Raffles Hotel - Singapore

• Ujamaflip
• Reviews: 163

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• robertgaz
• Reviews: 1053

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The grand old colonial lady

Of all the hotels, motels, hostels and other dwells I have called a bed for the night, none have oozed the charm of the Raffles Hotel in old Singapore.

I say old because my stay was in 1985 which was well before a major restoration and reopening in 1991.

It exuded colonial charm with the warmth of a careworn old lady. And to know that famous authors like Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward once graced their presence at this historic hotel only adds to the appeal.

I daresay that the price of any suite has been redoubled since it refurbishment but if you want to live an historic moment in time, then I thoroughly recommend a splurge if you can manage it.

Unique Quality: One of my favourite all time moments was opening the courtyard facing french louvred window shutters one warm tropical evening, to be greeted by the heavenly scent of frangipani from the garden and the sound of a string quartet from the courtyard.

And to complete this magical moment I was sipping a glass of 1978 Moet Chandon Brut. This broke the budget but it was worth the indulgence :~)

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Historical Travel, Luxury Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

Raffles Hotel - Singapore Photo: Raffles Hotel

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• maduraig
• Reviews: 3

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• Aidy_p
• Reviews: 561

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Lapse of Luxury

Opened in 1887, this is opulence to the extreme. Located in the heart of town, you will get everything from lovely rooms, to great service. Even the doormen are smartly dressed.

This is also THE hotel that many dignitaries in the past had stayed in.

Even if you're not staying there, it's worth stopping by the hotel to have cuppa in the many coffee places and also, nice pubs.

This is one hotel that I have not tried, but I know.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Raffles Hotel - Singapore Photo: Nice Colonial Styled Hotel

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• thedouglas
• Reviews: 472

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There is so much more to a stay at Raffles

PT 2 Everything about Raffles is close to unique, but just adding a few extras:

Unique Quality: Additional touches worth mentioning are the bedtime story cards from "Fables of the Exotic East" from the Raffles collection left on the bedside at night.

The welcome letters left on the desk describing the eagerness with which the staff has awaited your arrival, and the preparations for same.

The newspaper wrapper stating "If the news today should overwhelm, healing is available at level three".

The bathroom goodies are no generic items, they are from their own beautiful and exclusive Amrita Spa range within the hotel - and available at the Raffles shop.

The bathroom towels are wrapped in gold chord and the laundry bags are embroidered with same.

Your room is checked periodically through the day, and towels etc. changed.

Hotel restaurant reservations are made by your personal valet, and you are assured the best tables and the very best service by wait staff.

Each room has a barista's dream highly polished coffee machine, with a beautiful range of brews - as well as the most comprehensive tea range.

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Luxury Travel, Food and Dining, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

Raffles Hotel - Singapore

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• thedouglas
• Reviews: 472

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The Original and the Best........

The decisioin to stay at Raffles was one of our best. Although not our usual holiday standard, it was a much awaited treat at the end of our recent 5 week holiday in SE Asia.

As a "Resident" of Raffles, service was discrete and on-call, just a button press away, from the moment of arrival. Our rooms were spacious (or alternatively desribed elsewhere as capacious!), tastefully faithful to the bygone era of the hotel's inception, without unnecessary flounce. Silk oriental rugs adorned the polished wooden floors, and antique prints and engravings decorated the walls. The accommodation was divided into three rooms - an entry, separated by heavy drapes from the sizable bedroom, with 2 silk covered king beds, and a comfortable study or sitting room. The bedroom itself proved to be an insultated haven at night, when the drapes were pulled, shutters drawn, beds turned down and slippers placed between beds - all done discretely whilst at dinner, arranged by our personal valet. A wide verandah with views over the lush, tropical gardens was a wonderful place to sit and contemplate at any time of the day - and an extension of the abundant living space within.

Unique Quality: Although the hotel underwent a complete restoration in 1989, a little over a hundred years after the first bungalows were opened, the "renewed" Raffles has preserved the style and historic standard established during the 19th Century. Impeccable service, beautiful furnishings with attention to all detail (from drapes and carpets to the gold cord tied around the bathroom towels and monogrammed bedlinen), and sense of grace and comfort that was intended when it was first established as luxury accommodation in the "tropics".

Service standard was evident in all areas of the hotel. Our valet greeted us by name, as did many of the concierge and desk staff in the hotel, and any service need was attended to promptly.

As I have said, it was simple worth every $$. We wrote a letter to that effect to management, and this was personally acknowledged prior to our departure. I could get used to this!

• Opinion of Price: most expensive
• Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Luxury Travel

Raffles Hotel - Singapore Photo: Ready for bed - but which bed???

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• arklandtravel
• Reviews: 12

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Nowhere else you gotta have Singapore Sling!

There's nowhere else that you gotta have Singapore Sling except at the Raffles, coz that's where they invented the stuff.

Unique Quality: Full of history!

• Opinion of Price: N/A

Raffles Hotel - Singapore Photo: THE RAFFLES HOTEL

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• arklandtravel
• Reviews: 12

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Nowhere else you gotta have Singapore Sling!

There's nowhere else that you gotta have Singapore Sling except at the Raffles, coz that's where they invented the stuff.

Unique Quality: Full of history!

• Opinion of Price: N/A

Raffles Hotel - Singapore Photo: THE RAFFLES HOTEL

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• arklandtravel
• Reviews: 12

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Nowhere else you gotta have Singapore Sling!

There's nowhere else that you gotta have Singapore Sling except at the Raffles, coz that's where they invented the stuff.

Unique Quality: Full of history!

• Opinion of Price: N/A

Raffles Hotel - Singapore Photo: THE RAFFLES HOTEL

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