Christian Westbeld – General Manager, Raffles Singapore
In mid-2019, Raffles Singapore unveiled the results of a two-year restoration. How did the hotel renovate while honoring its iconic past? Raffles Hotel Singapore is regarded by many as a national treasure. Since opening in 1887, it has remained one of the world’s few surviving great 19th-century hotels, witnessing decades of history and the evolution of Singapore’s tourism scene. With nearly 30 years since the previous major restoration, an update to both public and private spaces was timely to keep the property relevant for contemporary travelers while preserving its storied character.
Beginning in early 2017, Raffles embarked on a carefully planned restoration aimed at retaining the hotel’s heritage charm while reimagining facilities, services and experiences. The project respected the hotel’s legacy — from the 1920 introduction of an airy ballroom that ushered in a new era of grand soirees, to the pioneering 24-hour Raffles Butler service that set a standard for personalized hospitality — and extended those traditions into the 21st century.
The restoration introduced new offerings for guests and the local community designed to keep Raffles at the heart of Singapore’s cultural and social life. Highlights include:
- The Raffles Arcade, featuring a curated selection of bespoke and iconic brands; a History Gallery inside the Raffles Boutique that showcases the hotel’s story; and a new Raffles Spa serving as a holistic sanctuary for residents and visitors
- Refreshed dining and bar venues that form a cohesive gastronomic journey, blending atmosphere, creativity and surprise
- An enhanced butler service that continues to personalize stays with thoughtful, experiential touches
- New and modernized event spaces, including the 300-guest Jubilee Ballroom — transformed from the former Victorian-style Jubilee Hall — alongside upgraded lighting and audiovisual systems across all venues to suit contemporary events
Staying at Raffles is an experience in itself, often evoking multigenerational memories as guests recall visits by their parents or grandparents and now create new traditions with their families. The restoration increased the hotel’s appeal across generations while maintaining the emotional luxury and well-being that define the Raffles experience.
Striking the right balance between heritage conservation and modern expectations was central to the restoration. The objective was to ensure the hotel evolved gracefully to serve today’s travelers and the local community while preserving the original charm and distinctive ambiance. Like the 1991 restoration, this program modernized amenities for the 21st-century traveler without compromising the property’s core identity.
The aesthetic of the restored Raffles is refined, sophisticated and contemporary. New furnishings, décor and artwork integrate seamlessly with the hotel’s colonial interiors, creating an inviting backdrop for bespoke furniture and objects that resonate with modern luxury. Suites, restaurants, bars and public areas were refreshed to provide vibrancy while respecting heritage sensitivity — interventions feel inherent to the building’s fabric rather than imposed upon it.
Guest rooms were upgraded for comfort and functionality while retaining historical details. Suites now feature improved soundproofing and lighting alongside preserved elements such as the signature tripartite parlor, sleeping area and bathroom layout, antique switches and private or semi-private verandahs. These decisions allowed the hotel to honor its past while delivering modern performance and convenience.
Retail and culinary offerings were developed with storytelling and local relevance in mind. The Raffles Arcade houses the Raffles Boutique and bespoke retail partners, while food and beverage concepts combine established Raffles icons — like the Tiffin Room, Writers Bar and Long Bar — with new collaborations. These include partnerships with Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, Chef Alain Ducasse and Chef Jereme Leung, selected to complement the hotel’s culinary heritage and offer fresh perspectives for guests.
Dining venues draw inspiration from the hotel’s history. The Tiffin Room, one of Singapore’s oldest Indian restaurants dating back to 1892, and Writers Bar, famed for welcoming literary figures such as Rudyard Kipling and Somerset Maugham, informed programming like the Writers-in-Residence initiative, which supports established authors and nurtures emerging talent alongside expert mixology.
How did Raffles Singapore adapt during the 2020 pandemic? After reopening to reservations following Singapore’s circuit breaker in mid-July 2020, the hotel saw strong local demand, driven largely by curated staycation packages. Appreciation from the local community, interest sparked by the restoration and the hotel’s status as an urban oasis contributed to encouraging bookings.
History tours offered to in-house guests grew so popular that extra daily slots were added; these guided visits, supported by the National Heritage Board, share stories unique to Raffles. Locals on staycation often choose to remain on property, enjoying suite services, extensive gardens and courtyards, and the hotel’s restaurants and bars — all operated with safe distancing and enhanced hygiene under Singapore’s SGClean and the ALLSafe regime.
Raffles benefits from occupying an entire city block of five acres, with half the space dedicated to 115 suites. This scale allowed the hotel to observe capacity limits while still accommodating guests comfortably, including access to the popular pool via a reservation system that supports contact tracing and guest safety.
To meet evolving needs, the hotel introduced a range of luxurious staycation offers with privileges designed to showcase Raffles’ unique attributes. Culinary venues remained central, with Long Bar reopening to enthusiastic locals keen to sample the Singapore Sling where it was created, and private dining collaborations introduced at Raffles Courtyard.
What does the future of hospitality in Singapore look like? Singapore is regarded as one of the safer places internationally during the pandemic. While forecasts suggest international travel may only return to pre-Covid levels by around 2023, the near-term focus is on domestic travel and events, with agility to welcome international guests as conditions permit. Vaccination efforts in Singapore advanced quickly, and Raffles Hotel reported a high rate of colleague vaccinations, which contributes to guest confidence.
As travel recovers, guests will likely seek longer stays and more immersive experiences. Raffles is developing extended-stay offers and digital tools — virtual site inspections, 360-degree visuals and content that communicates safety measures — so clients and partners can continue to engage with the hotel remotely while demand rebuilds.
Which local attractions and activities are recommended for visitors? Raffles partners with local cultural organizations to provide curated heritage experiences that guests can book as part of a staycation, including private museum tours like visits to The Intan and bicycle tours through the civic district. Outside the hotel, Gardens by the Bay is Singapore’s premier horticultural attraction, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens is the country’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed tropical garden. Sentosa Island is another popular choice, offering themed attractions, spas, rainforests and beaches for a full-day excursion.
Raffles Hotel Singapore remains a landmark where heritage and contemporary luxury converge, offering both locals and travelers opportunities to immerse themselves in the city’s history while enjoying modern comforts and carefully curated experiences.