Raffles to embark on ambitious restoration programme

Singapore’s iconic hotel Raffles has unveiled plans to undergo sympathetic restoration of its main lobby and some of the hotel suites which is set to commence from January 2017.

© Raffles Hotels and Resorts

Declared a National Monument by the Singapore Government in 1987, Raffles Hotel Singapore is renowned for the invention of the now classic gin cocktail, the Singapore Sling, which is thought to have been created in 1915 by Hainanese bartender, Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar.

At a press conference this week, Raffles’ management team outlined an ambitious restoration programme to update the main hotel building and lobby as well as a proportion of the 103 hotel suites.

The modernisation will be conducted over three phases with phase one due to start in January 2017 with the Raffles Hotel Arcade undergoing restoration works while other areas of the property will operate as normal.

The Arcade contains 40 boutiques, The Ballroom and The Lawn as well as the Long Bar (lovers of the Singapore Sling will be comforted to know that it will still continue to be served at the hotel’s Bar & Billiard Room.)

Phase Two will begin in mid-2017 when restoration efforts will commence on the main hotel building, lobby and some of the hotel suites.

Following that, the hotel will close for the final phase near the end of 2017 before a grand reopening in the second quarter of 2018.

“Raffles Hotel Singapore has always evolved to stay distinctive and relevant, moving with the times and adapting to the changing needs of today’s traveller,” said Diana Banks, vice President of Raffles Brand, Raffles Hotels and Resorts.

“We have a rich and colourful history and are about to begin a new chapter in our ongoing story – a sensitive restoration that will enable us to continue to offer what our guests expect and value.”

Raffles’ last restoration was in 1989 where the property closed for two and a half years until 1991. The luxury hotel has 103 individually designed suites including 84 Courtyard and Palm Court suites, 12 Personality suites, 5 Grand Hotel suites and 2 Presidential Suites.

Singapore architecture and design form, Aedas Singapore will lead the project and has been credited for its work with other restoration ventures, including the London Coliseum and the revamped Mallory Street/Burrows Street in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district.