Hotel News

Heritage hotel Raffles Singapore – the Lion City’s ‘Grande Dame’ – has been named No. 17 in the prestigious and first ever ‘World’s 50 Best Hotels’ list. The awards aim to recognise outstanding and best-in-class experiences hotels from all over the world have to offer, and to celebrate the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen.

Organised by 50 Best, whose parent company is reputed publishing company William Reed, this inaugural list is independently curated by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy based on their opinions and experiences. It comprises a group of 580 seasoned and esteemed hotel and travel industry experts led by a group of nine Academy chairs, all hailing from all corners of the globe. On 19 September, the world of travel gathered at the historic Guildhall to unveil the outstanding hotel experiences across the world that will shape the aspirations of travellers and hoteliers.

First opened in 1887, and declared a National Monument a century later by the Singapore Government in 1987, the storied, 136-year-old legacy of Raffles Singapore has been a significant part of Singapore’s history, its neo-Renaissance halls simultaneously and artfully reflecting the charms of yesteryear and the luxuries of the contemporary age. Through the hotel’s evolution, it has strived to uphold its old-world splendour matched with inimitable service across the hotel’s array of offerings.

“We are humbled and excited to have found a place among this esteemed collection of outstanding and beyond the every-day luxury hospitality destinations. To be included in this list and to have received this prestigious industry recognition from The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy is a realisation of aspirations that we had when the hotel embarked on its two-year restoration project four years ago. This global recognition is a true validation of our legendary and timeless Raffles experience, delivered by the wonderful team we have in Singapore,” Christian Westbeld, MD, Raffles Singapore.

“It makes all of us immensely proud that our world-renowned service delivering always-relevant and ever-evolving experiences have transcended Singapore’s shores and are being recognised by the Academy – we are also honoured to not only be flying the Raffles brand flag high, but also proudly representing Singapore on a global stage,” Mr Westbeld continued.

“It is an incredible honour that our flagship Raffles Singapore has been recognised as one of the World’s 50 Best Hotels in the inaugural list. Raffles Singapore has long been a leader within the luxury hospitality space, setting new standards for impeccable guest relations. This is where our distinctive Raffles Experiences come into play that weave immersive wellness activities with cultural journeys, thus helping to lead the way for Raffles Hotels, Resorts and Residences globally. I cannot express my sincere gratitude enough for our management and hotel staff who have made achieving this accolade possible. This prestigious acknowledgement is a testament to their skill and dedication to upholding the hotel’s storied 136-year heritage by providing guests with gracious service and unforgettable journeys at every visit,” says Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express.

Tim Brooke-Webb, MD for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments: “Our heartfelt congratulations go out to every hotel on the list, each of which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of travel experts. After seeing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality industry, it’s been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Hotels. We hope this list inspires travel lovers to book somewhere truly spectacular for their next trip.”

Heritage hotel Raffles Singapore brings the Raffles experience to life

“A touch of nostalgia for the old world amid an idyllic oasis, and personalised services – these are the one-of-a-kind stays we aim to evoke in our stay experiences. Our butlers are trained to be attentive, proactive, and a little bit of mind-readers – making suggestions to an itinerary, replacing room offerings based on minute, quiet observations about their guest from point of check in. We’re also trained to be mini bartenders, to be able to give each guest our signature Singapore Sling experience!” says Jeremy Cheah, Head Butler.

“We want each guest to know that a diversity of award-winning dining experiences awaits them from the moment they pass through our doors, from our classic Raffles Afternoon Tea amid the pleasant lull of a harp, to aromatic North Indian flavours, to gourmet French dishes, to wood-fired seasonal produce and intricate Chinese delicacies. We also house the historic Long Bar, home to the iconic Singapore Sling as well as the unique practice of brushing peanut shells to the floor,” says Executive Chef Pierre Burgade.

“We see a hotel being a destination for not just rest and rejuvenation, but a setting for cultural immersion. Guests can enjoy our well of offerings like the Enlightenment Retreat, featuring holistic treatments, personalised nutritional-oriented dining, rainforest trails and sound healing experiences at The Intan, a private Peranakan home museum. These are part of our tradition of creating unique, meaningful experiences for our well-travelled guests,” says Jesmine Hall, Director of Marketing Communications.

“The Grand Dame has always strived to be a space that celebrates time-honoured traditions and to be a place where special memories are created. This has taken the form of our annual Mid-Autumn Festival mooncakes featuring our well-beloved champagne truffle snow-skin mooncakes, to Christmas spreads. Our iconic, elegant façade is also a well-patronised wedding venue, which has seen hundreds of newlyweds taking to our space as they begin a new chapter in their lives,” says Amy Ang, Director of Commercial Strategy.

About heritage hotel Raffles Singapore

Opened in 1887, Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Till today, its architecture is perfectly preserved both inside and out, giving it an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are more than a hundred expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandahs and white marble colonnades, clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary.

Raffles Singapore has recently undergone a careful and sensitive restoration and has fully reopened on 1 August 2019. The restoration of Raffles Singapore is designed to ensure that it retain what is so special about Raffles – the ambience, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. It is also designed for Raffles Singapore to stay relevant and distinctive by moving with the times and with its guests and adapting to the changing needs of the well-travelled and Singapore’s community.