Mum on the Move

Family Travel Blog

  • Jetsetter
  • Overnighter
  • Savvy Traveller
  • Product Reviews
  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
You are here: Home / Hotels / Hotel Review: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa

Hotel Review: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa

August 24, 2016 By Marianne Rogerson 16 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is Singapore’s only true beachfront resort, located just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, on Sentosa Island. The 454 guest rooms and suites all feature balconies overlooking the beautifully landscaped tropical gardens and fabulous swimming pool.

This luxury family-friendly hotel in Singapore boasts a huge range of family-friendly facilities, including water slides, kids pool, outdoor playground, water sports center, kids club, splash pad – and even a flying trapeze – all making this Sentosa resort one of the best options for a family vacation in Singapore.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort

Its location on the beach in Sentosa, puts many of Singapore’s best family attractions right on your doorstep, while many others are just short bus or taxi ride away.

Singapore with Kids book

Table of Contents

  • Bedtime at the Shangri-La
  • Playtime at the Shangri-La
  • Dinnertime at the Shangri-La
  • In the ‘hood
  • Conclusion

Bedtime at the Shangri-La

Our home for our night at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa was a Deluxe Pool View Room.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort view from bedroom

The huge King sized bed would have been big enough to share with both my children, but luckily the sofa converted into a double bed, so this wasn’t necessary. A balcony with chairs and a coffee table overlooked the beautifully leafy resort grounds and swimming pool, and gave a great perspective of the iconic architecture of the hotel.

The lack of carpets and rugs made the room feel somewhat sparse compared to other Shangri-La hotels we have stayed in, such as the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore on Orchard Road and the Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, Kota Kinabalu, but it was still stylishly decorated and comfortable.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa Resort bedroom

The bathroom was also smaller and less glitzy than some other Shangri-La hotels but had everything we needed, including walk-in shower and a bath for the kids – and the kids loved their pint-sized bathrobes and slippers.

On arrival, the mini bar was filled with a small selection of soft drinks – offered free of charge. Guests are then welcome to fill up their mini bars with drinks from the hotel shop, to ensure you have what you want.

Playtime at the Shangri-La

If you are looking for a Singapore hotel with family-friendly facilities, then this is definitely the place to come to. There is a large swimming pool overlooking Siloso Beach, with a separate shallow kids pool (there is also an adults-only area in the pool if you are lucky enough to score yourself some me-time).

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort swimming pool

The grounds are beautiful – acres of luscious tropical gardens to explore, with pathways, trickling waterfalls and plenty of grass to run around on.

But my kids’ favourite part of the resort was the water slides! Three separate water slides – all shaded from the sun – kept them occupied for hours; they loved it. I was impressed to see on-the-ball lifeguards here (surprisingly rare at Singapore swimming pools) policing the water slides, and when my 3-year old tripped and bit his tongue, he was swiftly helped out by a lifeguard and first-aider.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort water slide

Right next to the water slides you will find the Splash Pad – a water play area for younger kids, with fountains and water spouts and mini buckets that tip up on your head. Fun!

The private beach area in front of the resort provides a relatively tranquil spot to gaze out to sea from underneath the palm trees. Here you will also find the Sea Sports Centre, with complimentary kayaks, pedalos and stand-up paddleboards for all guests. An outdoor playground overlooking the beach is another nice touch.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort beach

Just a short walk along the beach from this family-friendly Sentosa resort is the Flying Trapeze, for anyone aged 4 and above. My 5-year old daredevil daughter had a great time having a go! There is also a comprehensive programme of activities for both adults and kids every day, including pool games, beach soccer, beach volleyball and water aerobics. Never a dull moment at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa!

The Cool Zone kids club is where to send the kids for some indoor fun. The Cool Zone is divided into two zones – the Toots Club for kids aged 5 and over, and Mini Toots for smaller kids aged 4 and under. The highlight of the Toots Club is the giant treehouse slide, which takes centrestage of the play area, and there are themed games and activities, which change each day.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort kids club

The Mini Toots play zone is a brightly coloured soft play area, with giant building blocks, ball pits and slides and TV zone for chilling out. A separate arts and crafts area open to all kids allows for colouring and craft making.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort kids club

Note that the division of ages between the two zones can cause an issue, if like me with a 5 year-old and 3-year old, you have kids that span this gap, as they will not be allowed in to play with each other. Luckily the Cool Zone was quiet when we visited and so my older daughter was allowed into the toddler area with my younger one (he was not allowed into the Toots Club), but usually this would not have been allowed. Also note that kids aged under-5 cannot be dropped off and require a parent or guardian to stay with them. If you want to drop them off, you will need to pre-arrange babysitting through Housekeeping (available for children aged 2 and above).

Once you have left the kids at the Cool Zone, you can head to CHI, The Spa. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to indulge in a treatment, but I did look longingly at it every time I walked past and checked out its menu of delicious looking massages and facials.

Dinnertime at the Shangri-La

You have plenty of choice when it comes to eating at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa. Dine on 3 is a unique concept, housing a cluster of three different restaurants and a bar all under one roof.

8 Noodles offers a selection of local Singapore and other Asian dishes in a local coffee shop setting; Casserole offers a la carte dining, with specialties from Southeast Asia, Morocco, India and the West; and the Silver Shell Café offers a live cooking buffet extravaganza.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort restuarant

I have yet to visit a hotel that can produce a buffet to rival those at a Shangri-La hotel or resort and the Silver Shell Café is a great example of this. The array of different food on offer is mind-boggling, from sushi to salads, noodle dishes, casseroles, fresh seafood, curries, roasted meats, and of course desserts – you name it, you can probably enjoy it here.

Breakfast is also served here and is no less impressive with its amazing selection of breakfast specialties from around the world. In all Dine on 3 restaurants you have the choice of indoor and alfresco seating.

We particularly loved the Kids Zone, with its selection of kid-friendly meals such as sandwiches, salads, fruit – and of course marshmallows and cupcakes – all served at a lower height to enable the kids to help themselves. Parents travelling with small kids will also appreciate the Baby Zone, complete with jars of baby food, a bottle sterilizer, microwave and even wet wipes and diapers.

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort restaurant

The other thing we love about Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is their Children’s Meal Plan policy: up to a maximum of 2 children of registered hotel guests under the age of 12 can enjoy complimentary buffet meals at the all-day dining cafe when accompanied by a paying adult. Additional children under the age of 12 will receive a 50% discount on the buffet price.

Bubbles Bar is also located at Dine on 3 and is a great chill-out spot to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink, while the Siloso Beach Bar is located poolside, for day time drinks and snacks (and more importantly, ice cream).

A short walk along the beach brings you to Trapizza, a relaxed open-air Italian restaurant, where you can tuck into some of Singapore’s best wood-fired pizza as you gaze over the sand out to sea. There’s even a small playground here to occupy the kids, while you indulge in a leisurely lunch.

In the ‘hood

Sentosa Island is one huge playground and the perfect destination for a family vacation in Singapore. Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is located right on Siloso Beach – a huge expanse of palm-tree lined white sand.

From here you can easily walk or catch a free beach tram to all the family-friendly attractions that line the beach, including KidZania, the Sentosa Luge, MegaZip Adventure Park and Port of Lost Wonder. Resorts World Sentosa, with Universal Studios Singapore, the SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark, is just a short (free) bus ride away. Read more about visiting Sentosa with Kids in our Ultimate Guide to Sentosa Island with Kids.

Siloso beach sentosa

If you want to explore beyond Sentosa, the city is just a 15-minute taxi ride away and is full of family-friendly attractions. You can start by jumping aboard the Singapore Cable Car from right outside the resort, which will take you across to the Harbourfront or up to Mount Faber. The hotel also provides a complimentary shuttle bus to VivoCity, Singapore’s largest shopping mall, which also has MRT and bus access to the rest of the city.

Read more about all the family-friendly attractions in Singapore in our guide 50 Things to do in Singapore with Kids.

Conclusion

Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is definitely one of the best options for a family-friendly hotel in Singapore. The child-friendly facilities can’t be beaten and make for a very easy family vacation.

I did find the bedroom to be slightly less luxurious compared to some other Shangri-La hotels and resorts I have stayed in, but the family-friendly facilities more than made up for this.

The water slides and trapeze were a massive hit with my kids, and I think most kids would happily spend days here without ever leaving the resort. But with all the child-friendly attractions on your doorstep in Sentosa and further afield across Singapore, you will want to hone your negotiation skills to convince the kids to get out and explore Singapore beyond this fabulous luxury family-friendly resort in Sentosa.

Click here to visit the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa to read more or click here to check the latest prices at the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa.

Pin it for Later!

Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa resort

Mum on the Move were guests of the Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa for the purposes of writing this review. This did not influence my review in any way, and all opinions expressed are honest, and my own.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking using one of our affiliate links, we may receive a small commission – at absolutely no extra cost to you.

  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Hotels, Singapore Tagged With: Asia

Comments

  1. Desiree says

    August 26, 2016 at 12:16 am

    You just made me want to take my family to a place I’d never considered before…it looks like a little slide of heaven. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      September 6, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      Thanks Desiree 🙂 Yes people are often surprised by how much there is for families in Singapore.

      Reply
  2. Debra Schroeder says

    August 31, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    I’m hoping to visit Singapore this fall. Sounds like the Shangri-Las Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa is the place to stay.

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      September 6, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      Ooh I hope you have fun! The Shangri-la is definitely a good option with kids.

      Reply
  3. Brian says

    September 1, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    The hotel looks nice. The fact that it’s in a good location is a deal breaker. The nicest hotel can’t make up for an inconvenient location!
    Brian recently posted…BonAppetour: A Taste of ThailandMy Profile

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      September 6, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      Yes definitely a great location if you want to do all the family-friendly attractions on Sentosa, and be near the beach 🙂

      Reply
  4. Nathan says

    September 1, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    I’ve never stayed at a Shangri La before but I can see why people would want to! It’s looks amazing and perfect for families!

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      September 6, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Yes we have always found the Shangri-La hotels good for families 🙂

      Reply
  5. Pola (Jetting Around) says

    September 2, 2016 at 8:23 am

    I’m familiar with Shangri-La in Toronto, but it’s more of a “grown-up” property. If I went to this one, I’d take my niece! She’d love the beach, kids zone, and buffet.

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      September 6, 2016 at 12:50 pm

      Yes I have always found their city-centre hotels are a bit more fancy (but still family-friendly) but this one is definitely perfect for travelling with kids 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jo MUM says

    August 22, 2017 at 10:17 am

    If there is only one hotel you can go to with your husband and 2.5 yr old son, would you pick Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort and spa, or Shangrila Rasa Sentosa ? We are planning on going in 3 weeks time and are torn between the 2.

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      August 24, 2017 at 8:42 am

      Hi Jo – I think it depends what you are looking for. The rooms in the Sofitel are much more luxurious than the Shangri-La and the pool area is quieter. The resort has much more of a high-end feel. But the Shangri-La has a much bigger kids club/playroom and dedicated water play facilities and water slides for the kids, plus outdoor playground and it’s right on the beach. Have a great time!

      Reply
  7. MsBeautySoul says

    March 30, 2018 at 5:28 pm

    Great review! Did they require proof for the age of child? My daughter will be one month shy of her 5th Birthday, so would be inclined to put her in the older rather than younger club.

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      April 5, 2018 at 9:54 pm

      Hi – I’m sure that will be fine. They were letting kids in who were ‘nearly’ old enough when we were there. Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. D says

    September 5, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    Hi- We are looking at booking this hotel with two kids aged 5 and 6.
    Would they both fit in the double sofa bed OK?

    Many thanks for your great review!

    Reply
    • Marianne Rogerson says

      September 6, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Hi D- yes my kids (aged 4 and 6 at the time) shared the sofa bed no problem… but then half the time I put them in a single rollaway bed together in hotel rooms, lol 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

About Me

Freelance writer, and mother to two energetic children. Always on the move - preferably with a cup of coffee or glass of wine in hand. Read More…

Read my Book!

Singapore with kids book

Follow Me!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
Copyright © Mum on the Move 2015-2021 mumonthemove.com