Village Hotel Sentosa: The crowd favourite

At the EdgeProp Singapore Excellence Awards, one category stands out for its unique approach: the People’s Choice Award. Unlike the other awards, which are judged by a panel, this category allows the public to determine the winner through their online votes. This year, more than 10 hotel properties competed, with Village Hotel Sentosa emerging as the crowd favourite. Developed through a 70:30 joint venture between Far East Organization and Far East Hospitality Trust, Village Hotel Sentosa is part of a cluster of four hotels on Sentosa Island, each tailored to attract a distinct target audience. While Village Hotel Sentosa caters to families, the 193-room Outpost Hotel Sentosa offers an adult-centric experience. The 191-room Oasia Resort Sentosa focuses on wellness, while at the top tier sits The Barracks Hotel Sentosa, a bespoke luxury boutique hotel with only 40 rooms. Read also: Guoco Midtown secures inaugural Top Commercial Property Award Advertisement Advertisement Opened in 2019, the 606-key Village Hotel Sentosa targets the mid-tier market and is popular among families, groups, and both international and local travellers seeking a family-friendly weekend getaway. Village Hotel Sentosa was designed by Khoo Peng Beng, director and co-founder of Arc Studio Architecture & Urbanism, with Coen International as the landscape architect and KKS International as the interior designer. Situated on a naturally elevated site, Village Hotel Sentosa and The Outpost Hotel Sentosa share a seven-storey building. The design concept for both hotels is inspired by an archipelago theme, characterised by water features and lush greenery. The heritage trees on the site were preserved and thoughtfully integrated into the development’s landscaping, blending seamlessly with the surrounding natural vegetation. The centrepiece of the property is the expansive three-tier pool deck on the third level, shared by both hotels. This deck features four themed pools: a children’s play pool with mini slides and shallow wading areas; adventure pools with activities like family aqua Zumba; a lazy river loop for relaxed floating; and the Pamukkale Pool, inspired by the terraced pools of Turkey’s Pamukkale, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The pool deck offers a stunning vantage point, allowing guests to enjoy views of Sentosa Island’s daily fireworks display and sunsets. Additionally, weekend movie screenings are held poolside, adding to the vibrant atmosphere. “At Village Hotel Sentosa, our family-focused experience truly sets us apart,” says Sohrab Thareja, area general manager of Sentosa Hotels by Far East Hospitality. “Kids take centre stage here, and guests frequently tell us how much they enjoy our four unique themed pools, which create cherished family memories.” Read also: The Reserve Residences clinches awards for innovative homes nestled in greenery Advertisement Advertisement The hotel also organises activities specifically for children, such as the “Mini Hotelier Experience,” where they can role-play as a mini concierge, housekeeper, engineer, or chef. Other family-friendly activities include a scavenger hunt and sand art. The Village Digital Passport also offers a specially curated walking guide that helps guests eat, play and explore like locals. “Guests love that we bring a touch of local festivity into their stay,” adds Thareja. “Our dedicated team takes delight in surprising guests with special activities in the lobby or at the pool deck during local celebrations and school holidays. It’s rewarding to know that our guests, especially the young ones, enjoy the ‘live like a local’ experiences that we offer in line with our Village brand ethos.” The hotel’s amenities include a bar, a gym, and a central amenities hub (the Village Hub) located at the lift lobby on all three levels of Village Hotel Sentosa. This ‘Village Hub’ is well-stocked with snacks, beverages, an ice machine, and a vending machine offering essentials, from insect repellent to swimming goggles. For food and beverage options, Village Hotel Sentosa features Native Kitchen, which offers a creative twist on Singapore’s beloved hawker cuisine, including dishes like Laksa, Nasi Lemak, and Prawn Noodles. Guests can also enjoy amenities at the neighbouring hotels, such as the award-winning Oasia Spa and the Bedrock Origin steakhouse at Oasia Resort Sentosa, as well as the 1-Altitude Coast rooftop cocktail bar and Sol & Ora Mediterranean rooftop restaurant at The Outpost Hotel Sentosa. The Mess Hall, a restored heritage building overlooking a courtyard, has been transformed into a dining and gathering space. It hosts a variety of restaurants, including the Royal Taj, known for its Indian cuisine; Quentin’s Bar & Restaurant, which specialises in Eurasian dishes; and the Parisian-style café Le Faubourg. Read also: TMW Maxwell sweeps four awards with flexible design concepts for modern urbanites Advertisement Advertisement Each hotel also offers versatile spaces for events, accommodating everything from corporate retreats to weddings.