Raffles Singapore

Overview of Raffles Singapore

Raffles Singapore opened its doors on 1 December 1887, when the Armenian Sarkies brothers welcomed the first guests to what was then a 10-room hotel on Beach Road. Nearly a century later, in 1987, the Singapore government declared the building a National Monument to mark its centenary, and the property describes itself today as one of the world's few remaining functioning 19th-century hotels. That combination of an 1887 founding date, National Monument status and continuous operation as a hotel is what sets this address apart from every other luxury stay in the city.

The hotel has been restored twice in the modern era. The first major restoration ran from March 1989 to 16 September 1991 and returned the building to the look of the 1910s and 1920s; the second took place between 2017 and August 2019, which is also the last-renovated year shown on the Traveloka listing. The work preserved the Neo-Renaissance architecture, the high ceilings and the verandahs that guests come to see, while bringing the suites up to modern standards of comfort and technology.

Raffles Singapore is a 5-star, all-suite hotel at 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673, in the Marina Bay area of the city. According to the official website it offers 115 suites, spread across low-rise colonial wings that Traveloka lists as three floors. Eight dining and drinking venues sit within the grounds, including the Long Bar, where the Singapore Sling was created in 1915. For travellers who want heritage and hospitality in the same place, few Singapore addresses carry as much history.

Suite Types at Raffles Singapore

Every room at Raffles Singapore is a suite. The official website groups them into eight categories, from garden-facing studios to palatial Presidential Suites with antiques, teakwood floors and memorabilia. Most share a set of core features: a separate parlour and bedroom, an all-marble double-vanity bathroom with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower, a 55-inch television, high-speed Wi-Fi and the hotel's Raffles Butler service. The ladder below runs from the smallest category to the largest; the suite types and bed set-ups bookable on Traveloka can vary by date, so check the listing for what is currently available.

Courtyard Suite

The entry-level category at 58 square metres, with one king bed for up to two guests. Courtyard Suites are clustered around the heart of the hotel, with a shared verandah overlooking the gardens. The official site notes that accessible suites are available on request.

Personality Suite

Also 58 square metres with one king bed for two guests, but with a distinctive twist: there are 12 Personality Suites, each honouring a renowned historical guest of the hotel and decorated with unique memorabilia. They share the same parlour-and-bedroom layout and a shared verandah.

State Room Suite

At 67 square metres for two guests, State Room Suites sit in the Bras Basah wing with a shared verandah overlooking Fern Court. They have two separate entrances, one to the parlour and one to the bedroom, plus 14-foot (about 4-metre) ceilings with ceiling fans that reflect the original architecture.

Palm Court Suite

These 70-square-metre suites in the historic Palm Court wing sleep up to three guests in one king bed and look over the Palm Court, a private garden reserved for hotel guests. The official site lists a shared verandah, daily turndown and an express laundry service.

Promenade Suite

Colonial corner suites in the Main Building, measuring 85 square metres for up to three guests. Promenade Suites add a separate dressing area to the parlour and bedroom, giving more room for longer stays.

Grand Hotel Suite

At 105 square metres for up to three guests, the one-bedroom Grand Hotel Suite brings a private balcony and a separate living and dining room with a dressing area.

Residence Suite

Located in the Raffles Arcade wing, the 120-square-metre Residence Suite sleeps up to three and includes a private verandah, a separate kitchenette, a parlour, a powder room and a living and dining room, making it the most apartment-like option on site.

Presidential Suite

The largest category at 190 square metres, set in the Main Building overlooking the Palm Court. Presidential Suites have a private balcony and a separate parlour, dining room, living room, dressing area and personal pantry, alongside the same marble bathrooms and butler service as the rest of the hotel.

Facilities and Amenities

Raffles Singapore keeps its leisure facilities discreet, in keeping with the scale of a heritage hotel. The facilities confirmed by Traveloka's listing and the official website include:

• Outdoor swimming pool: listed on Traveloka and confirmed by the hotel's own FAQ as part of its leisure amenities.
• Fitness centre: the official FAQ describes a 24-hour fitness centre with cardio and strength equipment, and personal training is offered.
• Raffles Spa: takes a holistic approach to wellbeing, blending Asian philosophies with modern body and facial treatments, with hydrothermal facilities and yoga also mentioned by the hotel.
• Raffles Butler service: each suite category on the official site lists 24-hour butler service and daily turndown.
• Wi-Fi: Traveloka lists Wi-Fi in public areas, and the official site describes complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi in the suites.
• Babysitting: listed among the family services on Traveloka.
• Parking: valet parking is listed on Traveloka, and the hotel's FAQ confirms both self-parking and valet parking; charges may apply, so check with the hotel.
• Raffles Arcade and Raffles Boutique: the arcade along North Bridge Road was added during the 1989 restoration and houses shopping and dining, while the Raffles Boutique at the Seah Street entrance sells souvenirs and luxury items inspired by the hotel's history.

On pets, the official FAQ states that Raffles Singapore does not accommodate dogs or other pets within the hotel, although certified service animals may be permitted with the appropriate documentation. If you have specific accessibility needs, the hotel notes that accessible suites can be requested, so it is worth contacting the property after booking.

Location and Getting There

The hotel's address is 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673, and Traveloka places it in the Marina Bay area, roughly one kilometre from the city centre. The Raffles Arcade wing runs along North Bridge Road and the Raffles Boutique faces Seah Street, so the property fills a full city block on the edge of the Civic District. This puts guests within reach of the Marina Bay waterfront and several of the city's best-known hotels, including Marina Bay Sands, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, which share the same Marina Bay area on Traveloka.

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is the nearest airport, approximately 20 kilometres away. Getting from the airport to the hotel is straightforward:

1. By taxi or private transfer: the hotel estimates around 25 to 30 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
2. By MRT: the hotel notes you can take the MRT and finish with a short walk.
3. By bus: the official FAQ also mentions direct bus routes from the airport.

If you are still planning how to arrive, you can book flights to Singapore on Traveloka and time your arrival around the 3:00 PM check-in. Self-parking and valet parking are available for guests who drive.

Dining at Raffles Singapore

Dining is one of the main reasons people visit Raffles Singapore, even when they are not staying overnight. Traveloka lists eight restaurants for the property, and the official website names eight venues:

• 1887 by André: heritage gastronomy through a French lens, named after the hotel's founding year.
• 藝 yì by Jereme Leung: a journey around the diverse culinary regions of China.
• Butcher's Block: an avant-garde, wood-fire dining experience.
• Tiffin Room: authentic North Indian cuisine in a historic setting dating from 1892.
• The Grand Lobby: afternoon tea served in the hotel's grand lobby.
• Writers Bar: handcrafted drinks in homage to the literary guests of Raffles.
• Long Bar: where Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon created the Singapore Sling in 1915. The bar began as a counter in the old Raffles Ballroom and moved to Raffles Arcade after the 1991 reopening.
• Raffles Courtyard: alfresco cocktails and Southeast Asian bites in the open air.

For in-suite meals, the official suite pages describe 24-hour in-suite dining; Traveloka's listing does not show room service, so confirm the current arrangement with the hotel if it matters to your plans. Beyond the hotel, you can explore attractions and activities in Singapore to pair a meal at the Long Bar with a day out around the city.

Why Stay at Raffles Singapore

A stay at Raffles Singapore is less about ticking off a list of facilities and more about sleeping inside the city's living history. Since 1887, the hotel has welcomed generations of travellers, and the property information on Traveloka describes it as renowned for its heritage and gracious hospitality. Here is what makes it stand out:

• A National Monument you can stay in: gazetted in 1987, the building is one of very few 19th-century hotels still operating.
• All-suite accommodation: even the entry-level Courtyard Suite has a separate parlour and bedroom and a marble bathroom with both a bathtub and a walk-in shower.
• Butler service throughout: the Raffles Butler service is listed for every suite category on the official site.
• Home of the Singapore Sling: the original drink is still served at the Long Bar, where it was created in 1915.
• Quiet, low-rise layout: the hotel's courtyards, verandahs and the private Palm Court garden give it a calm feel in the middle of the city.

It suits couples on a special occasion, heritage enthusiasts and travellers who value service over size. Families of three can look at the Palm Court, Promenade, Grand Hotel or Residence categories, which sleep up to three guests. If you would rather compare options, Traveloka lets you compare other hotels in Singapore side by side before you decide.

Tips for Booking Raffles Singapore on Traveloka

A little planning goes a long way at a hotel with only 115 suites and strong year-round demand. Keep these points in mind when you book Raffles Singapore on Traveloka:

1. Book early for particular suites: categories such as the 12 Personality Suites are limited in number, so reserve well ahead if you have your heart set on one.
2. Match the suite to your group: Courtyard, Personality and State Room Suites sleep two, while Palm Court, Promenade, Grand Hotel, Residence and Presidential Suites sleep up to three.
3. Plan around check-in and check-out: check-in starts at 3:00 PM and check-out is by 12:00 PM (noon).
4. Read the rate details: breakfast, cancellation terms and inclusions differ by rate, so check what is included before you confirm.
5. Reserve dining separately: popular venues such as 1887 by André, the Long Bar and afternoon tea in The Grand Lobby are worth booking in advance with the hotel.
6. Leave pets at home: the hotel does not accommodate pets, although certified service animals may be permitted with documentation.

Traveloka shows the latest availability and rates for each suite type, so you can see what is open for your dates in one place. When you are ready to plan the rest of your trip, head to the Traveloka homepage to bring flights, stays and activities together.

Other Popular Hotels in Marina Bay

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore

• Hotel details: A 5-star hotel at 5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square, with 510 rooms over 23 floors; built in 1987 and last renovated in 2023.
• Facilities: Health club, massage, restaurant, coffee shop, valet parking and wheelchair access.
• Services: 24-hour room service, 24-hour reception, concierge, money changer, laundry service and car rental.

Marina Bay Sands

• Hotel details: A large 5-star integrated resort at 10 Bayfront Avenue with 1,850 rooms over 57 floors, built in 2010.
• Room types: Family rooms are listed; see the listing for current room categories.
• Facilities: Outdoor pool, children's pool, hot tub, garden, multiple restaurants and bars, a nightclub, shops and meeting facilities.
• Services: 24-hour room service, 24-hour reception, concierge, babysitting, tours and an airport transfer (surcharge).

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

• Hotel details: A 5-star hotel at 1 Fullerton Square with 399 rooms over eight floors, in a building dating from 1928; another strong choice for heritage lovers.
• Facilities: Outdoor pool, spa, steam room, fitness centre, garden, ballroom and conference centre.
• Services: 24-hour reception, concierge, porter, multilingual staff, laundry service and valet parking (surcharge).

PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore

• Hotel details: A 5-star hotel at 3 Upper Pickering Street known for its hotel-in-a-garden concept, with 367 rooms over 16 floors, opened in 2013.
• Facilities: Outdoor pool with cabanas, poolside bar, spa, garden, rooftop terrace, restaurant and meeting facilities.
• Services: 24-hour room service, 24-hour reception, concierge, doorman and laundry service.

JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

• Hotel details: A 5-star hotel on Beach Road, a short distance along the same street as Raffles, with 587 rooms over 21 floors, built in 2015.
• Facilities: Bars, non-smoking rooms and disabled access.
• Services: 24-hour reception, express check-in and check-out, babysitting, multilingual staff and car rental.

Grand Park City Hall

• Hotel details: A 5-star hotel at 10 Coleman Street with 343 rooms over 10 floors; built in 1996 and renovated in 2017.
• Room types: Connecting rooms are listed; see the listing for current categories.
• Facilities: Restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, accessible rooms and parking.
• Services: 24-hour reception, room service, concierge, laundry service and limousine service.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

• Hotel details: A 5-star hotel at 7 Raffles Avenue with 529 rooms over 32 floors; built in 1996 and renovated in 2011.
• Facilities: Coffee shop, valet parking, non-smoking rooms and disabled access.
• Services: 24-hour reception, express check-in and check-out, money changer and car rental.

Garden Pod @ Gardens by the Bay

• Hotel details: A small 2-star stay with four units, set at 18 Marina Gardens Drive in the Serene Gardens of Gardens by the Bay; an unusual, nature-focused alternative to the city's big hotels.
• Facilities: Garden, picnic area, parking and disabled access.