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 in 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]
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
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
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
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
Hotels
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.
Hard Rock Hotel Singapore
Hard Rock Hotel Singapore Lobby
Crockfords Tower
Hotel Michael
Casino
Access control at the Resorts World casinoThe Forum (Currently closed for redevelopment as of June 2024)Resorts World Theatre is the main theatre of RWSEscalator 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]
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 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]
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.
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
Sentosa Express
Like most places in Sentosa, Resort World is accessible by the Sentosa Express.[32]
Bus
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
The carpark at Resort World is accessible via Sentosa Gateway.[37]
Events
It was the venue for the 2024 World Chess Championship with Ding Liren defending the title against Gukesh Dommaraju. Gukesh won the championship in 14 games, and at age 18 became the youngest competitor to hold the title.
^"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)
^Resorts World Sentosa (2010). Extension of validity for your annual pass. Retrieved on 8 November 2010 from PicasaArchived 29 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
