Raffles Singapore, a Hotel so Iconic, Its Signature Drink Is Known Around the World

Stay Here For

A taste of Singapore’s rich history, without compromising on modern-day comforts.

From its early beginnings as a British crown colony to its current status as a hypermodern global business hub, Singapore has had quite the makeover. Gleaming skyscrapers have mushroomed in every corner. Whole neighborhoods have appeared on land reclaimed from the sea. But Raffles Hotel Singapore, sitting pretty like a buttercream cake along downtown Singapore’s Beach Road, has remained a constant in this ever-changing cityscape.

More than a century has passed since the first Raffles guests waltzed through the Carrara marble lobby, but the hotel is still at the top of its game. Regular fix-ups and renovations, including the most recent one in 2019, have kept this grande dame looking fresh.

The grandeur of it all hits you as soon as the turbaned door attendant greets you by name upon arrival at the cast-iron portico. Roaming around Raffles is like leafing through the pages of a history book—sepia-toned pictures, timeworn antiques and all. They illustrate the story of the hotel’s humble beginnings as a 10-room bungalow on the beach. As the property grew over the following decades, so did its reputation as the so-called Savoy of Singapore, attracting a parade of notable names including novelists and Hollywood celebrities.

And sure, modern-day celebrities still request a suite whenever they pass through town, but you’ll also encounter plenty of cash-flush locals—sharp-suited expat bankers and wealthy aunties with big pearls and bigger hair—at the hotel’s bars and restaurants for date nights, business lunches and family celebrations, which speaks volumes in a city as food-mad as Singapore.

To that end, the hotel’s dining lineup is a reflection of Singapore’s many cultures: The brass-accented Tiffin Room has dished out northern Indian curries, kebabs and tandoor-fired flatbreads since opening in 1892 (making it one of Singapore’s oldest still-operational restaurants). Hong Kong–born chef Jereme Leung celebrates contemporary Chinese cooking at the sleek Yì by Jereme Leung, while Butcher’s Block steak house turns out Hawaiian-influenced surf and turf with generous pours of Dom Pérignon. And don’t forget the legendary Long Bar, shaking up almost a thousand Singapore Slings per day.

But for all the perks and amenities, it’s the intangible qualities that make this Singapore stalwart stand out. It’s the waiter at breakfast, remembering your coffee order from the previous morning. It’s your butler, ever at the ready, for whom no request is too much. (A Negroni delivered to your room at 2 a.m.? Consider it done.) And it’s the giddy thrill of knowing that you’re sleeping in a room in which some of the world’s great luminaries have rested their heads.

The Room

There are no rooms, just suites, of which there are 115 spread out over a handful of wings and annexed buildings. They vary in size and layout, but even the entry-level Studio Suites above the lobby offer large shared verandas and double-height ceilings, making their 495 square feet of floor space feel blissfully lofty. The interiors hit the sweet spot between modern and classic, with cream-heavy color schemes, floral chinoiserie wallpapers and furniture that could best be described as contemporary antique (think: four-poster beds with sleek leather headboards, and modern renditions of traditional chairs). The spa-like bathrooms come clad in white marble and have polished marble-tile floors in eye-popping Peranakan-inspired patterns. And then there are all the perks—round-the-clock butler service, complimentary minibars—you’d expect from a hotel that’s good enough for celebrities.

Consider splurging on one of the Grand Hotel Suites if you’re planning to spend a lot of time on the property. These breezy one- and two-bedroom suites offer heaps of space (perfect for families) and a lovely private balcony overlooking the frangipani-filled gardens. If you’d rather earmark that extra cash for shopping (a national sport here), book one of the more intimate suites surrounding the Palm Court; they come with a snug shared veranda, from which you can see the skyline of Marina Bay poking out between the fanning traveler’s palms.

The Features 

Afternoon tea at the marble-clad lobby is a quintessentially Singapore experience.

Don’t miss: The daily (and complimentary) property tour with one of the three resident historians, the oldest of whom has been on the payroll since 1972. Make sure to ask about some of the hotel’s high-profile guest shenanigans, like the time a pop star requested to meet an orangutan at the pool.

Favorite features: The Grand Lobby, a three-story atrium with marble floors and a 13-foot chandelier dangling from the ceiling. Book the hotel’s famed afternoon tea and snag a seat near the entrance, so you can ogle Singapore’s who’s who passing through the doors while you sip Champagne and nibble on scones with rose-petal jam.

Can’t stop thinking about: The brilliant butler service, which, justifiably, has grown into something of an industry benchmark. Every room gets a butler, and if you call for milk to go with your coffee in the morning, expect a silver pitcher to arrive within minutes, alongside a plate of local sweets (such as steamed kueh lapis rice pudding) and a booklet explaining their cultural significance.

The Vibe

The gleaming brass counter in Writers Bar is an attractive spot to sip handcrafted cocktails. (Photo courtesy of Raffles Singapore.)

What are people drinking? Singapore Slings, specifically at Long Bar, where the cocktail is said to have been invented. It’s a beloved (if touristy) institution, with mechanical rattan fans flapping overhead and discarded peanut shells crackling underfoot.

The in-room amenity that ends up in your suitcase: A silky eye mask, embroidered with the Raffles logo and stashed in a pouch with a bottle of sleep-inducing pillow mist. If you don’t find one at your bedside after turndown service, give your butler a ring.

The book to read before you go: From Ernest Hemingway to Rudyard Kipling, a library’s worth of literary greats have passed through the hotel’s doors over the past century. Pico Iyer’s “This Could Be Home,” written during a residency here, dives deep into the history of the hotel—and the city.

The souvenir to pick up from the gift shop: Stocked with some of the same tropical pillow covers and brass candleholders you’ll find in your suite, Raffles Boutique is a homewares heaven. A porcelain tray or condiment dish, with hand-painted floral designs or a print of the hotel’s iconic façade, make for memorable keepsakes.

Cool off with a dip in the rooftop pool.

Everything Else

• Number of rooms: 115 
• Number of pools: 1 
• Fitness center? Yes 
• Spa? Yes
• Salon? Yes
• Number of bars/restaurants: 2 bars, 5 restaurants
• 24-hour room service? Yes
• Childcare and kids club? There’s no kids club, but babysitters are on call

Lead photo courtesy of Raffles Singapore.