Brilliant news today: Raffles Singapore is to undergo a full restoration.
There’s nothing better than a brand spanking new re-furbished luxury hotel, and Raffle’s interiors will be just that in around 20 months.
I visited the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris in July, and was reminded how important a freshen up is for classically elegant five star global hotels.
Raffles is as gracious as they come, but a re-fresh will take it to a whole new level. The restoration project will include the adjoining arcade home to The Long Bar, as well as around 40 retail shops, the hotel rooms, and the lobby.
The interiors will be created by award-winning designer Alexandra Champalimaud who has worked with many luxe hotels including New York’s The Plaza, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, The Dorchester in London and the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Global architectural and design firm Aedas Singapore will lead the project.
Phase one of the restoration will commence in January 2017 and focus on Raffles Arcade, which joins the hotel, and houses 40 shops, outdoor function areas and the ballroom and the lawn.
The iconic Long Bar, home of the world famous Singapore Sling will temporarily close, but the globally recognised drink will still be served at the hotel’s nearby bar/billiard room during the first and second phases. During this part of the renovation, the rest of the hotel will run as normal.
In mid 2017, phase 2 will see the lobby and some of the hotel suites undergo a transformation, and at the end of 2017 the hotel will close, and the rest of the restoration project will be completed. The hotel will then re-open in the second quarter of 2018.
I stayed in Raffles last month, you can read about my experience here:
