S OOT
C
(
i s l and hopp i ng
)
93
ts name maymean “peace and tranquillity” in
Malay, but “adrenaline-fuelled distraction” is
what draws many of Sentosa’s visitors, who
number up to 20million annually. This is the
the fourth-largest satellite island of Singapore,
and by far its best-known weekend beach escape, with a huge
range of attractions and activities on offer. Fancy a zipline
adventure, indoor skydiving or “flowboarding” session on
artificially generated 10ft waves? You can do it all, move on to
the rollercoasters of Universal Studios,
then finish the day with dinner at lively
restaurants fromMichelin-starred chefs
and drinks at thumping bars on heaving
Siloso Beach.
That’s the most conspicuous side
of Sentosa, but while the island’s
family-friendly western half takes its
cues fromVegas-style entertainment
zones – right down to the casino at the
sprawling ResortsWorld Sentosa – the
more secluded eastern half has a different pulse, one defined
by languid days of leisure and breezy evenings at buzzing
boardwalk eateries.
There used to be little to see and do beyond Tanjong Beach,
the quietest (and for many the most appealing) of Sentosa’s
three man-made swimming holes. That’s changed in recent
months, however, as the luxurious enclave of Sentosa Cove – a
congregation of desirable seafront properties located further
down the island’s eastern shores that was once just residential
–
has been reinvented as a dining hotspot with theMarch
arrival of the high-end hub Quayside Isle. You’ll need to take a
taxi or hop on a free shuttle bus fromSentosa Cove Village to
get there, but the extra effort is what helps thin out the crowds
and contributes to the area’s air of exclusivity.
Flashy yachts, sailboats and other aquatic playthings of
Singapore’s wealthy elite fill the prettymarina that borders
Quayside Isle, a cluster of 18 international restaurants and
speciality shops aiming to become the “Capri of South-East
Asia”. Forward-thinking hyperbole
aside, QI does harbour amore upscale
sensibility than other parts of Sentosa,
a vibe reinforced by the adjacent 240-
roomWSingapore – Sentosa Cove,
the latest outlet from the swanky hotel
chain opened last September.
You’ll find everything from tapas at
Sabio by the Sea to wood-fired pizzas
at Sole Pomodoro, but it’s hard to
resist seafood in a seaside setting like
this. One recommended spot is Brussels Sprouts, where you
can indulge in a selection of 120 Belgian beers and plates of
mussels that start at $20, and include a readily replenished
supply of French fries. Quayside Fish Bar &Bistro serves
fresh fish, more than 20 craft beers and daily specials that
include one-for-one martinis onWednesdays. Museo, a sleek,
contemporary space conceptualised as a cross between high
tea and high art, is a hyper-trendy spot to sip cocktails while
practising your painting strokes in the attached art studio.
GETTING
THERE
Take a cable
car from
Mount Faber,
the Sentosa
Express monorail
from VivoCity
shopping centre,
or walk across
the boardwalk
from VivoCity.
COST
Cable car
$26; Sentosa
Express $3;
boardwalk $1
DEAL
WSingapore’s
Ultimate
Getaway package
is available until
31
December.
Starting at $368
per night, the
deal includes
breakfast for two,
cocktails and $50
spa credit.
i
A
different pulse
on the
eastern half is defined by
languid days
of leisure
and
breezy evenings
at
buzzy boardwalk
eateries
Two sides of Sentosa
