Walking into Raffles Singapore is like entering the setting of a thousand fables. A place beloved by literary titans, socialites and Hollywood stars, a monument to the city's extraordinary heritage and the birthplace of the Singapore Sling – this landmark hotel has enough stories to fill a library. Originally a 19th-century beach house, this grand palace provides a sharp contrast to the gleaming modernity of the city's skyscrapers and, more than 130 years after its founding, it remains an enclave for those seeking an elevated experience in the city. Even your arrival feels like the start of the story, a transformative tale that begins as soon as a doorman clad in gleaming white and gold whisks you inside.
Declared a National Monument by the Singapore government, Raffles remains gloriously untouched by the passing years, or mostly so, at least. A swish makeover completed in 2019 by designer Alexandra Champalimaud modernised the hotel's grand interiors without sacrificing any of its heritage or charm. All of the 115 suites have details such as polished teak verandahs, white marble colonnades and thoughtful artworks that transport you back to the golden age of travel. From romantic pads overlooking the lush courtyard to the vast Presidential Suites, they're the pinnacle of glamour.
The hotel may be famous for its architecture, its lush tropical gardens and its cocktail inventions, but perhaps most legendary is its service. A fleet of butlers in blue and white possess an almost uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of each and every guest, refilling your glass in the time it takes you to blink. Perpetually poised to fulfil any request, they're experts in the hotel and its heritage, too: if you're looking for someone to fill you in on the history behind the invention of Singapore's national cocktail or regale you with stories about what Noël Coward got up to at the Writers Bar, your butler is the person to ask.
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Raffles Singapore has always been as popular with city residents as it has been with international visitors, and this is reflected in its communal areas. Your first stop after check-in should be the Long Bar, where, in 1915, innovative bartender Ngiam Tong Boon came up with a way to allow women to drink alcohol in public. Sip on a fruity, gin-infused Singapore Sling and watch your fellow guests chat over peanuts at the gleaming bar. Other dining spaces are similarly historic. The Grand Lobby, once a site of extravagant galas, fancy dress parties and roller-skating sessions, is today a sunny spot for afternoon tea, and the Tiffin Room's fragrant curries are as delicious now as they were at the restaurant's inception in 1892. At the immersive Butcher's Block an open kitchen allows glimpses of meat grilling over wood fires and Yi by Jereme Leung is renowned for its artistic Chinese dishes. As evening falls, follow in the footsteps of literary greats such as Rudyard Kipling, Pablo Neruda and Somerset Maugham and head to the Writers Bar for a nightcap. Each of the cocktails presented at the brass bar pays homage to one of the many authors who drew inspiration from this incredible place.
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The Raffles Spa, too, is worth a visit – a session of yoga or sound healing is the perfect way to slowly ease yourself into a relaxing holiday, while unique body treatments harnessing the healing power of gemstones and indulgent oil massages are cure-alls for jet lag, stress, or simply sore legs from a day roaming this electrifying city.
A stay at Raffles Singapore is always a revelation, but there's a special treat in store for guests who book before the end of the year. The exclusive Bed and Breakfast Suite Package is available until 31 December 2024 and comes with perks. You'll arrive (or depart – it's your choice) in style courtesy of a limousine airport transfer, receive credits to spend on elegant keepsakes at the Raffles Boutique and have access to the hydrothermal facilities at Raffles Spa, which includes an aromatherapy room, an ice fountain and a vitality pool filled with Peruvian pink salt. You'll also – as the name suggests – enjoy a daily complimentary breakfast of freshly prepared pastries, charcuterie and salad at the Tiffin Room. It's this kind of special touch that has kept travellers enthralled by Raffles Singapore, and its inimitable style and service, for more than a century.
Book your Bed and Breakfast Suite Package today at raffles.com