As a seasoned hotelier with over three decades in luxury hospitality — including shaping some of Singapore’s most iconic waterfront landmarks — Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale now steers the future of Raffles Sentosa Singapore and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa as cluster general manager, drawing on a legacy that fuses European finesse with a deep understanding of Asia’s evolving luxury landscape. Tucked into the lush hillside of Sentosa, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the nation’s first all-villa resort, offering a secluded escape with 62 private pool villas immersed in tropical greenery. Each villa is a private sanctuary, complete with its own terrace and pool, where natural light, curated art and thoughtful design invite guests into an oasis of rest and reflection. This rarefied island sanctuary offers more than renowned butler service and legendary afternoon tea — it marks a shift in what luxury hospitality means today. LUXUO speaks to Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale about the enduring magic of the Raffles brand, the unique appeal of Sentosa and the thoughtful future of elevated hospitality.
Tell us about the history and DNA of the Raffles Hotel brand.
In 1887, Raffles Hotel opened in Singapore, named after Sir Stamford Raffles, a distinguished British diplomat, botanist and the famed founder of modern Singapore. Characterised by its impeccable service, Raffles Hotel earned a worldwide reputation for its blend of refined elegance, tropical splendour and Asian grace. Following the foundation of Raffles International Ltd in 1989, the first expansion of the Raffles brand came in 1997 with the debut of Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Raffles Hotels & Resorts was acquired by Accor Group in 2016. Today, Raffles is a global family of 25 elegant landmark addresses (including the soon-to-open Raffles Jeddah) in culturally rich destinations around the world.
At its heart, the Raffles brand is defined by gracious hospitality, a strong sense of place and an unwavering commitment to service excellence. These qualities have shaped its legacy – and they continue to resonate with today’s travellers, including a younger generation seeking experiences that are both meaningful and memorable.
Across every property, there is a consistent commitment to excellence, but no two Raffles hotels are the same. Each one reflects the character of its destination while staying true to the brand’s legacy of quiet luxury and meaningful hospitality. With Raffles Sentosa Singapore, the Raffles brand is extending this legacy to offer a resort alternative for travellers to Singapore, with experiences that are unique and distinct to Sentosa Island.
Raffles stands out not just for what it offers, but for how it makes people feel – seen, valued and genuinely at home. At Raffles, our visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family.
As a general manager, what do you first notice when you enter a hotel and what details do you pay close attention to?
The first thing I always pay attention to is the service. As a hotelier, you cannot help but be drawn into noticing the details of how the team are interacting with the guests, and whether they are observing guests to try to anticipate their needs. What sets a great hotel apart from a good hotel is not the design or the elegant surroundings, but the service you receive.
There are 62 distinct pool villas at Raffles Sentosa. How do you maintain consistent service standards at the property?
At Raffles Sentosa Singapore, we remain steadfast in our dedication to maintaining the integrity of our brand’s heritage. The core of what makes Raffles special is our service excellence, which is deeply embedded in every detail, and we aim to ensure that our guests experience this from the very first moment they walk through our doors.
As custodians of the brand, we continue to honour the iconic traditions that are synonymous with the Raffles name, including the legendary Raffles Butler team. They are highly trained to provide bespoke, intuitive service, anticipating our guests’ needs before they even think to ask. We also have a team of Wellbeing Butlers, whose role is to anticipate guests’ wellbeing needs so that they will leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Our goal is to create experiences that are memorable and reflective of the best of Singapore. By staying true to our roots and honouring our storied legacy, we continue to offer exceptional hospitality that resonates with both long-time patrons and new guests alike.
Tell us more about the Raffles Butler service, a cornerstone of the Raffles brand.
The legendary Raffles Butler service is integral to any guest experience at Raffles Hotels and Resorts. Raffles Butlers are well known for providing highly anticipatory service while also serving as guides to help guests explore the destination, culture and discover their own passions. Through a blend of heritage, tradition and elegance, Raffles Butlers create personalised moments that redefine luxury. Butlers are trained not only to meet but to exceed expectations, delivering every interaction with poise, authenticity and a deep understanding of guests’ needs.
Each guest is greeted by their Butler on arrival, who then handles their check-in and personally curates the guest’s stay, helping them with any needs throughout their stay and becoming their personal point of contact while they are at the resort.
What makes Sentosa a unique location in Singapore?
Sentosa’s unique topography offers an atmosphere that is truly unmatched, setting it apart from the urban luxury hotels in the city. The island’s natural tranquillity, surrounded by lush greenery and pristine landscapes, provides an idyllic environment for a deeply immersive and rejuvenating experience, or for private celebrations. This serene backdrop is perfectly suited for a resort focused on wellness and relaxation, catering to the growing demand among luxury travellers for a holistic and peaceful escape.
At the heart of this sanctuary is nature itself. Our resort is nestled within 100,000 square metres of verdant greenery, offering sweeping views of Sentosa’s untouched surroundings, ensuring that guests are always connected to the island’s serene beauty. The tranquil environment encourages relaxation, helping guests unwind, recharge and reconnect with loved ones in meaningful ways.
Adding to the resort’s charm are two heritage Ficus trees, each over 100 years old, standing as living testaments to the island’s rich history. Additionally, as part of our “60 Trees for 60 Years” initiative to celebrate Singapore’s 60th anniversary, we have re-introduced several rare and endangered species, including the Seashore Mangosteen. These trees, along with others planted during the resort’s official opening on 1 March 2025, will eventually form a green archway leading guests into the resort, enhancing the sense of peace and connection to nature.
What makes Sentosa even more special is its proximity to the city. Just a 15-minute drive from the bustling heart of Singapore, and only 25 minutes from the airport, it offers a world of tranquillity that feels miles away from the urban rush — making it the perfect retreat for those looking for serenity without sacrificing convenience.
What can visitors to Raffles Sentosa expect in terms of dining experiences?
Every dining occasion at Raffles Sentosa Singapore is a cause for celebration with one’s loved ones, friends and colleagues. This serene new escape, rooted in natural beaut,y offers five refined restaurants and lounges helmed by acclaimed chefs with Michelin-level credentials, as well as the gracious hospitality Raffles is known for.
Empire Grill is the resort’s signature Italian restaurant under the leadership of Cluster Director of Culinary Chef Bjoern Alexander, and is where guests can savour authentic Italian cuisine with a modern twist. Royal China features refined Cantonese cuisine overseen by award-winning chef Chef Ling Heng Yao, while Iyasaka by Hashida, which means celebration in Japanese, offers a distinctive omakase journey in an intimate 12-seat dining space.
Meanwhile, the elegant Raffles Room is where you can enjoy the signature Raffles Afternoon Tea while overlooking the magnificent heritage ficus tree. The Chairman’s Room is a nod to the vintage speakeasy bars of yesteryear and offers a refined selection of whiskies, a selection of Cognac, fine wines and champagnes by the glass in an elegant, intimate setting.
With 62 incredibly spacious private villas, each with their own pool and terrace, the stage is set for an exceptional in-villa dining experience. With bespoke services from our culinary team, sommelier and Butler, each meal is crafted to create an intimate and unforgettable experience.
How does sustainability shape your culinary philosophy and how is this reflected across the hotel’s dining experiences?
At Raffles Sentosa Singapore, sustainability is deeply integrated into our operations, starting with the resort’s distinctive location on Sentosa Island, Asia’s first GSTC-certified island destination. And this is an equally central part of our dining philosophy.
Across the restaurants’ menus, in addition to locally and sustainably sourced ingredients, our chefs also harvest produce grown from our edible garden.
Our signature cocktail, the Sentosa Sling, is crafted using upcycled watermelon skin and lemon leaves grown in our edible garden, showcasing the marriage of luxury with mindful sustainability.
Tell us more about the spa & wellness facilities at Raffles Sentosa and the specific health equipment you have introduced?
Housed in a heritage building (a former army barracks building known as Block 59 back in the 1930s) that has been conferred the prestigious Urban Redevelopment Authority Architectural Heritage Award, Raffles Sentosa Spa blends the timeless charm of its rich history with contemporary wellbeing experiences.
Guests can look forward to contemporary wellbeing experiences encompassing mindfulness, massage, fitness, hydrotherapy, salon services and spa treatments. A state-of-the-art gym with the latest Technogym equipment is also located onsite. Every detail, from the architecture to the surroundings and treatments, is designed to evoke a sense of calm. Our Wellbeing Butlers also curate mindfulness programmes and activities to meet guests’ personal preferences and lifestyle needs.
Apart from the gym, the extensive spa facilities include 12 treatment rooms, a lap pool, two pools with waterfall features, an outdoor whirlpool, indoor hot and cold pools and steam rooms.
What makes a hotel stay an unforgettable experience?
A stay at Raffles Sentosa Singapore is designed to be more than just an escape – it is a moment of pause, a reconnection with nature, and a return to what matters most; especially with loved ones in complete privacy. Combined with the tranquil comfort of the guest’s own villa and the serenity of the surroundings, the hallmark service offered by our team of butlers makes each stay an experience to cherish long after our guests leave.
How does Accor’s global network elevate Raffles Sentosa’s positioning?
Being part of the Accor network enables us to tap the global distribution of one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups. For a new hotel like ours, it is invaluable to have the resources of such a huge network behind us to reach out to a network of loyal guests from all over the world.
How do you see the hospitality industry evolving in the next few years?
One trend I find particularly exciting is the growing emphasis on sustainability in luxury hospitality. Increasingly, guests are looking for experiences that align with their values, especially when it comes to environmental responsibility. I believe this shift is incredibly important, not just for the planet, but for the future of luxury hospitality.
Guests today are more discerning than ever, and they increasingly want to feel that their choices are having a positive impact on the world. It is exciting to be part of a movement that merges luxury with responsibility, and we are deeply committed to it at Raffles Sentosa Singapore. At the same time, we observe that guests are prioritising space and wellbeing more than ever. They are looking for more than just indulgence — they are seeking a sense of peace and rejuvenation. In a world that moves faster than ever, there is an increasing desire for expansive, private spaces where tranquillity takes centre stage. It is not just about being in a nice resort anymore; people want environments that promote both mental and physical wellness, allowing them to disconnect and reconnect with themselves.
At Raffles Sentosa Singapore, we cater to this desire with our private pool villas and nature-inspired experiences designed to offer a true sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation.
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