The Armenian Sarkies Brothers founded the hotel, which is one of the few functioning 19th-century hotels in the world. White colonial arcades and courtyards, with a fountain among palms, stand among the modern towers of the district. The Raffles Arcade is on the grounds, and the Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Esplanade theatres are within walking distance.
Every one of the 115 rooms is a suite, with original 14-foot ceilings in the colonial architecture. The categories run from the Courtyard, Palm Court and State Room Suites to the Promenade, Residence and Grand Hotel Suites and, at the top, the Presidential Suites, which are fitted with antiques, teakwood floors and memorabilia. The Personality Suites include one for Elizabeth Taylor. A family heritage studio has two beds. Raffles Butler Service is part of every stay, and the butlers can arrange meals on the private verandah or at the parlour table.
Seven restaurants and bars share the hotel. 1887 by André serves contemporary French cooking, Butcher's Block is a wood-fire restaurant under chef Jordan Keao, and 藝 yì by Jereme Leung cooks refined Chinese dishes. The Tiffin Room serves North Indian food, Raffles Courtyard casual Asian dishes, and the Writers Bar and the Long Bar complete the list.
Raffles Spa takes a holistic approach, combining Asian philosophies with body and facial treatments and personal training. There is an outdoor swimming pool in the tropical gardens on the third level of the main building, open from 7.00am to 7.00pm, and a Technogym fitness room on the third floor open around the clock. The lawn is used for events.
The hotel suits visitors who want the history of old Singapore at the front door and a personal butler, close to the museums, the theatres and the bay.
