Singapore’s wellness tourism landscape has just gained a significant new player. The Initial Sama, located at 26 Evans Road in Bukit Timah, has officially received its Temporary Occupation Permit and opened its doors as the city-state’s first wellness-focused service residence. This 92-unit property combines heritage architecture with modern wellness infrastructure, offering an integrated approach to urban living that prioritises health, recovery, and reconnection with nature.

What Makes The Initial Sama Different

The property sits on historic grounds where Eusoff College once stood, just minutes from Singapore Botanic Gardens. Developed by Cover Projects on a site awarded by the Singapore Land Authority in January 2024, the residence spans 1.4 hectares across four blocks. The accommodation options include 35 studio units, 33 one-bedroom superior units, 12 one-bedroom deluxe units, and 12 two-bedroom deluxe units, each designed with wellness at its core.

Unlike typical serviced apartments, everything here revolves around wellness. Grant Associates—the landscape architects behind some remarkable projects globally—turned the 3,200-square-metre garden into something rather special: a biodiverse sanctuary that fits Singapore’s City in Nature vision. You’ll find a sensory garden, outdoor pool, coworking spaces, spa treatment rooms, a HYROX gym, and yoga studio. Whether you’re here for medical treatment, a long work assignment, or simply prioritising your wellbeing, the facilities actually support those goals rather than just existing as amenities on a brochure.

The location is strategic. Proximity to Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital makes it ideal for medical tourists from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and beyond who require comfortable, healing environments during treatment and recovery. An F&B outlet and medical clinic will open on-site in September, with the grand launch scheduled for early October.

Community Impact: Drive For Good 2025

The Initial Sama has already begun serving the community beyond its primary guests. In December, the residence hosted Drive For Good 2025, a collaboration between Global Switch and Legion of Racers (LOR) that brought approximately 50 young people from the Muslimin Trust Fund Association and SHINE Children and Youth Services to the property.

The programme used professional sim racing rigs to teach focus, discipline, and perseverance through immersive racing experiences. Participants competed in time trial challenges, building teamwork skills and confidence in a supportive environment. According to Lim Keong Wee, Co-Founder of Legion of Racers and Managing Director of Cover Projects, the initiative demonstrates how the residence can serve broader community needs beyond accommodation.

My Experience: A Studio That Actually Felt Like Home

I stayed in one of the studio units, and honestly, I loved every minute of it. It genuinely felt like a home away from home—the kind of space where you can properly settle in rather than just exist between outings. I spent the morning working in the coworking space (proper desk setup, good WiFi, natural light—all the things remote workers actually need), then retreated to my studio for both dinner and breakfast. Having that flexibility to eat in when I wanted made such a difference.

But what really made my stay special was booking a massage at the spa. They didn’t just go through the motions—they created a custom oil blend specifically for me based on what I needed. I can’t tell you how rare that level of personalisation is. I left that treatment room feeling more relaxed than I had in months, the kind of proper unwinding that usually takes a week-long holiday to achieve. The whole experience reminded me why wellness-focused accommodation matters—it’s not just marketing speak when it’s done this well.

Practical Information for Visitors

The property has a 5+4 year tenure from the Singapore Land Authority, and they’ve done something quite lovely with the colonial-era architecture—kept what makes it special whilst adding sustainability features and natural design elements throughout. You can find room rates and booking information on their website at www.theinitialsama.com.

If you’re considering medical treatment in Singapore or need somewhere for an extended wellness stay, this feels different from standard hotels or clinical accommodation. It’s the combination that works—proper wellness facilities, walking distance to major hospitals, and spaces actually designed for recovery rather than just somewhere to sleep between appointments. Your treatment happens at the hospital, but you heal here.

How This Fits Into Singapore’s Wellness Tourism Growth

Singapore has positioned itself as a regional hub for medical and wellness tourism, and properties like The Initial Sama reflect this strategic direction. The combination of world-class medical facilities, accessibility from regional markets, and now purpose-built wellness accommodation creates a comprehensive ecosystem for health-focused travel.

The property’s design acknowledges that recovery and wellness extend beyond clinical treatment. The sensory gardens, outdoor spaces, and wellness programming recognise that environment significantly impacts healing outcomes. For visitors from cities across Asia seeking medical treatment or wellness programmes, this represents a shift towards more integrated, holistic approaches to health-focused travel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of accommodation are available at The Initial Sama?

The residence offers four accommodation types: 35 studio units, 33 one-bedroom superior units, 12 one-bedroom deluxe units, and 12 two-bedroom deluxe units. All units are designed with wellness features and modern comforts suitable for extended stays.

Is The Initial Sama only for medical tourists?

No. While the location near major hospitals makes it ideal for medical tourists, the residence caters to wellness travellers, corporate guests requiring extended stays, and anyone seeking a wellness-focused urban environment. The facilities support various lifestyle needs beyond medical recovery.

What wellness facilities are included on-site?

The property includes a sensory garden for forest bathing, outdoor swimming pool, coworking lounges, dedicated spa treatment suites, a HYROX gym, bathhouse, yoga studio, and extensive landscaped gardens designed by Grant Associates. Beyond the physical facilities, they offer programmes focused on stress and anxiety management through mindfulness practices and community connection. These therapeutic environments provide professional guidance for mental well-being in supportive, non-clinical settings—think wellness coaching rather than traditional counselling.

How far is The Initial Sama from Singapore’s main hospitals?

The residence is located near Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital in the Bukit Timah area, making it convenient for medical appointments whilst providing a tranquil environment away from the clinical setting. It’s also minutes from Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Planning Your Singapore Wellness Stay

The Initial Sama represents a new direction in Singapore’s accommodation landscape, particularly for visitors prioritising health and wellness during their stay. Whether you’re considering medical tourism, need an extended corporate stay with wellness support, or simply want accommodation that actively contributes to your wellbeing, this property offers a thoughtful alternative to traditional hotels.

For those planning visits to Singapore for medical treatment or wellness programmes, booking early allows you to experience this unique property whilst availability remains good during the initial months of operation.

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