Deluxe room at Hotel Ora.  Photograph by Pauline Songco for Daily Tribune
LIFE

A refined Sentosa stay

Pauline Songco

There’s something about travel that nudges you out of routine — whether it’s the thrill of discovering a new neighborhood or the quiet pleasure of a hotel room that feels like it was made just for you.

A calm counterpoint to Sentosa’s buzz

Hotel Ora feels like a deliberate exhale amid Sentosa’s constant hum. From the moment I stepped into my room, the design language was clear: contemporary, calm and conscious.

Plush furnishings sit alongside modern fittings, while environmentally mindful touches — smart taps that regulate water flow, engineered wood flooring and locally sourced artisanal toiletries — add substance to the style. Even the minibar leans local, stocked with Singapore-made drinks and snacks that quietly reinforce the hotel’s sense of place.

Hotel Ora integrates work and play seamlessly.

Room categories cater comfortably to different needs. Deluxe and pool-view rooms work well for families or small groups, while the larger deluxe suites offer breathing room for business travelers or creatives who need space to think, sketch, or simply spread out.

Beyond the rooms, Hotel Ora leans into wellness and flexibility. Complimentary morning yoga and spin classes set an energetic tone for the day, the expansive swimming pool invites unhurried laps, and co-working spaces and meeting rooms support hybrid work without feeling corporate.

Dining is anchored by LOMA, a modern-chic restaurant serving a buffet of international and local staples, while a 24/7 Grab & Go café keeps things casual with healthy snacks and fresh coffee.

Food as destination at RWS

Beyond the hotel, RWS continues to build a compelling food narrative and two options stand out for their clarity of concept and confidence of flavor: CHIFA! and Ka-Mon. Both restaurants draw deeply from culinary tradition, yet feel tuned to the way Singapore eats today.

CHIFA!

CHIFA! introduces diners to the vibrant fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine, a tradition that dates back to the 1800s when Chinese immigrants in Peru adapted their cooking to local ingredients. The result — now a cornerstone of Peruvian gastronomy — is a cuisine defined by bold seasoning, hearty techniques, and playful contrasts. At CHIFA!, that spirit comes through in a menu designed for sharing and exploration.

Noodle and rice dish served in a hotpot.
Peruvian causa

The offerings typically span several categories: cold starters that highlight Peruvian chillies and citrus; wok-fried dishes rooted in Chinese technique but lifted with Latin American ingredients; rice and noodle plates that anchor the meal; and sides meant to balance heat and richness. Expect robust stir-fries, comforting carb-forward staples, and sauces that lean punchy rather than polite. The menu structure encourages mixing and matching, making it easy for first-timers to sample widely without committing to a single flavor profile.

Ka-Mon honors the Japanese grilling traditions.

If CHIFA! is about cultural fusion, Ka-Mon is about fire — specifically, Japan’s time-honored grilling traditions. Inspired by Kamon (火纹), a symbol of family legacy, the restaurant brings genshiyaki, robatayaki and warayaki techniques into sharp focus. Each method contributes a different dimension of smokiness, from gentle charring to bold, aromatic searing.

Otsumami
Kuruma ebi

Ka-Mon’s menu is organized around the grill. Diners can choose from an array of skewers and grilled items prepared over open flame, complemented by small plates that showcase seasonal ingredients. There are heartier grilled mains for those seeking depth and intensity, alongside lighter bites that highlight texture and freshness. The meal is often rounded out with rice or noodle components and simple desserts that cleanse rather than compete.

Together, CHIFA! and Ka-Mon underline what RWS is doing well right now: offering dining experiences that are distinct, rooted in heritage and accessible without being watered down.

Paired with the quiet comfort of Hotel Ora, they make a compelling case for Sentosa not just as a playground, but as a place to stay, eat and linger a little longer.

RWS is giving travelers an exclusive five percent discount when they use the code RWS5DAILY on all bookings. The offer is valid until 31 January 2026 and applies to regular purchases only, excluding promotional items.