It’s said that you don’t come to Singapore and stay at Raffles; you come to Raffles and see what you can of Singapore – such is the magnetic draw of the city’s original grande dame hotel.
While exploring the city outside is a must for many guests, it’s impossible to resist full immersion in the grandeur and historical charm of Raffles Singapore. In 2019, an extensive restoration saw Alexandra Champalimaud (whose work can be seen at fine hotels throughout the world, including The Plaza in New York and The Dorchester in London) give the 19th-century property a classic-contemporary lift. Now everything has been meticulously restored, including the signature details that distinguish this storied hotel – whitewashed walls, teak floorboards, ceiling fans and brass light switches. All this gives each spacious suite an unmistakable sense of comfort and place.
There are so many reasons to check in, but a new incentive provides yet another: the Suite Serenade package. This includes VIP tickets to a performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at one of the city’s prestigious concert halls, as well as an exclusive supper experience with a leading musical maestro. Guests will be transferred to the concert by limousine, before returning to the oasis of Raffles Singapore, where a sumptuous suite (and daily breakfast) awaits. There’s also the chance to explore the hotel’s remarkable restaurants, including Anne-Sophie Pic’s exquisite Michelin-starred La Dame de Pic – the famed French chef’s debut in Asia – as well as Singaporean master chef Jereme Leung’s Yì, and Butcher’s Block, for one-of-a-kind wood-fired cooking.
Meanwhile, the Long Bar dispenses world-famous Singapore Slings, and the al-fresco Raffles Courtyard is shaded by swaying palms and majestic white arches. In the lobby, the Writers Bar pays homage to the many famous authors who have stayed here over the years (among them Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham) in a manner befitting their artistic sensibilities – with a seemingly endless flow of cocktails and Champagne, naturally.
Those seeking to nurture a different kind of spirit will be delighted by the Raffles Spa, where complimentary wellness experiences – including yoga and sound healing therapy – grant the opportunity to slow down and banish any last vestiges of jet lag. Equally meditative are the lush tropical gardens woven into the hotel, which occupy more than a quarter of the entire estate and provide a restorative contrast to the urban hustle and bustle beyond. Come here to be soothed by the sounds of a chorus of birds and the rustle of palm trees in the tropical breeze. What more reason do you need to plan a trip to Singapore?
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