Singapore Sentosa: Orchid Perfume Making & Scent Personality

Summary

Sentosa’s orchids, scent memories and playful perfume making

You’ll play with over a hundred orchid oils in Sentosa while creating your own signature scent — guided by a playful personality test and gentle local advice. Expect laughter, surprising aromas, and vivid memories tied to both Singapore’s floral heritage and your own nose.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to get so caught up sniffing tiny bottles, but there I was in Sentosa, surrounded by these wild orchid scents — some sharp, some soft, all different. The place had this faint sweetness in the air (maybe from the oils?) and our guide, Li, handed me a card for the “perfume personality test.” I tried to answer honestly but got distracted by a group of kids giggling at the AR butterflies floating around. It’s not every day you see virtual dragonflies zipping past real palm trees.

Mixing the oils was weirdly personal. I kept second-guessing my choices — do I want something bold or subtle? Li explained how Singapore’s rainforests inspired some of these fragrances. She let me smell one that reminded her of her grandmother’s garden; it was earthy and kind of spicy. I ended up with a scent that surprised me (in a good way). My hands smelled like flowers for hours after. So yeah, if you’re looking for a day trip in Singapore that’s not just sightseeing, this is it.

The best part might’ve been watching everyone else react to their own creations — lots of laughter and those “wait, what is that?” faces. There’s something about building your own perfume right between the beach and rainforest that sticks with you. I still catch hints of my blend on my wrist sometimes and think about that afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Create your signature orchid scent

• Take perfume personality test
• Learn about orchid varieties and scents
• Mix fragrance oils to craft scent
• Use touch-less perfume-making bar
• Enjoy scented tours and AR experiences

Top questions

How long does the Scentopia orchid perfume making take?

The activity usually takes around 1–1.5 hours depending on how long you spend mixing scents or exploring the exhibits.

Is this suitable for families or children?

Yes, children can join and infants can be brought in prams or strollers; it’s suitable for all ages.

Do I need any experience to make perfume here?

No experience needed — staff guide you through each step and there’s a simple personality test to help choose scents.

What do I get to take home from Scentopia?

You’ll create and keep a 100ml bottle of your custom orchid perfume as part of the experience.

Are there public transport options nearby?

Yes, Scentopia at Sentosa is accessible by public transportation.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No meals are included; the focus is on the perfume-making activity and AR exhibits.

Can I join if I have limited mobility?

The activity is suitable for all physical fitness levels and accessible for prams or strollers.

What’s included

Your day includes everything you need to create your own 100ml signature orchid scent based on your personality profile, plus access to more than 200 augmented reality exhibits throughout Scentopia at Sentosa. Local guides are there to help out along the way — just bring yourself (and maybe curiosity).