Unveiling the Grandeur of Raffles Singapore

Having visited Singapore several times and once enjoyed afternoon tea in the Tiffin Room at Raffles Singapore, I knew I wanted to return - and this time, to stay overnight. Flying into Singapore en route to Bintan, I seized the opportunity to book a couple of nights at this legendary hotel. Expecting a perfect two-day stopover, having already explored most of the main attractions, I didn't anticipate the travel hiccups that awaited us. Our onward flight from Doha to Singapore with Qatar Airways was missed due to the late arrival of the aircraft in Edinburgh and the subsequent delayed departure, resulting in us reaching Doha nearly three hours late. We were rebooked on a flight the following day, which meant an unexpected overnight stay in Doha. This was followed by an indirect route to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur, necessitating an additional flight with Malaysia Airlines between KL and SIN.

Timeless Elegance: The Grand Facade of Raffles Singapore

An Iconic Stay at Raffles Singapore: Where History Meets Opulence

Despite our late arrival and missing out on what had been a very expensive night's stay - especially when compared to the 'five-star' hotel we were accommodated in at Doha - and experiencing what felt like an early morning earthquake at Raffles, our stay was excellent. I loved the blend of history and tradition with extreme luxury and attention to detail.

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Stunning colonial atrium at Raffles Hotel Singapore, featuring elegant white columns and a grand crystal chandelier.

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Why Book with The Private Traveller in conjunction with Fora Travel

By booking your stay at Raffles Singapore with me (in partnership with FORA Travel), you'll enjoy a perfectly crafted itinerary and benefit from a range of additional perks through the Accor HERA program or by booking with Virtuoso.

Typical perks for Raffles Singapore are:

• Daily complimentary breakfast for 2, per room

• VIP Welcome

• $100 USD credit to be spent on property (conditions defined at check-in)

• Early check-in & late check-out (upon availability)

• Upgrade at time of check-in (upon availability)

Breakfast delights at the iconic Tiffin Room, Raffles Singapore. A beautiful spread of freshly baked pastries and delicacies to start the day.

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Fast Facts for Raffles Singapore

Address - Beach Road, Singapore 189673
Website - https://www.raffles.com/singapore/
Group website - https://www.raffles.com/
TripAdvisor ranking - #24 of 345 hotels in Singapore
Contact - Singapore@raffles.com
Instagram - @raffleshotelsingapore @raffleshotels
Nearest airport - Changi International Airport (SIN) - 32 km or 20 miles (about a 40 min drive, traffic dependent) 
Opened - 1887 (two-year renovation reopening 2019)
Number of suites - 115 (all suite hotel - Studio, State Room, Courtyard, Palm Court, Personality, & Residence Suites)
Number of floors - 3
Bars - 2 (Long & Writers Bar)
Restaurants - 5 (yì by Jereme Leung, Butcher’s Block, Tiffin Room, Raffles Courtyard, & The Grand Lobby)
Wellbeing - Raffles Spa (steam bath, sauna, ice fountain as well as a heated pool) with treatments, outdoor pool, fitness centre
Visited - September 2024

Colonial charm meets modern skyline - Raffles Hotel’s beautifully preserved courtyard stands in contrast to Singapore’s towering skyscrapers.

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Colonial architecture meets tropical greenery in the serene courtyard of Raffles Singapore.

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Hotel Accommodation: All-Suite options in this ‘Grand Dame’ hotel

I chose one of the higher-priced options - the Palm Court Suite - located in the iconic courtyard directly outside the main hotel entrance, where the original Raffles pool once stood. The pool has since been relocated to the third floor behind the reception area. Interestingly, the lawn that now replaces the pool is maintained by a Husqvarna automower - the same model we have at home.

I initially found it unusual not to have our own private terrace or balcony (which very few suites offer here), but it wasn't much of an issue. What concerned me more was the noise and vibrations we experienced from the suite above.

If I were to return, I might opt for a suite in the main part of the hotel building itself, preferably on an upper level. Although there are only 115 suites, the property feels much larger with suites spread out across various courtyards and numerous other features of this iconic hotel - like shops, bars, and restaurants - that seem designed to attract day visitors as well as hotel residents.

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“YOUR oasis IN SINGAPORE.
A suite at Raffles Singapore is one of the world’s most desirable addresses. Evoking the elegant, old-world glamour of a true grande dame, our 115 suites blend lofty architectural splendour and authentic details with all the comfort bestowed by modern technology and design.”

— https://www.raffles.com/singapore/

Relaxing at the serene rooftop pool of Raffles Singapore, a hidden oasis in the heart of the city.

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Facilities & Service at Raffles Singapore

Raffles Singapore provides everything you could need for a short or medium stay, despite the myriad of attractions right on its doorstep. The hotel boasts a selection of restaurants, a couple of bars, a fitness centre, an outdoor pool with a sun deck, shops, and an incredible spa. Even with less than 24 hours on-site and only one overnight stay, we managed to pack in quite a few quintessential Raffles experiences.

I’ve broken down the key facilities and services and shared my opinion on them below:

Our Palm Court Suite (108)

Our suite was located on the lower level of the open courtyard, which used to house the main swimming pool. The suites are arranged on two levels along two sides of this square, all similar in style, though some offer a better outlook. None have private terraces, but each features a couple of chairs and a table on the shared, shaded terrace.

Stepping up from the entrance, we found a decent-sized lounge and dining area with front-facing windows that could be shaded by electronic sheer curtains or completely darkened with blinds. There was also a full-width blind above the entrance that could be opened to let in more light. From there, we entered a large bedroom without windows, giving it an atmospherically dark ambiance. Beyond the bedroom was a light-filled bathroom at the back, featuring several opaque windows.

Upon arrival, we found a note inviting us to contact our suite butler to choose our welcome chocolates. She arrived soon after to introduce us to the suite, and we each selected three chocolates from a wonderful display box by Mr Bucket Chocolaterie. The chocolates were amazing, offering an incredible selection of unusual flavour combinations to choose from.

Levels of Comfort

The suite was stunning—spacious, beautifully designed, and thoughtfully appointed. In the lounge and dining area, a stylish luggage trunk-inspired mini bar offered complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee, and snacks. Although we had requested a king bed, we were given a twin suite, but the double beds were generously sized and very comfortable. From what I could see of other suites, many appeared to be set up with double doubles or twin beds, rather than kings.

Bathroom

The bathroom was truly impressive, featuring twin sinks that I love and ample storage space at both vanity units. It included a central bathtub - where the butler can draw a bath for you on demand - a separate large shower with a marble bench seat, and a separate WC with a frosted door, offering privacy while keeping the bathroom accessible.

I was particularly impressed with the toiletries - perhaps the best hotel shower gel I've ever used, Omno Solace - made by a local Singapore company. This line is also used in the Raffles Spa and is available in the on-site boutique. The entire bathroom was marble-lined, and with multiple windows at the back, it was filled with natural light, contrasting with the darker bedroom area situated between the bathroom and the lounge/entrance.

Breakfast

By booking through my affiliation with FORA and securing the Accor HERA perks program, breakfast was included for us and served in the atmospheric, history-steeped Tiffin Room off the main hotel lobby. Two tables were filled with a selection of continental breakfast options - everything you could conceivably think of - alongside a full menu of various teas, coffees, juices, and hot food choices. I tried the classic French Toast, while 'Mrs. TPT' had Eggs Benedict. We topped off our breakfast with some delicious pastries from the buffet selection. It was one of the best breakfasts we've had, and such a wonderful room.

Restaurant & Bars

Due to our delayed arrival and having only one night, we were able to try out just one bar—the Writer's Bar—and one restaurant, The Raffles Courtyard. I had been interested in booking the Tiffin Room for dinner, but during our stay, it was hosting a special collaboration fixed-course dinner. So, we opted for the outdoor Courtyard restaurant instead. The meal was good, although they didn't have any fish dishes, which 'Mrs. TPT' had been looking forward to, but there was a decent selection of vegetarian options for me.

Before dinner, I had booked the main Writer's Bar in the hotel (which was bookable, unlike the more popular Long Bar). It was great to enjoy a cocktail from their extensive menu before dinner - another part of Raffles steeped in history. The classic cocktail is, of course, the Singapore Sling, which was originally created at a time when women were not permitted to consume alcohol in public. This cocktail was designed to look remarkably like a fruit punch. Once you've checked in, you can enjoy this traditional cocktail, either served in your suite or in the Lobby bar. We opted to have these delivered to our suite, and there is both an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic version available.

Spa & Wellness

Another consequence of our delayed arrival was missing the spa appointments I had scheduled for Friday evening. However, I was still able to secure a reservation in advance for the hydrotherapy facilities before dinner on Saturday. Located in the more public area of the hotel and part of the shopping arcade, the Raffles Spa was a dream. They offer a wide selection of treatments in the spa area, along with an adjoining hair and nail salon.

In the respective male and female changing areas, there was a hot pool, sauna, steam room, and ice fountain, as well as a relaxing adjacent room with loungers and snacks to unwind after a treatment. The hydrotherapy area can be reserved to ensure it's not too busy, and although it's not exclusive like the bookable GEM suite, we were the only ones there and weren't limited in time. As with the rest of the hotel, the service here was exemplary, and the facilities were absolutely top-notch and of an extremely high standard.

Design & Architecture

The architecture is undeniably British Colonial, a style that can sometimes carry a negative connotation today, but the buildings here are truly remarkable - beautifully maintained and meticulously restored as part of the extensive 2019 refurbishment. Unfortunately, it seems the restoration didn’t address soundproofing, as noise between the floors of the courtyard suites can be noticeable.

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What about the Raffles Singapore location?

Excellent, located maybe a 35 minute drive from the airport, from where we were collected by the hotel service on arrival; and only a few minutes drive to the main sites. The waterfront Gardens by the Bay (so worth seeing if you haven’t already been) are within walking distance, and although Singapore does not have Uber, there were other comparable service apps, we used Grab instead, which was basically the same as Uber but under a different name.

Things to Do at Raffles Singapore

I covered quite a few things in my travel itinerary for Singapore and beyond, which I will repeat here, but it is also one of those hotels where you can just enjoy the historic experience within the confines of Raffles Square.

• Little India

• The GEM Suite Experience

• Chinatown

• Gardens by the Bay

• Singapore Botanic Gardens

• Singapore Art Museum

  • Commonly referred to as SAM, this contemporary art museum highlights art-making and art-thinking in Singapore, Southeast Asia, and across Asia, while also embracing a global perspective on contemporary art practices. Its mission is to cultivate a vibrant, creative environment in Singapore through exhibitions and public programs, enhancing visitors' experiences with outreach, education, research, and publications, along with cross-disciplinary residencies and cultural exchanges.

• National Museum of Singapore

  • Welcome to Singapore's oldest museum, established in 1887. The rich history and culture of the nation are showcased through an engaging permanent exhibition in the Singapore History and Living Galleries. One highlight is a video montage capturing everyday life, set to the backdrop of a beautiful orchestral symphony.

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Highlights of our stay

There were so many highlights of the stay at the but here are just a few of the key points, which I hope you find a useful summary.

• Location - centrally located for all the main sites, really close to the waterfront area at Gardens by the Bay, and not too long a drive from either the airport where we arrived, or to the ferry terminal at Tanah Merah for our departure to the nearby island of Bintan.

• Welcome - amazing to arrive at such a historic building, which has been so lovingly restored.

• The suite - dispute the earthquake like noise and rattling the following morning, this was a spectacular suite with excellent service. I can’t call out everything being exceptional, but it really was - bathroom, wow!

• The arrival chocolate choice.

• The Tiffin Room for breakfast - what an extensive choice, and such a historic room to enjoy.

• The Writer’s Bar - great choice of drinks, cocktails, and snacks - and again steeped in history. Will need to visit the Long Bar on our next visit.

• The style and space in and around the hotel, feels like a bit of a rabbit warren to begin with, but once you get your bearings (and a hotel map helped!) it’s good to see how everything connects and to explore the main building itself. 

• Great pool, and wonderful spa. I didn’t get to try it out, but the fitness centre was modern and extremely well appointed too.

Indulge in timeless luxury - Raffles Singapore suite bathroom, blending elegance with modern comfort.

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Areas for improvement

Wherever we stay, I do always like to look at the positives on any property we stay in, and airlines we fly with etc. but sometimes you can’t help but notice things that (for me, but I realise this is always personal) might have made for a better stay.

• Not the hotel’s problem, but a one night stay was too short!

• The only thing I would say, and if you’ve read the review above, would be the noise from the suite above. There can’t have been anyone there when we arrived or on that first evening, but there was certainly lots of activity very early morning on the next day. Not only was there a lot of noise, literally the light fittings etc. were shaking like an earthquake in our suite, from whoever was walking around (felt like a heard of elephants) on the wooden floor above.

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Would I stay here again?

Yes in an instant. Such a great location, excellent accommodations and facilities, and I feel I would like to experience them some more on a future visit.

The iconic Marina Bay Sands SkyPark - home to the world’s most famous infinity pool.

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My final thoughts on Raffles Singapore

If I was going back, and I’m surely hoping to on a future visit to Singapore, I would definitely request an upper floor suite to make sure that no one was above. That’s probably my lasting memory, albeit I did love the stay and just wished it could have been longer.

Comment below to share your thoughts and opinions. 

Let me know which hotel I should review next!