The welcome
The feeling of arriving at any W hotel after dusk is that of arriving at a party in mid-swing, and despite its resort-like credentials and unexpected location, the new W Singapore - Sentosa Cove doesn't disappoint. The glitz of neon and the glamour of superbly-dressed, youthful staff followed me up red carpet stairs into a lobby-cum-dancefloor. To one side, a DJ and bongo player fused beats as visiting Big Apple celeb mixologist Joseph Boroski shook up a storm in the nearby W Lounge. The décor of the marble-lined lobby is eclectic and vibrant. Beyond floor-to-ceiling glass, the resort's sprawling pool is wreathed by palm trees and canopied-cabanas, bringing a touch of South Beach to Sentosa.
The neighbourhood
The island of Sentosa, accessible by bridge from Singapore proper, seems an odd location for such an urban hotel brand. Home to sprawling villas (by Singapore standards), theme parks, casinos and plenty of other resorts, Sentosa is an idyllic escape from the city, and is just a 15 minute cab ride away. The W Singapore - Sentosa Cove's resort persona - includes the city's first resort-managed private yacht berths.
The room
My "Wonderful" room, one of 240 guest rooms, is lit like a tattoo parlour in neon pink, but remains spacious and inviting. A bathroom with single vanity, bathtub, twin-head shower and indulgent Bliss amenities branches off from the hallway, and a king-sized bed dominates the rest of the space. A Bose sound system is linked to an iPod docking station. The Munchie Box minibar offers a great selection of late night temptations , while the signature W Bed is gloriously comfortable and comes decked out with 350 thread-count linens. Be sure to book a pool view room.
The service
The staff were cheerful and knowledgeable. Groomed immaculately and always smiling, the waiting staff in the Kitchen Table, the resort's all-day dining outlet, were especially impressive.
The food
Sun-drenched breakfasts in the all-day dining restaurant Feast are a global gourmet trip, with a massive selection of western and Asian delights to sample. Skirt restaurant, the brand's new grill concept, deals in quality aged meats and fresh seafood (southern blue fin toro tuna with avocado and wasabi, S$45; Dh135, braised and grilled beef tongue with shallots, scallion and beef salt, S$14; Dh42).
The scene
W Singapore - Sentosa Cove is essentially a seaside resort with all the W elements (funky music in the lobby and elevator, lots of neon, good-looking staff) added on. However, Saturday morning in Feast is a battle between visiting hipsters and DJs on their iPads, and the screaming toddlers of local families looking for respite from city living.
Loved
Feeling like a movie star.
Hated
"Wonderful" rooms looking to the city are not worth the ride out to Sentosa unless you're attending a party there. The lack of a pillow menu is also a pain for people like me who sleep on something akin to a log. A sand fly problem around the pool and Feast's outdoor tables also needs to be sorted.
The verdict
With their bold design and rock star persona, W hotels are not for everyone, although the designers, artists and DJs who frequent this one might have to share it with the locals. Travellers looking for a contrast from the city, a spot for an intimate celebration or a corporate gathering with a difference will find the W a chic, inviting experience.
The bottom line
A "Wonderful" room during the week starts at SD$388 (Dh1,166) twin share including breakfast. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Way, Sentosa Island, Singapore (www.starwoodhotels.com; 0065 6808 7288).
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Zombieland: Double Tap
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone
Four out of five stars
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
'Nope'
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Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
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The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
