Resorts World Sentosa to open its doors on Jan 20

KUALA LUMPUR: Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore’s first integrated resort (IR), will begin its phased opening from Jan 20, 2010, the company said in a press statement released Jan 5.

The first to commence operations are its four hotels -- Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Singapore, Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael. Two of the hotels began operations today (Jan 5) with a lion dance and ribbon-cutting by the wives of Genting Group’s late founder and its current chairman, Puan Sri Lim Goh Tong and Puan Sri Cecilia Lim respectively.

“When the Genting Group won the bid to build Resorts World Sentosa in December 2006, we promised Singapore that we will deliver a true IR that will make Singapore and Singaporeans proud. We have been single-minded about this – no distractions or excuses – and today, we are happy to say we marked the first milestone towards delivering on that promise,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of the Genting Group and Resorts World Sentosa.

Resorts World Sentosa’s CEO Tan Hee Teck said the phased schedule would allow the IR and its 10,000 employees to run in operations and deliver the expected guest experience.

“We thank the team of agencies and government officials who have been working tirelessly to get us where we are today. We also have a top-class team of staffers, architects, consultants and contractors who pushed relentlessly to get this resort open not only on time, but ahead of schedule. Partners who have visited are often surprised by the effort we have put into each of our attractions, each hotel, each performance. We concluded our first public event ChildAid in December with a bang. Today, we have taken it forward. We are getting ready to welcome our first visitors, and we look forward to their feedback to help us improve,” Tan added.

Resorts World Sentosa is working closely with the authorities to obtain approvals for Universal Studios Singapore, which is scheduled to open next. The opening date for the casino will be announced when it gets notice of its casino licence.

Resort World Sentosa is one of the world’s more extensive and expensive integrated resorts at US$4.4 billion (RM15 billion). Supporting the attractions are a 3,500-lot car park facility, restaurants, retail stores, entertainment and public attractions that include Emmy-award winner Jeremy Railton’s Lake of Dreams and Chamber of Treasures.

The four hotels have a combined inventory of 1,350 rooms and 10 restaurant outlets at their opening and another 500 rooms will be added with the launch of another two hotels, Equarius Hotel and Spa Villas after 2010 in phase two. Also scheduled for launch in phase two are the world’s largest Marine Life Park, the Maritime Experiential Museum and a destination spa.

Room and restaurant reservations begin at 10.00 hours on Monday, Jan 11 on hotline +65 6577 8899. More information can be found on www.rwsentosa.com