The So Spa at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa will open in Q3 this year as part of an estimated 12 to 18-month HK$20m (US$2.6m €1.8m, £1.5m) refurbishment of all accommodation, public areas, conference rooms and landscaping.

The 215-key property – including suites and villas whose interiors were designed by Ed Tuttle – is a wellness enclave which was purchased by Royal Group Development for refurbishment for HK$210.85m (US$27m, €19.9m, £16.1m) from Hong Kong-based HKR International.

Accor Hotels will continue to manage the resort, but under the luxury brand Sofitel, once the revamp is complete. The hotel will continue to operate throughout, with the project being undertaken in phases and expected to be finished by the end of 2015.

The Sofitel-branded So Spa’s 20 treatment rooms – 14 indoor suites and 6 outdoor pavilions – are accompanied by a female-only spa garden and a mixed garden. Each spa garden features a flotation pool with waterfalls, mud pools in addition to outdoor showers and meditative labyrinths.

Skin products used in the So Spa are supplied by Thémaé and Sundari.

The 6,000sq m (64,583sq ft) facility’s interior design is being managed by MaxStudio and renovations to the whole property are being overseen by DP Architects.

“Royal Group Development is delighted to be partnering with Accor once again in Singapore to introduce a second Sofitel to our growing luxury portfolio,” said Bobby Hiranandani, managing director at Royal Group Development.

“We are confident that this property will be a key strategic landmark in Sentosa, and will be established as one of the top luxury resorts in Singapore and the region when it transforms.”