





Singapore: Raffles Hotel
Operating Hours:Monday - Sunday: Open 24 hours
The Vibe:Timeless colonial glamour meets modern luxury
Since 1887, this storied hotel has defined colonial elegance in Singapore—host to celebrities and royalty, and birthplace of the famed Singapore Sling cocktail. Its white arcades and courtyards still exude old-world tropical charm amid the city.
Ceiling fans stir the warm air under lofty verandas. The scent of frangipani drifts through colonial courtyards, mingling with the clink of china and soft piano notes echoing from the Grand Lobby.
- National Monument (gazetted 1987)
- World’s 6th Best Hotel (World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024)
- Forbes Travel Guide ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8 years running)
Persona Fit
- 👨👩👧 Families: Spacious suites and a safe, enclosed compound make stays comfortable, and kids delight in the afternoon tea treats
- 💕 Couples: Romantic colonial ambiance for honeymoons or date nights—think evening cocktails in a courtyard and rose-petal service in suites
- 👵 Seniors: Nostalgic atmosphere with gentle service; step-free access and attentive staff ensure older visitors enjoy tours or high tea with ease
- 📖 History Buffs: Rich heritage around every corner—guided hotel history tours and a mini museum satisfy those keen on colonial-era stories
Highlights
- Grand Lobby — high-ceilinged lobby adorned with polished teak, marble floors and whirring fans; famous for its elegant Afternoon Tea service under a skylight
- Long Bar — birthplace of the Singapore Sling 🍹, this colonial-era bar retains its quirky tradition of peanut-shells on the floor and serves up classic cocktails in a lively tavern setting
- Palm Court — a tranquil garden courtyard lined by swaying palms and white verandahs; accessible to guests (and tour groups), offering a serene slice of tropical paradise — Hidden Gem
- Raffles Arcade — a heritage shopping arcade within the hotel featuring boutique shops, a small history gallery of the hotel’s past, and the charming Writers Bar tucked in a corner
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Things To Do Nearby
National Gallery Singapore — expansive art museum housed in historic buildings (5-minute walk), showcasing Southeast Asian art and offering a rooftop view of the Padang
CHIJMES — a vibrant dining and nightlife enclave in a beautifully restored convent building right across the street, perfect for continuing the elegant atmosphere with dinner or drinks
Esplanade Theatres on the Bay — an iconic durian-shaped performing arts center 10 minutes away, where you can catch a concert or simply enjoy waterfront views along Marina Bay
National Gallery Singapore — expansive art museum housed in historic buildings (5-minute walk), showcasing Southeast Asian art and offering a rooftop view of the Padang
CHIJMES — a vibrant dining and nightlife enclave in a beautifully restored convent building right across the street, perfect for continuing the elegant atmosphere with dinner or drinks
Esplanade Theatres on the Bay — an iconic durian-shaped performing arts center 10 minutes away, where you can catch a concert or simply enjoy waterfront views along Marina Bay
TJ's Guide - Raffles Hotel
Know Before You Go
Insider Tips
• Best Time: Evenings are magical – around 5-7pm the hotel is bathed in golden light and the atmosphere is lively with live piano music in the lobby. Alternatively, late mornings on weekdays are quieter for exploring the arcade and lobby without crowds.
• Hack: To avoid Long Bar’s infamous queue, visit right when it opens (around 11am) or later in the afternoon between lunch and dinner rush. Also, if the Long Bar is full, you can order the same original Singapore Sling at Raffles Courtyard bar with less wait.
• Hidden Gem: There’s a small History Gallery in the Raffles Arcade (near the gift shop) with vintage photographs and artifacts from the hotel’s past – it’s free to enter and offers a quick, enriching self-tour of Raffles’ heritage.
• Best Time: Evenings are magical – around 5-7pm the hotel is bathed in golden light and the atmosphere is lively with live piano music in the lobby. Alternatively, late mornings on weekdays are quieter for exploring the arcade and lobby without crowds.
• Hack: To avoid Long Bar’s infamous queue, visit right when it opens (around 11am) or later in the afternoon between lunch and dinner rush. Also, if the Long Bar is full, you can order the same original Singapore Sling at Raffles Courtyard bar with less wait.
• Hidden Gem: There’s a small History Gallery in the Raffles Arcade (near the gift shop) with vintage photographs and artifacts from the hotel’s past – it’s free to enter and offers a quick, enriching self-tour of Raffles’ heritage.
Know Your Facts
- • MRT: City Hall MRT (East-West & North-South Lines) is a 5-minute walk (exit via Stamford Road and walk towards Beach Road). Esplanade MRT (Circle Line) also is about 5 minutes via underground link to Raffles City mall next door.
- • Taxi/Rideshare: Easiest to be dropped at the main entrance on Beach Road (just tell the driver ‘Raffles Hotel’). A doorman will be there to assist. If driving, note there is limited valet parking for guests only.
- • Entrances: The grand main entrance on Beach Road leads into the lobby. A side entrance on North Bridge Road takes you directly into Raffles Arcade. All public entrances are step-free (with ramps) and wheelchair-accessible.
Once You Reach
Internal Navigation
• Layout: Raffles is composed of several wings around central gardens. The main lobby leads straight through to the Palm Court. To the left (north) of the lobby is the Raffles Arcade (shopping wing), and to the right are restaurants like the Tiffin Room.
• Signage: Directional signs in elegant script guide you to key sites ("Long Bar upstairs", "Tiffin Room", etc.). The Arcade hallway has clear signage to shops and bars. When in doubt, uniformed staff are stationed throughout and are very helpful with directions.
• Guest-Only vs Public: Public areas include the ground-floor lobby, courtyards, Arcade shops, and dining venues. Access to upstairs corridors or the hotel guest pool/gym require a keycard. If you’re on a self-tour, remain on the ground level unless escorted on a paid tour or by staff.
• Tours: If you desire a deeper look, inquire at the concierge about the History Tour. They run a scheduled heritage tour for guests (and sometimes the public by appointment) that walks you through the hotel’s stories and some exclusive areas.
Food & Coffee Shops
• Long Bar: The must-visit two-story bar for a taste of the original Singapore Sling. It opens from late morning to late night. Expect a lively colonial vibe (and yes, toss your peanut shells on the floor!)
• Raffles Courtyard: A breezy al fresco bar in the hotel’s central open courtyard. Offers happy hour cocktails and light bites amid palm trees – an excellent spot to relax in the early evening.
• Long Bar: The must-visit two-story bar for a taste of the original Singapore Sling. It opens from late morning to late night. Expect a lively colonial vibe (and yes, toss your peanut shells on the floor!)
• Raffles Courtyard: A breezy al fresco bar in the hotel’s central open courtyard. Offers happy hour cocktails and light bites amid palm trees – an excellent spot to relax in the early evening.
Photography Tips
• Signature Shot: Capture the hotel’s iconic façade – stand across Beach Road to fit the grand white colonial frontage and palm-lined driveway in frame. Best done in early morning or at dusk when lighting is softer.
• Interior Photos: The Grand Lobby’s chandelier and period furniture make a great shot. Use a wide-angle to encompass the space. Photography is allowed in public areas, but be discreet and avoid flash to respect the calm ambiance.
• Details & Angles: Don’t miss the details – the spiral staircase in the lobby’s corner or the antique grandfather clock. The second level of the Arcade gives a nice overhead perspective of the courtyard and lobby if accessible.
• Signature Shot: Capture the hotel’s iconic façade – stand across Beach Road to fit the grand white colonial frontage and palm-lined driveway in frame. Best done in early morning or at dusk when lighting is softer.
• Interior Photos: The Grand Lobby’s chandelier and period furniture make a great shot. Use a wide-angle to encompass the space. Photography is allowed in public areas, but be discreet and avoid flash to respect the calm ambiance.
• Details & Angles: Don’t miss the details – the spiral staircase in the lobby’s corner or the antique grandfather clock. The second level of the Arcade gives a nice overhead perspective of the courtyard and lobby if accessible.
Explore Deeper
Raffles Hotel is entwined with Singapore’s colonial history and cultural lore. Exploring its background reveals how it evolved from a beachfront bungalow to a world-renowned icon that has witnessed wartime dramas, literary creations, and society’s changing tides.
• Armenian Founders: Raffles was established by the Sarkies Brothers (Armenian hoteliers) who opened its doors in 1887. It started as a 10-room bungalow by the beach; successive expansions added wings, including the famous veranda-wing in 1894.
• Famous Guests: Over the decades, Raffles hosted the rich and famous
from writers like Somerset Maugham (who penned stories in the garden) to Hollywood stars like Charlie Chaplin and royalty such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. These halls echo with their anecdotes.
• War and Peace: The hotel has seen turbulent times. In WWII, it was renamed Syonan Ryokan under Japanese occupation, and legend says staff buried silverware in the Palm Court to hide it. When the war ended, British soldiers liberated Raffles and found the Japanese officers enjoying a final cocktail toast in the ballroom.
• Architectural Conservation: Declared a National Monument on its centenary in 1987, Raffles underwent meticulous restorations (in the 1990s and again in 2017-2019). Architects preserved its distinct Neo-Renaissance tropical style
from the cast-iron portico to the breezy verandahs
• Birth of the Sling: The hotel’s bartenders innovated in the early 20th century. The Singapore Sling was crafted in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at Long Bar as a ladies’ cocktail disguised in pretty pink. This marketing genius turned the hotel into a cocktail destination, a tradition that carries on today.
• Armenian Founders: Raffles was established by the Sarkies Brothers (Armenian hoteliers) who opened its doors in 1887. It started as a 10-room bungalow by the beach; successive expansions added wings, including the famous veranda-wing in 1894.
• Famous Guests: Over the decades, Raffles hosted the rich and famous
from writers like Somerset Maugham (who penned stories in the garden) to Hollywood stars like Charlie Chaplin and royalty such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. These halls echo with their anecdotes.
• War and Peace: The hotel has seen turbulent times. In WWII, it was renamed Syonan Ryokan under Japanese occupation, and legend says staff buried silverware in the Palm Court to hide it. When the war ended, British soldiers liberated Raffles and found the Japanese officers enjoying a final cocktail toast in the ballroom.
• Architectural Conservation: Declared a National Monument on its centenary in 1987, Raffles underwent meticulous restorations (in the 1990s and again in 2017-2019). Architects preserved its distinct Neo-Renaissance tropical style
from the cast-iron portico to the breezy verandahs
• Birth of the Sling: The hotel’s bartenders innovated in the early 20th century. The Singapore Sling was crafted in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at Long Bar as a ladies’ cocktail disguised in pretty pink. This marketing genius turned the hotel into a cocktail destination, a tradition that carries on today.
Did You Know?
• Singapore Sling – The original 1915 recipe was lost for decades until a lucky discovery of notes in the hotel’s archives. The current famous pink recipe is a recreation that still uses grenadine, gin, and pineapple juice to emulate the original’s flavor.
• Tiger Under the Table – Yes, there was an actual tiger incident! In 1902, a wild tiger escaped from a nearby circus and hid under Raffles’ Bar & Billiard Room. It was eventually shot by a reserve officer, making newspaper headlines worldwide.
• Literary Legacy – W. Somerset Maugham set some of his short stories at Raffles Hotel. He once quipped that Raffles stood for “all the fables of the exotic East,” a testament to how the hotel’s atmosphere inspired creative minds.









