—WHAT’S IN STORE Occupying a prominent position adjacent to reception, W The store sells a range of self-branded products and makes a fair effort at promoting the city by showcasing clothing and accessories from homegrown brands and overseas designers. The kettles used in the hotel restaurants, by Copenhagen-based studio Stelton, are available for purchase, while handbags by Singaporean marques Jasmine & Lilac and Ling Wu are on offer from US$200 to US$1,200. If you’re feeling underdressed, a not unrealistic prospect for many, consider a gold-plated bow tie by Singaporean jewelry designer Carrie K—yours for just US$400.
—DON’T MISS Take the hotel’s Whatever/Whenever personal concierge service up on its offer to get out into the city. A tour focusing on design and architecture proved a thoroughly edifying experience, thanks in part to the knowledge and enthusiasm of the W’s 28-year-old “Insider,” Sheena Koo, who recruited Singaporean architect Lloyd Ng to share his insights into everything from Peranakan heritage to social-housing trends. Programs such as these are a great way of scratching the surface of Singapore and add an extra layer of interest to a stay here.
—WORTH NOTING Much of the W’s draw comes from the shows and exhibitions it brings in from Singapore and overseas. The implausibly named Michaelangelo L’acqua, a former music director at Gucci, is in charge of scouting the planet for recruits to W’s DJ Lab Global Tour—the Woo Bar at W Sentosa cove recently played host to DJs from Berlin, Los Angeles, and Seoul. Hitherto unseen photographs of Madonna by Richard Corman made a monthlong appearance here before moving on to W Paris, and events of a similar caliber should be expected to crop up in the future.
21 Ocean Way, Sentosa Island; 65/6808-7288; wsingaporesentosacove.com; doubles from US$390.
Originally appeared in the December 2012/January 2013 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Shaking Up Sentosa”)
