Raffles Hotel

Stepping into Raffles Hotel Singapore is like stepping into a living piece of history. Amid the glass towers of modern Singapore, this colonial masterpiece stands as a symbol of elegance, heritage, and enduring charm.

Since opening in 1887, Raffles has welcomed royalty, writers, movie stars, and travelers from across the world. With its iconic white façade, palm-filled courtyards, and legendary service, it remains one of the most celebrated hotels on the planet — the beating heart of Singapore’s colonial legacy.

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A Storied Past

Origins and Founding

Raffles Hotel was founded by the Armenian Sarkies Brothers — Martin, Tigran, Aviet, and Arshak — who already operated several successful hotels in Southeast Asia. They named the hotel after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore.

When it opened in December 1887, Raffles was a modest seaside bungalow with just 10 rooms, located along what was then Singapore’s shoreline at Beach Road. Over time, it grew into a grand colonial estate that attracted high society, adventurers, and dignitaries from every corner of the world.

By the early 1900s, it had become the center of social life in Singapore, famous for its ballroom events, tropical verandas, and reputation as a retreat for the refined traveler.

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Architecture and Ambience

Raffles Hotel is an architectural gem — a stunning blend of neo-Renaissance and colonial design, with high ceilings, wide verandas, polished teakwood floors, and flowing white arcades that exude timeless grace.

The building’s symmetrical layout surrounds lush courtyards and tranquil gardens, providing peace and seclusion in the middle of a bustling city. The atmosphere is one of nostalgia and sophistication — a rare place where time seems to stand still.

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A Haven for Legends

Over the decades, Raffles has hosted an extraordinary roster of guests. From Queen Elizabeth II, Michael Jackson, and Elizabeth Taylor, to literary icons like Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad, and Ernest Hemingway, the hotel has always attracted those drawn to beauty and storytelling.

It is said that every traveler who stayed at Raffles left with a story — and many, like Somerset Maugham, turned those stories into art. The hotel’s Writer’s Bar and named suites honor these creative spirits, continuing a long tradition of inspiration and hospitality.

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The Legendary Singapore Sling

The Raffles legacy is forever linked to one of the world’s most famous cocktails — the Singapore Sling.

Invented in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at Raffles’ Long Bar, the drink was created for ladies of the colonial era who wanted to enjoy a cocktail in public without scandal. With its blend of gin, cherry brandy, pineapple juice, and lime, the Singapore Sling became an instant classic.

Today, visitors still gather at the restored Long Bar to sip the original recipe while tossing peanut shells on the floor — a quirky, beloved Raffles tradition.

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A New Era of Grandeur

In 2019, after an extensive two-year restoration, Raffles Hotel reopened with its heritage intact and its facilities refreshed for the modern age.

Now featuring 115 luxurious suites, the hotel offers a blend of historic charm and contemporary comfort — complete with handcrafted furnishings, polished teak floors, and modern technology discreetly integrated into every room.

The property also includes:

• Raffles Spa — a sanctuary of relaxation and rejuvenation
• Elegant courtyards and colonial gardens
• World-class dining venues, including collaborations with Michelin-starred chefs
• Raffles Boutique, offering heritage gifts and iconic Singapore Sling merchandise

The restoration reaffirmed Raffles’ place not just as a hotel, but as a living museum of luxury and legacy.

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Dining and Experiences

1. The Long Bar

A historic gem where the iconic Singapore Sling was born. Its old-world charm, rattan chairs, and tropical ceiling fans evoke the spirit of 1920s plantation life.

2. The Tiffin Room

An institution since the 1890s, serving refined North Indian cuisine in a classic colonial setting, complete with silver tiffin carriers and impeccable service.

3. La Dame de Pic

Helmed by Michelin-starred French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, this fine dining restaurant blends innovation and elegance with an artful touch of Parisian sophistication.

4. The Writers Bar

A tribute to the hotel’s literary guests — a quiet refuge for reflection, cocktails, and conversation steeped in history.

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Visitor Information

Address: 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673

Nearest MRT Stations: City Hall, Esplanade, Bras Basah

Check-In: 3:00 PM | Check-Out: 12:00 PM

Public Access: Non-staying guests can visit the Long Bar, Boutique, and hotel arcade.

Facilities Include:

• Outdoor swimming pool and spa
• Courtyard gardens and event spaces
• Heritage architecture tours for guests

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Fun Facts

• Declared a National Monument in 1987, exactly 100 years after its opening.
• The last wild tiger in Singapore was famously shot beneath the hotel’s billiard table in 1902.
• It was used as a Japanese military headquarters during World War II.
• “Raffles Style” has become synonymous with colonial luxury worldwide.
• Every guest receives a signature Raffles welcome drink upon arrival — a gesture of its legendary hospitality.

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Conclusion: A Living Legend

For over a century, Raffles Hotel Singapore has stood as a symbol of timeless elegance, storytelling, and grace. It’s not merely a hotel — it’s an experience, a chapter of Singapore’s soul preserved in marble, teak, and time.

From sipping a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar to walking through sunlit corridors lined with history, every moment at Raffles is a return to an age when travel was romantic, service was an art, and hospitality was personal.

To visit Raffles is to experience the heart of Singapore itself — refined, resilient, and eternally beautiful.