News

Here’s what we know about Raffles Singapore’s renovation

24 Oct 2017 by Craig Bright
Raffles Singapore

Raffles Singapore has unveiled new details about its ongoing multi-phase restoration project that will see the historic hotel reopen in the middle of next year with three additional suite categories as well as new lifestyle and dining experiences.

The historic hotel will be adding Residence Suites, Promenade Suites and Studio Suites to its existing categories, all of which it will be keeping, along with upping its overall suite count from 103 to 115.

Four of these will be Residence Suites comprising one and two-bedroom accommodations situated in the Raffles Arcade, with each named after well-known local cinemas from the first half of the 20th century. These include the Alhambra Suite, Diamond Suite, Marlborough Suite, Odeon Suite and Theatre Royal Suite.

Meanwhile, two of the suites will be in the Promenade Suites category overlooking Beach Road, having been converted from boardrooms. These take their inspiration from the hotel’s history during the 1800s, when the entire hotel faced the beachfront. One is named after Lady Mountbatten, the Countess of Burma and wife of Lord Louis Mountbatten, who acted as Southeast Asia’s Supreme Allied Commander during the Second World War, while the other is named after Lady Sophia, the wife of Singapore’s founder, Sir Stamford Raffles.

Finally the Studio Suites will be located in the Main Building, joining existing suites within the hotel.

Raffles Singapore Restoration

Beyond the guestrooms, the hotel will also be refreshing its famous Raffles Arcade, which will feature social spaces as well as a revamped gift shop with a History Gallery showcasing the hotel’s heritage. The new Raffles Spa will also be located within the arcade.

“The History Gallery exhibits the hotel’s heritage over the past 130 years, and highlights the role Raffles Singapore played as a landmark in the country, and also in the region,” said the hotel’s general manager, Christian Westbeld “We are confident the local community will enjoy the refreshed facilities within the arcade that would rejuvenate the experiences within our neighbourhood.”

Also getting a refresh are the hotel’s restaurants and bars. While the popular Long Bar, Tiffin Room and Writers Bar will all remain, renovations of the hardware are being done and additional experiences will be introduced. One such example is a new tableside service by chefs at Tiffin Room. Meanwhile afternoon tea will now be served at the new Grand Lobby lounge, and Writers Bar will be expanded into a full lounge.

Finally, the hotel’s Jubilee Hall is being converted into a new 300-guest Jubilee Ballroom, harkening back to the original Jubilee Theatre that was located on the site in the 1930s. Other event spaces are also getting refreshed, and new lighting and audio-visual technology is being added.

“We are pleased to share these updates, designed to keep Raffles Singapore relevant and distinctive to our guests while providing a new level of excitement with sublime experiences,” added Westbeld. “At the same time, careful consideration has been taken to ensure we retain the ambience and what is unique to Raffles Singapore.”

While the renovations have been ongoing since February, Raffles Singapore will fully close in December ahead of its mid-2018 reopening.

Business Traveller had the chance to review the property ahead of its refurbishment plan earlier this year.

[embed]https://www.businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested/hotel-check-raffles-hotel/[/embed]

rafflessingapore.com

Loading comments...

Search Flight

See a whole year of Reward Seat Availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls