Raffles Sentosa Singapore:
The Country’s First All-Villa Resort Designed By Yabu Pushelberg
Acclaimed Toronto-based design studio Yabu Pushelberg crafts a deeply immersive retreat where contemporary design, heritage, and nature seamlessly converge.
5 May 2025
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Aerial Shot of Raffles Sentosa Singapore | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
Nestled within 100,000 square metres of lush greenery on Sentosa Island, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is making its mark as the country’s first all-villa resort – a noteworthy milestone in a city-state where space is a rare luxury. It also marks a historic moment for the brand: Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the second Raffles property in Singapore, arriving 138 years after the iconic flagship opened its doors on Beach Road. Designed by renowned design studio Yabu Pushelberg, the resort masterfully blends contemporary elegance with the island’s natural beauty, creating a retreat that feels both expansive and deeply connected to its surroundings.
The resort marks Yabu Pushelberg’s first project with the brand, with the studio taking the lead on every aspect of the design, from the overall master plan to the landscape and art programme. Every element was thoughtfully conceived to create a seamless experience that balances the brand’s storied heritage with the tranquil surroundings of Sentosa.
A Design Inspired by Nature and Heritage
Arrival at Porte-Cochere | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
The design philosophy behind the resort was driven by a desire to create a sanctuary that harmonises with its lush surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the island’s rich history and the grandeur of the Raffles brand, the design team sought to craft spaces that evoke a sense of discovery, tranquillity, and connection to nature.
The journey to the resort, winding along Bukit Manis Road—which means ‘sweet hill’—sets the tone for an escape that feels far removed from the bustling city yet is only a short 10-minute drive away. Flanked by verdant greenery, the meandering roads lead visitors into a world where time slows, and nature takes centre stage. Before the resort was developed,, the land was completely untouched. That sense of pristine isolation has been carefully preserved, forming an ideal backdrop for a retreat designed to feel both exclusive and deeply connected to its surroundings.
“We wanted the arrival experience to feel like a journey,” explains George Yabu, co-founder of Yabu Pushelberg. “Every detail, from the lush landscape to the architecture, was designed to create a sense of discovery, helping guests transition into a slower, more mindful pace.”
One of the most significant cultural anchors at the resort is a heritage Ficus tree, dating back over a century, establishing a tangible link to the era when Raffles Singapore first opened. “This tree became a guiding element in our master plan,” shares Yabu. “It helped us ground the resort in a shared history, creating a meaningful sense of continuity between past and present.”
Raffles Room | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
The preservation of the tree, along with the surrounding natural landscape, reflects a deep respect for the island’s ecology. Footpaths wind through dense, curated foliage, and the gradual journey through the resort evokes the feeling of walking through a living, breathing gallery.
Materials and Textures: A Sensory Journey
One Bedroom Pool Villa – Living Room | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
Materiality plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of the resort. Travertine and French oak were chosen for their timeless appeal and ability to age beautifully, while textured surfaces, such as hand-painted murals and subtly veined stone, enrich the sensory experience.
“We wanted to create environments—spaces that breathe, that shift with the light, and that feel personal,” explains Glenn Pushelberg, co-founder. “Natural materials such as French oak, rattan, and soft-veined stone are used throughout, complemented by a muted colour palette that mirrors the surrounding terrain.”
One Bedroom Pool Villa – Bedroom | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
This thoughtful integration extends beyond materials to the artwork and objects that inhabit each space. “We worked with local artists to create custom pieces, from calligraphic artwork in the bedroom by Ryan Loi to murals by Andre Wee, inspired by historical botanical illustrations and the island’s flora and fauna. In the living areas, textiles with bold tropical motifs connect to Singapore’s lush environment. These elements are thoughtfully woven into the larger design narrative, ensuring every corner reflects a sense of history, artistry, and cultural identity.”
Together, these layered details form a seamless connection between indoors and outdoors, allowing guests to feel truly immersed in the tropical environment.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
One Bedroom Pool Villa – Bedroom | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
Each of the resort’s 62 private pool villas is designed to blur the traditional boundary between interior and exterior. Ranging from 211 square metres for a Garden One-Bedroom Pool Villa to 650 square metres for the Royal Villa, each features floor-to-ceiling windows that open to reveal a private pool and pool deck, framed by lush tropical flora. This design creates a seamless sense of openness and tranquillity.
Rather than creating conventional rooms, the design team envisioned immersive environments, allowing guests to experience a deeper connection to nature. “It’s about how a space feels at different times of the day – how it changes with light, breeze and sound,” explains Yabu.
Inside, art and furnishings are rooted in tradition—rattan, spindle armchairs, and elegant fabrics—yet composed in a modern way. Thoughtful variations in colour palettes, textures, and bespoke details create a sense of individuality, ensuring that each villa offers a personal experience while remaining unified within the resort’s overarching aesthetic.
A Thoughtful Evolution of Luxury
Beyond just a luxury resort, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is a place to slow down, reconnect with nature and savour meaningful moments with loved ones in complete privacy.
Royal Villa | Photo: Raffles Sentosa Singapore
“Everything here is designed to encourage connection,” says Yabu. “You’re not just looking at nature—you’re in it. And that has a profound effect.”
In every detail, from the choice of materials to the layout of the villas, Raffles Sentosa Singapore exemplifies an evolution of luxury—one that is deeply attuned to its environment and the well-being of its guests.
Looking ahead, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is setting new benchmarks for what modern luxury can be—intimate, immersive, and intuitively designed to reflect the evolving needs of today’s discerning traveller. Raffles Sentosa Singapore officially opened on March 1, 2025.
Author: Michelle Yee
A content and communications professional, Michelle spent more than a decade creating content for several leading media titles, including Lonely Planet Asia, Yahoo Singapore, and Wine & Dine. After leaving the media industry in 2019, she has been honing her craft at a global communications agency where she helps develop and drive publicity campaigns for brands in the consumer and corporate sectors.
