Raffles Hotels & Resorts
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About
Birthplace of stories and legends
A veritable oasis in the city
Raffles Singapore is at the heart of the vibrant business and civic district, a beacon of classic colonial architecture perfectly preserved among our modern-skyscraper neighbours. Within our walls, the Raffles Arcade is an exciting shopping destination in its own right; and we are walking distance to Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. It is a two-minute ride on the Mass Rapid Transit to the bustling Orchard Road shopping strip, and Changi Airport is 20 minutes away.
Explore Raffles Singapore
Become part of the legend when you stay at Raffles Singapore. Take a look around our hotel's exceptional facilities and services.
Raffles Spa
A refined sanctuary for holistic wellbeing, offering treatments, rituals and classes both to our guests and the community.
Fitness Centre
Enjoy your personal workout on the latest Technogym treadmills, elliptical equipment, free weights, cardio machines and gym balls; third floor 24 hours daily
Swimming Pool
Take an invigorating dip in the pool, surrounded by lush tropical gardens on the third level of the main building; from 7.00am – 7.00pm daily.
Glamorous Occasions
From grand balls to private dining and receptions on our elegant green lawn, we have the perfect space for your meeting or celebration at Raffles.
In-suite Dining
On your private verandah or at the dining table of your parlour, Raffles Butlers present you with a personalised gastronomic experience masterfully crafted by our talented chefs and sommeliers.
History Tour
Discover Raffles Singapore with a guided History Tour, unfolding many of its stories and legends.
Raffles Doormen
Distinguished and distinctive, our world-renowned Raffles Doormen are the first point of contact when you arrive.
Raffles Laundry Service
Top quality laundry, dry cleaning and pressing service for your suits, daywear and linens. Choose from regular, express or premium service and submit your order via your Raffles Butler.
Raffles Boutique
At the Seah Street entrance to Raffles Arcade, the boutique reflects the illustrious history of Raffles, with souvenirs, home decorations and luxury gourmet products in a gallery setting; open daily 10.00am – 8.00pm.
Raffles Arcade
Breathing glamorous new life into our historic neighbourhood, the Raffles Arcade showcases new and world-renowned brands, elevating the shopping scene in the heart of the civic district.
All the fables of the exotic East
Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the British diplomat and founder of modern Singapore, the hotel quickly became a magnet for glamorous society globetrotters and culturalists from all shores, eager to experience its exquisite combination of grandeur and charm. Staying here became a rite of passage among adventurers, who saw it as a sophisticated gateway to the exotic East.
Life at its best
The birth of a legend 1887
From bungalow to hotel
On 1 December, Raffles Hotel Singapore opened to the public as a 10-room hotel, by the Armenian Sarkies brothers. Over the next few years, a pair of wings flanking the bungalow was added.
1888
Men of letters
Some of our earliest guests included distinguished men of letters; Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham. They inaugurated the Hotel's legendary literary tradition which continues today.
1890
Extending the hotel
A pair of two-storey wings, with 22 new suites, are added to the original hotel.
The expansion years 1892
Tiffin Room
The Sarkies expand their business, opening Tiffin Room in May at Commercial Square (now Raffles Place) which is later relocated to the hotel in 1910.
1894
Palm Court Wing
In December, an L-shaped extension, forming the Palm Court Wing, was opened, with another 30 suites added.
1896
Bar & Billiard Room
Bar & Billiard Room opened. Today this is the oldest standing bar in its original location in Singapore.
1899
Main Building
Raffles Hotel's familiar Main Building was completed and opened with great fanfare on 18 November. Elegant neo‑Renaissance architecture and grand lobby made it a magnet for travellers and Singapore residents.
The traveller's destination 1902
A tiger in the bar
In August, the last tiger to be killed in Singapore was pursued at Raffles Hotel and was finally shot while cowering under the Bar & Billiard Room, then an elevated building.
1904
A magnificent establishment
The Bras Basah wing opened, making Raffles Hotel "the most magnificent establishment of its kind East of Suez". The Hotel was the venue for numerous social events and played host to travellers from all over the globe.
1907
A landmark in the city
The two-table Bar & Billiard Room was enlarged and remodelled to hold six tables. The building, which was transformed into guestrooms a decade later, became a landmark in the city.
1913
New verandah
A cast iron verandah, complete with stained glass, was added to the front of the Main Building. Here travellers imbibed the Hotel’s offerings and enjoyed the cool sea breeze.
1915
The Singapore Sling
Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon creates the iconic Singapore Sling, to allow ladies of the time to enjoy alcohol in public.
A haven for distinguished guests 1921
The finest ballroom
The verandah is replaced by an airy ballroom at the front of the hotel, which quickly earns the reputation as 'the finest ballroom in the East.' This takes Raffles into a new era, to become the most popular place in town.
1930s
Notable personalities
British playwright, novelist and actor Noël Coward arrives at Raffles Hotel in the company of Lord Amherst. While in residence he plays the part of Captain Stanhope in the play Journey's End, which is being presented by a visiting dramatic troupe at the Victoria Theatre. Other notable personalities who visit the hotel include Charlie Chaplin, Maurice Chevalier, Frank Buck and Jean Harlow.
1941 War reaches Singapore
Second World War in Singapore
British families make their way down the Malayan Peninsula with the Japanese in pursuit and congregate at Raffles Hotel Singapore. The hotel is renamed Syonan Ryokan, incorporating Syonan ('Light of the South'), the Japanese name for occupied Singapore, and Ryokan, the name for a traditional Japanese inn.
1942
A silver beef wagon
A silver beef wagon is buried in the Palm Court to save it from wartime looters. It is later recovered and used at Raffles Grill.
1950s
Hollywood royalty
The 1950s saw Hollywood royalty, such as Ava Gardner and Elizabeth Taylor, among the famous guests who visit Raffles Hotel Singapore.
Home to the stars 1953
The Elizabethan Grill
Raffles Grill was renamed Elizabethan Grill to commemorate the coronation
of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Swinging Sixties 1960
Long Bar
The Long Bar begins life as a counter in the Raffles Ballroom in the 1960s. It remains there until the hotel closes for its first restoration in 1989. After the reopening, the Long Bar finds its new home in the Raffles Arcade.
1967
Pretty Polly
In 1967, Pretty Polly, which starred Trevor Howard and Hayley Mills, was filmed at Raffles Hotel.
Grand cuisine tradition 1976
Tiffin Room
Raffles Hotel Singapore has been serving tiffin curries since 1910. Recognising that enjoying a tiffin curry on a Sunday was a colonial tradition in the early 20th century, the main dining room is officially named Tiffin Room in 1976.
Years of change 1986
Celebrating 100 years
Raffles Hotel Singapore celebrates her centenary a year early to coincide with the Year of the Tiger. A live tiger is photographed on the first day of the year – on top of the Hotel's billiard table.
1987
National monument
Raffles Hotel Singapore is officially declared a National Monument by the Singapore government on her 100th anniversary.
1989
The first complete restoration
In March, the hotel closes to commence a multi-million dollar project to return it to its elegant look of the 1910s and 1920s and reinforce its status as one of the world's grand hotels. An exciting shopping arcade is added to the existing structure along North Bridge Road.
1991
Hotel reopens
On 16 September, the restored Hotel reopened its doors to the public, looking much as it did in 1915 during its elegant first heyday.
1991
Long Bar
Long Bar finds its new home at the Raffles Arcade along with Raffles Courtyard, an alfresco restaurant nestled amid swaying tropical palms. Other notable dining establishments to open after the restoration include Empire Café, Seah Street Deli and Doc Cheng's – all since closed.
1992
A historic celebration
The official commemoration of Raffles Hotel as a National Monument with the unveiling of a plaque at the entrance of the Main Building.
1993
Michael Jackson
The King of Pop stays at Raffles during his "Dangerous" world tour, accompanied by his good friend Elizabeth Taylor. At Michael Jackson's personal request, Singapore's tourism icon, Ah Meng the orang utan, was brought to the hotel to spend some time with him by the pool.
1996
The Bras Basah wing
Built in 1904, the Bras Basah Wing of Raffles Hotel was re-established as Raffles Inc. Raffles Hotel was the scene for Paradise Road, a Hollywood production, starring Glenn Close and Jean Simmons.
The Raffles empire 1997
Expanding out of Singapore
Raffles expands, beginning with the restoration and opening of two landmark hotels in Cambodia, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, and Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap.
1998
James A Michener
A suite is named in honour of James A Michener, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, who had a lifelong love of travel and Raffles.
Milestones and memories 2000
Long Bar Steakhouse
A steakhouse with a difference opens, combining steakhouse dining with the nostalgia and simple honest flavours of early plantation fare.
2007
120th birthday
Raffles Hotel celebrated her 120th birthday in splendid style with an unforgettable Gala Reception graced by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
The grande dame of Singapore 2010
Leslie Danker
Memoires of a Raffles Original is published, featuring the story of its Resident Historian, Leslie Danker, and his unique 45-year relationship with the Grand Dame.
2011
Katara Hospitality
Raffles Hotel Singapore becomes part of Katara Hospitality, a leading global hotel developer, owner and operators based in Qatar, adding to its rich portfolio of hotels worldwide.
2012
125th birthday
Celebrating 125 years of Raffles Hotel Singapore's illustrious history.
2013
Karl Lagerfeld
Celebrating the centenary of its first ever boutique, Chanel debuts its Cruise 2014 collection in Singapore. Its Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld stays at Raffles.
2015
Centenary of the Singapore Sling
Raffles Hotel pays tribute to one of the world’s most iconic cocktails as the Singapore Sling marks the Centennial Anniversary in 2015. To celebrate this milestone, a new bespoke gin is created in partnership with Sipsmith: the Raffles 1915 Gin.
2016
Johnny Depp
The American actor, producer and musician is the latest in a long line of prominent personalities to stay at Raffles.
130 years of Raffles Hotel 2017
A new restoration
To keep Raffles moving with the times, adapting to the changing needs of the well-travelled and Singapore's community, a new restoration is instigated under the stewardship of Katara Hospitality.
2018
Crazy Rich Asians
Set in Singapore, the first Hollywood movie to feature an all-Asian cast since Joy Luck Club in 1993 is partly filmed in the Presidential Suite and Grand Lobby at Raffles.
2018
Long Bar returns
The newly restores Long Bar returns with a refreshed Singapore Sling. Jason Crawley, one of Australia's most respected bar professionals, custom makes a new Raffles Sling Shaker – a cast-iron hand-cranked machine that can shake up to 18 Slings at a go.
2019 A triumphant return
The reopening of Raffles Hotel Singapore
After a sensitive restoration, the hotel reopens in August 2019 – mindful of preserving its charming ambience and legendary service. Newly opened bars, restaurants, courtyards, shops and social spaces ensure that Raffles will remain the place to meet, spend time, shop and celebrate long into the future.
An icon reborn
The 2019 restoration of Raffles Hotel breathed new life into our storied building, enhancing its regal elegance and old-world appeal while retaining its special ambience and charm. New bars, restaurants, courtyards and social areas were opened to enhance Raffles' reputation as the place to meet, spend time, shop and celebrate. In a vibrant city where modern buildings compete to touch the sky, this authentically preserved colonial-style treasure – declared a National Monument in 1987 – takes pride of place. Intricately woven into the hotel are lush tropical gardens which occupy more than a quarter of the estate, providing a soothing contrast to the urban hustle and bustle. It is not uncommon to hear birdsong beyond your verandah and the rustle of palm leaves in the breeze. You are in an oasis of exquisite tranquillity.
Our guest book
Raffles has welcomed a cavalcade of legendary names throughout its history. Writers, movie stars, dignitaries and journalists all found inspiration and conviviality here, among them Rudyard Kipling, Elizabeth Taylor, Somerset Maugham, Ava Gardner and Noël Coward. At a time when global travel was a luxury available only to a select few, the stories these personalities shared – both facts and fables – contributed to Raffles’ renown. Thanks to them and myriad other guests over the decades, the Long Bar, the Singapore Sling and the legendary welcome from our Raffles Doormen and Butlers became famed the world over.
Ways to arrive
Singapore is linked by two land crossings to the Malaysian peninsula. The Causeway is a popular and often congested entry point connecting Woodlands in the north of Singapore directly into the heart of Johor Bahru. A second, faster crossing, known as the Second Link, has been built between Tuas in western Singapore and Tanjung Kupang in the western part of Johor state. It is used by some of the luxury bus services.
Singapore is one of the few countries that you can enter or leave by taxi. While normal Singaporean taxis are not allowed to cross into Malaysia and vice versa, specially licensed Singaporean taxis are permitted to go to the Kotaraya shopping mall, while Malaysian taxis, which can go anywhere in Malaysia, can be taken from Rochor Road. In the reverse direction, towards Singapore, you can take taxis from Kotaraya to any point in central Singapore or Changi Airport.
Ferries link Singapore with the neighbouring Indonesian province of Riau Islands and the Malaysian state of Johor. Singapore has four ferry terminals handling international ferries: Harbour Front, formerly World Trade Centre, near the southern part of the Central Business District, Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal on the East Coast, Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Point Ferry Terminal, at the eastern end of the island.
Award-winning Changi International Airport is served by over 100 airlines with about 6,300 weekly scheduled flights to some 220 cities in 60 countries worldwide, with Singapore Airlines as the national carrier of Singapore.
Awards & Accolades
Celebrating some of the recognition gratefully received over more than a century.