Raffles Hotel

Built in 1887, Raffles is now a national monument and one of the world's last grand 19th C hotels. A multi-million dollar face-lift has brought back the hotel's colonial charm. Raffles' excellent service and food is framed within a setting of classical architecture and tropical gardens. The celebrated Singapore Sling cocktail was concocted here and is an expensive diversion at this Singapore highlight. Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin were among the hotel's guests.