I took my mother to Raffles for her 60th Birthday in September 2012 during the F1.

I am tempted to clutter this review with superfluous adjectives like elegant, beautiful, grand, glamorous, magnificent, but I would not do Raffles any justice.

Room: Courtyard Suite. Fit for any king or queen, or mere mortal, who itches for magnificence, thanks to its colossal 14 ft. ceilings. I also loved the coolness the handsome dark teak floors gave the room. It was a real treat to be able to return to this oasis after a grueling day battling the humidity and throngs of shoppers on Orchard St.

Got to relax in our room’s spacious parlor and dining area before heading to the Martini Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail.

The bathroom was generously sized. The bath was uber-comfortable.

Note: This was the entry-level room and it was perfect, and contrary to an earlier review, the hotel does provide coffee making facilities, which serve up a decent cup of Java.

The furnishings and architecture throughout the hotel and arcade replicate the grand colonial style Raffles was famous for back in the 20s. If you don’t appreciate “old architecture”, you may not adore this hotel quite as much as my sentimental heart does. There are more flashier, modern hotels in Singapore if you are that way inclined. And if you are looking for a hotel with a more authentic Asian feel, then keep looking.

Food: Breakfast was good. Usual fare on offer at most 5 star hotels. Everything was fresh and looked beautiful.

Feasted on the elaborate treats at the afternoon tea at Raffles. It’s expensive but worth the splurge. The desserts were amazing and my mother loved the selection of fresh fruits.

Did drop into the Long Bar. It’s worth a look (and no, I didn’t have a Singapore sling.) The monkey nuts were great and the bar had the expected and much famed colonial feel. Had lunch at the bar. The food was mediocre. Bland burgers and Ikea style Nachos that you have to assemble yourself. To be fair, the ingredients were very fresh.

Service: Excellent all the way, especially, the service at afternoon tea and breakfast.

Museum: Worth a 2-minute fly through, or you can just visit the gift shop.

Tips: If you are staying in the hotel, be sure to check out the east wing. It has a display of photographs of the rich, famous and infamous who have graced Raffles with their presence.

Raffles is as flamboyant and chic as even her most famous resident and worth the truckloads of pennies you are required to hand over for the privilege, and you just never know whom you might behold at breakfast as you bite into a piping hot croissant . . .

This was our first (and hopefully not our last) stay at Raffles on a two-day stop-over returning from a holiday in Australia in November 2012. The warm welcome and attentive service, from the intial greeting by the turban-wearing Indian gentleman on arrival, to his shaking our hands as we sadly left, was simply superb. The lady who handled the check-in also showed us to our our room and explained the features of the room, which was an unexpected professional touch. The room was an elegant cool fragrant oasis, overlooking the garden courtyard, complete with parlour, and marble bathroom, and one of the most comfortable beds we have slept in. The reception assistant even apologised (without being prompted) for the old television, which you could find inside a large ornate cabinet, promising that they would be upgraded soon, but this felt like an irrelevant concern when you have so much opulence to enjoy. Breakfast in the Tiffin Room offered a wide choice, and some asian breakfast options as well, served by attentive staff. After breakfast, there can be no better start to you day in Singapore, than walking through the elegant lobby and out through the grand hotel entrance. A final unexpected touch, was inviting us to use the spa after checking out, to change before our flight home. Thank you to all the staff we encountered, for making our stay so memorable.

Raffles property is soaked in tradition.The reception staff is very helpful and escort you to your room.If finding your way to the room initially may appear easy but later when you try on your own,you may get lost!The rooms are spacious and bathroom very large and well provided.Wifi is free but the tv is small and prehistoric!Service is very prompt.Siting in the balcony is a pleasure but the pegeons are very irritating.Morning breakfast is good.Mr.Shetty
was very friendly and helpful.
Long Bar,with its Singapore Sling,lives upto expectation.Its very casual and you can drop peanut shells on the floor!Museum and 'Tiger under the Billiards table' room are worth visiting.
Don't miss to see all the black and white photos of visiting VIPs.
All in all, an experience to be cherished.