Raffles Hotel Singapore, Historic 5-Star Luxury Hotel | 4K Hotel Tour & Vlog

Raffles Hotel Singapore, Historic 5-Star Luxury Hotel | 4K Hotel Tour & Vlog

We’re currently on the road in front of the hotel. Let’s head to the hotel entrance. This is the hotel’s driveway. The hotel is a white colonial-style building, and many passersby were taking photos. The hotel opened in 1887 as a 10-room beach house. It underwent extensive renovations and took on its current form in 1991. I’ll explain the hotel’s history, which spans over 100 years, step by step. This is the main entrance. Entering, we’ll be awed by the luxurious lobby. Look up. A 900kg crystal chandelier catches our eye. The lobby lounges on either side are called The Grand Lobby. I arrived at the hotel around 12 o’clock and had afternoon tea there. This is the afternoon tea venue, but it has a small, intimate feel. Afternoon tea is served from 12:30 to 5:30 PM. Let’s take a look at the menu. Like Raffles Singapore, the ritual of afternoon tea dates back to the 19th century. Raffles Singapore’s founder brought this elegant experience to The Grand Lobby. Raffles Afternoon Tea costs 98 SGD (76.1 USD) per person. Ordering a glass of champagne will cost a little more. Champagne Rosé, 43 SGD (33.4 USD). We can choose tea from here. 10 varieties of tea. A welcome drink. It’s JING black tea from the Chinese brand. Not TWG tea, which is well-known in Singapore. The staff prepares my Moroccan mint tea. The afternoon tea food arrives quickly. The food is served on a three-tiered stand. The first tier is sandwiches. The second tier is sweets. The chef is Chien Lin Tai. The third tier contains cream puffs and cakes. A hourglass. The napkins feature the Raffles Hotel logo. The cutlery is from the English brand Gainsborough. I enjoy Moroccan mint tea. The sandwiches are bite-sized and easy to eat. The sweets are not too large, making them easy to eat. Three types of scones are also served. With butter and jam. They were delicious. The afternoon tea itself wasn’t particularly impressive. It might be nice to enjoy afternoon tea in a historic luxury hotel. The reception is located at the back of the lobby. From here on, only hotel guests are allowed. Reception desk. I’ll sit on this sofa and check in. I fill out a check-in form. I will stay in a suite for 1,673 SGD (excluding tax) per night. There are four elevators at the back, which go from the first to third floors. Let’s head to my suite for the night. Before we head out, let’s take a look at the courtyard next to the lobby. The buildings surrounding this courtyard are called the Palm Court Wing and opened in 1890. Suites in the Palm Court Wing are slightly more expensive. The tables in front of Suites offer a view of the beautiful courtyard. Back in the lobby. One of the hotel’s most beloved antique pieces is the clock in the Grand Lobby. It is believed to predate the hotel’s opening in 1887. The hotel’s history is documented throughout the hotel. The hotel was founded in December 1887 by the Persian-Armenian Sarkis brothers during the British colonial period. In 1987, on its 100th anniversary, the hotel was designated a national monument by the Singapore government. The hotel has hosted important conferences and hosted prominent figures from around the world. We can see a map of the hotel here. This is the first floor map, showing the entrance and lobby. We will walk along this walkway to my suite. Second floor map. Third floor map. As we head to my suite, let’s take a look at some interesting details. This is a walkway open to outside guests. To the left… Over there is the bar and billiard room. Further in, we’ll find the Palm Garden. In the center of the Palm Garden… There is a cast iron fountain, which also has a long history. This fountain was made in Scotland and brought to Singapore in the early 1890s. In 1902, it was moved to Singapore’s Orchard Road market. In the 1930s, it was moved to the Grand Hotel in Katong, later dismantled and forgotten. It was rediscovered in 1989 and completely restored. In 1989, the restored fountain was donated to Raffles Singapore, where it has graced the Palm Garden ever since. It’s a mysterious fountain, with angel and animal monuments. Many tourists were taking photos of the fountain. Going further in. Raffles’ doormen are striking, wearing white turbans and costumes. Raffles’ iconic doorman has welcomed countless guests. He also keeps an eye on others, and in 1904, he slammed a wild boar into the hotel. This gate is only accessible to hotel guests. Use my room key to open it. This is near the area known as the “Courtyard” at the hotel. The hotel has a total of 115 suites. Prices vary depending on location. This suite doesn’t have a great view, so it’s on the cheaper side. My suite category is a Courtyard Suite King. The price is 2,005 SGD (1,557 USD) per night, including tax. Each suite comes with a butler. The butler explain the suite to me. Eight types of chocolates are served as welcome sweets. We can choose six of the eight chocolates. Raffles Hotel Singapore Sling Tea. A teacup by the French brand Legle. A handwritten welcome message. The living and dining room is in the foreground. The bedroom is in the center. The bathroom is in the back. The suite is 624 square feet (58 square meters). Many of the 115 suites have a similar size and layout. There’s a ceiling fan. Dining area. A large sofa. On the side table… A Raffles Singapore ballpoint pen. This tablet is amazing. We can view hotel information and perform various functions. We can also close the curtains by operating the tablet. Regarding the Lunar New Year event, in 2025 it was on January 29th and 30th. By the way, I stayed at the hotel in January 2025. It includes New Year’s greetings and information about experiences at the hotel. Let’s take a look at the living room. There’s a TV from the Dutch brand Philips. A promotional video for Raffles Hotel is playing on the TV. The TV does not have a remote control and can be controlled with the tablet. Raffles Hotels & Resorts was founded in 1989 and is now part of the Accor Group. There are currently 24 Raffles hotels worldwide. The Raffles Doha shown on TV is a luxurious hotel. Let’s take a look at the minibar. In-suite dining menu. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are complimentary. Mineral water from the Swiss brand BE WTR. A Nespresso coffee machine with a subdued greenish color. An electric kettle from the French brand JVD. Fine glasses. Cutlery. Teacups from the French brand Legle with a beautiful white color. Four types of Nespresso coffee capsules. Honey from the French brand Alain Milliat. Raffles Hotel tea. It says the hotel was founded in 1872, and that predates the hotel’s opening. Snacks and granola are complimentary. Napkins and coasters with the Raffles Hotel logo. A bottle opener. Check the drinks in the refrigerator. Famous soft drinks and other items. Drinks from the Singaporean brand Gryphon Tea. Cocktail set. WRITERS BAR is the name of the hotel’s bar. Problems in this suite. If the curtains aren’t closed, the suite is visible from the walkway outside. The light and fan switches are unique. Are they old? This suite was built during a two-year renovation that began in 1989. It then underwent a two-and-a-half-year renovation starting in February 2017 and reopened in August 2019. Therefore, the suite may have both old and new parts. King-size bed. Plush pillows. Bed linens from the Italian luxury brand Frette are used. However, it also says MADE IN INDIA. The mattress is from the British brand Savoir Beds. It’s medium firmness. A stylish accessory tray. There’s also a tablet in the bedroom. There are USB ports and universal power outlets on the bedside table. They were likely added during the two-and-a-half-year renovation that began in February 2017. A table clock from the British brand Oliver Hemming. A reclining chair. Turn this to control the lighting. There are wardrobes on both sides of the TV. The wardrobe has a luxurious red interior. Stylish hangers. Storage shelves and a safe are located under the TV. Another wardrobe. Dry cleaning bags, a shoe horn. A brush. Information about the hotel’s sustainability efforts. A shoe bag. A Raffles Hotel paper bag. Shoe trees. Uniquely patterned slippers. Comfortable material. There is a desk or dressing table next to the bed. We can sit here to work or put on makeup. A makeup mirror with LED lights. There is a hairdryer from the British brand Dyson. There is a bathtub in the center of the bathroom. There are two sinks. A sink from the German brand Doravit. Mouthwash. A beautiful blue color. Soap from the Singaporean brand Omno. Something I don’t recognize. Hand and body lotion from the Singaporean brand Omno. Amenities are stored in a drawer. We’ll look at the dental kit and other items tonight. Raffles Singapore towels. A bathtub pillow. A cool scale. Something like a bath mat is included. Bathrobes with the Raffles Hotel logo. This bathrobe is from the Singaporean brand Ploh. A separate shower room with a rain shower. A beautiful marble shower room. Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner from the Singaporean brand Omno. Bath salts. Soap is also available here. There is only one toilet. It’s a Japanese brand TOTO toilet, but it doesn’t have a washlet function. Let’s take a look at the tables in the hallway. We can also eat there. Let’s take a look at the common areas of the hotel. We’re on the first floor, so we’ll move to the second floor. From here, we can see what’s known as the Courtyard within the hotel. This is a shopping arcade. We can see boutiques of famous luxury watch brands such as Patek Philippe and Rolex. Second floor. There are suites in this hallway as well. It’s a nice place with palm trees and other greenery. The hallway on the second floor is decorated with photos of famous people who have stayed at the hotel in the past. American singer Michael Jackson, 1993. Former US President Bill Clinton, 2005. Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 2005. There are probably about 100 photos. Queen Elizabeth II, 2006. This photo was taken at the time of the 2019 reopening. There are shelves in the hallway. A collection of Peranakan cultural gifts and souvenirs. Items from the Raffles Boutique are also on display. The second floor offers a great view of the Palm Court on the first floor. The only shared facility on the second floor is The Library. It was a bit difficult to find, and I got a little lost. Let’s take a look inside The Library. There are photos and a sofa. Relax on this luxurious sofa. Old photos. British author William Somerset Maugham, February 1950. The Library is small and cozy. Only water and apples are provided. Let’s take a look at another area on the second floor. Below is the grand lobby where I had afternoon tea. From the second floor, we can get a closer look at the crystal chandelier. If this 900kg chandelier were to fall, it could be quite devastating. There’s antique furniture and a grand piano. The view from the window… Facing the driveway. The suites here are priced higher. It really feels like the inside of a luxury hotel. A magnificent staircase. Let’s go to the third floor. What’s the view of the lobby from the third floor? It’s a little different from the previous one. It looks like the chandelier is hanging from here. It’s quite a long wire. Here we see an antique teak chair from the 19th century. Sitting on this chair is prohibited. This hotel opened in 1887, but its roots lie in a privately owned beach house built in the early 1830s. As a result, it apparently contains antique furniture dating back to before 1887. The third floor houses a fitness center and a swimming pool. The gym is open 24 hours a day, and the pool is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Let’s start with the gym. Towels and water are provided for our comfort. Mixed nuts are available. Wellness programs are held daily. The gym is divided into three areas. This area feels like a studio. Further back. There’s a cardio area. Technogym’s latest machines are available. Cable training machine. Workout benches and dumbbells. Training machines. Outside, there’s a pool bar. Further back, there’s a swimming pool. While there’s no accurate information on the pool’s width and length, it’s small. It’s 1.1 meters deep. Many guests are relaxing on sunbeds and sofas by the pool. The pool bar has a casual feel. Back inside. Amenities like hairbrushes and dental kits are provided. There’s a shower, so you can shower immediately after your workout. Next, let’s explore some of the areas we haven’t seen yet on the first floor. This is the Courtyard area near my suite. There’s a boutique for the French luxury jewelry brand, Van Cleef & Arpels. This area is open to outside guests. There’s an outdoor bar and lounge in the Courtyard. Enjoy Singaporean and other Southeast Asian small plates and alcoholic drinks. There’s also a Singapore coffee shop and cafe. Take a stroll around the hotel and the shopping arcade. That’s the JW Marriott Hotel over there. We’ll walk clockwise around the hotel. This is where we walked at the beginning of the video. Next to it is a shopping mall called Raffles City. It’s a five-story shopping mall with 200 shops and restaurants. There’s a bus stop on this road. Outside guests may come here by bus. If we walk straight, we’ll see the Raffles Shopping Arcade. A little further, we’ll see a popular area of Raffles Singapore. This is where we’ll find the bar where the Singapore Sling, Singapore’s original cocktail, was born. The bar’s name is Long Bar. In the 1900s, it was considered unacceptable for women to drink alcohol in public. It’s said that a cocktail resembling fruit juice was created so that women could enjoy it. The bar is open from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM or 11:30 PM. The history of the Singapore Sling is written here. As mentioned several times, 1887 is the year Raffles Hotel opened. The Singapore Sling is said to have been created by the head bartender of the Long Bar in 1915. It covers the period from the 1960s to 2018. The current Long Bar is a restored version. It includes information on various cocktails. The Singapore Sling also had a positive impact on environmental sustainability. Climbing the stairs, we’ll see the bar entrance. The bar is popular during the day and is often full. I visited when there were seats available. The two-story bar features a rich, rustic interior. There is a bar counter and table seating. Of course, I ordered a Singapore Sling. It cost 41 SGD (31.9 USD). There are other cocktails called Slings. Glasses and menus can be taken home for an additional fee. Other cocktails. Beer and wines. Shelled peanuts are served in a burlap bag. Peanuts are all-you-can-eat. The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail with cherry brandy, pineapple juice, lime juice, and other ingredients. This cocktail is fruity and easy to drink. At the Long Bar, it’s traditional to throw peanut shells on the floor after eating. So, I decided to throw my peanut shells on the floor. This Long Bar is definitely worth a visit. Let’s continue walking through the shopping arcade. We can see the entrance to Raffles City across the street. Raffles City has 10,000 reviews on Google and is a fairly popular shopping mall. Further ahead are various shops, restaurants, spa, and more. There are the Patek Philippe and Rolex boutiques we saw a while ago. There’s also a Hublot boutique. There’s a taxi stand here. This is just opposite the hotel entrance. Around here is one of the must-see places at Raffles Singapore. The Raffles Boutique. It was originally called the Raffles Gift Shop. The boutique is open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Let’s take a look at the products. Singapore Sling canned cocktail. Singapore Sling glasses. Mr. Peanut cups. Raffles Hotel cups. Raffles Doorman cups. The boutique displays the history of Raffles Hotel. It originally began as a privately owned beach house built in the early 1830s. It opened as a 10-room hotel in 1887. In 1890, the hotel expanded to include the Garden Wing and Palm Court Wing. Further expansions were implemented. The current main building was designed in 1897. The hotel’s current form was achieved after a two-year restoration beginning in 1989. The main building has been reconstructed to look as it did in 1897. The boutique offers a wide selection of merchandise. Stuffed toys and hats. Hats with the hotel’s main building on them. Bathrobes are different from those in the suite. Amenity pouches. Luggage tags. It’s amazing that a single hotel offers so many merchandise. The hotel itself has become a popular tourist destination, attracting many visitors. There’s a semi-outdoor bar. Near the boutique is the Raffles Spa,. It also includes treatments room and a sauna. Continue walking through the shopping arcade. We’ll find a variety of brand-name shops. Nearby is the Mint Museum of Toys. There are over 50,000 vintage toys on display. The parking lot entrance is there. There are local bars, cafes, and restaurants. I walked three-quarters of the way around the hotel. One-quarter left. There’s a GoFit gym. There’s a bus stop here, too. There’s nothing particularly special about this road. I was tired after walking around the hotel. I’d like to return to my suite and rest. The non-alcoholic drinks in the refrigerator are free. So, I’ll have a Coca-Cola. I also try the welcome chocolate. The room temperature can also be adjusted with the tablet. It’s a convenient tablet. I’m torn between Indian and Chinese food for dinner, but… I decide to go to the Chinese restaurant “藝 yì by Jereme Leung.” It’s located on the third floor of the shopping arcade. There’s an escalator inside the arcade. I go from the first floor to the third floor. The third floor of the shopping arcade. The Jubilee Hall and ballroom are located on the third floor. This Jubilee Hall also has a history. A view of the road from the third floor. Apparently, this Jubilee Hall used to be the site of a theater. There’s a Chinese restaurant near Jubilee Hall. It’s called 藝 yì by Jereme Leung. 藝(yì) is the name of the restaurant. Jereme Leung is the name of the chef. It’s an award-winning restaurant. The entrance is gorgeous. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful. I was able to enter the restaurant without a reservation. I sat down. Let’s take a look at the menu. Everything is a la carte. First, the wine list. Famous bottled champagne. Wine by the glass. There isn’t a particularly wide selection. Cocktails, mocktails, Chinese tea, etc. “藝 Yi” is the Chinese word for art. Chef’s recommended drinking snacks. Cold appetizers. Barbecue creations. Soup and consommé. Classic delicacies. Poultry and meat. Seafood. Live seafood. Vegetables and tofu. Rice and noodles. Dessert. Champagne, Billecart-Salmon, 38 SGD (29.5 USD). Half Peking duck, 68 SGD (52.8 USD). Peking duck is cooked right in front of me. Chinese tea, 8 SGD (6.2 USD). Peking duck sauce, carrot, white onion, cucumber. Kao Ya Bing (thin steamed pancakes) that wraps the Peking duck. Half Peking duck. The portion is too much for one person. The Peking duck meat is left in, not just the skin. Hot & Sour Soup, 32 SGD (24.9 USD). Sour and spicy soup. Strange taste. Taiwanese-style beef noodles, 28 SGD (21.8 USD). Delicious Chinese food. However, it was disappointing that there were no gyoza, shumai, or xiaolongbao on the dinner menu. There is a Patek Philippe watch at the taxi stand. We will walk around the hotel and return to my suite. The temperature at night is just under 30 degrees, making it comfortable for walking. There are more tourists during the day than at night. The Fairmont Hotel is next door. This is where the video begins. We head to the hotel entrance. There’s a cool Rolls-Royce Phantom parked there. I think it’s a hotel shuttle. The exterior of the hotel’s main building at night. It’s shining white. We head to the Grand Lobby. The Grand Lobby is quiet at night. The crystal chandelier at night. The chandelier is beautiful even at night. It’s large when we look at it up close. The Palm Court at night. The courtyard at night. It’s quiet in front of my suite. I return to my suite. I must have accidentally pressed the Do Not Disturb button. Because I had pressed the DND button, there was no turndown service. I close the curtains myself. I place water and slippers by my bedside. I don’t really like the position or design of the bathtub. I add some bath salts. Toothbrush and hairbrush are wooden. Cotton set. The shower water pressure is normal and not a problem. The shower room is nice. The Wi-Fi speed was fast, at 91Mbps. Getting ready for bed. The next morning. Good morning. Breakfast at the Tiffin Room, located next to the Grand Lobby. This is the Grand Lobby where I was during afternoon tea. The Tiffin Room operates as an Indian restaurant during the day and night. From 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM, a buffet and a la carte menu are available. Cereal, yogurt, salmon, waffle, pancake, and more. Signature specialties. Egg dishes. Healthy breakfast. Asian delight. A wide variety of a la carte items. Beverages. Green apple juice. Raffles Hotel chamomile tea. Let’s take a look at the buffet. Muesli, berries, dried fruit, nuts. Cereals. Fresh fruits. Milk. Next. Various salads. Baguettes, etc. Salads here too. Carpaccio, salmon, etc. Pastries. Freshly baked. A wide variety. Looks delicious. Cold cuts. Cheese selection. Wellness breakfast. Salami, prosciutto, salads, etc. A wide selection of cold foods. Fresh juices. Yogurt, acai bowls, etc. A hearty breakfast. Singapore laksa. Raffles Signature Omelette. Dim sum selection. Spring rolls included in the dim sum selection. Yogurt, pastries, and fresh fruit from the buffet. Nasi Goreng. I like the extensive a la carte Southeast Asian menu. Laksa for breakfast. The omelette included coriander, cheese, onion, chili pepper, and tomato. I missed out on shumai last night, so I was happy to have it this morning. It was a very satisfying breakfast. Other options include continental and American breakfasts. English breakfast. Healthy breakfast. Japanese breakfast. Dim sum breakfast. Champagne breakfast. Apparently there’s a fire drill. I grab a drink from the refrigerator. It’s a fire drill, but it makes a loud noise, so it’s quite a shock. Check-out is at 12:00. I head to reception. The staff helped me with my luggage. I received a souvenir upon check-out. I received a Raffles Hotel Singapore sticker. The Raffles doorman. He helped me with my luggage upon arrival and departure. I take a taxi to the airport. Raffles opened a new hotel in Sentosa, Singapore in March 2025. I’d love to go there too. Thank you for watching.

Today, we’ll be staying at Raffles Hotel Singapore, a historic 5-star luxury hotel.

■Hotel Information
Hotel Name: Raffles Singapore
Address: 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673
Opened: December 1887
Number of Rooms: 115 Suites
Date of Stay: January 2025
Room: Courtyard Suite King
Price: S$2,005.93 SGD / $1,557.76 USD
Official Website: https://www.raffles.com/singapore/

Raffles Singapore is a historic luxury hotel located at 1 Beach Road, Singapore. It was founded in December 1887 during the British colonial period by the Sarkies Brothers, Persian-Armenian hoteliers.

When it opened on December 1, 1887, the hotel had just 10 rooms and was called the Beach House because of its proximity to the beach. Its proximity to the beach and reputation for its high level of service and accommodations made it popular with the wealthy. The hotel continued to expand, adding buildings, facilities, and rooms.

On February 15, 1942, when the Japanese occupation of Singapore began, the hotel was requisitioned by the Japanese military and used as accommodation for army officers. During World War II, it was called the Shonan Ryokan.

In 1945, the hotel was recaptured by the Royal Navy during Operation Tiderace. Shortly after the end of World War II in August 1945, it was briefly used as a British military barracks and a temporary prisoner of war camp.

In 1946, it reopened as a hotel.

In 1987, Raffles Hotel was designated a national monument by the Singaporean government.

In 1989, the hotel closed for a two-year, extensive renovation, costing $160 million. The hotel reopened on September 16, 1991. It was restored to its 1915 splendor, but significant changes were also made, and all rooms were converted into suites.

The hotel is named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British statesman and founder of modern Singapore.

It is the flagship hotel of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and is now managed by AccorHotels after Accor’s acquisition of FRHI Hotels & Resorts. The hotel is owned by Katara Hospitality, a Qatar-based state-owned company.

■Table of Contents
00:00 Intro
00:45 Entrance/Lobby
02:12 Afternoon Tea
05:18 Check-in
06:08 Walk from Lobby to My Suite
10:10 Suite Tour (Courtyard Suite King)
21:25 2nd Floor (Library, etc.)
24:56 3rd Floor (Gym, Pool, etc.)
28:14 Courtyard
30:06 Drinking a Singapore Sling at LONG BAR
33:37 Shopping Arcade and Raffles Boutique
39:07 Chinese Dinner at 藝 yì by Jereme Leung
44:25 Night scene
48:03 Breakfast at Tiffin Room
54:09 Check-out

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