We chose The Outpost Hotel Sentosa for our stopover staycation on the way to Europe as the hotel only accepts guests aged 16 and above, plus it is one of the smaller hotels in the Far East Hospitality group of hotels on Sentosa. If you would like to escape the pitter-patter of little feet in a serene adults-only rooftop pool, this is the place. Guests at The Outpost can use the pools at The Barracks Hotel Sentosa (a high-end luxury stay with a dash of history), the Oasia Resort Sentosa (a modern wellness hotel) and The Village Hotel Sentosa, which caters almost exclusively to families. However, if you aren’t keen on kids crashing your grown up getaway, it’s best to either stick to the rooftop pool at your hotel or stay on Sentosa Island mid week when things are a bit quieter.
Located in the centre of Sentosa Island, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa is only a short walk to all of the major attractions like Universal Studio’s beaches and Resorts World Sentosa where there are loads of dining options available. We opted for the Coast to Coast package at The Outpost which included daily breakfast at Sol & Ora restaurant and a choice of activities ranging from a deluxe picnic, cable car dining or RIB boat ride. The deal also included a $100 voucher to spend at Bikini Bar, Coastes and Ola Beach Club overlooking the beach plus discounts off some of Sentosa’s other attractions and F&B outlets (show your hotel keycard and ask for the special rate). Complimentary Outpost Xperiences are also included at this hotel, with choices like a Sachi soy-wine cocktail-making class, gin cocktail-making class, or Supafresh Fitness and Partner Yoga classes.
Checking into The Outpost can be a little confusing as the entrance is accessed via the carpark, with a lift taking you to Level 3 where reception is located. Most Grab and taxi drivers know where it is but the easiest way to get there if you’re walking from the Sentosa monorail is to head to The Village Hotel and then follow the signs around the corner to the entrance to The Outpost Hotel Sentosa. We arrived in a Grab taxi and the driver dropped us right at the door. The check-in process a minibar selection process as each room gets to choose five items from a choice of non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
Arriving at our room we were greeted with a view of the Sentosa Straits, a King Bed and appealing modern decor. All of the accommodation at this hotel is the same size, with the option to pay a little more or less for different views of either the South China Sea, the Pamukkale Pool or the garden. Rooms are fairly compact at 24 sqm but they are fine for two people, provided you don’t have too much luggage. We had a few extra bags as we were stopping over in Singapore on our way to Europe. However, living out of our suitcases rather than unpacking worked fine, provided we kept things tidy.
Our room also featured a 55-inch TV, coffee/tea maker, bar fridge for our mini bar treats and USB and power points on each side of the bed. A separate shower and toilet area adjacent to the entry has a fabulous rain shower and Appelles toiletries. You’ll also find bathrobes, an in-room safe and an environmentally friendly filtered water tap that removes the need for plastic bottles in each room.
Heading off to explore the hotel facilities the next morning brought us to Level 7 and the Sol & Ora restaurant and the Altitude pool bar/club area. This level 7 area is a focal point for party people with a rooftop pool with great views of the island and beyond and a bar. The music comes on at around 11 am and continues until late, with people taking in the view, having fun and enjoying the vibe. We could faintly hear the bass beat from our room but it didn’t stop us sleeping.
Breakfast is served at the air-conditioned Sol & Ora, as well as lunch, high tea and dinner. We had breakfast in our package which included a set menu with a croissant and bowl of fruit salad each plus a choice from the menu which offered a selection of Western and Asian choices like the nasi goreng below, although the plain rice in this dish was a bit of a surprise. The next morning we opted for continental only and this was better.
We packed a lot into our days with a dip in the Pamukkale Pool early in the morning before it got busy and the adults-only pool in the afternoon, plus a ride on the SkyHelix which spins around (very) gently as it provides great views of the surrounding area. Don’t be put off by the fact it doesn’t look very ‘exciting’ or high – we enjoyed this ride so much we would have done it again if we had time. We also did the Sky Dining Experience included in our Coast to Coast package. This novel dining experience was one of many highlights in our stay, with a two course meal served in a private cable car. You have the main course on one return journey and the dessert during a second return journey, with the trip departing from the Mount Faber cable car station.
The experience starts with a welcome cocktail at a restaurant in the same complex the cable car departs from and then you’re taken upstairs to board the cable car and start your dining adventure. We love dining out whenever we come to Singapore, and this experience delivered, both for the quality of the food and the novelty of the overall experience. We finished the night with the Wings of Time show at the beach, an entertaining sound and light spectacular with fireworks.
Overall, The Outpost Hotel Sentosa offers a fantastic staycation experience with loads of facilities to choose from and the benefit of an adults-only vibe. The location was also a big bonus thanks to its central position and easy access to all of the beaches and attractions. For romance and indulgence with drinking, dining and some poolside partying within easy reach, this hotel offers a great stopover staycation on the way to or from Europe.
Disclosure: The writers travelled with assistance from Far East Hospitality, Mount Faber Leisure and Sentosa.
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