Experience the essence of Singapore with Raffles Hotel
There’s no better way to experience the Garden City than by staying at its most iconic hotel and delving into its culture, history and nature
Step through the elegant Neoclassical façade of Raffles Singapore, named number six on the World’s 50 Best Hotels, and you’ll get a palpable sense of old-world glamour, coupled with a warm, cosmopolitan vibe. Since its inception in 1887, this storied landmark, famous for its colonial-era architecture, historic Long Bar and Singapore Sling-sipping traditions, has hosted discerning globetrotters from around the world, counting the likes of Rudyard Kipling, Elizabeth Taylor and Noël Coward among its most illustrious guests.
For over 50 years, Leslie Danker has been the Resident Historian at Raffles Singapore, offering expert insight into this storied hotel and the flourishing city where it resides. He engages his knowledge and storytelling talents to take hotel residents on exclusive tours of the hotel and share tales of its illustrious past – an experience reserved only for hotel residents.
Its provenance and traditions have remained unchanged, helping it become one of the most iconic 19th century hotels in the world.
The Long Bar, famous for its Singapore Sling cocktail and traditional side of peanuts
While it has undergone various adaptations through time, the hotel’s five-star hospitality and loyalty to its provenance and traditions have remained unchanged, helping it become one of the most iconic 19th century hotels in the world. Whether you’re discovering the Garden City’s top cultural institutions, uncovering its abundant green spaces or delving deep into its food scene, this all-suite accommodation offers an unforgettable retreat from which to do it.
Masterful gastronomy, opulent dining spaces and a legendary butler service are just some of the features that have garnered this luxe property such recognition.
‘Butchers Block’ Dining Space
Masterful gastronomy, opulent dining spaces and a legendary butler service are just some of the features that have garnered this luxe property such recognition. Central to the Raffles Singapore experiences is its world-renowned, timeless butler service. Raffles Butlers take care of every detail of guests’ stays, from the moment they step through the hotel’s iconic threshold. The Raffles Butlers will help you see Singapore in a uniquely Raffles-inspired way. While you’re here, choose from experiences, expertly curated by the Raffles Butlers, that allow you to get the most out of Singapore, immersing yourself fully in its captivating culture, history, nature and attractions.
Discover the intricacies of Peranakan culture on a private tour
You’ll find subtle design and culinary nods to the Peranakan culture at Raffles Singapore.
To take a deep dive into this fascinating culture – a fusion of Malay and Chinese heritage – you can take a bespoke tour through the streets of Katong-Joo Chiat, an area where these ethnic communities once came together, forming their own traditions, customs and even dialect.
‘House museums,’ display an array of traditional Peranakan furniture, kasut-manek (beaded shoes) and antiques.
Traditional Peranakan furniture
Some of the district’s elaborate, motif-decorated shophouses – such as the Katong Antique House – now serve as ‘house museums,’ displaying an array of traditional Peranakan furniture, kasut-manek (beaded shoes) and antiques.
Explore the culture’s intricacies at your own pace, perhaps dropping into a Peranakan restaurant to taste a creamy Laksa noodle soup.
Laksa is a spicy, coconut based noodle soup. A fantastically rich and creamy staple of Singapore
Many of these shophouses can be visited by appointment only, which Raffles Singapore can organise through its private tours. They allow you to explore the culture’s intricacies at your own pace, perhaps dropping into a Peranakan restaurant to taste a creamy Laksa noodle soup or stopping by a bustling coffee shop to savour Peranakan sweets like the signature rice and coconut-based kueh.
Savour Singapore’s hawker food traditions on a self-guided trail
There are no two ways about it: exploring Singapore through your tastebuds, at one of the nation’s hawker centres, is a must.
So important are these open-air food halls – lively hubs for Chinese, Malay and Indian street food – they’ve become inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognising the crucial role they play in Singapore’s rich social fabric.
Richly flavoured char kway teow (a popular noodle dish) to sizzling satay sticks topped with fiery chillies
Char Kway Teow
The best way to enjoy this quintessential experience is via a self-guided tour (the Amoy Street Market and the Maxwell and Chomp Chomp Food Centres are among the most popular). ‘Chope’ (reserve) a table by leaving a packet of tissues, then follow the queues to hawkers dispensing everything from richly flavoured char kway teow (a popular noodle dish) to sizzling satay sticks topped with fiery chillies.
‘Pulled tea’ or Teh Tarik is prepared using condensed milk and masala spices
Teh Tarik
While you’re here, you might plump for a ‘pulled tea’ or Teh Tarik, prepared using condensed milk and masala spices, often expertly poured, in an exuberant fashion, high above your glass.
Unwind and reset with the Raffles Enlightenment Retreat
The Raffles Enlightenment Retreat is a holistic journey of rest and relaxation with the inimitable setting of Raffles Singapore providing the backdrop for your retreat.
This specialist led programme is a three-night, four-day experience that encompasses an array of Asian philosophy-led spa treatments and use of the spa’s aromatherapy-based hydrothermal facilities, with activities designed to enhance relaxation, openness and awareness in everyone who joins.
Schedules feature guided walks along the UNESCO-listed Rainforest Trail at the Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore Botanical Gardens (Shutterstock)
Days can begin with a grounding sunrise yoga session by the rooftop pool or other mind-resetting activities from the hotel’s wellness programme. Schedules feature guided walks along the UNESCO-listed Rainforest Trail at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and sound healing experiences at The Intan, a private Peranakan home museum.
If you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind wellness journey, this could very well be it
Bastien González is an expert podologue
There’s 24-hour Raffles Butler service included, plus extra special touches like bespoke wellness products available for your use. If you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind wellness journey that promotes optimal wellness and self-discovery, this could very well be it.
Marvel at Singapore’s iconic museums
You’ll find an impressive collection of museums and cultural institutions in Singapore, offering an enthralling window into the region’s cultures and storied past.
To explore Asia’s artistic heritage, look no further than the Asian Civilisations Museum whose artefacts span everything from ceramics discovered on the Arab Tang shipwreck of 830 AD, to Southeast Asian jewellery dating as far back as Neolithic times.
Then there’s the rock-shaped Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, set to impress with its 2,000 preserved plant and animal specimens
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (Shutterstock)
The National Gallery, in the city’s Civic District, houses the largest collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art, spanning 8,000 pieces. Then there’s the rock-shaped Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, set to impress with its 2,000 preserved plant and animal specimens and three dinosaur skeletons that take centre stage.
From historical photography and decorative Peranakan textiles to art, fashion and crafts
Blue Kebaya cloth with intricate embroidery of red and orange flowers (Shutterstock)
To explore the Peranakan culture beyond the traditional Peranakan neighbourhoods, head to the namesake museum where galleries showcase everything from historical photography and decorative Peranakan textiles to art, fashion and crafts depicting contemporary takes on this centuries-old culture.
Visit the vibrant neighbourhoods, from Chinatown to Little India
Singapore’s Chinatown and Little India are two more neighbourhoods that form a key part of the nation’s cultural tapestry. They also set a vibrant scene with their street murals, incense-filled shops and handicraft-brimming bazaars.
In Chinatown, the Thian Hock Keng Temple, the neighbourhood’s oldest place of worship, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, paints a majestic picture with its intricately carved sculptures of dragons, phoenixes and deities.
The Thian Hock Keng Temple paints a majestic picture with intricately carved sculptures of dragons, phoenixes and deities
Thian Hock Keng Temple (Shutterstock)
In Little India, meanwhile, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple instantly captures your attention with its Hindu deity-adorned entrance and flower-garlanded shrines.
the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple instantly captures your attention
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple (Shutterstock)
Across both neighbourhoods there’s ample opportunity to explore time-honoured, and inventive takes on, cuisines. In Little India, explore the food venues of Tekka Market and Haji Lane. Or in Chinatown, pick up custard buns in traditional bakeries. Both neighbourhoods are now firmly on the radar of the Michelin lords; Chinatown’s Hawker Chan, for example, shot to Michelin Star fame with its humble soya sauce.
Recharge at the Raffles Spa
Whether you’re seeking a post-travel pick-me-up, mind-calming meditation or top-to-toe relaxation, the Raffles Spa caters to a multitude of wellbeing needs.
Its treatment menu, geared to helping you find inner tranquillity and rejuvenation, tempts you with everything from nourishing body treatments to personalised botanical-based facials guaranteed to give you that fresh-out-the-spa glow.
There are Indonesian massage techniques and the use of chakra-balancing Lapis Lazuli stones
Chakra-balancing Lapis Lazuli stones
The Raffles Spa Journeys are just the ticket for anyone seeking tension release, a circulation boost or, simply, a bit of indulgence. With features like Indonesian massage techniques and the use of chakra-balancing Lapis Lazuli stones, they lean on an array of Asian-inspired rituals and traditional herbs.
Outside, you can enjoy an array of yoga, Tai Chi and sound healing therapy
The Raffles lawn
Want to extend your pamper session? Take a trip to the spa’s herbal sauna, Peruvian pink salt-filled vitality pool and aromatherapy steam room. Outside, you can enjoy an array of yoga, Tai Chi and sound healing therapy sessions on the lawn or take a dip in the 25m-long pool.
Explore Singapore’s abundant nature and gardens galore
You’re never far away from nature in Singapore, and a great starting point is the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ rainforest, which will amaze you with its enormous native Jelutong trees, which share a home with 300-plus plant species.
The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is another natural marvel, renowned for its 140 bird species, while the Buloh Wetland Reserve is another prime spot for twitchers, visited by migratory birds like the Pacific Golden Plover.
A record-breaking Flower Dome is filled with bulbous Baobab trees and a profusion of colourful blooms
Flower Dome, Singapore (Shutterstock)
No visit to Singapore is complete without seeing Gardens by the Bay. Its record-breaking Flower Dome is filled with bulbous Baobab trees and a profusion of colourful blooms, while tropical climbers like orchids and bromeliads adorn the vertical gardens of the iconic Supertrees.
