Information
Landmark: Raffles HotelCity: Central Region
Country: Singapore
Continent: Asia
Raffles Hotel, Central Region, Singapore, Asia
Overview
In the heart of Singapore, Raffles Hotel stands as a legendary landmark-its white colonnades and palm-lined courtyard a symbol of timeless luxury.The hotel, built in 1887, is famed for its graceful colonial arches, lavish interiors, flawless service, and a history steeped in stories.Over the years, it’s come to stand for Singapore’s colonial past, a lasting emblem of elegance and quiet sophistication, like the gleam of polished teak in a grand old hall.Number one.Raffles Hotel, founded by Armenian hoteliers Tigran Ghazarian and Armenak Pahanian, took its name from Sir Stamford Raffles, the man who laid the first stones of modern Singapore.On December 1, 1887, the hotel welcomed its first guests in a neighborhood where new brick storefronts were just beginning to rise.Wealthy travelers and expatriates flocked there, and before long it was buzzing with life; its story runs alongside Singapore’s rise as a bustling, salt-scented hub for global trade.For decades, Raffles Hotel has welcomed a glittering mix of guests-writers tapping away in quiet corners, politicians in pressed suits, royalty, and movie stars.Rudyard Kipling may have been the hotel’s most celebrated guest, arriving in the early 1900s and later capturing the creak of its wooden floors in his writing.The hotel’s claim to fame includes being where the Singapore Sling was born in 1915, when bartender Ngiam Tong Boon first mixed its rosy, frothy blend-a drink that’s still one of its signature highlights today.Number two.The Raffles Hotel showcases colonial-style architecture at its finest, with sweeping verandas, carved wooden panels, and an ornate elegance that turns heads.The hotel has an open courtyard, a wide, airy lobby, and verandas lined with tall white columns, creating a regal feel that’s hard to miss.Graceful arches and wide verandas weave tropical touches into Western colonial design, forming a space that captures the rich elegance and polished style of the late 19th century.The hotel consists of several low-rise buildings, with its heart wrapped around a wide, open-air courtyard where palm fronds sway above bright tropical flowers, creating a calm oasis in the middle of the city.Three.Raffles Hotel has undergone a major renovation in recent years, from its gleaming marble floors to the polished brass railings that catch the afternoon light.In 2017, the hotel shut its doors for a full restoration, a process that stretched nearly two years and left sawdust in the air for months.The renovation kept the hotel’s old-world charm-polished brass railings, creaking oak floors-while updating the amenities to match today’s luxury standards.They refreshed the guest rooms, spruced up the public areas, and revamped the dining spaces, all while keeping the hotel’s heritage intact-polished oak floors underfoot, timeless furniture, and ceilings so high they seem to hold the air of another era.The hotel reopened in 2019, and since then it’s kept its place at the top of Singapore’s luxury scene, greeting guests with polished marble floors and quiet, attentive service.Number four.Raffles Hotel offers a range of luxurious suites, each with its own style, from silk-draped walls to polished mahogany desks.The suites blend colonial charm with modern comforts, so you might admire carved wooden shutters while streaming a movie in high definition.The hotel offers a range of suites, such as the Palm Court Suites-elegant rooms with sweeping views of the lush garden and touches of classic architecture.Courtyard Suites give you a quiet, tucked‑away retreat, with windows looking out over the calm greenery of the inner courtyards.Signature Suites: sprawling, palatial retreats with airy living rooms, a private butler at your call, and views that stretch past the horizon.Each suite comes with top-tier touches-think a cool marble bathroom under warm lights, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and the latest tech-so every guest can sink into pure comfort.Number five.At Raffles Hotel, you can savor everything from fragrant bowls of traditional Singaporean laksa to artfully plated gourmet creations and bold, inventive international dishes.Among the hotel’s most famous spots is the Long Bar, where the first Singapore Sling was poured, its sweet, rosy scent still drifting through the air.The bar still carries its colonial-era charm, with wicker chairs you can hear creak, dark wood paneling, and slow-turning ceiling fans overhead.Sip the signature drink as you sink into the warm glow and rich wood tones of old‑world Singapore.The bar’s known for its laid-back vibe, where you can crack open peanuts and let the shells fall to the scuffed wooden floor-a quirky little tradition.Raffles Courtyard is a charming open-air spot where you can linger over light snacks, savor fragrant Asian dishes, and sip a cool drink as the breeze drifts through.The space offers an elegant, open-air setting, where you can linger over lunch with a soft breeze carrying the scent of fresh herbs.At Tiffin Room, you’ll find one of Singapore’s top buffet spreads, with rich, fragrant Indian-style curries and elegant afternoon teas.For years, the Tiffin Room has anchored the hotel’s dining scene, filling the air with the warm scent of freshly baked naan.La Dame de Pic, the Michelin-starred creation of renowned French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, serves bold, inventive dishes that reimagine classic French flavors-think silky sauces brightened with unexpected citrus.The Grand Lobby invites guests to linger over traditional afternoon tea, with steaming cups of perfectly brewed blends, warm scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and pastries served in an elegant, unhurried atmosphere.Number six sat there, written in thick black ink.The Singapore Sling, first mixed at the Long Bar in 1915, still ranks among the world’s most famous drinks, its rosy-pink hue as striking as its sweet, tart kick.Bartender Ngiam Tong Boon first mixed it for women, who back then couldn’t openly sip anything stronger than tea in public.This cocktail blends gin, cherry brandy, pineapple juice, lime, and grenadine, then tops it off with a fresh slice of pineapple glistening at the rim.These days, crowds pour into Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar for a taste of the famous cocktail, sipping it beneath slow-turning ceiling fans and the weight of the hotel’s storied past.Seven.At Spa and Wellness Raffles Hotel, the luxurious Raffles Spa invites guests to sink into a plush treatment chair and enjoy soothing therapies that refresh both mind and body.At the spa, signature treatments blend sleek modern techniques with time-honored traditions, making it the ideal spot to sink into a plush chair and let the day’s bustle fade away.A swimming pool sits at the center, ringed by lush gardens where flowers sway in the breeze, creating a serene place to unwind.The number painted in bold black on the corner read simply: 8.At Raffles Hotel, guests can dive into one-of-a-kind experiences-like sipping tea beneath the gleam of crystal chandeliers-that turn an ordinary stay into something unforgettable.Each suite comes with its own private butler, ready to handle every detail-booking your dinner table, arranging a car, or tracking down that rare tea you love.At Raffles Hotel, you’ll find elegant boutiques and upscale shops, from glittering jewelers to designer fashion stores, where you can pick up everything from a silk scarf to a keepsake for home.Nine.Raffles Hotel sits at 1 Beach Road in the heart of Singapore, just a short stroll from many of the city’s top sights.The hotel sits close to Marina Bay, Chinatown, and Bugis, and you can stroll to several MRT stations in just a few minutes, making it an easy spot to reach.Ten.Rooted in shared traditions and everyday rituals, it feels as familiar as the smell of fresh bread from a corner bakery.
