When a famous luxury brand like Raffles opens a new property, it makes headlines around the world.
That being the case, you need someone in charge who knows exactly what they’re doing.
Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale is just that person.
Signor Viterale has been in the hospitality business for more than four decades and was awarded the Order of the Star of Italy in 2016, earning him the prestigious ‘Cavaliere’ title as an ambassador for his country.
Fortunately for us he also has a deep affinity for Australia, having opened the Fullerton Hotel in Sydney in 2019 where our paths crossed for the first time. Dapper, erudite and highly respected, Giovanni is at the peak of his profession.
He’s now Cluster General Manager at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa and the Raffles Sentosa Singapore, which will finally throw open it’s highly anticipated doors on March 1 in Singapore’s ‘island in the city’.
There are only a handful of Raffles properties around the globe yet if he’s feeling any pressure about the impending opening he’s not showing it.
Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale
“We all think, the team and I, that we are very fortunate to be at the helm of such an amazing brand, an iconic brand. There is no pressure – it’s more something that motivates us,” he tells me as we chat about the launch.
“This new property will really enhance our legendary brand and we take it as a very positive opportunity rather than pressure. We are definitely very excited and we are all looking forward to having this new baby born and to nurture it.
“The entire world is talking about the opening but the team and I and the entire property are ready to go. It’s something that Singapore has not experienced before.”
Seven years from initial concept to doors open, the Raffles Sentosa Singapore will be Singapore’s first all-villa property and marks a new chapter for the famous brand, which was founded in 1887.
The 62 villas, each with a private pool and outdoor terrace, range from 210-square-metres for a one-bedroom villa to 650-square-metres for the four-bedroom Royal Villa. All come with the classic Raffles Butler service.
“We are very fortunate to have such a property here in Sentosa, which sounds like it’s a long way from the city centre but in fact it is much quicker to get from the airport to here than to the CBD.
“It’s a beautiful drive from the airport with great scenery and you can arrive here in 15 to 20 minutes on a straight lane highway with no interruptions. Or you can get here from the city centre in just 10 minutes across the bridge.”
This proximity to both airport and CBD is a key marketing point for the new property, which hopes to attract business and leisure travellers in equal measure.
Ideal for meetings, conferences, a stopover, a weekend retreat, family gathering or a celebration, the Raffles Sentosa Singapore aims be many things to many people, especially Aussies.
“Let’s say you’re coming from winter time in Australia. It will be fantastic to spend two or three days here with us and then fly back to that winter climate,” adds Giovanni.
Australia is very much on Giovanni’s radar. He’s hoping that travel agents here will be keen to promote this new luxury offering to their clients now that it’s finally open for bookings.
“The Australian market has been and I’m sure will continue to be top of the list of visitors we hope will stay and enjoy our resort.
‘Australians love to have space and if you look at our villas, the entry level one-bedroom villa is 210-square-metres. Imagine staying in such space with your own pool, a nice day bed and a great bathroom, bedroom and living room. You can also have your own indoor dining or a barbecue outside.
“So I think Australians will feel like they are at home…a home away from home.”
Other facilities include a spa with 13 treatment rooms offering experiences steeped in holistic wellbeing and two state-of-the-art ballrooms, the largest of which can accommodate up to 400 guests. Guests can also play on the neighbouring award-winning golf course or relax on Tanjong Beach.
Needless to say, dining will be a major attraction, with five restaurants and lounges showcasing a vast array of global cuisines.
“We have a fantastic combination of culinary offerings. We have a great talent pool of chefs, all of them with very high Michelin star pedigree.”
The diverse range will include Royal China, offering Cantonese cuisine, Hashida, serving quality Japanese fare, the Empire Grill, the Raffles Room for signature afternoon tea and the Chairman’s Room, complete with whisky, cognac, fine wine and champagne.
As our time draws to a close, I ask Giovanni what his hopes are for the property once the public finally gets to see what all the hard work has been about.
“What I foresee and what I hope is that the first thing people feel when they come into the property is that they feel at home and they feel relaxed. We want it to be a place where they can really enjoy quality time, either as individuals or as a family that wants to be together.
“This is also one of the reasons why we have designed villas that can become four-, five- or six bedrooms, because we want family generations to come and stay together, enjoy their time and leave as guests but also as friends.
“We want people to remember us, for the resort to be a place where they want to be and that they will come back one day. And yes, to have that that feeling of ‘wow, this is something very special’.”
