A Perfect Weekend Escape: The Barracks Hotel Sentosa
When you check yourself into The Barracks Hotel Sentosa (our idea of the perfect weekend escape during COVID times, really), you’ll call its beautiful white colonial buildings home. Built in 1904 and once utilised as a British artillery outpost, its duo of two-floor buildings now houses 40 guest rooms, which boast high ceilings and throwback-inspired décor.
The second floor rooms lead to balconies, and views of the stunning pool, while rooms on the ground floor have a patio with direct access to the pool. Of the 40 rooms, six are suites. Back to the pool, it’s easily one of the property’s highlights – a 30m long lap pool, surrounded by foliage and lined with pool chairs, makes for the ultimate respite.
Another highlight of your stay will be The Living Room – an all-day (7am to 10pm), go-to lounge that serves breakfast (both western fare such as pancakes and eggs, and Asian delights like nasi lemak and dim sum), afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and canapés from 5 to 8pm. And yes, you’ll even be able to get your take-out iced lattes here. If you're keen on wandering a little further, we’d suggest a visit to the nearby Hide by Hide Yamamoto & Masa by Hide Yamamoto for a casual yet satisfying Japanese dinner.
And finally, if you love your freah air and have a sense of adventure, there are exclusive tours that are available to hotel guests – enhanced experiences that were added just this year. Should you be checking in on a Saturday, you’ll be able to learn more about the history of Sentosa and The Barracks Hotel’s conserved buildings by immersing yourself in the hour-long, complimentary Barracks Hotel heritage tour, with veteran guides, Mr. Winston Wong and Mr. Khor Sing Hong, who used to be officers serving at the very compound. The tour is available at 2pm and 3:45pm.
The other guided tour available, The Colonial Charm Tour for two, covers areas that were built and occupied by the British armed forces in the 1800s - 1900s – and takes guests around Singapore to Fort Siloso, Mount Imbiah, Dempsey, Gillman Barracks and Seletar Estate. The tour takes about four-and-a-half hours, and you have the option of ending your tour with a four-course lunch or dinner at Wheeler’s Estate, for S$100 per person.
