Lucy
Some places make you want to stay all day... Raffles Sentosa Singapore was one of those for me.
I spent a Monday there with my friend while I was in Singapore in April, and it ended up being one of my favourite days of the trip. No plans. No rushing around. Just a few hours switching off and catching up in what felt like a hidden tropical retreat tucked away from the city.
If you’re searching for a quiet pool day in Singapore, a wellness-focused daycation, or somewhere that feels private and calm, this is it.
First impressions: tropical, calm, completely hidden away
We arrived late morning, around 10 or 11am, and checked in with Privilee before being taken by a buggy through the resort towards the spa and pool area.
Straight away, it felt different from most pool scenes. There was no loud music. No crowded loungers. No people reserving beds at sunrise. Just trees, shaded pathways, soft sunlight coming through the leaves, and the sound of water in the background.
The whole resort feels spacious. Even if there had been more people around, I still don’t think it would have felt busy. The pools are intentionally tucked between greenery and private corners, with only a small number of loungers spread around each area. It feels more like you’ve arrived at a private residence hidden inside the jungle than a hotel.
And aesthetically? Unreal.
Everywhere you look, there’s another detail. Oversized trees, curved pathways, soft stone flooring, muted neutral tones, vintage-style umbrellas with patterned trims, hidden shaded corners, and pools that look straight out of a Pinterest Board. We immeditaly relaxed!
The pool scene
The main pool area was almost completely empty when we arrived. We spent most of the day feeling like we had the entire place to ourselves. It was perfect a girlie catch up, chatting, and just enjoying the stunning details and peaceful vibe. Mental note: All of my Monday's should be like this.
The water is this deep blue-green colour that reflects the trees above it, and there are smaller hidden pools and quieter corners throughout the area too. One of them has a waterfall running into it, which you can hear softly in the background while reading a book or topping up your tan.
My friend and I ordered an iced coffee to start from Le Jardin and spent the first hour just tanning and catching up on life. She lives in Singapore and I'm based in the UAE, so we had a lot to get through!
That’s what I loved most about the day. It wasn’t about “doing” loads. It was about having a real catch up with no distruptions, in an unreal setting. I felt like the first time in a long time I'd switched off.
Lunch at Le Jardin
By midday, we headed over to Le Jardin for lunch. The terrace sits right beside the pool and feels super relaxed. Shaded, quiet, and surrounded by greenery. It’s one of those spots where lunch naturally turns into a long afternoon.
Everything on the menu feels fresh, healthy, and well thought-out. We didn't want anything heavy, so I ordered the Chia Seed Wrap alongside a “Healthy Booster” juice with ginger and grapefruit. Perfect for a hot Singapore afternoon. My friend ordered the Beetroot Carpaccio and the Walnut Bread - we both said how good all of the dishes were.
Privilee Members also save 10% on dining here, which was a nice perk at the end of the day when we paid our bill.
Afternoon reset
After lunch, we went back to the pool for another hour or so with a tropical fruit platter. We spent the time reading, tanning, cooling off in the water every now and then. My idea of the perfect afternoon. Just sun, water, shade, and that constant sound of the waterfall nearby.
At around 2pm, we headed into the spa to use the sauna and cold plunge. Privilee Members get access to the spa wellness facilities here too, which changed the experience from a pool day into a true reset.
I did a little contrast therapy session between the sauna and cold plunge whilst my friend just stayed in the sauna. When we were done, we showered here and got ready to leave.
By the time I left, I felt noticeably calmer than when I arrived. Not in a dramatic wellness-retreat way. Just lighter. You can't beat a girls pool day, especially at somewhere like this.
Why Raffles Sentosa Singapore stands out
Singapore has no shortage of beautiful hotels, but what makes Raffles Sentosa Singapore different is the atmosphere. Nothing feels loud or OTT. It's all in the space, the privacy, the greenery, and the quietness of it all.
For us, it ended up being the perfect late morning and early afternoon escape. Somewhere to get some vitamin D, catch up, eat, read, reset properly, and disappear for a few hours without ever leaving Singapore.
I can’t wait to go back!