After one month in Bali, I was ready for another chapter of my life, even if I was a little bit tired and had a rough flight on the way. But first, we had to stop in the amazing Singapore. Everything I want was a comfy hotel, space, silence and good food. I never thought I could be surprised. Again.
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Sentosa and I chose Amara Sanctuary after its name and pictures. I needed a sacred space in my life more than anything.
From the airport, it’s a long, but very easy, cheap and enjoyable way to Sentosa. The weather was perfect, and when we entered the Amara property, I felt instantly relieved.
It’s not like any other resorts I’ve ever seen in my life: Amara Sanctuary has a colonial, elegant and minimalistic design with white walls and windows, and a huge green area full of peacocks and their babies. A pool overlooking the ocean. Apartments with living room, TV, comfy couches, balconies with day beds, dorms with white king beds, and infinite bathrooms overlooking the pool and the ocean. Nothing is complicated here. Even if the resort was full, you never bump into each other’s feet on your way to the restaurants or reception. I really don’t know how a very big resort can do this magic.
We’ve spent four amazing nights here, in total relaxation and peace. I could see the Singapore sky over a forest, but here the silence was the queen of my heart.
Oh, and I remember the rain, the sunsets, the scent of the wet grass, the colors of the peacocks, the view from the top of the hotel, a happy kid learning to swim, the exotic birds chanting their prayers, a beautiful wedding into a glass chapel with white and pink flowers, a chef with so much passion in his eyes that just made me stare at him all day long, kind, lovely, amazing people, a hand-written letter from the housekeeping with thanks for being there, and the delicious food.
I remember my ideas, my nights full of enthusiasm for just being there, my intimate space and time, my emails at 3 AM, my conversations with one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met. Thank you, my darling Kim! It was an honor.
And yes, the house of my dreams was there. A two-storey colonial building in the middle of the exotic park, near a pool and a bar.
The breakfasts and dinners at the Shutters were exquisite, yet with a touch of a homey feeling. You’re not just in a 5-star restaurant, but in a beautiful and charming space, with amazing food and friends for your soul. Thank you, Daniel!
For two nights we had dinner at the Thanying Restaurant, with thai traditional dishes, beer, and atmosphere. Just... unforgettable. I could eat there for the rest of my life!
But if I have to choose just one thing to take with me from the Amara Sanctuary - it will be the effortless grace. The resort, the people, the food, the apartments - all of these breath grace and timeless elegance.
If you want a different kind of holiday in Singapore, these are the reasons to choose Amara Sanctuary:
1. Divine silence and space in the heart of the city.
2. Huge and beautiful apartments.
3. The food at Shutters and Thanying Restaurant.
4. The pools and gardens.
5. The peacocks.
6. The perfect services.
7. The white and comfy beds.
8. Perfect place for weddings - the glass chapel.
9. The bathrooms with infinite mirrors.
10. This amazing residence:
After Amara Sanctuary, I will never be the same. I have a new good friend, I had time for my soul, moments of introspection, and I’ve regained something back: my courage to dream big and to go there, in the world, to follow my dreams. Because they are possible!
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Traveling around the world in 5-star resorts is not an easy task. Because words like “amazing”, “best view” and “astonishing services” are losing their meaning. But there is a story behind the story. What makes me happy, what I would choose to take with me. It is always about the memories for a lifetime. It is all about my photographic memory, about flashes, about emotions, lights, colors, and tastes. You have to be blank when you enter the gates of a resort - without comparisons, expectations or “maybes”. You toss off your mind anything else from your past. But what you can’t do is to cancel your emotions, your sense of being. I am who I am, and this is my story. These are my experiences and these are the moments of my life. I can take the story out of context, but I can’t take myself out of the story.