TravelManagers Troy Coelho recently stayed at Raffles Singapore, and says the hotel not only lives up to its ultra-luxury reputation – it exceeds it. Read his exclusive review for Karryon Luxury here.
Arrival
From the moment you walk into the property, you’re truly treated as a VIP. Arrival at Raffles is truly first class. From walking into the driveway and being addressed by my name, the check-in experience set the tone for the entire stay.
Raffles is one of the most iconic hotels in the world, and the service level is second to none. After a brief check-in at the desk, your butler walks you to your suite (mine is a Palm Court Suite) and provides you with keys, which are laid out on a platter.
The butler then talks you through the features of the rooms, the story behind who has stayed at the property and tells you who your room is subtly themed around. The property has truly nailed the brief of what ultra-luxury is all about.
Walking into your suite, you will find a small lounge room with plantation shutters to divide the bedroom. There is a four-posted king bed with dark wooden tones.
The bathroom is pure luxury with a huge free-standing bath, along with a double vanity and shower room. The Frette bedding and towels are like being wrapped in clouds.
Wine and dine
There are nine restaurants and bars at Raffles Singapore, and you can’t go past The Long Bar for peanuts and, of course, The Singapore Sling, or The Writers Bar for those who love history and books.
We also experienced a once-in-a-lifetime dish from both head chefs of Yi by Jereme Leung and Butcher’s Block by Jordan Keao – a fusion of Asian cuisine and Hawaiian barbecue – truly a mouth-watering experience.
Out and about
The cultural tour of Raffles is a must; the history of the hotel and the people who have stayed there is incredible. The grandfather clock (dating back to 1853) still rings at 8pm each night as it has since it was refurbished in 1989.
Raffles Singapore offers morning yoga with sound healing, which was incredible to do (I found it hard not to keep looking at the building as I was in awe of being there).
Each room also has a yoga mat and medicine ball, so guests can go out into the property themselves and have their own private session (if they don’t want to do it in the room).
The Spa is opulent and although I didn’t have a treatment, the facilities are truly spectacular – everything from hydrotherapy to holistic wellness, Raffles Singapore has it all.
There are plenty of shops and experiences. We experienced the Peranakan culture tour (a mix of the Chinese and Singaporean cultures) and the hawker markets.
The verdict
11 out of 10. Raffles Singapore truly lives up to its name of being the epitome of luxury and an icon within the travel industry.
It’s suited to those wanting to check something off their bucket list, or travellers wanting to experience local culture and the region’s history.
Any traveller who appreciates the finer things in life will love what the hotel has to offer. Raffles Singapore truly defines what luxury is all about.
The details
Address: 1 Beach Road, Singapore
Room type: Palm Court Suite King
Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: midday
Rates: A$1,700 – $12,000
For more information, visit Raffles.
