What's it like? This is a modern and luxurious hotel that has won many awards and accolades. After a long flight the lobby felt like a haven of calm and tranquillity, with water features, art and wood giving a modern but relaxed feel.
How many rooms? 769 rooms and suites including 400 premier deluxe rooms and three penthouse suites, which come with unique features such as bars, barbecues, steam rooms and an aquarium.
Where is it? At Raffles City in the heart of Singapore's shopping, business and cultural districts, and about 30 minutes from Changi airport. The Raffles City complex also has shops, restaurants, the Raffles City Convention Centre and sister hotel to Raffles, The Plaza – Swissotel The Stamford.
Room Facilities I was staying in a premier deluxe room, which was fitted out in woods and natural beiges. My room was on the 24th floor (one of the club floors) in the South Tower and was a Raffles Inc executive room. Rooms here are slightly smaller than those in the North Tower but are still large enough and have been more recently refurbished. Mine had a luxurious king-sized bed, a chaise longue, and a large desk with international power sockets and broadband connection, which costs SG$28 (£9) per day.
Rooms have an iron and ironing board, TV, Bose wave sound system, bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, safe, and a bedside control for everything from the air conditioning to the curtains. There are some nice touches such as shoe trees and a refreshment centre/minibar which on Inc floors sees the coffee and tea-making facility replaced by a Lavazza coffee machine. My room also had a small personal balcony. The bathroom was large with glass fixtures, bath and walk-in shower with a large shower head and aromatherapy toiletries from the Raffles Amrita spa.
Staying on the club floor automatically gives you access to the club lounge and other facilities, which include a small gym, use of the on-call valet and the lounge check-in/out. The lounge is open 6am-11pm with breakfast served 6am-10am and a beverage service with snacks available 5pm-8pm. Breakfast changes each day and includes cooked English and Asian dishes, meat and cheese, cereals, fruit, pastries and yoghurt.
Restaurants and Bars Here I felt spoilt for choice with 17 restaurants and bars in addition to those found in the shopping centre. For snacks there is the food court or marketplace in the shopping centre, or Thos SB Raffles for a pastry or sandwich.
For a drink you can visit the Ink club bar, or the City Space on level 70, which plays jazz, or the New Asia bar on levels 71 and 72 for a spectacular view. The cuisines available include French, Asian, Italian and Chinese/Malay.
Business and Meeting Facilities At over 6,500sqm there is certainly no shortage of meeting space. There is a total of 27 meeting rooms that can be divided up to cater for meetings of up to 3,200 people. The business centre is located on the fourth floor in the convention centre with all the usual facilities. My request to courier a document was handled efficiently and I was offered a choice of courier. Wireless internet is available in the lobby.
Leisure facilities The Raffles Amrita Spa is billed as the largest hotel spa in Asia and is renowned for its treatments. It can be busy at peak periods so book early. My treatment of scrub and massage at £35 was excellent and good value. There is also a large fitness centre (open 24 hours), two outdoor pools and six tennis courts.
Price For a midweek November stay, the fully flexible rate for a grand king room was SG$595 (£198) and SG$621 (£207) for a Raffles Inc room. The best internet rate, called "Visa platinum", was SG$343 (£114) and included breakfast.
Verdict Centrally located, this luxury hotel provides excellent service and facilities in a modern, tranquil setting.
Contact Raffles The Plaza, 80 Bras Basah, Singapore, tel +65 6339 7777, singapore-plaza.raffles.com.
Julian Gregory
