Resorts World Sentosa (Abbreviation: RWS) is an integrated resort on the island of Sentosa,
off the southern coast of Singapore.
The key attractions include one of Singapore's two casinos, a Universal Studios theme park,
Adventure Cove Water Park, and S.E.A.
Aquarium, which includes the world's second largest oceanarium (after Chimelong Ocean
Kingdom).
The S$6.59 billion (US$4.93 billion) resort was developed by Genting Singapore.
It was the third most expensive building ever constructed in 2010.
The resort occupies over 49 hectares (120 acres) of land and, when fully open, will
employ more than 10,000 people directly.
Resorts World Sentosa is a sister resort to Resorts World Genting, Pahang, Malaysia and
Resorts World Manila, Philippines.
The soft launch of the first four hotels took place on 20 January 2010, with the FestiveWalk
shopping mall following on 1 February.
The casino opened on 14 February 2010 on the first auspicious day of the Chinese New Year.
The Maritime Experiential Museum opened on 15 October 2011 and the last attraction opened
on 22 November 2012, The Marine Life Park.The grand opening of the integrated resort was
held on 7 December 2012, officiated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong together with Genting
Group Chairman Lim Kok Thay.
Resorts World Sentosa is also expected to hold large-scale exhibitions such as Valentino,
Retrospective: Past/Present/Future.
== History ==
=== Integrated resorts in Singapore ===
=== Resort history ===
Construction of Resorts World Sentosa Singapore began on 16 April 2007 on the demolished plot
of Imbiah Lookout.
It opened in a record time of 34 months of construction on 20 January 2010.
Crockfords Tower, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Festive Hotel and Hotel Michael opened 20
January 2010, followed by FestiveWalk on 31 January 2010.
Resorts World Sentosa Casino opened on 14 February 2010.
Universal Studios Singapore was opened for a sneak peek week in view of the Chinese New
Year Celebrations, from 5 pm to 9 pm every night between 14 and 21 February 2010.
The whole park was opened but none of the rides was operational.
Visitors had to pay SGD10 to get into the park.
Park tickets for the week were sold out in 2 days.
The park had its soft opening period from 18 March 2010 to 26 October 2010.
=== Timeline === 10 October 2006 – Genting International
and Star Cruises submitted its proposal, suitably named Resorts World at Sentosa to the Singapore
government.
16 October 2006 – Genting International and Star Cruises unveiled its proposal "Resorts
World at Sentosa".
8 December 2006 – Genting International and Star Cruises won the bid for the Sentosa
IR. 16 April 2007 – Resorts World at Sentosa
broke ground on 49-hectare site.
7 November 2007 – Resorts World at Sentosa announced that it will be adding six new attractions
to its resort.
20 January 2010 – Soft Opening of Resorts World Sentosa – Crockfords Tower, Hotel
Michael, Hard Rock Hotel and Festive Hotel 31 January 2010 – Opening of FestiveWalk
1 February 2010 – Opening of Resorts World Station of Sentosa Express.
14 February 2010 – Opening of Resorts World Sentosa Casino.
Late February 2010 – Opening of Link Bridge from Resorts World Sentosa to Imbiah Lookout.
18 March 2010 – Soft opening of Universal Studios Singapore.
2 July 2010 – New Lake Hollywood Spectacular show on Friday and Saturday nights at Universal
Studios Singapore.
October 2010 – Opening of Candylicious, one of Asia's largest candy store.
Late October 2010 – Opening of Waterfront Area.
25 December 2010 – Opening of Crane Dance.
15 October 2011 – Opening of Maritime Experiential Museum.
16 February 2012 – Opening of Equarius Hotel and Beach Villas.
6 July 2012 – Opening of ESPA by RWS. 22 November 2012 – Opening of Marine Life
Park (S.E.A Aquarium [except Dolphin Island] and Adventure Cove Waterpark)
7 December 2012 – Official Opening Ceremony of Resorts World Sentosa.
9 April 2013 – Unveiling of dolphins for public viewing at S.E.A.
Aquarium. 22 May 2013 – Launch of Ultimate Maritime
Encounters with Open Ocean Dive at Adventure Cove Waterpark.
15 June 2013 – Launch of Shark Encounter at Adventure Cove Waterpark.
30 June 2013 – Launch of Sea Trek Adventure at Adventure Cove Waterpark.
30 September 2013 – Opening of Dolphin Island at Marine Life Park.
15 Jan 2016 - Announcement of Donnie Yen and his wife Cissy Wang as brand ambassadors and
spokesperson(s) for RWS.
== Resort layout ==
The resort was designed primarily by American architect Michael Graves.
The six hotels offer a total of 1,840 rooms for accommodation.
Each hotel is designed with a different theme, catering to both the leisure and business
visitors.
The resort is split into the west, central and east zones.
=== Central zone ===
==== Hotels ====
Four hotels are located in the central zone.
Crockfords Tower, formerly planned to be named Maxims Tower, is an 11-storey all-suite hotel
overlooking the Singapore harbour and the Southern Islands.
The resort's casino is located beneath the tower.
The hotel was topped-out on 27 February 2009 and opened on 20 January 2010.
Both the latter and Hotel Michael sit on the area of the former Sentosa Musical Fountain
The hotel also features Crockfords Premier, a casino club with private rooms for High
Roller located on 10th floor.
Hotel Michael is an 11-storey hotel named after Michael Graves.
Hotel Michael topped-out on 15 July 2009 and was opened on 20 January 2010.
Together with Crockfords Tower, it replaces the site of former Sentosa Musical Fountain
Festive Hotel is a family-oriented hotel next to Crockfords Tower and Festive Walk.
Beneath the hotel is Festive Grand, a 1,600 seat plenary hall which will host Resorts
World Sentosa's resident musical Voyage de la Vie.
The Hard Rock Hotel Singapore is the site of meeting and conference facilities, and
indoor exhibition space.
This includes 26 differently-designed function rooms and one of Asia's largest ballrooms
with seating for 7,300 guests.
Construction of Singapore's first Hard Rock Hotel started in May 2008, and the hotel opened
on 20 January 2010.
Equarius Hotel is situated at the west of the resort.The Royal Albatross is berthed
at the Historical Ships Harbour, beside S.E.A Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.
Her dinner cruise, Sunset Sail City Lights, is held every weekend evening.
Starting from her berth, the dinner cruise will take guests past the beaches of Sentosa
to the outskirts of Marina Bay, around the edge of the Southern Islands and back to Sentosa.
She is available for private charters as well.
==== Casino ====
The casino, capped at 15,000 sq.m. by regulation, is located beneath Crockfords Tower.
The regular entrance fee for Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents (SPR) is
$100 each time and $2000 annually.
As of April 4 2019, Government regulations require Singapore citizens and permanent residents
to purchase 50% more, equalling S$150 each time or S$3000 yearly membership for access
into the casino.
Both types of entry levy (daily or yearly) allow the patron to visit to only one casino.Foreign
citizens can enter free of charge with their passports or employment passes.
The entry fees are collected by the Singapore Totalisator Board and used for public and
charity causes.
The casino does not keep any portion of the fees.
In May 2011, the Casino Regulatory Authority fined Resorts World Sentosa for two violations
related to reimbursements and two other violations related to surveillance practices.
The total fine was S$530,000 (US$425,000).
==== Fine dining ==== Osia by Scott Webster – Modern Australian
cuisine CURATE by Chef Benjamin Halat – Modern European
creations Forest by Sam Leong – Contemporary Chinese
cuisine Fratelli - Trattoria ∙ Pizzeria – Contemporary
Italian cuisine Feng Shui Inn – Contemporary Cantonese cuisine
TEPPAN by Chef Yonemura – French-Japanese teppanyaki fare cuisine
Table65 by Chef Richard van Oostenbrugge and Chef Thomas Groot – Modern European cuisine
Tunglok heen by Susur Lee – Chinese cuisine
==== Casual dining ==== SESSIONS at Hard Rock Hotel Singapore – Western
& Asian Buffet
==== Shows ==== Voyage de la Vie is the first permanent production
show to open at Resorts World Sentosa.
This resident rock musical is set in the Festive Grand Theatre with a capacity of 1,600 people.
The production was created by Mark Fisher.
Martial Combat, Asia's largest mixed martial arts fighting championship, is staged over
six months each year at the Compass Ballroom, and broadcast by ESPN STAR Sports.
Crane Dance is a multimedia moving art installation with choreographed animatronic cranes built
over the sea, and designed by Jeremy Railton.
Edward S. Marks and Bob Chambers (of The Producers Group) were brought on to oversee the construction,
installation and programming of the Cranes.
Marks served as Project Director and Producer while Chambers served as its Senior Technical
Director.
It opened on 25 December 2010.
Lake of Dreams is a multimedia spectacular that combines the elements of water, fire,
air and light, designed by Jeremy Railton.
Edward S. Marks and Bob Chambers oversaw the construction, installation and programming
of this attraction as well.
=== West zone ===
==== Hotels ==== Equarius Hotel, close to the Adventure Cove
Waterpark.
Beach Villas, a collection of 22 villas floating on a lagoon.
It opened on 16 February 2012.
==== Salons & spas ==== ESPA
==== Marine Life Park ====
Marine Life Park, the world's largest oceanarium, opened its doors on 22 November 2012.
The park houses two attractions, the S.E.A Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark,
previously known as the Equarius Water Park.
==== The Maritime Experiential Museum ====
The Maritime Experiential Museum was opened on 15 October 2011 that features more than
400 artefacts and replicas with a 360-degree Multi-sensory Typhoon Theatre.
It is the only museum in Singapore to display the history of ancient maritime trade where
visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of maritime Silk Route from
the 15th to 19th century.
The museum consists of more than 10 interactive points as well as an experience to board on
the authentic harbour ships from Asia docked outside the museum.
Also, it will become the permanent home of the Jewel of Muscat, a gift from the Oman
Government.
==== Royal Albatross ====
The Royal Albatross is berthed at the Historical Ships Harbour, beside S.E.A Aquarium and the
Adventure Cove Waterpark.
She sails twice every weekend evening.
Starting from her berth, the dinner cruise will take guests past the beaches of Sentosa
to the outskirts of Marina Bay, around the edge of the Southern Islands and back to Sentosa.
She is available for private charters as well.
=== East zone ===
==== Universal Studios Singapore ====
Universal Studios Singapore is Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios theme park and opened
its doors on 18 March 2010.
It features 24 attractions and is divided into seven zones – including Sci-Fi City,
Ancient Egypt, New York, The Lost World, Far Far Away, Madagascar and Hollywood.
== See also == Universal Studios Singapore
S.E.A.
Aquarium Adventure Cove Waterpark
Royal Albatross