THE BARRACKS HOTEL SENTOSA
Originally built in 1904 to house a British artillery garrison, this lovingly restored colonial landmark on Singapore’s Sentosa Island has been reincarnated as a heritage hideaway that evokes a bygone era of travel.
With just 40 rooms and suites spread across its two floors, The Barracks Hotel is as intimate as it is charming, with an expansive palm-lined lawn out front that sets a serene tone. The interiors combine old-world style with contemporary comfort. Vintage colonial curios and custom furnishings in dark wood, leather, and antique brass complement the building’s original shutters and moldings, while modern amenities like freestanding Apaiser bathtubs and Marshall speakers keep guests stylishly rooted in the present. Ground floor rooms offer direct access to one of two 30-meter lap pools; those upstairs come with spacious balconies and vaulted ceilings.
On-site amenities include The Living Room, a relaxing lounge that serves breakfast, all-day refreshments, and evening cocktails and canapés. There’s also an afternoon tea session that comes with free-flow champagne and a three-tier tea set of traditional nonya kueh and savory items like mini pies and sandwiches. Accompanying this is a tea tailoring experience created by Lim Tian Peng, a fourth-generation tea maker and founder of gourmet tea purveyor Pryce.
For more dining options, guests can stroll across the lawn to another former military facility called the Mess Hall, which is now home to a handful of restaurants including contemporary Japanese venue HIDE by Hide Yamamoto and Eurasian eatery Quentin’s. Meals can also be enjoyed at The Barracks Hotel’s sister properties The Outpost Hotel and Village Hotel Sentosa, located right next door. Stays include complimentary access to 1-V:U, a rooftop restaurant and poolside day club on the seventh floor of The Outpost Hotel.
Guests will also want to avail themselves of the hotel’s 24-hour Equerry concierge service, which can arrange food and beverage delivery, organize activities like sunset cruises, and expedite errands. And for those who wish to learn more about Sentosa’s history as a military base, there’s an exclusive heritage tour curated by award-winning heritage specialist Jerome Lim and guided by a pair of genial army veterans who used to serve and stay at this former barracks. Available every Saturday, it’s a window onto the colorful past of this unique island destination.