| Hotel Rating: |  | | Satisfaction: |   | | Reviews: 16 | Photos: 32 | | 1 Beach Road |
 | Singapore Raffles Hotel - Singapore Reviews | 1 - 10 of 16 |  |
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 | Raffles Hotel - Singapore: The Original and the Best........
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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.
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!
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| Raffles Hotel - Singapore: Colonial Luxury
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I stayed in the Raffles Hotel for a few days with my family (mother and sister) in 1987. We were on our way back from visiting relatives in Australia and took the opportunity to visit Singapore, since it was necessary to refuel there anyway. Usually we couldn't have afforded to stay in such a luxurious hotel, however on this occasion it was undergoing some refurbishment and offered special rates. This barely detracted from the experience, although I was young it was obvious what an extravagant and special place this was.
My memories have somewhat faded and may have become distorted by time, however I remember well the giant suite with luxurious, colonial style furniture. I remember too the breakfast buffet, it was like nothing I had ever seen in my life, the fruit selection alone rivaled most markets for choice and quality.
The hotel covers a large area, but is not tall, being at most 3 stories high. Part of the hotel is open to the public, with a shopping arcade, restaurants and bars, but most of it is restricted to guests, and divided up into four wings each housing gardens, pools and other delights. The hotel houses 103 suites, many of them have been host to famous dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, Noel Coward and George Bush, many rooms have plaques promoting this.
In addition to the suites and public facilities the hotel houses a number of famous restaurants and bars, as well as a ballroom and other facilities.
The hotel opened on December 1st 1887, having been built for the four Armenian Sarkies Brothers after opening several other luxury hotels in Asia. The hotel was named Raffles in memory of Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, and is now managed by Raffles International, a Canadian hotel chain with properties all over the globe.
I revisited Singapore again in April 2008 on business, and together with colleagues I returned to the hotel to enjoy a Singapore Sling (a gin based cocktail invented by the hotel's Long Bar barman Ngiam Tong Boon). It was just as magnificent and impressive as I had remembered.
Absolute Luxury. Theme: HotelPrice: US$180 and up » Currency ConverterComparison: most expensivePhone: +65 6337 1886Directions: Raffles hotel is located just outside of the main shopping district, and is flanked by North Bridge Rd, Seah Street, Bras Basah Road and Beach Road.Website: www.raffles.com Other Contact: singapore-raffles@raffles.com
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Well it would be unfair to write about accomodation in Singapore without mentioning Raffles Hotel, the one and the only!
This is not just a hotel, it's an institution and the building was declared as a national monument in 1987.
This is the hotel where the drink "Singapore Sling" was invented and most visitors to this hotel only stay an hour to enjoy a Singapore Sling in the Long bar.
A minority of the visitors can also stay in the hotel which is ranked as one of the best in the world and have presidents, ambassadors and superstars as guests.
There are 19 restaurants, cafes and bars (many of them award-winners) offering a large variety of dished from each corner of the world.
There is a shopping arcade with 50 shops, a spa, pool (with poolbar), gym, business centre, a hotel museum and much much more.
The rooms are not rooms but suites and there are 103 in the hotel.
The Grand Hotel suite includes two bedrooms, a private dining room for 10 people, parlour and verandah.
All suites in the hotel have private parlour and dininig facilities.
There is also a 24-hour personal on-call valet.
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