Without any doubt the Raffles Singapore is one of the most famous hotels in the world, it is expensive, it had a lot of celebrity guests, it had been completely and beautifully refurbished during a two and a half years closure between 2017 and 2019 and it looks phantastic but does it deliver? Is it as good as it gets? The Raffles is an all suite hotel, 115 suites in nine categories. Most suites come with a three part layout: a parlour, for living and dining, the bedroom and the bath. Interior design is great, teakwood, beautiful bathrooms. We had a Personality suite in the couryard which also offered two chairs in the shared verandah. We liked it very much though the daylight comes just into the parlour, bedroom and bath are without windows. The windows buy the way are noise proofed, so no problem with other guests noise. The smallest rooms are 46 sqm that is pretty good and the design is more or less the same in almost all categories. Interestingly the cheapest category is nestled in the main building above the gorgeous lobby which is good as access to everything is quick. The Palmcourt Suites are in a newer wing away from the main building but overlook the verdant Palm court. If you go for the more colonial feeling choose State Room Suites (67 sqm) in the historic Basah Wing or a Courtyard Suite clustered around the heart of the hotel.
The hotel offers nine dining options – from a steakhouse to sophisticated chinese, from Indian to genuine Italian, from easy room service to a Michelin starred French gourmet restaurant. I was blown away when I experienced the breakfast in the historic Tiffin room. It is one of the best I have ever experienced all over the world. It is not the amount of different food in the beautifully restored historic Tiffin Room but the suberb quality of food and service. Chapeau!
What about the location? Yes, the seaview has gone, but otherwise it is perfect. It takes no more than five minutes to walk to City Hall MRT or Raffles City Shopping Centre. Both the Esplanade MRT station and newly renovated Funan mall are also just a 10-minute walk away. A taxi ride from Changi Airport will take about 20 minutes.
All in all the Raffles is really iconic, it is in perfect shape and anyone who cares about luxury hotels should try it at least for once in life. The pool, the spa, the shops and yes, the butler, just great. And yes the Singapore Sling is okay but not worth the flight to Singapore. Do not forget to visit the classy new Writers Bar not to be compared with the very touristy Long Bar.
Indicative – subject to change.
