By Noura Khan
Special to The Times Kuwait
In a city that rarely slows down, where glass towers, shopping malls and busy streets shape the rhythm of everyday life, Capella Singapore revealed an entirely different side of the Lion City to me, quieter, greener and far more intimate.
Hidden among tropical trees on a hillside on Sentosa Island, the resort feels like a world of its own, despite being only a short distance from the heart of Singapore.
Set across approximately 30 acres of lush tropical grounds, Capella Singapore features 113 rooms, suites, villas and manors, bringing together heritage architecture, contemporary design and nature in a remarkably harmonious setting.
A Story More Than a Century Old
At the heart of the resort stand two beautifully restored colonial buildings known as Tanah Merah, dating back to the 1880s. Once associated with officers of the British Royal Artillery, they have been carefully preserved and incorporated into the modern resort.
This meeting of old and new gives Capella an atmosphere that is difficult to recreate in a newly built hotel. Here, history is not simply decoration; it is part of the experience.
The property also entered modern history on 12 June 2018, when it hosted the first summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the first-ever meeting between the sitting leaders of the two countries.
Knowing this while walking through the resort adds another dimension to the experience: Capella is not simply beautiful, but a place carrying stories from very different chapters of Singapore’s past and present.
Quiet, Understated Luxury
What impressed me most during my stay was Capella’s understated approach to luxury.
Rather than relying on excessive decoration, luxury here is expressed through space, privacy, nature and highly personalised service. Rooms and suites sit among the greenery, while the villas offer an even greater sense of seclusion.
The resort has 38 villas, each with an outdoor terrace and private plunge pool. Its spacious one-bedroom villas measure approximately 166 square metres, creating the feeling of a private tropical retreat only minutes from one of Asia’s busiest cities.
Another distinctive feature is the Capella Culturist. More than traditional concierges, the Culturists act as cultural ambassadors and storytellers, helping guests discover the history, traditions and character of Sentosa and Singapore.
Experiences can range from Peranakan culture and Mahjong to traditional crafts, art tours and culinary activities. It is a thoughtful approach that encourages guests not only to stay in Singapore, but to understand something of the destination itself.
The Living Room
Few spaces capture Capella’s character better than The Living Room.
Located within one of the historic colonial buildings, the intimate lounge is reserved exclusively for hotel guests, with refreshments, drinks and afternoon tea served throughout the day.
The resort’s cultural activities and workshops are typically held in The Pineapple Room, which offers more space.
There is something memorable about sitting down for tea in surroundings that have witnessed more than a century of history, a sense of depth that a newly built hotel could rarely reproduce.
A Tropical Escape
Among Capella Singapore’s most recognisable features are its three cascading swimming pools surrounded by dense tropical greenery.
Relaxing beside them feels more like being on a secluded island retreat than staying close to one of Asia’s most energetic cities.
That contrast became one of my favourite aspects of the stay: you can spend part of the day exploring Singapore, then return to Capella and almost instantly feel as though you have left the city behind.
Dining at Capella
Dining is an important part of the experience.
At Cassia, traditional Cantonese cuisine is presented through a contemporary lens, in interiors designed by André Fu and inspired by the historic spice routes of southern and western China. In 2026, Cassia received a One Diamond rating in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide.
Fiamma, meanwhile, offers a more relaxed interpretation of Italian dining, centred around warmth, family and dishes designed for sharing.
The Pineapple Room celebrates Singaporean flavours through drinks incorporating local fruits and botanicals and, in 2026, also became home to Creative Encounters, a series of intimate conversations exploring art, design, gastronomy, literature and culture.
More Than a Place to Stay
One of the easiest mistakes to make at Capella is to treat it simply as a place to sleep before heading out to explore Singapore.
Part of its appeal is allowing yourself time to remain within the resort.
Guests can enjoy the landscaped grounds, pools and wellness facilities, or take part in yoga, Pilates, sound-bath sessions, cooking classes and cultural experiences arranged by the Capella Culturists.
The hotel also offers activities including Peranakan tile painting, dim sum classes and Mahjong, while its Little Stars programme introduces younger guests to experiences centred around creativity, culture and discovery.
For guests wishing to explore further, shuttle services connect the hotel with VivoCity and Universal Studios Singapore.
Even the Art Tells a Story
Capella Singapore is home to more than 900 works of art, many integrated into the property as part of its original design concept.
Walking through its corridors, public spaces and gardens can sometimes feel like moving through an open gallery.
Perhaps that is why the hotel feels so cohesive. Its identity does not depend on conventional displays of luxury; instead, architecture, history, landscaping, art and service work together naturally.
Discovering Another Side of Singapore
For me, Capella Singapore stood apart because it introduced me to another version of the city.
Away from the skyscrapers, bright lights and shopping districts, I found a green island retreat filled with history, art and a remarkable sense of calm.
Capella seems to understand that true luxury does not always come from adding more.
Sometimes, luxury is simply about creating more space — for privacy, for nature, for stillness and for time.
And that is what stayed with me long after I left.
Noura Khan, a travel influencer and content creator, is a Kuwaiti national, holds a degree in law from Kuwait University and has worked as a journalist prior to taking up a position in the government. In 2018 she started blogging on travel and visited more than 57 countries since. She has more than 125k followers on her blog post @nourajtraveller is well appreciated for content and travel information. Noura writes exclusively for The Times Kuwait on her travel visits.
