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Raffles Hotel Singapore, Singapore,
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細かいところもこっています。
Celebrating with champagne
Room
Stairs to reception
Address: 1 Beach Road
細かいところもこっています。
Celebrating with champagne
Room
Stairs to reception
Address: 1 Beach Road (196 votes)
Ranked #16 out of 248 in Singapore
Reviews
Although I'd heard of this hotel many times, I didn't really know the history of it so arrived with very few preconceptions of what to expect. We stayed in a Palm Court "Suite"...although as with other older hotels I don't think it's fair to describe it as a suite, just a very large studio. The room itself whilst fine was very old - and not in a good sense. Very dark, aging amenities, and incredibly noisy when people in the room above walk on the wooden floors. Having said that, I did get a sense of the atmosphere that must have once been here, and it was perfectly comfortable except for the lack of any drink making facilities.
The grounds outside the rooms were very well maintained and quite large. The resteraunts were nothing to shout about. Food was average at best, with breakfast being especially poor. The rooftop pool area looked ok, although a little on the small side.
One aspect that really surprised me was the size of the Raffles Arcade - I'd estimate that the hotel shops took up more space than the rest of the site put together. Even so, the majority of the shops were as with most hotels pretty empty most of the time, and in a city such as Singapore where shopping is such a big draw-card, I wasn't sure why people would pay way over the odds at the hotel when the very same goods can be bought a few minutes away.
It's obviously a very famous place as I was literally tripping over tourists as I tried to get through the reception. The hotel makes reference to it's dress code, but I seemed to get around in my cleanest shorts without any hassle.
One area where it did excell was on arrival, no need to go to the checkin desk as a member of staff was waiting on the steps to take us directly to our room.
I think the hotel it'sef is very much focused on business travellers, which is probably a wise decision given it's location. All in all it's a perfectly decent hotel, and definitely where I would stay if I went back to Singapore, but it's not enough of an experience to make me want to go there just for the sake of it, unlike say the Oriental in Bangkok or the Versace hotel on the Gold Coast.
Stayed here for our honeymoon in one of the personality suites, the whole thing was first class from start to finish. Peacefull room, you would'nt know you were in a city. Breakfast is amazing, the french toast is a must. the restaurents & their's lots to choose from are very good our favourite was the steak house. No visit is complete without a Singapore sling in the long bar. I had visited Raffles many years ago when back packing & said one day I will stay here, after staying here now after all those years of waiting & the expectation it blew me away, felt like royalty. Massive room, huge bathroom, quality service...everything you could ever hope for in a hotel.
spent 2 nights there with different feelings for what brought to us. You were helpful and friendly... thanks lots...
Well i should have review this much much earlier but here goes-At the Raffles you will experience nothing but the best.The room is so beautifully restored.Plush linens and towels. Sweet mandarin spice aroma greets you as you enter the room.The little verandah sitting area comes with an Expresso machine and allows you to entertain in your own room.The louver windows and door in your room at the verandah displays the most beauitful sunlight streaming on the georgous old wooden floor.My regret i didn"t have any pictures.Its next to the Raffles Place and shopping;you can walk to many other attractions nearby.We stayed only for 2 nights .So we didn't have much time to explore .My husband 's company had an event at the hotel and that too went really well!
Myself, and a friend stayed at this magnificent hotel in July. Although it is very expensive, it is one of the most memorable travel experiences available. We stayed in a palm court suite with superb polished wood floors and magnificent attention to detail. Breakfast is served in the beautiful Tiffin Room,with hot food cooked to order and fresh orange juice served when you are seated (my friend placed her handbag on the floor and staff then placed it on its own mini chair!). Do be sure to sample the hotels beautiful restaurants, cafes and bars as each one is unique and the food is fabulous. A wander through the gardens and relaxing in the lounges surrounding the three storey foyer will complete a truly memorable stay.
The hotel was one of the best in the world.The facilities were superb and the needs and requirements were taken care of.It was an unforgettable and cherishable experience.
This hotel is just part of the history of the city while it has been completely refurbished and upgraded to a 5-star hotel. Certainly you pay the name and not only the services but in our impression its worth the money they ask. The servive is sublime and you just enter the feeling of an ancient colonialism time. Recommended!
We had huge expectations and excitement about staying at raffles but felt let down . The lobby is fine and our room was terrific both large and comfortable.However the service is average for a hotel of this stature. The food and drink prices are just over the top . However the worst aspect is that most of the hotel is now turned into a shopping arcade, which is not what we and others we sopke to expected . To sit on the terrace and have to suffer the piped shopping arcade music was a let down.The long bar is no more than a tourist stop off , nothing special at all .
The pool area sums it up really , in need of a lick of paint and some attentive service .
In suumary living on its reputation
Whatever I write here about the Raffles can never impart just how special this place is.
Prior to booking I read with some dismay some of the negative reviews on Trip Advisor. Their complaints? old furniture, small televisions, noisy floorboards etc. I am so thankful I didn't take their reviews to heart. The furniture is beautiful, the beds and chairs are comfortable.....who needs television??
Certain reviewers seem to have missed the whole point to a stay at The Raffles.
Hi-tech, plush, modern, impersonal generic hotel accommodation is available everywhere in Singapore and the world: and there is nothing wrong with that, I appreciate that too....but you could be anywhere.
Stay at The Raffles with the most friendly and courteous staff and you really know you are in Singapore.
I cannot begin to describe how special this place is....you walk into that famed lobby and you enter a different world. This is a place for those that appreciate history and old fashioned, luxurious comfort.
This place needs to be experienced to be believed....even if only once in a lifetime.
Personally I will be going back to enjoy a longer stay for my 30th wedding anniversary.
love my holiday this time,,need to runaway next,,,would love to go to explore the city,see the blue fountain,sentosa island,,or perhaps move to singapore???
would love to do it,,absolutely!!!
Just loved the stay here.
Extremely comfortable stay, got to see the fabled Singapore lightning show from my hotel window. Access from the hotel to the subway gives a feeling of being in the midst of city on the move, rather a constantly moving city.
Spent some great time at the famous Long Bar- the origin of the Singapore Sling, inspite of not being a great fan of the Sling. The upper floors and the bar provide a clear view of the boundries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singspore (ofcouse weather being clear).
The food is great and the breakfast spread is very modern for an old hotel like the Raffles. The rooms are spacious and also extremely well furnished.
The hotel is well located, Very beautiful rooms, good breakfast & location. The staff was exceedingly friendly and helpful.
I really do not have the words to discribe The Raffles. Everything was beyond our expectations. Our suite was huge and elegant. Service was faultless. We were early to check in and although it was our fault, we were quickly settled with a Singapore Sling and a seat while our butler explained a lot about Singapore as well as the hotel. Within 10 minutes our suite was ready and we were taken to it by our butler, who then showed us how everything worked. When we ate, my handbag ws given its own mini chair to sit on! Most women who have a love of handbags will appreciate this! The food was excellent and we were surprised it was not as expensive as we thought it may have been. The funniest part is sitting inside the hotel watching those watching us from the outside, while they took photographs, it does make you feel very smug, in a very common way!! If I were never to be able to vist this hotel again the memories will stay with me into my old age as my experience of my life, although I do hope to return. People may say this hotel is expensive, although compared to others I thing it is worth the price. I like its old fashioned values of dress codes and good manners, and as for customer service, faultless. The swimming pool at the top of the hotel is lovely even in the rainy season. The facilities around the pool make you feel as if you hav e had a mini spa, leaving you feeling fresh and well cared for. Long may this hotel be held in high esteem!
A four day stay in a Palm Court suite, was superb from the moment we arrived until the time we walked out the door. The colonial style rooms are beautifully equipped and well sized. The old building is in beautiful condition. The staff were excellent, pleasant and helpful at all times, with intelligent conversation and advice. Breakfast choice was superb, although we ate evening meals elsewhere for variety. The pool is excellent. The hotel seem to be restricting public access to the main building a little more than in the old days during my last stay several years ago, which is good. Having stayed at other hotels in SIngapore and never having anything other than good experience, Raffles is still out there on its own with its overall package.
Arriving Singapore on the awesome Singapore Airlines A380 plane it was good to see the friendly Raffles Meet and Greet Guide just as we got off the plane. He escorted us through Immigration, sorted our bags on the carousel and in minutes we were in the Raffles Limo being taken to the hotel. The pride of the Driver (who had worked for Raffles for 16 years) in working for Raffles was evident and he pointed out the sights as we went past.
Pulling into the Raffles entrance, we were immediately invited into the hotel and given a welcome drink.
As our suite ( Pablo Neruda) was not vacant, in part due to our early arrival, we were offered a standard Palm Court suite to use to freshen up. This was a nice touch.After a rest we went out sightseeing in Singapore and on our return we found that our actual Suite was now free and the staff had carefully moved all our belongings to the Pablo Neruda suite. We were really impressed.
The Pablo Neruda suite is really similar to the standard suite, but has some momentoes of Pablo Neruda within. The suites are large, and on entry to the suite is a lounge and dining area, with huge bedroom off this space. At the rear of the bedroom is a huge bathroom with twin sinks, shower bath and WC. All are very nicely proportioned and standard of all fittings all the suite is superb.
The suite is accessed of a communal corridor and has some outside seating where you can sit and just enjoy the scenery or take a meal.
The Butler was impressive and I was stunned to find him turning up with a beautiful birthday cake, with compliments of Raffles. Am not sure how they found out it was my Birthday, but this was an incredible surprise.
We stayed in Raffles for a couple of nights and the second night visited the Long Bar.
This was packed, but as soon as I told the Manager we were guests of the hotel, within minutes a reserved table appeared and we were sipping Singapore Slings, and shelling peanuts.
There are a number of sight seers visiting Raffles, but whenever we were at the front door, the doorman immediately ensured that we were given passage through these people to the private guest area of the hotel.
It really beats me how he could remember all the guests and greet us personally by name. On speaking to him he had seen all the famous people go through the doors including Presidents, pop stars including Michael Jackson and he was extremely proud that he had worked for Raffles for 18 years.
Breakfasts in the Tiffin Rooms were excellent, with a great Self Service spread as well as waiters ensuring that any cooked dishes ordered were delivered to your table and ceremoniously placed in front of the diner. The attention to detail with the waitering staff is really quite extraordinary, with menus placed perfectly square on tables and
cutlery laid out exactly the same distance apart.
On that subject it was interesting to watch the tables being laid in the pool area for an evening dinner, where the outdoor candles were being placed all around the swimming pool. Once they were placed, then spaces between them was measured and micro adjustments made accordingly.
The pool is on the roof top and is larger than I thought, but actual male changing area is very small. That said the spa and changing rooms were immaculate in decor,
cleanliness and there were ample towels for use.
All in all Raffles is what it is, and does well what it is known for. It is an excellent establishment with what appeared to me to be a happy and loyal, long serving
staff base. The staff go out of their way to help, and really do make the hotel the institution it is today and for the service, ambience and character, it is actually good
Value for money.
My husband booked this as a birthday surprise and it was more than either of us expected. The buildings and the gardens are among the most beautiful I have seen - our suite was spacious and contained all the mod cons with exquisite antique furniture.
But it was really the service that made the holiday. Our personal butlers Anna and her colleagues were always available and happy to assist - even when my husband misplaced the tv remote control. The highlight was the staff realising it was my birthday and arranging a cake and beautiful tea service on the day.
The breakfast was also very good but pricey. Tiffin curry buffet was fantastic but also expensive.
I have stayed in many 5star hotels but this was the cream of the crop and worth every cent!
We stayed for one night to celebrate a wedding anniversary during our trip to Singapore and loved the place. It is totally decadent.
Our check in and transfer to our room merited 5 stars, and our "Butler" soon identified that we were celebrating a special day - whilst we dined, he turned towels into loving swans and decorated the room with rose petals and drewa bath for us as well. When we returned from dining he arrived bearing a gift of a bottle of champagne.
Breakfast in the Tiffin Room was magnificent - would recommend the Raffles omelette with chillies and coriander.
This is not a cheap experience, but it is one I would love to repeat.
Raffles is an experience to stay at, the staff are lovely and the food is amazing. It does come for a price as you're really paying for the name of the hotel. The entrance is so grand when you pull up and the doormen are so friendly. The rooms are massive, furnished in an older style and the hotel is massive with a pool hidden away on the roof by the spa and gym.
The buffet breakfast is served in the Tiffin Room and there is so much to choose from, not to mention what you can order from the menu. They also have the best fresh orange juice I've ever had. There are at least 6 different restaurants within the grounds to eat at so there is plenty of choice.
People in these reviews seem to complain alot about being stopped by the people on the front doors, if you're nice to them and spare time to chat to them they'll get to know you and it's fine to wander in and out. They have to ask people as they walk in because of the hotels history and status there'd be so many people wandering around inside getting in the way of everything if they didn't stop people.
The staff are brilliant and so helpful when it comes to finding places to eat, shop and to get directions to places. The rooms haven't got the highest standards of luxurious fittings and decor that people seem to expect, I think mainly because of when it was built and it's styled to reflect those times. We as a family love the place and the staff we get to know always remember us when we've returned a year later.
I have to mention the man who plays the piano in the hotel lobby is a legend, he usually wears amazing velvety pjamamas and bright slippers while providing the evening tunes.
My mum and I stayed here for 1 night on our way to Australia - how I wish it could have been longer.
The rooms were spacious and decadent - we had a courtyard suite. A gin sling was waiting in our room on arrival - lovely.
We ate in one of the bars - we both had a steak and a jacket potatoe. It was very expensive but the service and food was just terrific. We then had a few drinks in the Long Bar which was like being whisked back in time.
The following day we spent around the pool on the roof. Very relaxing! Good size pool and once again the service was perfect.
Although expensive it was well worth it and I cant wait for my next visit!
First step in the corridor was suprised by A big christmas tree (look like artificial but suddenly trust me, it the real one!!!) I asked the staffs they said that it was compliment from Oregon, OMG! gorgeous! My friend and I love north indian at Tiffin and also the afternoon tea! love it, best try. Swimming was 24 hours convenitent as home. We had a very great time there.
we had our wedding at Raffles Hotel and it was worth every penny. we stayed in one of the courtyard suites and it was just full of old world charm.
we love the little dining and sitting rooms in our suite. and the afternoon tea was just scrumptious! service was excellent. we couldn't have asked for more attentive butlers and staff.
I visited Raffles to use the Spa on the way home after a long trip in the region. I had tried to get into the Fullerton (which is excellent) but it was full.
I think this hotel is living on its past glories and now tries to be just a moneymaking factory fleecing tourists...
I was escorted to the Spa, using a tiny lift and also noted how small the gym is and how cramped the equipment.
I have been to the hotel previously, as a tourist and afternoon tea is a similar rip-off.
I also ate in some sort of diner at the back of the hotel, which was also overpriced and average.
There are better places for less money in Singapore....
We treated ourselves to a 2 night stay as a stopover on route to Perth, WA. It was our wedding anniversary so we thought we would splash out and stay at the legendary Raffles Hotel. It was fabulous and we loved every minute! The views from the rooftop pool are great.The High Tea was out of this world! Raffles staff couldn't do more for you, although it was expensive it was worth it for a special occasion and we had champagne and fruit in our room. We had to leave early for the airport and they served us breakfast in our room as it was too early for the Tiffin Room. I would definitely stay again if only to have the fabulous Singapore Sling!
We held our wedding at the Raffles Hotel and paid for a night's stay in the courtyard suite. We had high expectations of the hotel as it was ranked as a 5* hotel and had very good reviews all round. The hotel itself was charming and had the old world charm. The rooms however told another story altogether. Whilst the rooms achieved the vintage look and might be charming for someone into old world charm, however the room was generally tired looking and most of the furniture looked worn out. The bathtub was leaking and the one time we took a bath, there was a steady spray of water from the tub onto the floor resulting in the bathroom being flooded. To their credit, this was quickly rectified when I phoned for the butler who came swiftly with a whole bunch of towels to soak up the mess. Some of the switches in the room didn't work, and neither did the refrigerator and we gave up after a while. Also, the tv was still the boxy kind you'll find in motels nowadays - flatscreen tvs are a norm these days in 5* hotels.
Positives:
loved the fluffy bathrobes - very luxurious. Also, The of their breakfast was one of the best we've tried amongst 5* hotels. The juices were divine and the selections were pretty decent too.
Overrall, a decent charming hotel but for the price we paid, we would have preferred staying at the Ritz or the Mandarin Oriental.
We nearly didn't stay at Raffles because of some of the reviews on trip advisor and what a mistake that would have been. Ditto for the Waldorf in New York. Forgive my rave, but either some people like to whinge or they only look at the negatives. So what if something tiny sometimes goes wrong. Get over it and enjoy everything else.
These are grand old hotels and an experience that you should have if you can afford it. Anyone can stay at run-of-the-mill five-star hotel, but these places are truly different.
Raffles is brilliant. It is like stepping into another world - one that you never want to leave. The service is life-changing. You leave this hotel thinking you have to change the way you live so that it becomes more like the Raffles lifestyle. Things happen here before you know you want them to happen.
The staff: How many hotels are there where staff you have never met before know your name? And you children's names as well. This place makes you feel special. Our nine year old daughter picked up a cereal bowl at breakfast and filled it with cornflakes. Instantly she was surrounded by helpers. One added the milk, another carried it to her seat, another pulled out her chair and tucked her back in again. Do you know how special that made her feel? She has stayed in a lot of nice places and didn’t even want to go to Singapore. Raffles is now her No. 1 hotel and she wants to go back to Singapore soon.
I can't describe how happy it made me feel taking my family to this hotel. They looked after us better than we ever have been looked after at any hotel in the world before. The truly perfect doormen are another example of the incredible service. There can be up to three of them on hand at any one time. At an ordinary five-star hotel there will be one and if he is off with someone else’s bags you have to wait until he returns or carry your own luggage. At Raffles it’s different: Our taxi would pull up, one doorman would open the doors, they saw our baby and knew we had a pram so another would get it out of the boot and set it up while the third would take the baby from my wife as she got out of the taxi or grab our shopping. We'd be getting out of the taxi saying to each other 'Get the pram' only to see it all set up and ready to go. They do things before you know it and it is so nice.
The rooms: They are large and grand and have massive balconies and coffee machines and the softest slippers that are laid out every evening and put away in the mornings, and massive towels that are changed twice a day if you want and an evening quilt and a daytime quilt for the bed, and an amazingly powerful airconditioner.
The pool: We extended our stay in Singapore by four days. Unfortunately Raffles was booked out for the last two of these days so we had to move to the No. Rated hotel on trip advisor, the Pan Pacific. Pan Pacific’s pool is huge and BUSY. Our children wouldn’t in it after being at Raffles. At Raffles the staff find you somewhere to lie, they put towels on your lounge, they bring you free water and free fruit and you can buy (expensive) ice cream in silver (plated) bowls with ice under them to keep them cool. The pool rarely has more than two other guests in it and you usually have it all to yourself.
I don’t want to go on because part of the joy about staying here is experiencing these things for yourself, but if you like classy things then you would be mad not to stay here.
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This place was great, your own butler and the rooms were really big and well looked after. The drinks were really expensive but that was the same everywhere.The whole feel of this place was grand and the staff do everything possible to make you feel comfortable.
If you take a stroll down to your left from the front of Raffles, a few blocks away you will find a little street on your left with really cheap but fantastic meals. We found "Maggies" to be the best food.
The hotel is about 22 minutes away from the Airport. There is a train close by and you can get to the shops at Orchard Road in less than 5 minutes.
Stayed in a Palm Cove suite at Raffles Hotel located at the start of Beach Road. Massive 4.3m ceilings, roomy veranda to have breakfast and a beautiful court with Palm Trees that look like a mistical forest , making you get away from the speed of Singapore’s office district. The floors are made of teak wood and are covered with Persian rugs. Large en-suite and a bath makes you feel cozy at once. Room service and cleaning staff attended at least 4 times during the evening, offering continuous service. I was very much surprised to find a cool stainless steel espresso machine ready for that coffee-crema. Personal valet was provided, who made reservations at Au Petit Salut on Harding Road, drinks at Cafe del Mar on Havelock Road and at Bar 84 on Robertson Quay. Very impressed.
I joined a local group tour when I was in Singapore. The guide said, Raffles Hotel is very special and historical. So, due to my curiosity, I wanted to stay in this hotel but I was not allowed to get inside because I was wearing a sexy top. Too sad, I wasn't able to experience what the other travellers experienced. If I knew it beforehand, I should have worn a formal attire.
Based from what I've seen from the outside, this hotel looks amazing and elegant! I will try to stay here next time I visit Singapore.
From the greeting from the taxi, the choice and quality of what's available and even to the detail in the room makes the whole experience an absolute must for a trip to Singapore.
You can certainly eat elsewhere cheaper but the setting, service and choice makes it a must to try the Long Bar, the Courtyard restaurant and even the room service (24 hours a day) just to make it an experience to remember.
Went on sun princess cruise and spent a day in Singapore. Decided to take friends and overseas family to the long bar at the world reknowned Raffles for a " singapore sling " How dissapointing, when by accident, on going up to the bar I noticed all these containers, filled with liquid in a large tray. On making some enquiries I then found out that all the singapore slings are pre made, put into metal containers ( like a milk shake mixing container ) kept in a cool room until needed, when they then pour into a glass, stick a bit of garnish on it and serve. One would think that the Raffles could aford to pay barmen to make them up on request after all at aud $20 a glass not cheap. I would like to add that from what I saw the hotel itself would be very special.
had a great 1night stay - nothing was too much trouble - you know what you are paying - and its worth it.
Well we loved it here, we had a wonderful time and they really seemed to care. It's not for everyone in that it's old, romantic and full of character and history. But if that's something you'd like to try then here's the place. Breakfast was good, excellent quality and nothing too much trouble. In the evening just sitting in the Writers Bar listening to the piano player was wonderful, even my 15 year old daughter loved it, too young to go to many places but we were happy here. The pool area is fine, always got beds. It's not the largest of pools but there never seemed to be more than two people in there so there was always room to do some lengths. The staff by the pool were lovely, providing anything you wanted. The SPA was also lovely. When we're next in Singapore this is where we'll be heading for.
Moved here from another hotel in Singapore for 1 night, shame it wasn't for all 3.
Check in was simple, we sat down and had a drink while they took care of everything. Was shown to our room...fantastic...This was my kind of hotel, we really enjoyed everything here. The long bar was kind cool for a few drinks when we got back in the evening.
The hotel itself is fantastic to look and I love everything about it.
Breakfast was amazing...make sure you have it brought to your room
All in all a great hotel - would only stay here next time.
All in all a great hotel, would only stay here next time.
I really wanted to like this hotel but after three nights I can't say I would return (to stay) if ever back in Singapore. The architecture is great - transported to another world instantly. The rooms are huge and very unique. Service is great at times, however staff will assume you are non resident tourist first, rather than the other way around. But my biggest problem is that the gulf between this hotel and the great competition in Singapore is just too great now - especially when I can book Raffles for dinner/afternoon tea and experience almost as much of the hotel as residents.
A true Singapore experience but not a great place to stay (for me).
Firstly let me start by saying this is not a review of Raffles Hotel in general, We didn't stay there but visited on a number of occasions and although we found it pricey it ranks as one of the "things to do in Singpapore" and so was well worth the cost. However, as a last night treat. - and as we couldn't get in to any of the better rated restaurants - we booked a table for two at the hotel's Royal China Restaurant. It was probably a bad sign that on our arrival this admittedly beautiful restaurant was almost empty on a very busy Friday night in Singapore.We ordered a selection from the menu including sesame prawn toast, rack of lamb, bbq selection, tempura king prawns, - we ordered noodles as well but were told we couldn't have them...not sure why???? The prawn toast arrived well ahead of everything else...tiny, tiny little pieces of toast, barely enough for a small bird. This was followed in no particular order by the prawns (ok) and bbq selection.. Not sure this had seen a bbq, but it was tasty enough, The rack of lamb was a massive let down..for $50 you got one...yes...one rib. Not exactly a rack eh? The rice didn;t turn up (despite frequent requests) for a further 15 minutes by which time everything else was cold!!!
We have never complained or refused to pay for food in a restaurant before but this was an absolute disgrace. The mangeress didn't dispute any of our complaints with us and we only paid for the little we had eaten...still $100 though!
We were so hungry after leaving there that we ended up in Maxwell Rd hawker centre eating satay and sticky rice for $9....fantastic!!!!
We wouldn't recommend anybody wastes their time and money in the Royal China there are far better places to eat in Singapore.
Supposedly one of the best in the world - I agree.
The staff were professional yet friendly and welcoming. The rooms were huge and comfortable. The pool was well maintained and the Business Centre was good. Restaurants excellent - breakfasts wonderful, including the 'probably the best orange juice in the world...'
All in all one of the best hotels in the world
I stayed here to break a long haul flight to Australia. The service is impeccable. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable. The room smelt musty ( do all Singapore rooms smell that way?).
Breakfast is good value and the atmosphere relaxing. I also recommend the High Tea in the Tiffin Room and the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling.
Raffles has its own group of shops and Restaurants, which can be very relaxing in the oppressive Singapore heat.
Raffles City is opposite and offers lots of western brands and restaurants.
Raffles is a little bit of history in a very modern City. It is a shame that it is now overshadowed by lots of tall buildings. It looks slightly lost. However, the service is still of a high standard and the staff very welcoming.
During our stay in Singapore in part of our ASIA-TOUR-2009! we stayed at the Marina Mandarin Hotel ( see our review here at Tripadvisor ) and had taken the opportunity to stroll to the world-famous Raffles Hotel for our second time after Nov. 2002 we can now add July 2009 in our memory book as well! First we saw the picture postcard front of the Raffles and visited the lobby which can only be done - by none-guests - on certain times and you can not wear short' s or too sexy and revealing clothing as well, or it' s a no from the amendable door-man. The lobby in itself was stunning and very colonial in color scheme and tone incl. white and brown plus plush seating and a massive concierge table and a real cashier plus a nice standing clock from historical times which was standing already there when Somerset Maugham visited here way back in time, how romantic to know! After this we strolled further through the hotel and enjoyed the Raffles Courtyard and the gardens plus fountains and we saw not one but two wedding celebration' s going on at the hotel. Having been our second time at this famous hotel we know why you would have your wedding celebration here! A visit to the Raffles is not named simply visit it is named pilgrimage! Our visit to the original Raffles Giftshop was obligatory for us! We bought incl. postcards, t-shirts, a nice book-mark which tells us the Original Singapore Sling receipe, we bought several books incl. the ladies and gentlemen behind the hotel and a history book about the hotel! The bill came at 200 Singapore Dollars for the whole lot! Well worth it! After this very nice past-time we strolled more through the massive romantic grounds of the hotel and visited the world-famous Long Bar located on the first floor of the hotel and he enjoyed the world-famous Singapore Sling ( which was first mixed-up here more than 100 years ago in the same Long Bar in the Raffles Singapore ) priced at 23 Sing. Dollars plus a mango juice and she enjoyed a really old receipe of the Old Fashioned Cocktail here plus a refreshing apple juice and the complementary peanuts we eat and simply throw the peanut shell to the ground like the greats would do before us in another time incl. Kipling and Conrad and and and. The furniture was classical colonial and the atmosphere was upbeat and many people incl. us had taken photos from this world-famous Bar. After this we enjoyed the Raffles Museum on the 3rd floor of the hotel which gives you and us a perfect overview of the complete history of the famous hotel incl. original letters from former famous guests incl. George H. W. Bush ( No. 41 ) and others plus historic photos of the hotel and many artifacts about the hotel incl. the very first mixer set of the Singapore Sling and a photo from the Gentleman who has shot the last free wheeling tiger of Singapore at the Raffles' Billiard Room! The Billiard Table can also be seen there! There were also more newer photos about the recent restoration of the hotel in the 1990' s available to view! All in all a real must when you really want to understand how the Raffles came into being and why it is still with us today! This was our second time visit also to the Raffles Museum and was well worth it, hopefully we can do it a third time and much more in the long-term future! At the end of our second tour of the Raffles we enjoyed ice-cream at the Raffles Creamery ( which is new and was not even there on our first tour in 2002 ) and is operated from the Seah Grill ( in which we had lunch in Nov. 2002 - very nice american fare incl. the famous macaroni and cheese! enjoy! ). We enjoyed at the Raffles Creamery the following drinks and ice-cream incl. a non-alcoholic refreshing tropical colada, one forest berry smoothie plus the following ice-cream combinations incl. she had gianduja kit-kat, rocky road, macadamia nuts and oreo cookies and he had incl. tahiti vanilla, white chocolate, gummi bears and chocolate sauce! A perfect stop when at the Raffles! Especially after such a fine day in Singapore' s foremost historic Landmark Hotel founded in 1887 by the Sarkies brothers from Armenia! Well done! Now we have the hope after our second visit to this hotel that we can eventually stay here at least one night in our lives in the future to even more experience the Raffles Hotel plus the charm and the superb facilities on offer! However a third visit would be also on the cards as you would expect when in Singapore! Happy travel and Happy love! So do not forget to FLY!STAY!EXPLORE! MORE! and be more than happy to have the opportunity to even visit such a fine City and hotel! Travel on!
Like most travellers who research their trips I knew that Raffles is a must-see place in Singapore. We boked on the Raffles website at an early purchase rate which still worked out at about £250 a night for a Palm Court suite.
I had read the reviews on tripadvisor with interest prior to booking and it seemed that the only downside appeared to be the attitude of the front desk. Check in for us was civilised with check-in in the room. The suite was not ready and they had given us one right next to the maids storage room - one of the pleasures of a vacation is getting up at whatever time you wish right? They were however prepared to upgrade to a celebrity suite at no extra cost which was near a fountain [you either get rooms overlooking a green area with palm trees or a fountain at the front of the hotel]. The front is too noisy so stay away from this area. We declined the upgrade due to the noise from the fountain and the front road which is busy.
The room we got was in colonial style but it felt tired. I had just come from the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok - so I wasn't really prepared for it. Colonial here means an excuse not to remedy defects in the room, I am sorry but you don't pay hard earned money for anything that isn't up to scratch.
The hotel occupies a large area, at the time of construction it was built out horizontally rather than the vertical dimensions of the modern constructions which is why it is a novelty. It is so much a symbol of opulence in Singapore you get the distinct feeling that staff feel that it is your honour to be there rather than their honour to serve you. There was no specific incident to suggest that but you do feel it. My attitude is I am paying money so please understand that without travellers like me you don't have a job.....
Breakfast was included in the room rate and there was a mix-up which meant we saw people arriving after us getting served. There was a nice apology but still it doesn't feel nice to ask where your food is.
We had drinks at the famous Long Bar there were two complimentary singapore slings and there are monkey nuts in bags so you crack them open and throw the husks on the floor - alot of fun!
There is an arcade with alot of nice shops in the hotel complex and a mall which is adjacent. Just a tip for those who are visiting for a short time - do the night safari, it is amazing. Taxis are cheap in Singapore so just get a taxi out there.
Overall, I must say that the experience was mildly disappointing and when I go again I wouldn't waste my money here. If you do want to come here to say you stayed at Raffles then book in advance on their website - I believe there is a 30 and 60 day advance purchase rate which has free breakfast and is much cheaper than closer to your travel dates. Again do not expect upgrades here, take the hotel for what it is - a landmark and don't expect a great deal more.
My husband and I spent two nights at Raffles. I initially had some reservations about staying in a hotel that was itself a tourist attraction. I was relieved t discover that, while there are restaurants, bars, and shops that are open to the public (and quite touristy), as a hotel guest, you need not experience any of this unless you want to. The guests' entrance and lobby is completely separate from the entrance to the tourist venues. I think the hotel does a very good job of providing a wonderful, peaceful, and historic retreat for its guests, while also providing an interesting, if touristy, experience for visitors who are not staying at the hotel but want a bit of a Raffles experience.
Rooms are wonderfully comfortable, beautifully decorated, and the service excellent.