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Resorts World Sentosa

Coordinates: 1°15′12″N 103°49′16″E / 1.253232°N 103.821081°E / 1.253232; 103.821081
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Resorts World Sentosa
圣淘沙名胜世界 (Chinese)
செண்டோசா விடுதிகள் உலகம் (Tamil)
Location Sentosa Island, Singapore
Address 8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Opening date20 January 2010; 14 years ago (2010-01-20)
No. of roomsMore than 1,800 across 7 hotels
Total gaming space15,000 m2 (160,000 sq ft)
Signature attractionsUniversal Studios Singapore
Adventure Cove Waterpark
S.E.A. Aquarium
Dolphin Island
Festive Walk
Galleria Luxury Fashion
Notable restaurantsTunglok Heen
Osia
Palio
Feng Shui Inn
Forest
Casino typeLand-based
OwnerGenting Singapore
Coordinates1°15′12″N 103°49′16″E / 1.253232°N 103.821081°E / 1.253232; 103.821081
Websiterwsentosa.com

Resorts World Sentosa (abbreviation: RWS) is an integrated resort on the island of Sentosa, which is located off the southern coast of Singapore. The key attractions within RWS include one of Singapore's two casinos, Universal Studios Singapore theme park (which is the second Universal Studios theme park in Asia after Universal Studios Japan and the first in Southeast Asia) the Adventure Cove Waterpark, as well as the S.E.A. Aquarium, which is the world's second largest oceanarium.[1]

First conceived in 2006, the S$6.59 billion (US$5.03 billion) resort was developed by Genting Singapore, and construction began in 2007. It was the third most expensive building ever constructed when it was completed 2010. The resort occupies approximately 50 hectares (120 acres) of land and directly employs up to 15,000 people. The soft launch of the first four hotels took place on 20 January 2010,[2] with the FestiveWalk shopping mall following on 1 February.[3]

The casino began operations on 14 February 2010 on the first day of the Chinese New Year.[4] The Maritime Experiential Museum opened on 15 October 2011[5] and the last attraction opened on 22 November 2012, known as The Marine Life Park.[6] The grand opening of the entire integrated resort was held on 7 December 2012, which was officiated by the country's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong together with Genting Group Chairman Lim Kok Thay.[7] Resorts World Sentosa is also capable of holding large-scale exhibitions.[8]

History

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Construction

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Construction of Resorts World Sentosa Singapore began on 16 April 2007 on the demolished plot of Imbiah Lookout. It opened after 34 months of construction on 20 January 2010.[9] Crockfords Tower, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Festive Hotel and Hotel Michael opened 20 January 2010, followed by FestiveWalk on 31 January 2010. Resorts World Sentosa Casino opened on 14 February 2010.

Opening

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Universal Studios Singapore was opened for a sneak peek week in view of the Chinese New Year Celebrations, from 5 pm to 9 pm every night between 14 and 21 February 2010.[10] The whole park was opened but none of the rides was operational. Visitors had to pay SGD10 to get into the park. Park tickets for the week were sold out in 2 days. The park had its soft opening period from 18 March 2010 to 26 October 2010.[11]

COVID-19

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As a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, RWS had to temporarily lay off a significant amount of its workforce.[12][13]

In 2024, the Singapore government renewed RWS' casino license for two years, instead of the usual three, from 2025 to 2027 due to poor tourism performance.[14] Genting Singapore said the poor performance was hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic as the evaluation period coincided with the pandemic period.[14]

Resort layout

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Aerial perspective of Sentosa Boardwalk, Sentosa Island, and Resorts World Sentosa

The resort was designed primarily by the Driehaus Prize winner and New Classical architect Michael Graves. The six hotels offer a total of 1,840 rooms for accommodation.[15] Each hotel is designed with a different theme, catering to both leisure and business visitors.[16] The resort is split into the west, central and east zones.[17]

Central zone

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Hotels

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Four hotels are located in the central zone.

  • Crockfords Tower, formerly planned to be named Maxims Tower,[18] is an 11-storey all-suite hotel[19] overlooking the Singapore harbour and the Southern Islands. The resort's casino is located beneath the tower.[20] The hotel was topped-out on 27 February 2009 and opened on 20 January 2010. Together with Hotel Michael, it sits on the site of the former Sentosa Musical Fountain. The hotel also features Crockfords Premier, a casino club with private rooms for High Roller located on the 10th floor.
  • Hotel Michael is an 11-story hotel named after Michael Graves.[21] Hotel Michael topped-out on 15 July 2009 and was opened on 20 January 2010. Together with Crockfords Tower, it sits on the site of the former Sentosa Musical Fountain.
  • Festive Hotel is a family-oriented hotel next to Crockfords Tower and Festive Walk.[22] Beneath the hotel is Festive Grand, a 1,600 seat plenary hall which will host Resorts World Sentosa's resident musical Voyage de la Vie.[23]
  • The Hard Rock Hotel Singapore is the site of meeting and conference facilities and indoor exhibition space. This includes 26 differently-designed function rooms and one of Asia's largest ballrooms with seating for 7,300 guests. Construction of Singapore's first Hard Rock Hotel started in May 2008, and the hotel opened on 20 January 2010. The Hard Rock Hotel closed in March 2024.[24]
  • Equarius Hotel is situated at the west of the resort.

The Royal Albatross is berthed at the Historical Ships Harbour, beside the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Casino

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Access control at the Resorts World casino
The Forum (Currently closed for redevelopment as of June 2024)
Resorts World Theatre is the main theatre of RWS
Escalator inside the resort which links the Casino with Hotel Ora and Galleria Walks Fashion.

Resorts World Sentosa casino is located beneath Crockfords Tower that has an acreage of 15,000 sq.m.

In May 2011, the Casino Regulatory Authority fined Resorts World Sentosa for two violations related to reimbursements and two other violations related to surveillance practices. The total fine was S$530,000 (US$425,000).[25]

West zone

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Hotels

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Marine Life Park

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Marine Life Park, the world's largest oceanarium, opened its doors on 22 November 2012.[6] The park houses two attractions, the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark, previously known as the Equarius Water Park.

The Maritime Experiential Museum

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A replica of small Javanese jong.

The Maritime Experiential Museum was opened on 15 October 2011 that features more than 400 artifacts and replicas with a 360-degree Multi-sensory Typhoon Theatre. It displays the history of ancient maritime trade: visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history of the maritime Silk Route from the 15th to 19th century. The museum consists of more than 10 interactive points as well as an opportunity to board the authentic harbor ships from Asia docked outside the museum.[28] Also, it will become the permanent home of the Jewel of Muscat, a gift from the Oman Government.[29] It was closed along with the Crane Dance on 2 March 2020.[30]

Royal Albatross

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The Royal Albatross is berthed at the Historical Ships Harbour, beside the Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark. The ship is available twice every weekend. Its route goes through the beaches of Sentosa to the outskirts of Marina Bay, around the edge of the Southern Islands and back to Sentosa.

East zone

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Universal Studios Singapore

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Universal Studios Singapore is Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios theme park and the second in all of Asia. It opened its doors on 18 March 2010. It features 24 attractions and is divided into seven zones – including Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, New York, The Lost World, Far Far Away, Minion Land and Hollywood.[31]

Transportation

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Sentosa Express

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Like most places in Sentosa, Resort World is accessible by the Sentosa Express.[32]

Bus

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Shuttle services RWS8 and the Sentosa Bus A serve the resort.[33] Discontinued services include[34] the NR6, NR8,[35] 188R, and 963R bus services.[36]


Alternatively, to enter the resort, you may transfer to Bus Service 123 at Harbourfront, which will take you as far as Beach Station on the Sentosa Express.

Car

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The carpark at Resort World is accessible via Sentosa Gateway.[37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Mothership.sg - Sentosa's S.E.A. Aquarium rebranding to S'pore Oceanarium in 2024, to be 3 times larger". mothership.sg. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Resorts World® Sentosa Singapore's First Integrated Resort Opens from 20 Jan 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". www.businesstimes.com.sg. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore's First Integrated Resort Casino opens 14 Feb 2010; Celebrates with Universal Studios Singapore Previews". Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Discovering Southeast Asia's maritime history". Resorts World Sentosa (Official Blog). Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b "World's Largest Oceanarium opens at Resorts World Sentosa 22nd November 2012". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
  7. ^ "RWS looks to hotels for growth". TODAYonline. 8 December 2012.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future".[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Resorts World at Sentosa breaks ground on 49-hectare site". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  10. ^ Lim, Jessica (2010). Universal Studios opens Sun. Retrieved on 7.06.10 from Stratis Times Archived 14 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  11. ^ Resorts World Sentosa (2010). Extension of validity for your annual pass. Retrieved on 8 November 2010 from Picasa Archived 29 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ^ "Genting Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa lays off staff". Reuters. 15 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  13. ^ hermesauto (15 July 2020). "Resorts World Sentosa to retrench staff amid 'devastating impact' of Covid-19 pandemic". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  14. ^ a b "Resorts World Sentosa's casino licence renewed for just 2 years over 'unsatisfactory' tourism performance". CNA. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  15. ^ Sim, A. (9 April 2008). Hard Rock Hotel contract awarded. Business Times
  16. ^ "Fact Sheet: Resorts World at Sentosa by Genting International and Star Cruises (Bid Company – Infinity@TheBay Pte Ltd)". Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2008.
  17. ^ Boo, K. (10 December 2006). Genting plays it smart & sleek the second time around. Straits Times
  18. ^ "Maxims Tower, Hotel Michael and Festive Hotel will open in early 2010…". 24 April 2009. Archived from the original on 24 April 2009.
  19. ^ "E-News Bulletin Issue 8". Archived from the original on 1 February 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  20. ^ "World Sentosa | Singapore Resorts, Hotels and Casinos|Singapore Integrated Resorts (IR)".[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ Tor, C.L. 2006, 2 October Genting's 'lyrical' offering; Bidder pulls in designer Michael Graves to design Sentosa IR boutique hotel. TODAY
  22. ^ Resorts World Sentosa | Singapore Resorts, Hotels and Casinos|Singapore Integrated Resorts (IR)[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ "ChildAid to be FIRST event held at Resorts World Sentosa" (PDF). 14 July 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2009.
  24. ^ "Hard Rock Hotel Singapore Shuts Down Due to Resorts World Sentosa Expansion". World Casino News. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Casino Regulator Fines Genting Singapore Resort". Wall Street Journal. 18 May 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  26. ^ Resorts World Sentosa | Singapore Resorts, Hotels and Casinos|Singapore Integrated Resorts (IR)[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ Tor, C.L. (17 October 2006). Royal flush; $5.2-billion: Resorts World unveiled. TODAY
  28. ^ Sim, A. 2006, 16 October. Genting bets on four world-class attractions. Business Times
  29. ^ "Singapore exploring the best way to exhibit Jewel of Muscat – Channel NewsAsia". Archived from the original on 4 February 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
  30. ^ "RWS closing Crane Dance, Maritime Experiential Museum on Mar 2". CNA Lifestyle. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  31. ^ Resorts World Sentosa | Singapore Resorts, Hotels and Casinos|Singapore Integrated Resorts (IR)
  32. ^ "Getting Here - Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore".
  33. ^ "Getting Here - Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore".
  34. ^ Cheong, Bryan (16 June 2022). "NightRider and 11 other bus services to stop from June 30". The Straits Times.
  35. ^ "SMRT to stop Night Rider bus services from Jun. 30, 2022".
  36. ^ "TransitLink eGuide - Bus Service Information". www.transitlink.com.sg. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  37. ^ "Getting Here - Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore".
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