Regardless of being called heaven, a shopper’s paradise, and a travelers’ pad, we’ve got some sizzling hot controversial takes on the Sentosa Islands of Singapore. Sentosa Islands is often touted as a family-friendly destination, leaving us with a mix of awe and frustration.
With a plethora of activities suitable for everyone, the price tags attached to each of those might not be suitable for everyone, after all. With high expectations and world-class reviews, we were excited to experience Sentosa Island, but here’s what we truly went through.
SENTOSA IS VERY EXPENSIVE. That’s how we felt as soon as we reached the island. Although it’s the perfect getaway for families, everything there comes with a price tag and it’s not just the chic restaurants or happening places that are expensive, but the streets are too! The hawkers are also selling everything at very high prices, which are not worth too much.
One incident that we particularly remember is that the price boards don’t mention the prices appropriately. A guy selling pizzas outside Universal Studios Singapore just mentioned “$7 Pizza”, and sold just a slice of it, and we we’re definitely not expecting to pay $7, just for a slice of pizza. It doesn’t end there, one of the vendors asked for an extra dollar if we didn’t want ice in our drinks as he’d be supposed to pour more soda into the drink. The worst part is, that they aren’t hesitant at all!
If you’re looking to do some street shopping, note that it isn’t cheap and that you’ll have to load up your wallets to be able to afford it all.
Seeming like a prefix, the Sentosa Resorts and Hotels here are offering services that were nothing more than average, which left us questioning if these are legitimate 5-star quality. One of the prime examples of this is Oasia Resort Sentosa, where we were left with nothing but a list of disappointments, from service to stay. More than this, we also came across the overcharging pattern across these places.
One of the restaurants within the hotel charged us an extra $10 to our bill. As we brushed it off thinking it was a mistake, the overcharging repeated again with an excess of $5 added to the bill. At one point, we were sure this was intentional and they’re making money off of guests’ ignorance. This is also because people don’t usually check their bills or care enough to argue, so do keep this in mind!
Sentosa is known for its adventure activities that cater to a diverse set of audiences but here’s the true picture we experienced for the most hyped tourist places, each in our own lines:
Oh, and how did I forget about this? You can consider buying the Sentosa Fun Pass to be able to visit Sentosa Island Singapore for a relatively cheaper price and save your account from being dented. It allows you to pay a lump-sum amount in the beginning for several attractions which is a good deal. As the pass comes with its own set of attractions, you can plan your itinerary keeping this in mind.
Final Verdict!
Sentosa Island is a perfect destination for your family holiday. It offers a calm and soothing exploration with activities that kick in the adrenaline rush. The islands are filled with picturesque beaches and scenic drive-around places.
If you’re planning to visit Sentosa, we recommend you plan a trip for 3-4 days to get ample time to explore and enjoy the offerings of Sentosa. Be sure to carry some extra bucks as the place is quite expensive.
