Is Raffles Hotel Singapore Worth It? A 2026 Luxury Stay Review

Photography & Words by Global Explorer

ⓒ 2026. All rights reserved

If someone were to ask me,

"What is the absolute most luxurious hotel in Singapore?"

I could answer without a single second of hesitation.

"Raffles Singapore!"

​

As a national treasure of Singapore, Raffles isn't just about

profound historical significance;

it offers a legendary butler service that goes far beyond imagination.

Among Singapore's luxury hotels, it truly is in a league of its own.

​

If you're hesitating to book because of the hefty price tag,

I hope my full review of this iconic property helps you decide! 🎶

​

RAFFLES Hotels & Resort

​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stay: 05/31/2026 - 06/01/2026 (1 Night)

Room Type: Courtyard Suites

Check-in: 3:00pm

Check-out: 12:00pm

​

Location

1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673

📍 Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673

​

Steeped in tradition and history, Raffles

is perfectly situated in the heart of Singapore,

making it an incredibly convenient base for exploring the city.

​

​

​

Not only is it right next to the City Hall MRT station and major shopping malls,

but iconic landmarks like the Esplanade and the Merlion statue

are well within walking distance.

It's incredibly easy to stroll to nearby attractions during your stay.

​

​

A National Monument with Deep Roots

The reason this place stands as Singapore's unrivaled heritage resort

is because it's named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore.

It is a highly symbolic landmark where the nation's history breathes.

​

​

Originally a privately owned beach house, Raffles Singapore

officially opened its doors as a luxury hotel in 1887.

​

​

The property endured the turbulence of World War II,

briefly falling under Japanese occupation.

Tragically, much of the facility was destroyed by grenades just before the British reclaimed the city.

However, the damaged buildings were meticulously and perfectly restored to their former glory,

a massive architectural feat that preserved its colonial charm 👍

​

It's truly a masterpiece of historical preservation💚

​

Checking In: The Singapore Luxury Hotel Experience

My heart was racing as I finally arrived at this bucket-list hotel! 💕

​

​

Greeted by the iconic, impeccably dressed Sikh doormen—who are celebrities in their own right—

I made my way inside the grand building to check in.

​

​

Keep in mind, the main interior of the building is strictly reserved for guests.

*Unless you have a dining reservation at one of the lobby restaurants.

​

​

The lobby exudes an air of timeless elegance with its dazzling chandelier.

Thanks to the massive windows, the space is flooded with gorgeous natural light during the day 💚

​

​

Check-in is handled comfortably from plush sofas tucked away in the lobby.

I had originally booked a standard room,

but I was incredibly lucky to receive a double upgrade

scoring a gorgeous Courtyard Suite! 💚

​

​

Every pathway leading to the guest rooms

is surrounded by lush, vibrant tropical greenery.

​

​

A quick tip: the layout is a bit of a labyrinth.

Unless you want to get lost four times a day like I did, try to memorize your route! 😂

The staff kept having to rescue me and point me in the right direction lol.

​

​

This is the Courtyard Suite, boasting a beautiful garden view right out front.

Let's take a look inside!

​

True to its suite classification, the living room and bedroom are distinct, separated spaces.

​

​

On the tea table in front of the sofa,

a lovely welcome dessert and a personalized card were waiting for me 💚

​

​

And sitting gracefully on one side of the living room is the famous

Raffles Hermès Minibar & Fridge!!!

​

​

Every drawer is stocked with premium coffee capsules,

gourmet snacks, and beverages.

The best part? Everything in here is completely complimentary, so snack away!

Yes... I'm still sad I couldn't finish it all before leaving....😥

​

Past the living room is the serene bedroom.

Furnished simply with a massive, cloud-like bed, a TV, and a writing desk,

it felt incredibly clean, spacious, and relaxing.

​

​

The striking bathroom, featuring a grand soaking tub right in the center,

was immaculately finished in pristine white marble.

​

​

With the bathtub as the centerpiece, dual vanities sit on one side,

while a separate water closet and walk-in shower are located on the other.

​

​

High-end amenities like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are perfectly placed,

and extra toiletries are neatly tucked away in the vanity drawers.

​

​

Raffles Hotel Singapore Price

As one of the world's premier luxury hotels,

the pricing is just as exclusive as the property itself.

For my stay, I paid ~$1,538 per night.

​

​

Yes... it's expensive... that's just the reality of this place...

However, I booked through the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program to get extra perks,

which generally means paying a slightly higher rack rate.

​

​

While the baseline price is undoubtedly high,

if you are flexible and choose your dates wisely, you can sometimes snag a room for around ~$769.

Plan ahead to lock in a more affordable rate!

​

▶ Book Raffles Hotel Singapore ◀

​

​

Legendary Butler Service

One of the main reasons travelers justify the incredible price tag

is the hotel's "unrivaled butler service."

​

​

I've experienced butler service at many high-end resorts around the world,

but I have never encountered anything as deeply thoughtful as the team here.

This might be the only place that truly understands the definition of "Butler Service."

It was that impressive...

​

​

I had requested a bubble bath to be drawn.

My butler perfectly calculated the time I would be out at the Long Bar,

ensuring the water temperature remained perfectly hot for my return. That level of intuition is mind-blowing! 💚

​

​

​

The weather the next day wasn't great,

so I decided to linger at the hotel after checking out until it was time to head to the airport.

The staff proactively set up a private workspace for me in the library

so I could relax and catch up on work comfortably until the very end.

​

​

World-Class Amenities

"From the suites to the butler service,"

there isn't a single flaw in this Singapore hotel.

But another huge draw is that the property is packed

with extraordinary, world-renowned amenities.

​

​

The most famous, of course, is the Long Bar.

It is the birthplace of the original "Singapore Sling,"

the iconic cocktail you absolutely must try when visiting the city.

​

​

You can actually order a Sling as your welcome drink upon arrival,

but I opted for a non-alcoholic welcome beverage instead

so I could experience the real deal by visiting the Long Bar in person that evening.

​

Reflecting its British colonial past,

Singapore is also famous for its Afternoon Tea culture.

​

​

The Afternoon Tea at Raffles is legendary,

and many travelers visit the hotel solely for this decadent experience.

​

​

​

I found out about this a bit too late and couldn't secure a reservation,

but judging by the sheer quality of the breakfast spread, I can only imagine how incredible it is.

I'm definitely booking it well in advance next time! 😥

​

The Raffles Boutique is another must-visit.

You can purchase an array of high-end souvenirs.

From pre-mixed mini Slings to exclusive Raffles collaboration cookies and teas,

it's so popular that even non-guests flock here just to buy gifts.

​

​

*There's still so much more to share about Raffles,

from the stunning pool to the Long Bar and the breakfast spread,

but I'll cover all of those details in a separate, dedicated post!

​

​

Final Verdict: Pros & Cons

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

​

The Pros

✔ Every single room is an expansive suite

✔ A genuinely incomparable, intuitive butler service

✔ Top-tier F&B options, including the Long Bar and Afternoon Tea

✔ So many on-site amenities you never actually need to leave the hotel

​

The Cons

✔ The only real downside = The Price

* If I had to nitpick, it feels more tailored to

couples and honeymooners rather than families with young kids.

​

Some people might say, "Spending that much money on a single night is a waste,"

but my perspective is completely different.

​

​

This isn't just an expensive 5-star hotel.

It is a property overflowing with historical and cultural significance,

making a stay here an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

​

In fact, despite spending over ~$1,500 for one night,

I didn't feel even 0.1% of regret.

If I ever return to Singapore, I would choose Raffles again in a heartbeat.

If you ever get the chance, I highly, highly recommend staying here.

​

▶ Book Raffles Hotel Singapore ◀

Agoda Official Site | Free Cancellation & Special Discounts | Over 2 Million Properties