Want a one-way ticket to escape? Here’s a vibrant and fragrant immersion into the heart of Raffles Singapore, the icon that embodies the timeless luxury of the City-State. Between colonial history, cozy suites, exceptional dining, and the timeless ritual of the Singapore Sling at the Long Bar, this guide takes you from the boarding gate to the marbles of the Grand Lobby, with delicious stops at the Tiffin Room, at Yì by Jereme Leung, and at Butcher’s Block, before a detour to the Raffles Spa and the shopping temples. Take your time: here, the clock softens, the service is royal, and the city all around sparkles.
Diving into Paradise: Discovering the Timeless Luxury of Raffles Singapore with a Singapore Sling
Singapore has just celebrated 60 years of its independence, and its modern elegance harmonizes beautifully with the heritage aura of Raffles Singapore. At the crossroads of millennia-old maritime routes, the city has become a global hub where finance, commerce, and the art of living well blend together. The Raffles remains this mythical haven where one stops for a legendary cocktail, a suite of absolute calm, and tables that reinvent indulgence.
Outside, the tropical thermometer dances; inside, it’s all dark wood swirls, impeccable parquet, ivory draperies, and bespoke service. Just a few steps away, Marina Bay sparkles, Orchard Road displays its shop windows, and the shopping palaces compete in audacity. But be warned: settling into Raffles is to risk not wanting to leave.
Where is Singapore and how to get there?
Singapore is an island city-state in Southeast Asia, located south of the Malay Peninsula, just above the Equator. The Johor Strait separates it from Malaysia to the north, while the Singapore Strait connects it to Indonesia to the south. Most often, you arrive by plane: from Melbourne, expect about eight hours on a direct flight; from the East Coast of the United States, several routes with stops exist, but the non-stop New York – Singapore flight from Singapore Airlines (18-19 hours) is the longest regularly scheduled commercial flight in the world. From the West Coast, regular direct flights generally last 17-18 hours.
My five-star refuge: the oasis Raffles Singapore
Opened in 1887 by Armenian hotel brothers Sarkies, Raffles started as a ten-room bungalow before becoming this white colonnaded palace that has enchanted generations of travelers. The first of its kind, it has since expanded around the world, and in May 2025, Singapore will welcome a second gem: Raffles Sentosa. The historic address, however, remains a world apart, a refreshing interlude in a metropolis that never sleeps.
What surprises upon entering? The muffled silence, the green walkways, the sensation of slipping into an era where time was taken to savor. Butler service for every suite, delicate welcoming rituals, fresh flowers, silver bells: the scene is set for a stay where you indulge in the pleasure of not rushing.
Palm Court King Suite: elegance in filigree
The Palm Court King Suite embodies both classicism and modern comfort. A royal four-poster bed set on dark wood flooring, white shutters filtering light, silky fabrics, and a separate sitting area for snacking, reading, or dreaming. In the vast gray and white marble bathroom: double sink, generous shower, delicate cosmetics. At the touch of a button, your butler watches over you, discreet and efficient. You quickly feel weightless.
Absolute relaxation and Arcade
The Raffles Arcade continues the stroll: chic addresses, little discoveries, and, above all, the Raffles Spa. Treat yourself to the Absolute Relaxation Massage, then stroll through the hydrotherapy areas reserved for guests. Time suspends its flight, and all you have to do is breathe.
Exceptional dining: gastronomy with many faces
Tiffin Room: living tradition in stacked boxes
Heir to a culinary history dating back to 1899, the Tiffin Room reinvents classic North Indian dishes served in superimposed tiffin boxes, a nod to the old working lunches. Finely crafted spices, creamy sauces, soft naans: a ballet of flavors that waltzes between tradition and contemporary precision.
Yì by Jereme Leung: Chinese poetry in porcelain
At Yì by Jereme Leung, the decor interacts with the plate. Changing and stunning tableware, porcelain as a setting, tasting or à la carte menus. You travel through subtle, sometimes novel creations: a delicate Crab Meat Tartare, an astonishing house-made Shao Xing wine ice cream, and other compositions that marry terroir and modernity without a false note.
Butcher’s Block: fire, audacity, and zero waste
Led by Hawaiian chef Jordan Keao, Butcher’s Block celebrates flame, smoke, and a zero waste philosophy: cuts are made on-site, and vegetables are enjoyed from root-to-leaf. The Summer Tasting Menu can feature finds like an airy Shiso Froth, an addictive Bone Marrow Custard, or a flamboyant Torched Ginger. Precise service, carefully plated, inspired pairings: a grand moment.
Afternoon Tea at the Grand Lobby: harp and polished silver
When the hour for tea strikes, head to the Grand Lobby: a harpist brushes its strings near the grand staircase, and treats parade on three-tiered silver platters. Warm scones, delicate sandwiches, jewelry-like pastries: a deliciously retro interlude, impeccably executed.
Tomorrow is already being invented: André Chiang’s table
On the agenda this year, the opening of a new restaurant by Chef André Chiang, right next to the Grand Lobby. On the menu: unprecedented concepts, sharpened curiosity, and creativity that promises to thrill the most demanding palates.
The ritual of the Long Bar: a Singapore Sling in hand
You don’t leave Raffles without a Singapore Sling at the legendary Long Bar – so named for its endless counter. The queue stretches from opening time, delighted to replay the history of this cocktail made with gin, imagined in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. At that time, propriety deemed it inappropriate for a lady to drink alcohol in public; the trick was to dress the drink as a mock fruity punch. The result: immediate success, and a classic for eternity.
A tasty detail in a city where everything shines: at the Long Bar, you throw peanut shells on the floor. Yes, you read that right. You shell, sip, laugh – and the tiled floor crackles underfoot. A little thrill of transgression, a sweet pink sip: the celebration is complete.
Luxury beyond the doors: shopping and beautiful getaways
If shopping is your favorite sport, Singapore is a grand arena: from designer boutiques at Changi airport to the shop windows of Orchard Road, to the futuristic curves of Marina Bay Sands. The Raffles Arcade extends the temptation under the hotel’s arches, without even stepping outside.
Want to enhance your trip? The Malaysian border is very close, and a cultural or nature escape easily links. To prepare for an inspired getaway beyond the Johor Strait, discover these essentials of Malaysia, perfect for extending the magic.
Runners can rhyme asphalt and gastronomy by planning their stay around a major running event. Check out the must-do marathons in 2025 to synchronize taste temple, urban panoramas, and sporting thrill.
Practical tips for a flawless stay
When to go and what to pack
Equatorial climate means heat and humidity year-round. Choose lightweight fabrics, a jacket for air conditioning, and comfortable shoes. A compact umbrella will save you from tropical downpours. For dinners at Raffles Singapore restaurants, smart casual attire always hits the mark.
Booking your flight and suite
Plan ahead for in-demand non-stop flights (notably New York – Singapore) and think about early arrival times to fully enjoy your first day. As for accommodations, the suites overlooking the Palm Court combine calm and light; specify your preferences (pillows, allergens, cleaning times) to your butler for a perfectly personalized experience.
Well-being and little extras
Book your treatments at the Raffles Spa in advance, especially on weekends. As a guest, access to the hydrotherapy facilities is a privilege to be savored without moderation. Keep time for the Afternoon Tea and, of course, for your pilgrimage to the Long Bar: the Singapore Sling tastes much better when you take the time to sip it.
Raffles, more than a hotel
Raffles is not just an address: it’s a living chapter of Singapore’s history, a scene where slow luxury is rediscovered. Its name has illuminated the city as much as the city has enhanced it. We come for the legend, we stay for the atmosphere, we leave with the desire to return – one day, another season, the same emotion.
