 |
The Experience
A stay at Raffles is more than a luxurious escape in the heart of a modern metropolis; it's a chance to tap in to Singapore's colonial spirit (and live out those Somerset Maugham fantasies). The dainty ivory icon with its neo-Renaissance facade and lavish interiors offers the height of Old World opulence and has been a mecca for celebrities, sultans and statesmen since it opened in 1887. Today, tourists wander the breezy colonnades and luxury shopping arcades, but much of the property is the exclusive preserve of hotel guests. And what a world it is: 700 Oriental carpets, 82 plant species in the lush gardens and 18 restaurants and bars (including Raffles Grill, with Michelin star-rated chefs the Pourcel brothers).
The RoomsGuest rooms spread across four wings connected by breezy verandas. They range in size from 624 to 2,830 square feet and are divided into four distinct sections: parlor and dining area, bedroom, bathroom and dressing area, complete with an antique valet stand. Heritage pieces, polished teak floors and ceilings elevated to their original 14-feet heights with overhead fans offer a cool, airy environment reminiscent of the colonial bungalow homes of the early 1900s.
The ServiceWith a 5-to-1 staff to guest ratio, service is predictably seamless, with little conveniences like personal on-call valets who appear at the touch of a button and the Amrita Spa, reserved for guests only. The swimming pool and bar are open around the clock -- an enviable benefit in perennially steamy Singapore.
The HighlightsRaffles abounds in traditional experiences, like high tea or a curry buffet in the elegant Tiffin Room; shopping at the 40 luxury boutiques (stop by Thos SB Raffles for handmade chocolates in riotous flavors like Thai Banana and Thyme); and a play in the Victorian-style theater on the grounds. And tired though it may seem, a visit to the Raffles Long Bar for a lollipop-pink Singapore Sling -- created here circa 1910 -- harks back to those mythic colonial days.
-- Amy Fabris-Shi
