Raffles 1887

The butler did it

Our Raffles Butler’s Guide to Singapore

As Singapore celebrates the 60th anniversary of independence, what better time to ask our legendary Raffles butlers to put together a fabulous 72-hour itinerary… so you can make the most of your time

Day One

Morning

Singapore Botanical Gardens

Take the two-hour guided morning walk on the Rainforest Trail at the Singapore Botanical Gardens, the first and only tropical botanic garden on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Our Wellness Specialist will lead you on a transformative journey through the exotic flora.

Afternoon

Hotel tour led by resident historians

Join Mr Leslie Danker and his team of dedicated historians for a one-hour historical tour of Raffles Hotel Singapore. They will share the hotel’s remarkable legacy and bring to life the storied history of the grande dame.

Evening

Performance at the Esplanade

There is a rich, year-round programme of performances at The Esplanade Concert Hall, and your butler can let you know in advance what is on during your stay. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra & Choruses are often in residence, along with a star-studded line-up of world-class solo musicians. The Concert Hall is worth a visit in itself: one of the most beautiful in the world, it has an acoustic canopy that adapts the space for different musical performances, producing superb acoustics every time.

If you’re in luck, your stay might coincide with one of our Magic Hour dates, on which musicians from the Singapore Symphony Orchestra perform on The Lawn at Raffles. A truly magical soirée, with drinks and canapes, to which both guests and local residents are warmly welcomed.

DAY TWO

Morning

Local wet market visit

Join our chef de cuisine on a tour of Singapore’s lively wet markets, where locals shop for the freshest produce. Discover the ingredients that form the backbone of Singaporean cuisine and how they are used in the dishes served at Raffles. Along the way, gain insights into the cultural significance of these ingredients and the traditional cooking methods that define local flavours, offering a deeper connection to Singapore's culinary heritage

Afternoon

Curated personal shopping

Take part in your own personal shopping extravaganza with expert stylists from Privato, a luxury shopping concierge, brought to your room while in residence at Raffles. During this three-hour experience, you will be presented with an array of luxury lifestyle products or outfits, based on your pre-arrival consultation. Alternatively, have your stylist accompany you to some of the most desirable and eclectic boutiques in the city.

Evening

Gemstone spa treatment & poolside dinner

Head to the spa for our Raffles Signature Gemstone massage, incorporating organic botanical ingredients and a combination of gemstones and gemstone-infused oil to relieve stress and body tension. The natural properties of the crystals help to regenerate the body’s nutrients, restore balance and enhance wellbeing.

Fully relaxed after your session, enjoy a curated menu of exquisite dishes, all served against the backdrop of our shimmering pool. With the tranquil sounds of water and the serene atmosphere, your dinner becomes an immersive escape in an idyllic setting.

DAY THREE

Morning

Raffles bicycle trail with Tan Ah Huat

Take a bicycle tour through the civic district enveloping our historic building with Tan Ah Huat, a local entrepreneur who will regale you with his life stories growing up in Singapore. Understand how modern Singapore contrasts with scenes going back in the 1920s, as you cycle a trail incorporating historical landmarks such as the Padang, Singapore River and the landing site of Sir Stamford Raffles when he discovered modern Singapore in 1819.

Afternoon

Discover Peranakan culture

Learn about indigenous Peranakan culture at The Intan, an award-winning Peranakan home museum. Travelling by chauffeur-driven limousine, enjoy a one-hour tour of this heritage space, a delightful array of traditional Peranakan refreshments and an opportunity to view collections in a treasure trove lovingly put together over decades by owner Alvin Yapp. A serene sound healing experience is also offered separately at The Intan, featuring a selection of instruments including Tibetan singing bowls, chimes and didgeridoos, designed to soothe and restore balance. Guided by an expert practitioner, allow the sounds to reverberate therapeutically through the body, promoting deep calm and clarity.

Evening

Dine at Butcher's Block

Round off your stay at Raffles Singapore with dinner at Butcher’s Block, an exciting, avant-garde wood-fire dining experience. The restaurant is helmed by Chef de Cuisine Jordan Keao, who was born and raised in Hawaii where cooking, fishing, hunting and farming are a part of everyday life. It serves exceptionaal meats and seafood, sourced from around the world, openly displayed in the restaurant’s larder and translated through fire. Take a ringside seat as our chefs transform these ingredients, before your eyes, on custom-built ovens and grills in an open kitchen for maximum theatrical appeal, leaving you with an indelible memory.