For the work-weary or stir-crazy in Singapore, a staycation marks an escape from those overly familiar walls of the office or house, even if just for a weekend. It’s a chance to tune out and regather one’s marbles before a return to the everyday humdrum.
So, in a time when hotels left and right seem to be trending towards familiarity and homely vibes, staycations can feel a little underwhelming (hands up if you’ve ever checked out asking yourself if you’d just paid to spend two nights in a room that quite really looks like yours).
This certainly isn’t the case at the newly refurbished Amara Sanctuary Sentosa, though. A five-month-long renovation by design studio FARM has brought the hotel to a different world, one that draws inspiration from Sentosa’s history while incorporating contemporary design elements.
“There were numerous captivating features we wished to celebrate while creating fresh opportunities for guests to rediscover the heritage building and its surroundings,” says FARM director Selwyn Low, who describes the estate as “a masterpiece to work with”. The design firm opted to lean into the existing colonial architecture, retaining an old-world charm even as the trappings of modern living were added.
There’s a sense of luxe island living that permeates throughout the refreshed Amara Sanctuary. Plants and foliage surround just about every corner — including an everfresh tree in the lobby, set below a massive skylight — while natural materials like rattan feature heavily in the interiors.
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We particularly like the Sanctuary Tearoom, the hotel’s main dining hall. Like the rest of Amara Sanctuary, the space is decked out in whites, browns and beiges; in the day, those tones make the place light and breezy, also thanks to large swathes of glass that let in the sun. As the sun sets and warm lights turn on, the Sanctuary Tearoom turns into an intimate setting, while the outdoor area — which seats 58 — becomes a relaxed spot to lounge around over a drink or two.
An outdoor gym and padel tennis court, as well as open courtyards in the villas, facilitate interactions with nature at Amara Sanctuary. Dawn Teo, chief operating officer at Amara Holdings A34 , says the hotel’s new look “resonates with travellers seeking solace in nature”. “By seamlessly integrating contemporary design elements, we revitalise our cherished heritage, ensuring its relevance for future generations,” she adds.
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The villas are where the colonial aspects of Amara Sanctuary’s design come across most clearly. Small touches here imbue history without making the experience feel like a historical reenactment. Right outside our Courtyard Suite, for instance, there’s a small boot scraper, hinting at the building’s past life as a quarters for British soldiers.
On the side table right inside our villa is a tiffin carrier of traditional kuih, along with the hotel’s custom tea blend. The space itself is ample, with a king-sized bed and the usual amenities (the historical inspiration definitely doesn’t mean low-tech). Around the other end of the room is a jacuzzi pool and a small patio area that’s perfect for lazing around when the weather isn’t too hot.
Guests staying in suites and villas get a complimentary walking tour of the grounds. The Amara Heritage Trail, which starts at the lobby, goes around the compound, with stops at heritage trees, to a bunker located right outside our villa. The tour, which caps off with a Gunner cocktail at the Sanctuary Tearoom, is also available at $12 for all other guests and $18 for non-guests.
The food lineup at Amara Sanctuary is also one not to be missed. The Grill N’ Chill buffet dinner, available on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm, comes with a wide spread of meats and seafood prepared on the grill at the Sanctuary Tearoom’s al fresco area. We love the cajun-spiced wagyu steak, grilled giant squid and satay. A festive edition of the buffet has been launched (from $148++ per adult), with additional carving and Christmas dessert stations.
Sentosa might be just a short drive away from the mainland, but a stay here at Amara Sanctuary feels quite like a trip out of town. With that feel of some faraway place and time, our time here comes across as a little less staycation and a little more vacation.
