Why you should visit Raffles Hotel.
The Raffles Hotel Singapore is more than a landmark — it’s a legend wrapped in white columns and tropical calm.
Opened in 1887, this grand dame of Southeast Asia stands as the living heart of Singapore’s heritage, where travelers, writers, and dreamers have gathered for over a century. Palm-lined courtyards, high verandas, and swaying fans conjure an atmosphere from another era — one of romance, refinement, and quiet luxury. Every corridor echoes with history; every corner feels cinematic. Yet despite its age, Raffles never feels old — only enduring, like a melody you already know by heart. The Raffles Hotel doesn’t just reign historic — it defines timeless elegance in the heart of a modern city.
What you didn’t know about Raffles Hotel.
Founded by Armenian hoteliers Sarkies Brothers, Raffles began as a ten-room bungalow before evolving into the icon it is today.
Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, Singapore’s founder, the hotel became synonymous with sophistication — a crossroads for explorers, diplomats, and artists. Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, and Charlie Chaplin all passed through its palm-shaded halls, immortalizing it in literature and lore. After a major restoration completed in 2019, the hotel preserved its colonial architecture while adding discreet modern comforts — concealed climate systems, hand-restored teak, and curated lighting that maintains its signature glow. Its famous Long Bar, home of the Singapore Sling, still serves the same cocktail first poured in 1915. Every detail, from cane furniture to marble floors, tells a story of continuity — a dialogue between grace and time.
How to fold Raffles Hotel into your trip.
Visit mid-morning when sunlight spills through the archways and the air smells faintly of orchids.
Start in the Raffles Courtyard for coffee beneath the palm canopy, then step inside the Raffles Arcade to browse boutiques steeped in old-world charm. Pause in the lobby, where colonial grandeur meets soft piano music, and feel the weight of history settle gently around you. No visit is complete without a stop at the Long Bar — peanut shells on the floor, rattan chairs, and the world-famous Singapore Sling in hand. Return at twilight when the building glows ivory against the night sky. The Raffles Hotel doesn’t just reign historic — it embodies the soul of Singapore: gracious, resilient, and forever captivating.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“It’s the one stop where you’re not rushing. Looks like old money but doesn’t feel stuffy. Staff treat you like royalty even if you’re just poking around for a drink.”
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