As a seasoned hotelier with over three a long time in luxurious hospitality — together with shaping a few of Singapore’s most iconic waterfront landmarks — Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale now steers the way forward for Raffles Sentosa Singapore and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa as cluster basic supervisor, drawing on a legacy that fuses European finesse with a deep understanding of Asia’s evolving luxurious panorama. Tucked into the plush hillside of Sentosa, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the nation’s first all-villa resort, providing a secluded escape with 62 non-public pool villas immersed in tropical greenery. Every villa is a personal sanctuary, full with its personal terrace and pool, the place pure gentle, curated artwork and considerate design invite friends into an oasis of relaxation and reflection. This rarefied island sanctuary affords greater than famend butler service and legendary afternoon tea — it marks a shift in what luxurious hospitality means at present. LUXUO speaks to Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale concerning the enduring magic of the Raffles model, the distinctive attraction of Sentosa and the considerate way forward for elevated hospitality.
Inform us concerning the historical past and DNA of the Raffles Lodge model.
In 1887, Raffles Lodge opened in Singapore, named after Sir Stamford Raffles, a distinguished British diplomat, botanist and the famed founder of contemporary Singapore. Characterised by its impeccable service, Raffles Lodge earned a worldwide fame for its mix of refined magnificence, tropical splendour and Asian grace. Following the inspiration of Raffles Worldwide Ltd in 1989, the primary enlargement of the Raffles model got here in 1997 with the debut of Raffles Lodge Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Lodge d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Raffles Lodges & Resorts was acquired by Accor Group in 2016. Right now, Raffles is a worldwide household of 25 elegant landmark addresses (together with the soon-to-open Raffles Jeddah) in culturally wealthy locations world wide.
At its coronary heart, the Raffles model is outlined by gracious hospitality, a powerful sense of place and an unwavering dedication to service excellence. These qualities have formed its legacy – and so they proceed to resonate with at present’s travellers, together with a youthful technology in search of experiences which might be each significant and memorable.
Throughout each property, there’s a constant dedication to excellence, however no two Raffles accommodations are the identical. Every one displays the character of its vacation spot whereas staying true to the model’s legacy of quiet luxurious and significant hospitality. With Raffles Sentosa Singapore, the Raffles model is extending this legacy to supply a resort different for travellers to Singapore, with experiences which might be distinctive and distinct to Sentosa Island.
Raffles stands out not only for what it affords, however for the way it makes individuals really feel – seen, valued and genuinely at residence. At Raffles, our guests arrive as friends, go away as mates and return as household.
As a basic supervisor, what do you first discover whenever you enter a resort and what particulars do you pay shut consideration to?
The very first thing I at all times take note of is the service. As a hotelier, you can not assist however be drawn into noticing the small print of how the workforce are interacting with the friends, and whether or not they’re observing friends to attempt to anticipate their wants. What units a terrific resort other than a very good resort just isn’t the design or the elegant environment, however the service you obtain.
There are 62 distinct pool villas at Raffles Sentosa. How do you preserve constant service requirements on the property?
At Raffles Sentosa Singapore, we stay steadfast in our dedication to sustaining the integrity of our model’s heritage. The core of what makes Raffles particular is our service excellence, which is deeply embedded in each element, and we purpose to make sure that our friends expertise this from the very first second they stroll by means of our doorways.
As custodians of the model, we proceed to honour the long-lasting traditions which might be synonymous with the Raffles title, together with the legendary Raffles Butler workforce. They’re extremely educated to supply bespoke, intuitive service, anticipating our friends’ wants earlier than they even suppose to ask. We even have a workforce of Wellbeing Butlers, whose function is to anticipate friends’ wellbeing wants in order that they may go away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Our aim is to create experiences which might be memorable and reflective of the perfect of Singapore. By staying true to our roots and honouring our storied legacy, we proceed to supply distinctive hospitality that resonates with each long-time patrons and new friends alike.
Inform us extra concerning the Raffles Butler service, a cornerstone of the Raffles model.
The legendary Raffles Butler service is integral to any visitor expertise at Raffles Lodges and Resorts. Raffles Butlers are well-known for offering extremely anticipatory service whereas additionally serving as guides to assist friends discover the vacation spot, tradition and uncover their very own passions. By way of a mix of heritage, custom and magnificence, Raffles Butlers create personalised moments that redefine luxurious. Butlers are educated not solely to fulfill however to exceed expectations, delivering each interplay with poise, authenticity and a deep understanding of friends’ wants.
Every visitor is greeted by their Butler on arrival, who then handles their check-in and personally curates the visitor’s keep, serving to them with any wants all through their keep and changing into their private level of contact whereas they’re on the resort.
What makes Sentosa a novel location in Singapore?
Sentosa’s distinctive topography affords an environment that’s really unmatched, setting it other than the city luxurious accommodations within the metropolis. The island’s pure tranquillity, surrounded by lush greenery and pristine landscapes, offers an idyllic surroundings for a deeply immersive and rejuvenating expertise, or for personal celebrations. This serene backdrop is completely suited to a resort centered on wellness and leisure, catering to the rising demand amongst luxurious travellers for a holistic and peaceable escape.
On the coronary heart of this sanctuary is nature itself. Our resort is nestled inside 100,000 sq. metres of verdant greenery, providing sweeping views of Sentosa’s untouched environment, making certain that friends are at all times related to the island’s serene magnificence. The tranquil surroundings encourages leisure, serving to friends unwind, recharge and reconnect with family members in significant methods.
Including to the resort’s attraction are two heritage Ficus bushes, every over 100 years outdated, standing as residing testaments to the island’s wealthy historical past. Moreover, as a part of our “60 Timber for 60 Years” initiative to have fun Singapore’s sixtieth anniversary, we now have re-introduced a number of uncommon and endangered species, together with the Seashore Mangosteen. These bushes, together with others planted throughout the resort’s official opening on 1 March 2025, will finally kind a inexperienced archway main friends into the resort, enhancing the sense of peace and connection to nature.
What makes Sentosa much more particular is its proximity to town. Only a 15-minute drive from the bustling coronary heart of Singapore, and solely 25 minutes from the airport, it affords a world of tranquillity that feels miles away from the city rush — making it the proper retreat for these searching for serenity with out sacrificing comfort.
What can guests to Raffles Sentosa anticipate by way of eating experiences?
Each eating event at Raffles Sentosa Singapore is a trigger for celebration with one’s family members, mates and colleagues. This serene new escape, rooted in pure beaut,y affords 5 refined eating places and lounges helmed by acclaimed cooks with Michelin-level credentials, in addition to the gracious hospitality Raffles is understood for.
Empire Grill is the resort’s signature Italian restaurant beneath the management of Cluster Director of Culinary Chef Bjoern Alexander, and is the place friends can savour genuine Italian delicacies with a contemporary twist. Royal China options refined Cantonese delicacies overseen by award-winning chef Chef Ling Heng Yao, whereas Iyasaka by Hashida, which implies celebration in Japanese, affords a particular omakase journey in an intimate 12-seat eating area.
In the meantime, the elegant Raffles Room is the place you possibly can benefit from the signature Raffles Afternoon Tea whereas overlooking the magnificent heritage ficus tree. The Chairman’s Room is a nod to the classic speakeasy bars of yesteryear and affords a refined choice of whiskies, a choice of Cognac, advantageous wines and champagnes by the glass in a sublime, intimate setting.
With 62 extremely spacious non-public villas, every with their very own pool and terrace, the stage is ready for an distinctive in-villa eating expertise. With bespoke providers from our culinary workforce, sommelier and Butler, every meal is crafted to create an intimate and unforgettable expertise.
How does sustainability form your culinary philosophy and the way is that this mirrored throughout the resort’s eating experiences?
At Raffles Sentosa Singapore, sustainability is deeply built-in into our operations, beginning with the resort’s distinctive location on Sentosa Island, Asia’s first GSTC-certified island vacation spot. And that is an equally central a part of our eating philosophy.
Throughout the eating places’ menus, along with regionally and sustainably sourced substances, our cooks additionally harvest produce grown from our edible backyard.
Our signature cocktail, the Sentosa Sling, is crafted utilizing upcycled watermelon pores and skin and lemon leaves grown in our edible backyard, showcasing the wedding of luxurious with aware sustainability.
Inform us extra concerning the spa & wellness amenities at Raffles Sentosa and the precise well being gear you’ve gotten launched?
Housed in a heritage constructing (a former military barracks constructing referred to as Block 59 again within the Thirties) that has been conferred the celebrated City Redevelopment Authority Architectural Heritage Award, Raffles Sentosa Spa blends the timeless attraction of its wealthy historical past with up to date wellbeing experiences.
Company can sit up for up to date wellbeing experiences encompassing mindfulness, therapeutic massage, health, hydrotherapy, salon providers and spa therapies. A state-of-the-art gymnasium with the newest Technogym gear can also be positioned onsite. Each element, from the structure to the environment and coverings, is designed to evoke a way of calm. Our Wellbeing Butlers additionally curate mindfulness programmes and actions to fulfill friends’ private preferences and way of life wants.
Other than the gymnasium, the in depth spa amenities embrace 12 remedy rooms, a lap pool, two swimming pools with waterfall options, an out of doors whirlpool, indoor cold and warm swimming pools and steam rooms.
What makes a resort keep an unforgettable expertise?
A keep at Raffles Sentosa Singapore is designed to be extra than simply an escape – it’s a second of pause, a reconnection with nature, and a return to what issues most; particularly with family members in full privateness. Mixed with the tranquil consolation of the visitor’s personal villa and the serenity of the environment, the hallmark service provided by our workforce of butlers makes every keep an expertise to cherish lengthy after our friends go away.
How does Accor’s world community elevate Raffles Sentosa’s positioning?
Being a part of the Accor community permits us to faucet the worldwide distribution of one of many world’s largest and most dynamic resort teams. For a brand new resort like ours, it’s invaluable to have the assets of such an enormous community behind us to achieve out to a community of loyal friends from everywhere in the world.
How do you see the hospitality business evolving within the subsequent few years?
One pattern I discover significantly thrilling is the rising emphasis on sustainability in luxurious hospitality. More and more, friends are searching for experiences that align with their values, particularly with regards to environmental accountability. I imagine this shift is extremely essential, not only for the planet, however for the way forward for luxurious hospitality.
Company at present are extra discerning than ever, and so they more and more need to really feel that their selections are having a constructive affect on the world. It’s thrilling to be a part of a motion that merges luxurious with accountability, and we’re deeply dedicated to it at Raffles Sentosa Singapore. On the identical time, we observe that friends are prioritising area and wellbeing greater than ever. They’re searching for extra than simply indulgence — they’re in search of a way of peace and rejuvenation. In a world that strikes quicker than ever, there may be an growing want for expansive, non-public areas the place tranquillity takes centre stage. It’s not nearly being in a pleasant resort anymore; individuals need environments that promote each psychological and bodily wellness, permitting them to disconnect and reconnect with themselves.
At Raffles Sentosa Singapore, we cater to this want with our non-public pool villas and nature-inspired experiences designed to supply a real sanctuary for leisure and rejuvenation.
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