Raffles Hotel Singapore

As the afternoon sun filters softly through the swaying fronds of palm trees in the storied Palm Court, a guest steps onto their suite’s veranda at Raffles Singapore. The delicate scent of frangipani mingles with the lilting strains of a live violin drifting from the Grand Lobby. At the same time, a Raffles butler—immaculately attired in crisp white uniform and gloves—presents a silver tray bearing the guest’s preferred jasmine tea. The preference, recorded during a stay three years prior, is one of hundreds curated and remembered by the property’s sophisticated guest recognition system. In this moment—at once gracious, effortless, and deeply personal—the very essence of Raffles Singapore reveals itself: a symphony of timeless heritage, botanical splendor, and intuitive service.

This enduring excellence has earned Raffles Singapore the 2025 Global Recognition Award, an honor that cements its place among the world’s most exceptional luxury properties. The accolade arrives as the hotel celebrates its eighth consecutive Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating and AAA Five Diamond Award—distinctions held by fewer than 2% of luxury hotels worldwide. With origins dating to 1887 and formal designation as a Singapore National Monument in 1987, Raffles has safeguarded its illustrious legacy through a rare blend of architectural preservation, cultural stewardship, and modern refinement.

The landmark’s 2019 restoration exemplifies this ethos: a comprehensive three-year undertaking led by global firm Aedas Architects and design luminary Alexandra Champalimaud. The project meticulously preserved key historical features—such as the cast-iron portico, hand-laid teak floors, and decorative cornices—while integrating sophisticated technology and sustainability infrastructure. The result: a portfolio of 115 expansive suites (up from 103), enhanced with in-room tablets that control lighting, curtains, service requests, and climate. This upgrade and other eco-conscious improvements have reduced the hotel’s environmental impact by an impressive 40% compared to pre-renovation levels.

Historical Legacy and Service Distinction

At the heart of Raffles Singapore lies its most defining attribute: a philosophy of living heritage. Here, legacy is not merely preserved—it is brought vividly to life through storytelling, rituals, and service that transcends conventional hospitality. Architectural elements such as 14-foot-high ceilings, Corinthian colonnades, and hand-polished teak verandas form the physical narrative. At the same time, a dedicated resident historian program ensures that the property’s human touch remains deeply rooted in its storied past.

This culture of legacy extends seamlessly into guest services. Each butler is trained not only in protocol but also in the art of anticipatory care—a term taken seriously across all departments. Digital guest profiles, enhanced by AI-powered personalization software, are updated with every stay, capturing minute details such as pillow firmness, wine varietals, and sentimental items. One example is a returning guest who was reunited with a childhood stuffed animal, which was misplaced during a 2011 visit and lovingly preserved by staff for over a decade.

A shining exemplar of this ethos is Senior Raffles Butler Rashareena Ramli, named Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Employee of the Year. Her distinguished service record includes organizing bespoke anniversary celebrations spanning continents and calendars, like arranging a string quartet from Vienna to surprise a couple on their milestone celebration. Such commitment is emblematic of the Raffles philosophy: nothing is too detailed, no memory too obscure.

Every touchpoint is curated. Butlers track international arrivals in real time to offer seamless in-suite check-ins at any hour. Personalized Singapore Sling stations—prepared in advance for select guests—feature hand-labeled botanicals and house-made bitters. Even restaurant menus are subtly tailored: guest dietary histories, culinary preferences, and previous feedback inform dish recommendations from the hotel’s 29 culinary venues. At the Long Bar, the birthplace of the Singapore Sling in 1915, guests may craft bespoke cocktail iterations in interactive workshops using local ingredients such as calamansi, gula melaka, and torch ginger.

Raffles’ cultural immersion goes beyond the conventional. Collaborations with the National Heritage Board allow guests private, after-hours tours of landmarks like the Asian Civilisations Museum. At the same time, bespoke itineraries include textile design sessions with Peranakan tile artisans in Joo Chiat. These initiatives enrich guest experiences and help preserve Singapore’s multifaceted identity—an homage to Raffles’ original role as a community hub established by Armenian immigrant hoteliers, the Sarkies Brothers.

Accommodations and Design Philosophy

Accommodations at Raffles Singapore are more than places of rest—they are private sanctuaries steeped in heritage and elevated by craftsmanship. From the 495-square-foot State Room Suites to the palatial 1,625-square-foot Sir Stamford Raffles Presidential Suite, each space showcases classically colonial and quietly contemporary design. Every suite features original 14-foot ceilings, polished Burma teakwood floors, and spacious verandas adorned with tropical greenery. The Presidential Suite, a favorite among dignitaries and artists, includes a ten-seat dining room, curated art from colonial-era Singapore, a library lined with rare books, and a wraparound balcony with views of the Palm Court. Bathrooms evoke old-world grandeur with Italian marble vanities, heated stone floors, rainforest showers, and bespoke Molton Brown amenities—a scent collection created exclusively for Raffles, inspired by the region’s orchids and spices.

Champalimaud’s design philosophy deftly merges Victorian-colonial elegance with understated innovation. Traditional elements—rotating teak ceiling fans, louvered shutters, antique writing desks—are preserved, while thoughtful additions such as acoustic insulation (rated to 32 dB) and motorized blackout blinds ensure modern comfort. Technology remains invisible: 55-inch smart TVs are concealed within handcrafted cabinetry, while Bluetooth speakers are integrated into heritage-style furniture. Guest feedback consistently praises the balance, with one review noting: “The suite felt like a chapter from a novel—with the tactile charm of the past and the quiet intelligence of modernity.”

Housekeeping, conducted twice daily, includes signature turndown rituals: chilled eucalyptus towels, local confections like ondeh-ondeh coconut rice cakes, and poetic bedtime notes inspired by Singaporean folklore—details cited in 94% of guest surveys as “uniquely memorable.”

Culinary and Wellness Excellence

Raffles Singapore is a gastronomic destination in its own right, offering 10 distinct dining venues, including three helmed by Michelin-starred chefs. At La Dame de Pic, Chef Anne-Sophie Pic—the world’s most decorated female chef—marries French haute cuisine with Asian botanicals like kaffir lime and chrysanthemum. One of Singapore’s most extensive wine cellars, with over 3,000 labels, supports her tasting menus.

At 艺 yì by Jereme Leung, diners embark on a journey through forgotten Chinese recipes revived using heritage techniques such as clay pot smoking, pickling, and fermentation. The Tiffin Room, in operation since 1894, retains its colonial charm with Burma teak paneling and gently swaying punkah fans. It serves refined North Indian cuisine inspired by royal Mughal kitchens.

Sustainability is central to the culinary ethos. Over 68% of the produce is sourced from Singapore’s Lim Chu Kang agri-hub, including rare varietals like elephant ginger and blue pea blossoms. Guests can enjoy private dining beneath orchid canopies in the greenhouse or participate in cooking masterclasses that teach traditional Peranakan techniques, from hand-grinding spices to wrapping banana-leaf parcels.

The Long Bar’s new sustainability program dedicates $1 per Singapore Sling sold toward rainforest conservation and features a reforestation map showing protected areas supported by guest contributions.

Wellness at Raffles Spa mirrors the hotel’s cultural fusion and reverence for place. Seven treatment rooms, each named after a gemstone, offer therapies rooted in regional healing traditions. The Royal Malay Wellness Journey utilizes warmed volcanic stones and coconut oil in rhythmic strokes inspired by ancient Malay massage. At the same time, the Chinese Meridian Therapy employs jade gua sha tools to stimulate chi flow. Facilities include a saltwater vitality pool, aromatic steam rooms perfumed with pandan and lemongrass, and rest lounges overlooking tropical foliage.

Wellness programming includes morning tai chi in the Palm Court, sunset yoga beside the historic pool, and personal training using state-of-the-art Technogym equipment.

Location and Cultural Integration

Set along the tree-lined Beach Road, Raffles Singapore occupies a central, privileged position near Singapore’s heritage districts. The hotel’s historian-led neighborhood walks reveal the living traditions of Kampong Glam’s batik markets, Little India’s spice traders, and Arab Street’s silversmiths. Concierge-curated trishaw tours conclude with cocktails atop a secret rooftop lounge—offering views of the Padang cricket ground, where Sir Stamford Raffles himself is said to have played.

Seasonal celebrations are immersive and sensory-rich. During Chinese New Year, lion dance troupes perform in the Grand Lobby, followed by calligraphy workshops and dumpling tastings. For Deepavali, the courtyard becomes a canvas for intricate kolam rice art installations.