Sentosa set to change…………hugely!

Resorts World on Singapore’s tropical island resort of Sentosa [artists impression below] say that they will change the character of family holidays, forever through the development of their new over S$5 billion to build, Resorts World at Sentosa, development putting Singapore on the world map as a leading leisure destination.

This 49-hectare mega-resort – with its myriad of exciting offerings for the entire family is looking to welcome 15 million visitors a year when it opens in 2010, offering two Leading attractions in Asia, including Universal Studios Singapore and Marine Life Park.

Universal Studios Singapore is the first and only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia, and will feature 22 rides and attractions, including 16 rides designed exclusively for Singapore.

The park is made up of seven themed areas, including the famed Hollywood Boulevard, The Big Apple and Superhero City and it will also house a ‘live’ production studio for movie and television shoots.

Universal Studios Singapore will also be home to the only DreamWorks Digital Animation Studios outside of the United States.

Marine Life Park, with 20 million gallons of water will be the largest oceanarium in the world holding as many as 700,000 aquatic animals including bat-rays, sharks and dolphins, along with an extensive collection of open ocean fish, in this eight-hectare mega­attraction.

The park will also house a 6.6-million gallon lagoon that allows visitors the chance to snorkel and dive with whale sharks, the world’s largest fish, that can grow up to a length of 15 metres.

Marine Life Park aims to provide its guests of all ages interactive multi-sensory experiences, as they explore, discover and understand the need for conservation and the protection of our marine ecosystems. Hand-feeding fearsome tiger sharks from an enclosed cage, interacting with inquisitive dolphins or swimming amongst the coral reefs are just some of the highlights in this wonderful underwater universe.

Finally there is also the Maritime Xperiential Museum, which aims to retell the fascinating history of the shipping Silk Route in an unconventional language – through sight, sound and immersion.

Dedicated to celebrating Asia’s maritime heritage, the centerpiece of this museum is a 360-degree multimedia theatre, with guests boarding a shipwrecked Arabia-bound vessel near Singapore 1,100 years ago.

As the boat goes under, the deck rolls, pitches, turns and eventually sinks. Visitors emerge from the wreck in the depth of the sea, surrounded by deep ocean life.  They may be shaken, but no doubt stirred to explore the deep blue sea.

Designed by American architectural icon and designer Michael Graves of Michael Graves & Associates, together with leading Singapore architecture firm DP Architects, Resorts World at Sentosa strives to be an iconic, tropical destination resort, where landscape and architecture converge, with the design providing for a densely-knit, inter-related series of activities and entertainment that span the gamut from exciting to fun to relaxing.

Special care has also been taken to express the tropical nature of the place, in preserving the views of the existing forested ridge and the waterfront, and to integrate the buildings into the landscape. At least 70 per cent of Resorts World at Sentosa will be kept lush and green.

Six hotels at Resorts World at Sentosa will provide guests with an array of world-class accommodation totalling more than 1,800 rooms, with each hotel is designed with a distinct theme, making the resort suitable for both leisure and business visitors.

Accommodation includes the ultra-luxurious Maxims Residences and the world’s only Hotel Michael – a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel that showcases the architecture, interior design and product design genius of Michael Graves.

Other hotels include the fun and vibrant retreat of the Hard Rock Hotel – Singapore’s first and the ideal choice for the hip who are keen to soak into the atmosphere and culture of 40 years of rock and roll.

For those seeking the ultimate in pampering, the exclusive ESPA Villas provide a perfect spot for solitude and respite.

Luxury spa brand ESPA will also build the region’s first fully integrated wellness spa at Resorts World at Sentosa. ESPA will offer a wide range of programmes spanning physical and mental rejuvenation to lifestyle coaching and recuperation from surgery.

Beyond attractions, world-class entertainment will also be presented to the public and most eagerly­anticipated is Le Vie.  

Produced by Mark Fisher, the stage designer of Las Vegas shows Ka and the new Le Reve, Le Vie will be a stunning extravaganza that combines spectacular stage design, theatrics and acrobatics.

Among the many public performances is the Crane Dance – a show of courtship ritual between two cranes that is performed by a pair of choreographed animatronic cranes set out at the waterfront.

A Report on location in Singapore by The Mole