Raffles Hotel Singapore: history, location and what's nearby

Raffles Hotel Singapore is one of Asia's best-known hotels: a white colonial landmark on Beach Road, on the edge of the city's historic Civic District. Even if you don't stay there, it's worth knowing its story and its setting, because the streets around it hold much of Singapore's history, from colonial churches to the Malay quarter of Kampong Glam. This guide covers what the hotel is, how to reach it and what to see within walking distance.

A short history

The hotel opened in 1887, when the Sarkies brothers, Armenian hoteliers who also ran hotels elsewhere in South-East Asia, turned a seaside bungalow into a small hotel. They named it after Sir Stamford Raffles, the British colonial official who founded modern Singapore in 1819. The grand main building, with its arched verandas and white façade, followed in 1899.

Land reclamation has since moved the shoreline well away from Beach Road, so the hotel no longer looks out over the sea. In 1987 it was declared a national monument, and it has been restored twice since, most recently in a major restoration completed in 2019 that kept its colonial character.

The building, courtyards and the Long Bar

Behind the main façade, the hotel spreads out as a group of low white buildings around shaded verandas and courtyards planted with palms. It's an all-suite hotel, and some areas are reserved for hotel guests, but its arcade of shops, several restaurants and the Long Bar are open to visitors.

The Long Bar is where the Singapore Sling, a gin-based cocktail, was first mixed early in the twentieth century. It's one of the city's best-known bars, and queues are common, so go early in the afternoon or accept a wait. Check the dress code for the hotel's restaurants before you go; smart casual is a safe choice.

Where it is and how to get there

The hotel is at 1 Beach Road, in the city centre, a short walk from City Hall and Esplanade MRT stations. City Hall is on two of the main lines, which makes it easy to reach from most of the city. From Changi Airport, the MRT takes under an hour with one change, and a taxi or ride-hailing car typically takes 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Singapore is hot and humid all year, so walking is best in the morning and after sunset. Many of the sights below are linked by covered walkways, and the malls around City Hall offer a cool shortcut.

The Civic District on your doorstep

The Civic District is Singapore's colonial core, and it begins across the road from the hotel.

• St Andrew's Cathedral: the white Gothic Revival Anglican cathedral, set on a wide lawn, is a short walk south-west.
• National Gallery Singapore: housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, it holds a major collection of Singaporean and South-East Asian art. Allow at least two hours.
• Esplanade: the spiky twin domes of Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay sit on Marina Bay, with a waterfront promenade and free performances on many evenings.
• Fort Canning Park: a green hill with colonial-era history and shady paths, a little further west.

CHIJMES and Kampong Glam

A few minutes' walk from the hotel, CHIJMES is the former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, now a complex of restaurants and bars arranged around a Gothic chapel and courtyards. It's liveliest in the evening.

Further north, about 15–20 minutes on foot, Kampong Glam is the historic Malay and Arab quarter. The golden-domed Sultan Mosque is its centrepiece (visitors are welcome outside prayer times, with shoulders and knees covered), and the surrounding streets, including narrow Haji Lane and Arab Street, are lined with small shops, cafés and textile sellers.

Evenings on the Singapore River

In the evening, walk south to the Singapore River, about 15 minutes away. At Boat Quay, a row of restored shophouses now full of restaurants faces the towers of the financial district across the water. Clarke Quay, upriver, is busier with bars, and river boats run along this stretch. From here the Marina Bay waterfront is also within walking distance.

Who it suits and when to go

Raffles suits travellers who love history, heritage architecture and exploring on foot, and who want a quieter, low-rise setting in the centre rather than a modern tower. For resort-style facilities or a tighter budget, the city has many other options; our guide to where to stay in Singapore compares Marina Bay, the Civic District, Chinatown, Orchard Road and other areas.

Singapore is warm all year, and rain is possible in any month, often as short, heavy afternoon showers. February to April is usually drier than the wetter monsoon months at the end of the year.

Practical booking tips

• Rates at landmark hotels vary widely by season and room type, so compare the full price, including taxes and service charges.
• For the Long Bar or the hotel's restaurants, check current opening hours and whether reservations are taken.
• Pack light, breathable clothing and a layer for air-conditioned interiors, which can be cold.

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Cover photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons