Raffles Singapore

Raffles Singapore opened its doors on December 1, 1887, as a 10-room hotel established by the Armenian Sarkies brothers on Beach Road. The Main Building, completed in 1899, is built in neo-Renaissance style around a grand lobby, with a cast-iron verandah added in 1913 and later replaced by a front ballroom in 1921. The Singapore government declared the property a National Monument in 1987, on its 100th anniversary.

The hotel has gone through two documented modern restorations. It closed in March 1989 for a multi-million-dollar project to return it to its 1910s-1920s appearance, reopening in September 1991 looking, per the hotel's own account, much as it did in 1915. A second, more recent restoration began in 2017 under Katara Hospitality's stewardship to adapt the property to present-day needs, and the hotel reopened in August 2019 with newly opened bars, restaurants, and social spaces.

What distinguishes Raffles Singapore from other heritage-branded hotels in the region is that the entire 115-suite property operates within the restored colonial building and grounds, instead of pairing a historic wing with a modern tower. Colonial-style architecture, original 14-foot ceilings, teak flooring, and antique furnishings carry through the accommodation as well as the public spaces.

Raffles Singapore is an all-suite hotel: there are no standard guest rooms, only suites, a structural fact that shapes the whole stay rather than functioning as a premium tier within it. The property lists eight suite categories on its official site: Presidential Suites, Grand Hotel Suites, Promenade Suites, Residence Suites, Personality Suites, Palm Court Suites, Courtyard Suites, and State Room Suites, ranging from smaller studios to palatial Presidential Suites. Individual suite sizes and per-category counts are not published on the official site. A dedicated VIAIVE room-type page covers suite-by-suite detail.

The hotel's dining program spans fine dining, heritage bars, and casual venues: 1887 by André (French cuisine through a heritage lens), 藝一 by Jereme Leung (Cantonese and Chinese regional cuisine), Butcher's Block (wood-fire cooking), Tiffin Room (North Indian cuisine, operating in the same setting since 1892), The Grand Lobby (afternoon tea), Writers Bar, Raffles Courtyard, and the Long Bar, the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, created in 1915 by Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon and still operating as a working bar rather than a museum piece. A dedicated VIAIVE dining page covers each venue, including the full Long Bar and Singapore Sling heritage story.

Overview: Eight dining venues are anchored by the Long Bar, the confirmed birthplace of the Singapore Sling, created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915 and made today with locally distilled Brass Lion Singapura Gin (a non-alcoholic "Sling Zero" is also offered). Hours: Sun-Wed 11am-10:30pm, Thu-Sat 11am-11:30pm, smart casual, walk-ins welcome (groups of 10-20 need reservations). The bar retains its long-standing custom of guests discarding peanut shells on the floor, dating to its plantation-era clientele. Four restaurants anchor the food program: 1887 by André (French), 藝一 by Jereme Leung (Chinese), Butcher's Block (wood-fire), and Tiffin Room (North Indian, continuously operating since 1892, one of the longest-running restaurants on the property). Raffles Courtyard, The Grand Lobby, and Writers Bar round out the casual, tea, and cocktail options.

Booking this: VIAIVE's full Raffles Singapore review covers the property overall and links to a live booking page, so read it before you choose a specific venue. Questions about availability for your dates, or which venue is right for your stay, are best directed to VIAIVE's advisory correspondence.

How many dining venues does Raffles Singapore have?

Eight, anchored by the Long Bar, birthplace of the Singapore Sling in 1915.

What are the Long Bar's hours, and do you need a reservation?

Sunday through Wednesday 11am-10:30pm, Thursday through Saturday 11am-11:30pm. Dress is smart casual and walk-ins are welcome, though groups of 10-20 need a reservation.

What is the oldest restaurant at Raffles Singapore?

Tiffin Room, a North Indian restaurant that has operated continuously since 1892 — one of the longest-running restaurants on the property.

Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Singapore Sling?

Yes — the Long Bar also serves "Sling Zero," a non-alcoholic version, alongside the original made with locally distilled Brass Lion Singapura Gin.

Overview: Raffles Singapore is all-suite: 115 suites total, no standard hotel rooms. Every suite carries 14-foot ceilings, ceiling fans, and verandahs or private balconies, a legacy of the Main Building's 1899 completion and the Bras Basah (1904) and Palm Court (1894) wing expansions. Courtyard Suites (58 sqm) cluster around the central courtyard with spa and Arcade access. State Room Suites (67 sqm) sit in the Bras Basah wing with a unique dual-entrance layout. Residence Suites (150 sqm, 2BR) are named after mid-century Singapore cinemas. Personality Suites (12 total) are each dedicated to a historical guest. Presidential is the smallest category, with exactly two suites. Every suite includes 24-hour Raffles Butler service as standard, included rather than sold as an upgrade.

Booking this: Read VIAIVE's full Raffles Singapore review before choosing a specific category. It covers the property overall and links to a live booking page, and VIAIVE's advisory correspondence is where to confirm availability for your dates or ask which category best suits your stay.

Colonial District, Singapore

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Assessed on the all-suite floor (115 suites, none below 47 square metres), the 1887 restored colonial building's Beach Road courtyard positioning, the destination-bar profile of the Long Bar and Writers Bar, and the heritage service register against Singapore's contemporary alternatives: Capella Sentosa and Pan Pacific Orchard.