The iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore will be undergoing a restoration programme from January 2017 over three phases. The heritage hotel has been declared a National Monument by the Singapore government in 1987. Raffles Hotel Singapore features classical architecture with lush tropical gardens. Its last restoration happened from 1989 to 1991 when the hotel was closed for two and a half years.
There are 103 individually designed suites including 84 Courtyard and Palm Court Suites, 12 Personality Suites, 5 Grand Hotel Suites and two Presidential Suites.
Phase One
Beginning in January 2017, the Raffles Hotel Arcade will be closed for restoration work. Other areas of the property will operate as normal. Raffles Hotel Arcade currently houses 40 regional and specialty shops, indoor and outdoor function areas including The Ballroom and The Lawn as well as restaurants and bars.
Phase Two
Beginning in mid 2017, the main hotel building and lobby as well as a portion of the hotel suites will be worked on.
Phase Three
Raffles Hotel Singapore will close for the final phase near the end of 2017 before a grand opening in the second quarter of 2018.
The restoration project will be led by Aedas Singapore, a global architecture and design firm. They have previously worked on the restoration of the London Coliseum and the revitalised Mallory Street/Burrows Street in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. The interiors will be handled by Alexandra Champalimaud who has worked with many high profile luxury hotels around the world such as The Plaza in New York, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, The Dorchester in London and the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
“This restoration is designed to ensure that we retain what is so special about Raffles Hotel Singapore – the ambiance, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. We have always changed and evolved to keep in step with the needs and expectations of our guests – this has been one of the secrets of our success for more than a century. This extraordinary undertaking will also reimagine the facilities, spaces and experiences within the hotel to delight the well-travelled and the community. By introducing new experiences for our guests while respecting the history and heritage of the hotel, we want to ensure that this hotel continues to remain at the epicenter of Singapore’s social and cultural scene,” added Mr. Simon Hirst, General Manager, Raffles Hotel Singapore.
