpath

After passing through the Arrival Building, guests become completely immersed in the
landscape. The resort reveals itself in stages, with each building and villa uniquely positioned to maintain a sense of privacy and intimacy. A series of lush footpaths connect the spaces, with landscaping that feels both effortless and refined, executed by P Landscape. Lighting and art along the paths highlight nature’s own design—its textures, patterns, and colors. A staircase leads from the upper-level Garden Room ballroom to the main Raffles Ballroom and Empire Grill, where you’re offered a bird’s-eye view of the pool.

As much care is given to the design of the interiors as the exteriors, blurring the distinction
between the two.

The Raffles Ballroom and The Garden Room

Designing the ballroom was an exercise in balance—Yabu Pushelberg was tasked with creating a grand yet discreet venue that respects the surrounding landscape while offering a seamless experience for guests. Understanding the flow of arrivals and departures and ensuring that the banquet spaces could be accessed directly from outside—without disrupting the guests’ sense of seclusion—was essential to maintaining tranquility. The scaling of the building and its integration into the landscape, rather than dominating it, maintains the guests’ sense of intimacy and privacy. Every vista is carefully considered and framed to preserve this atmosphere.

The compression and expansion of the journey continues as the intimate ballroom entrance opens into an awe-inspiring space, where indoor and outdoor lighting can be tuned to your taste. A French Oak coffered ceiling and wall paneling create a rich backdrop for events, offering character without overpowering the space. The venue offers a flexible arrangement that can be opened for larger gatherings or divided into two meeting rooms.

The upper-level Garden Room offers a small ballroom which can function independently or as a pre-function area that integrates for a seamless experience. Encased in glass, the ballroom offers panoramic views into the surrounding lush greenery with glass screens filtering light to create a dappled effect—reminiscent of sunlight filtering through a forest canopy.

The Pool Deck

Continuing down the landscaped stairs, you discover a luxurious 30-meter swimming pool
lined by private cabanas, visible from the Empire Grill. Travertine tile was chosen to bridge
past and present, offering clean lines while developing softness and character with age.
The Empire Grill, All-Day Dining at Raffles’ Signature Italian Restaurant The sense of discovery continues as you approach the Empire Grill, an all-day dining venue offering signature Italian fare. Situated at the end of a winding path overlooking the pool and treetops beyond, a bold stone floor pattern welcomes you into the space, while hand- painted murals envelop you as you dine. The chefs invigorate the atmosphere, adding a sense of drama through the enticing aromas of their craft. The restaurant also features a specialty chef’s table room with a grand onyx table as its centerpiece, providing the perfect atmosphere for an intimate private dining experience.

Royal China and Iyasaka by Hashida, The Specialty Restaurants

Home to Royal China and Iyasaka by Hashida, the specialty restaurant building stands as
the most refined dining destination on the property. Stacked, slatted volumes define its
exterior, glowing like lanterns at night and creating a warm, inviting presence within the
landscape. By day, its dark-toned façade allows it to blend into the surroundings, while
expansive views over the treetops toward the ocean unfold from within, immersing guests
in a setting where nature and design exist in quiet harmony.

The Villas

The villas have been designed as private oases for seamless indoor-outdoor living, a crescendo on the theme echoed throughout the property. Travertine and wood feature prominently on the exterior, transitioning effortlessly into the interiors, just as the private pool deck merges with the water. The textured surfaces and dark travertine were chosen to provide respite from the sun while adding character. Mirrors within the villas reflect the surrounding landscape, bringing the outside world in.

The contemplative art program offers guests moments to pause, wonder, reflect, and question. Through a variety of artistic techniques and visions, they showcase nature's diversity. Each piece offers a unique interpretation of serenity in the natural world, from realistic depictions to abstract expressions.

Yabu Pushelberg and Hanabi: Art and Artists carefully selected the artworks in the villas to
reflect a sense of place. For example, the calligraphic piece in the bedroom is by local artist Ryan Loi, while the digital print in the living room by Sandra Kantanen represents the surrounding landscape. For the feature mural, local artist Andre Wee was commissioned to create a dramatic jungle scene inspired by the animals and plants depicted in William Farquhar’s historical botanical illustrations. Also drawing inspiration from Walton Ford and
Henri Rousseau, the mural evokes a sense of magic and whimsy while retaining drama
through its composition.

Intricately detailed oak paneling helps impart a sense of classic formality, reinterpreted in
a modern way that remains just as detailed and full of character. Furnishings draw inspiration from the past, incorporating natural materials like rattan and linen, traditional forms such as the spindle armchair, and bold tropical patterns in refined textiles—while making them entirely contemporary. The villas manage to be full of personality while still maintaining a sense of tranquility.

Each villa offers a living pavilion, a sleeping pavilion, and an outdoor pool, extending the room experience to embrace the vibrant, lush island landscape. As the first Raffles property in Singapore to provide guests with a private pool in every villa, each individual pavilion is thoughtfully positioned to maintain a sense of seclusion. True to the brand’s hallmark approach to service, the ease and simplicity of enjoyment conceal the meticulous care and complexity behind the scenes.