Raffles Sentosa Singapore. Discover 2025’s most talked-about luxury resort in an exclusive “Where2FromHere” podcast interview with Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale.
Step into the sun-drenched, peacock-lined pathways of Sentosa Island, where history meets innovation at Asia’s most anticipated luxury hotel debut of the year: Raffles Sentosa Singapore.
In a revelatory “Where2FromHere” podcast episode, renowned hotel critic Renae Leith-Manos sits down with Cavaliere Giovanni Viterale—cluster general manager for Raffles Sentosa Singapore and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa—for an in-depth interview that opens the doors to this legendary new address and the storied hotelier guiding it.
A Visionary Career Forged in Elegance
Giovanni Viterale’s reputation in luxury hospitality precedes him—the recipient of Italian knighthood and a globetrotting career spanning 35 years, he’s helped shape some of the most iconic waterfront and palace hotels on the planet.
In this podcast, he reflects on how his Italian roots are woven into every touchpoint at Raffles Sentosa—from the Amalfi lemon trees in the gardens to cooling lemon sorbet and the resort’s signature limoncello. “My heritage is in everything—from the warm welcomes to celebrating natural beauty,” Giovanni shares, explaining why classic Italian finesse and soulful hospitality underpin everything, even at the latest and most contemporary Raffles destination.
Singapore’s First All-Villa Resort—A Dream Realized
Raffles Sentosa Singapore is already making headlines as the city’s first-ever all-villa resort—a sanctuary of 62 glamorous pool villas artfully designed by the celebrated Yabu Pushelberg studio.
These are not mere rooms, but private sanctuaries spanning from a generous 250 sqm one-bedroom cocoon to the palatial 650 sqm Royal Villa.
Picture sun-drenched terraces, curated botanical murals, and fluid indoor-outdoor living with every villa immersed in a private pocket of the island’s lush, forested hillside.
Within this oasis, guests are greeted by the legendary Raffles butlers—the brand’s hallmark of truly anticipatory service. Trained to orchestrate every detail (and surprise!), the Raffles Butler makes every guest’s journey uniquely personal, from seamless in-villa arrivals to bespoke local adventures and discreet yet attentive care throughout their stay.
A New Standard in Wellness and Wellbeing
Giovanni and Renae delve into what sets the Raffles Sentosa experience apart for 2025’s discerning luxury traveller: holistic wellness in a naturally restorative landscape.
The resort’s spa—a beautifully reimagined 1930s heritage landmark—offers guests 13 treatment rooms, cutting-edge fitness spaces, and tranquil hydrotherapy pools. But for Giovanni, the true essence of wellness transcends facilities: it’s about connection to nature, personal care, and sustainability.
With initiatives like the “60 Trees for 60 Years,” planting rare and native trees on the property, and bespoke wellbeing butlers for every villa, Raffles Sentosa is a deep breath in Singapore’s fast-moving urban landscape.
Dining Designed for the Senses
Raffles Sentosa doesn’t just serve guests—it celebrates culinary artistry. From Empire Grill’s contemporary Italian cuisine by Chef Bjoern Alexander to Royal China’s refined Cantonese menus by Chef Ling Heng Yao, every meal becomes a destination in its own right. Omakase lovers will revel in Iyasaka by Hashida, where Chef Kenjiro ‘Hatch’ Hashida crafts masterpieces of Japanese tradition.
Afternoon tea is taken in The Raffles Room, and evenings wind down in the Chairman’s Room lounge—a speakeasy for wine, whisky and Champagne connoisseurs. Giovanni and Renae toast to sustainability with the Sentosa Sling (the new take on the Singapore Sling), crafted from upcycled watermelon and lemon leaves from the gardens—a tastefully playful nod to eco-luxury.
Crafting Unforgettable Events
Beyond individual stays, Raffles Sentosa emerges as a venue for Singapore’s most exclusive milestones. Two state-of-the-art ballrooms, crystal-lit and inspired by the nation’s orchid, host up to 400 for weddings, galas, and global MICE events.
In the podcast, Giovanni details his approach to ensuring each celebration is not just beautiful, but genuinely meaningful—from careful collaboration with couples and brands, to surprise-and-delight details that linger long after the last toast.
The Raffles Spirit: Heritage, Innovation, and Emotional Intelligence
Throughout the “Where2FromHere” interview, Giovanni reflects on how Raffles, since its founding in 1887, has evolved by blending heritage with innovation. He discusses the legendary butler service, team emotional intelligence, and the importance of creating a culture where staff feel respected—insisting that this care radiates to every guest interaction.
“Hospitality isn’t about the bricks, but the people—their intuition, their joy, and their pride in the brand,” Giovanni notes. He muses on the difference between Italian and Singaporean approaches to hospitality, explaining how he draws the best from both worlds for Raffles Sentosa: Old World warmth meets New World dynamism.
Why This Podcast is Unmissable
As Singapore’s only all-villa resort, minutes from the CBD yet immersed in tropical nature, Raffles Sentosa isn’t just rewriting the rules of luxury hospitality in Asia—it’s becoming a blueprint for the future of meaningful, restorative travel in urban destinations.
Giovanni’s candid stories—about hosting VIPs, his family’s journey to Asia, and the lessons learned in 35 years at the helm—make this an episode rich with insight, inspiration, and personal storytelling.
For hoteliers, travel lovers, and seekers of transcendent guest experiences, this “Where2FromHere” episode is the essential listen of the year. Under Giovanni Viterale’s steady hand, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is not just a place to stay—it’s a place to truly live, celebrate, and reconnect.
