Singapore's Raffles Hotel: An Icon Reborn | Part 2 | Full Episode

What does it take to restore a 132-year-old heritage hotel? Hard work, plenty of surprises and a 9-month delay. This is an exclusive look at Raffles Hotel's first major overhaul in 30 years.
Filmed over 2 years, this documentary goes past the hoardings to show the sheer magnitude, unanticipated obstacles, and careful deliberation needed in restoring the Raffles Hotel. We catch up with well-loved characters from the previous episode - Bernd, the hands-on front office manager turned director of rooms; Kaeley, the affable and newly-minted executive housekeeper; and the sweet and unexpected friendship between long-time guest, Mdm Schoof, and duty manager, Roslee. We also get introduced to some new characters - Grace, the head butler in charge of steering a new team of Raffles butlers; and Kevin, the handsome chef de cuisine representing Anne-Sophie Pic, a chef with 7 Michelin stars to her name.
Miss Part 1? Watch it here: • Singapore's Raffles Ho...
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[@bernadettec6386]

In 1961 I had the pleasure of having afternoon tea at Raffles with my late Mum. I was 18 , I am now 77. It still has a magic that is unique.

[@djungelskog3434]

honestly, i'll probably never be able to afford going to such a luxurious hotel but it's nice to see people passionate about their job and working together as a family rather than just for the sake of keeping the hotel going. we need more people like them, these guys are unsung heroes.

[@henriquemallmannbuneker1273]

This was a project to destroy a beautiful hotel. The new interior decoration is in bad taste. I would love to stay at the old hotel. Hotels like this new, are everywhere, like the old are not! I am extremely sad for what they have done!

[@RAM-km8bx]

Well nothing lasts forever It's over 130 years old Technically the british people who did the engineering on this are not even alive anymore They have to change it for safety reasons. If it collapses on the people living in their would be disastrous Yes sad for us Singaporeans but we must accept that it's too old and we have to preserve what we can to honour sir Stamford raffles.

[@missinterpreted4923]

I think that the attitude of designers and architects today is that anything representing colonialism is just not acceptable in these times of PC culture - I'm surprised it was not bulldozed - yes, very sad. But I love Singapore and I love Raffles - it is what it is.

[@salemalisalee]

god damn , should've kept the light fixtures and fans in the lobby .

[@marianjeffrey8684]

I did love the old Raffles, but it has been 40 years. Last year it was closed when I was there. Seeing this you realize it did need renovations. The humidity of Singapore had affected the walls and to save old buildings you need to do this. People will still love this hotel, it's the staff who also make your stay special at any hotel. The staff look so friendly. Love it.

[@ed4all33]

Stayed at raffles over 20 years ago. Agreed the renovation is beautiful, and the rooms needed upgrades , but now it is not unique . It lacks what raffles was always known for ...the iconic old world charm , the rattan , the antique art and carpets , the old world chandeliers and those wonderful rose gold fans . Those are few of the things people checked in there for . The designers just lost the plot ...now it looks like so many other hotels . Sighhhh. Excellent well made documentary.

[@lopamudraray4571]

I agree with you.

[@hillarylinton5655]

Yes destroying that wonderful marble floor was criminal. They could have fixed the age/humidity etc related structural problems while retaining the original and unique charm. Now it's just like any other luxury hotel. Sad.

[@joelebosi6168]

not a fan of the new carpets and new lightings in the room, but awesome video production nonetheless, keep up the good work CNA!

[@manhtungnguyen5387]

I hate the new carpet/rug too. Low-end products compared to the previous ones.

[@KATTUNmainichi]

The old decor seems much more charming than the tacky new stuff

[@angelhighlight5154]

Big lie You can give that opinion because they didn’t even show much of the old decor

[@thomaselliott573]

@@angelhighlight5154 Big tool head speaking

[@12dougreed]

@@angelhighlight5154 they have lost the colonial charm

[@junkdna9093]

well before was much more classy ... i dont like the new face .

[@TelmenTelebe]

All that work and then covid hits world. Talk of a bad timing

[@saranonymous91]

How lovely is Roslee? You can tell how much he loves this hotel. What a gem.

[@12dougreed]

Sacrilege . Wow I must say it goes together with that other bit of kitch they built in Singapore. Now just trying to remember the name !! AHH yes I got it Marina Bay Sands . The first time I set foot in raffles was in 1964 , and seen many upgrades But this time they managed to engineer the Whole feeling and ambiance out of the most Famous hotel in this part of South East Asia.

[@iggybarrato9009]

You cannot buy class at any price. It needed a upgrade, instead they threw the baby out with the bath water. Unique character gone for ever.

[@youngbai7784]

After the renovation, this hotel has lost its tropical (colonial) vibes: sky-high-areca trees, timber decors, ceiling fans...The new decor is not distinguishable from other hotels...What a shame!

[@Mag-bj7qt]

Yea.. totally agree. I understand old historic building needs to be repair but I prefer the old decor before the renovation.

[@dawnadriennetaylor970]

I recall drinking Singapore Slings whilst seated in a high-backed ratton and reed peackock chair in the 1970s. Looks ghastly now.

[@shopgirl6183]

Colonial and tropical are not to be used synonymously. Both are different styles in design. What are you talking about? Also, the hotel still retains a lot of its old chairs (seem to be reupholstered) and some wooden furniture. Even the original timber stairs are restored. Any trees taken down in Singapore needs to be approved by NEA. The palm trees are still there. The ceiling fans in Tiffin Room is gone because the whole area is with AC and the fans are no longer needed. Simple. It's a shame people who have not been to the restored hotel always like to complain.

[@MayimHastings]

I agree! It's beautiful, but it's too stark. It's lacking the warmth of the old place and they really should have stayed, at least somewhat, with that old style. The upgrades are awesome, though, and the landscaping was beautiful.

[@MayimHastings]

@@shopgirl6183lol i think you are overreacting a bit

[@teslanomics01ph82]

They removed the old chandeliers in the lobby :( :(

[@zhibinliu7263]

Much of the old charm is missing

[@ryujinxyyeji]

I honestly really hoped that Raffles hotel would be restored and not renovated since there’s not that many hotels that aren’t modernised anymore

[@nulnoh219]

38:38. I though i'll never hear a French chef say "too much butter" in my life.

[@ahliang]

I would never imagine to hear a French Chef speaking Singlish too.

[@Blockdigit]

I guess that's why she's a world renowned 7 Michelin star chef.

[@joelebosi6168]

as bocuse would say "plus de beurre....de beurre!"

[@sfdave65]

julia child would be rolling in her grave :)

[@okbutthenagain.9402]

They killed Raffles with the obscene redevelopment and tacky decor!

[@vinny4149]

Whoever was in charge of the marketing and interior design should be thrown in a river never to be heard from again. You guys took out quality, hand made, early 18th century furniture and fixtures and replaced everything with IKEA like products. Idiots.

[@yengsabio5315]

Hahaha! I somewhat sense your irritation even here! I concur with you though. It took some "class" off & out of the beautiful old look of the interior.

[@ronalddenava5566]

Vinny very true! The essence of its historical value is gone

[@Mag-bj7qt]

Yo friend! Did u read my mind? You speak my mind! Lol

[@ronny5661]

It would have been nice if they had acknowledged the hard work that had been put in by all the trades people who made it possible.

[@yahyahussein425]

Yes Mr. Bluecollar Embittered Man, they did. What were you watching?

[@TheFiown]

I had always dreamnt of staying there , another dream crushed, it now just looks like so many other hotels ,,,

[@gwl5796]

Gorgeous..would love to stay there one of these days. I don't think the pre-renovation was that bad, but the new version will hopefully last a long time. The attention to detail is world class.

[@BernalAzul]

This is happening all over the World, First class hotels, with luxurious high taste, being turned into tacky lux. So sad!

[@dcoleman4444]

I'm crying. They ruined that beautiful hotel. WHY do they have to ruin everything and make it "modern?" Crying.

[@dcoleman4444]

@TDAKS exactly. People has lost appreciation for anything of value.

[@antr7493]

well it's about them bringing new people in. They don't care about the old ones. Just like the movies

[@ladyofhalos]

@@antr7493 yall are dramatic damn

[@jamesclendon4811]

I'm sure the new furniture and decor weren't cheap, as some posters suggest. And "bad taste" is so subjective (and pretentious) as to be meaningless as a criticism. Any comparisons to IKEA are just foolish. BUT...I think in trying to be modern, the designers have gone for a design that is going to look very dated very quickly. I doubt they will be able to go another thirty years before they have to renovate again. The new look is very of-the-moment. I think they'd have been better off to stick with "timeless."

[@rachelgallo7913]

James Clendon The layout and everything is good though I feel, and it’s a lot easier and quicker to do a re-furb which can even be done bit by bit. So personally I think it’ll be aright for awhile now especially considering they fixed all the damp etc that would’ve made huge decay and issues in the future if it wasn’t discovered now.

[@u235u235u235]

so they'll do another restore in 30 year. Not the end of the world.

[@thomaselliott573]

you really are an idiot

[@shopgirl6183]

Actually, the designer is Alexandra Champalimaud, who specifically designed in mind to pay homage and respect to Raffles Hotel's history and they even introduced some Peranakan elements, that are especially unique to Singapore/Malaysia/Straits Chinese. The black and white colonial style of the lobby is very timeless, and it will stay in style for a very very very long time to come, from a designer's perspective. Some of the more avant-garde lamps at the restaurants may be a tad too modern, but I trust they work for the restaurants' theme and style, and the restaurants may go through rotation regardless. I would suggest to just Google photos to look at the entire restoration or view the hotel in person before commenting.

[@TheMrFabian1]

So glad I could see the hotel before the renovation in 2016. Love from Germany!

[@robertyates151]

The charm and magic of the old hotel....so sad to see it gone!

[@SandraNelson063]

They discovered that the outer shell was crumbling. That's MUCH more serious than a simple slap up reno. That's heart attack time. The truth is, it isn't the building that makes the hotel a 5 star. It's the STAFF!!!!!

[@xavier._.157]

Everyone's saying that they prefer the old look but honestly the new modern look looks great 👍

[@jackiemarshall3711]

I like it better the way it was. Everyone wants to update everything. Somethings need to stay iconic and timeless. This was definitely a renovation with restoring the walls.

[@manogh5844]

You allowed us to live the journey ... What a great documentary thumbs Up

[@iristhehooman]

32:39 the balloon dropped! :o

[@etiennesteyn8912]

Such emphasis is made about the fact that the smallest detail is looked at, but the new chandelier in the foyer has one light that is not working!

[@ellamayy2k]

I have only just come across this and the hotel is beautiful but in honesty the best thing about a successful hotel is its wonderful staff..their attention to detail and care they gave every person who walked through the doors was so wonderful to watch especially their lady who would stay 4 times a week saying welcome home to her and making her feel part of their family. This kind of attention is what stays with their guests forever ...well done team absolutely amazing people xx

[@CDGMR1]

What a ripoff the presidential suite bedroom - my shower seems bigger than that room.

[@shannonmerrill7148]

I have watched a lot of these famous fancy hotels but this one is just gorgeous but the staff are just lovely and really care!💘

[@HuiChyr]

They should end with the cliche of comparing the before and after the restoration shots. Cliche is sometimes good.

[@ciaogiuditta]

there is so many negative comments on the change :-( we should be more accepting and appreciative of the new Raffles as we move forward into the 21st century. the charm and passion of Raffles IS still there, it is just new and different and we need some time to adjust to. i miss the keys though and i cant wait for this year's christmas tree when I come back to Singapore later during the year

[@hqi1321]

Man, if you paid attention they reopened towards the end of summer, 2019 I think - right in time for COVID to start ramping up. I hope they didn't lose too much business / clients / staff.

[@davidcks]

Thank you CNA!! missed it on TV...

[@MrBoliao98]

A bit too minimalist with the lack of detail, but still quite tasteful, and classy

[@polyannamoonbeam]

Beautiful :) I think they did manage to preserve the old world charm but in a glistening new shell . A refined homage to the original design sensibility:)

[@azharidris7092]

its completely too modern.. bring back the slow whirling ceiling fans.. and where's the famous tiffin room..

[@tavishmacintaggart4442]

I understand they wanted modernised, but instead of rivaling or perhaps exceeding the colonial splendor of the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, they wound up with something closer to the Oberoi. Not a disaster by any means, but they could have done better. What does look horrendous is that chandelier in the Grand Lobby.

[@nepaliisheaven5903]

Old is gold......

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

So you're proud of destroying Singapore's heritage? You literally gutted everything that makes Raffles a special and unique place and replaced it with something that you could find anywhere? This is a shameful destruction of a historical piece. Stayed there before, won't be staying there in the future. What's the point of paying more for the same generic decor?

[@Mag-bj7qt]

Well, if your are looking for something similar you can always visit Malaysia's Mejistic hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Eastern and oriental hotel in Penang.. But Singapore,not anymore. Sad.

[@shopgirl6183]

What heritage? Colonial heritage from the Brits? That's Singaporean? The restored hotel looks good and they've preserved a lot of it with some much-needed upgrades. The old hotel was falling apart. The current update is not for you, so don't stay. Who cares. Lol.

[@cliffhorman6846]

Absolutely beautiful presented. It actually bought tears to my eyes. Especially the devoted staff.

[@JoergDavid]

Such a building has to be treated like an oldtimer. ...Or do you put LED bulbs in your 1921 Bugatti because it's more modern? This is not a "renovation" but a total change from the atmosphere of an icon.

[@Marlon-sw4nw]

Bern looks like Nick Carter of the back street boys : )

[@ronalddenava5566]

Change is good. But in IMHO the restoration is absurd. It doesn’t have the same ambience. I prefer the old, antiques and classy Raffles. 😏

[@modfus]

I agree with you, some of the charm has been lost; but this is what the 5-star traveler is demanding today. Raffles must meet the demands of the market.

[@WraithChick22]

I love Roslee. He's such a sweetheart. I'd love to work with him 🙂

[@hillarylinton5655]

He looks a bit like Mr Bean!

[@wasiliidm7529]

Yes it was much nicer before the restauration. The modern furniture does not fit in this hotel. They should learn from Russia, they restored all hotels as it was in the Imperial time!!. They just spoiled the good old Raffles, which I knoww before they ruined it.

[@Dakshmarwah]

Ruined an iconic hotel. The hideous light fixtures and that gaudy chandelier in the lobby show what a terrible job the designer did.

[@hispid1]

what a stuff up - who the hell thought that was a good idea.

[@genxx2724]

How sad. I preferred the original style, although it looked like some of the chairs needed to be reupholstered. I detest orange and the dull beige they used for some of the furniture. A lot of the flooring and wall units were just too dark and stark, and the lobby was blindingly white.

[@81jeremylbradley]

No to the peanuts 🥜 on the floors.

[@lauriebane9825]

We stayed here in 1983, I wished I took more photos of the inside, lots of the garden & my daughter in the pool

[@JamesWyattVW]

I stayed recently - the update is fantastic. But most importantly the staff are the best rained in the World. Didn't find the bed too comfy though!

[@katalinrobin6222]

who is this Madame Schuff (or whatever is her name's spelling. she is German.

[@Angelfeather100]

Interesting. I would have liked though to see more of the interiors of the renovated hotel and less of the staff. I have been to this iconic hotel in the past and I agree that it was time for a thorough check up of its structure considering the unforgiving humid climate of Singapore. I think the new decoration respects the historic character of this iconic building and nothing over the top was forced upon it. Raffles is now updated to the requirements of a 5 stars hotel. Well done.

[@michaelhoran407]

I would not even visit Singapore after they destroyed the hotel’s 100 years old palm trees. What an illiterate government they have.

[@mysticpizza02]

Bravo to those workmen what a job!

[@jetset4me1]

I am glad I got to see the restoration and when it was completed. The temporary place to have a Singapore Sling on Seay could not replace the Long Bar. I was so happy to enjoy at the Long Bar when it reopened.

[@teddyli4763]

Rude french chef yeah

[@manolingz]

I wonder how Raffles fared during the pandemic. The hospitality business all over Asia was viciously affected by the virus!

[@sng1867]

I would stay in this hotel over Marina Bay Sands

[@gloriakubick1337]

One of my closest friends met her future husband there 39 years ago.

[@sayme3236]

Stayed there before 2019, love it especially the verandah area. I really like sitting outside the room in the morning enjoying a cup of hot coffee. Simple pleasure but a memorable one. I would love to go back there again.

[@keiga4370]

Unremarkable renovation without character, a big miss.

[@benediktmorak4409]

Kitchen Staff with the silly white latex gloves. But no headgear... A few things you seem to have forgotten completely. 2 episodes sound more like -Houston we have a problem - soap opera. Where do employees change, have a shower, toilet, or eat? What about garbage removal, recycling, anything like that doen? Glas, kitchen waste,cardboard and paper, all sorted somewhere in the basement? don't they have an engineering department? electric? air conditioned,laundry? but about 10 times i can hear that some high priced - architect - who has not done his homework beforhand finds now no space for a table or TV... And i love to have those bathtubs in the middle of the bathroom.No curtains around.how are you going to have a shower without the whole place swimming?

[@TheFiown]

The usual cheap flashy boutique hotel Junk, such a pity, another great hotel hits the dust ,,

[@Amarahmillatiany4785]

Luxury hotel dan report... ❤❤❤

[@lindasavage1042]

The new remodeling has taken all the charm and specialness away. It has ruined a time piece of brilliance. Now just a same old modern hotel. Such a shame

[@Loupadron2010]

What an incredible documentary of a historical iconic property Raffles in the lovely country of Singapore. It is also beautiful and awe inspiring to see the entire staff work as more than a team but a family caring with the utmost respect for all of the hotel's guest and new guest and tourist coming to see the place and enjoy it's restaurants, bars. What an example to the rest of the world and it's hospitality service. Thank you kindly. I hope that one day I can travel to Singapore and be able to stay at Raffles.

[@crafael.]

the iconic jubilee hall has been demolished, and replace with open ballroom style. the interior is too commercial. Raffles is not the same anymore. this is not Alexandra Champalimaud (interior designer) best project..

[@vinny4149]

The old charm is gone and replaced with quite poor taste and management.

[@vinny4149]

Thanks for letting us know his name. So noones ever hires this guy again.

[@crafael.]

@@vinny4149 agreed. Raffles is unique with its colonial style. It no need Dubai luxurious concept. Everything is wrong with this renovation.

[@2eleven48]

@@vinny4149 ....'Alexandra' will tell you the designer is a woman, you nincompoop.

[@shopgirl6183]

@@vinny4149 Alexandra Champalimaud is a woman, and I really love how you think you will be able to afford her company's services or she will even bother to take up your small residential job when she takes on big high profile jobs. Please lah. Get real, bro. 🤣

[@chestertang7226]

a complete disaster

[@yunimanicha6750]

This is a very good and touching story of restoration for this iconic hotel, I remember I had dinner there in 2014 and it was great. I can feel the emotions of the guests and staff, I also cry. Congratulations to the Reborn of Raffles Hotel, unfortunately the start of the pandemic in 2020 has a negative impact on the entire travel and hospitality industry. Hopefully the tourism industry will recover soon and travel bans will end soon following the vaccines that have been implemented around the world.

[@telfordrunners3254]

From Raffles Hotel to Ming Palace Hotel upgraded to 21st century technology & fittings. Lobby chandelier is soooooo made in PRC. Yucksss !!

[@crafael.]

it made by Presioca, a luxury brand for chandelier from Czech Republic.

[@telfordrunners3254]

@@crafael. looks modern but still tacky tho. Sorry

[@audi4444player]

I like the updating of the rooms, they were looking dated, but they made the lobby very cold and uninviting, the chandelier should have been gold and more elaborate rather than tacky and the fans they had before were a beautiful and practical addition plus all the new ceiling moldings are really cheap looking, are they plaster or painted plywood. honestly the lobby looked much better before, it clearly needed to be redone anyway especially if it hasn't been done in 30 years but it should have used the same or similar pallette and the sky light should have been painted differently, or even going all out with some brilliant cutting to make it sparkle in the light. it was a let down after watching through all this, really ruined the luxury of the space and mad it feel more like wannabe luxury.

[@fishermann1102]

i agree with you. The wow experience in the lobby is gone after the renovation.

[@shopgirl6183]

Have you actually been to the actual hotel before and after the renovation? I can tell you the hotel looks amazing in person now. Before, it was falling apart and showing signs of age.

[@audi4444player]

@@shopgirl6183 " it clearly needed to be redone anyway especially if it hasn't been done in 30 years but it should have used the same or similar pallette" I never said they shouldn't have touched it but new and quality aren't mutually exclusive, it was getting a bit tired before, but the gold tones made it feel well established, the silver tones lack that, I even said the rooms were fine, but the lobby losing all that detail and not replacing it makes what is supposed to be an long standing iconic hotel with a feeling of solidarity and replaces it with something without any presence, you could stick it in any other hotel and it would fit. I may not have been since the renovation but I can still see what they've changed. if they want to make things more modern that's fine fut if you're swapping out higher end fixtures and fittings for lower end ones just because they're new or even worse, just removing them entirely, you're doing it wrong, you're better off restoring the old. all the beautiful hanging lights, the iconic and practical ceiling fans, all removed, it looks bare, if you want a minimalist hotel, you're not going there, so why remove them all and not replace/restore them? same with mouldings, why go for something less ornate, unless you're just being cheap.

[@shopgirl6183]

@@audi4444player Like I said, if you have not been to the actual hotel lobby and are just basing it off what you can see on the video, which is not an accurate representation of the total picture, stop. As an interior designer, I can tell you the place is mighty grand in person and the items used are not cheap indeed. They have also done a marvellous job salvaging what they could to retain its heritage since the hotel is a historical monument in Singapore. The paddle ceiling fans were never at the Grand Lobby, They have always been at Long Bar, which has a lower ceiling height and is on L2. The paddle fans still are a part of the charm at the restored Long Bar so I'm wondering have you ever been to Raffles Hotel at all. The ceiling at the Grand Lobby is too high for paddle fans or any ceiling fans to even be practical (Again, have you even been to Singapore? It's humid and hot, especially with climate change. AC is so much more practical), and the so-called tacky mouldings are intricately carved columns which have always been part of the initial design and are simply restored. Certain beams have been painted black to go with the newly varnished and stained stairs. And to keep those old ceiling fans near Tiffin Room would have been crazy. They gather dust, will be hard to clean since the ceilings are tall and probably will never work again after being demolished and reinstalled back. Parts will be hard to procure and repairs will be difficult even if they work. And most importantly, they are not adequate to cool the entire area. AC does. Why put back things that don't work and will cost a lot to maintain? Please think about practicality since you are talking about it. I would suggest instead of whining and confusing facts, maybe look at archive photos and compare. We don't need fake news and a foreigner to tell us Singaporeans what is beautiful and what needs to be retained. Our authorities have worked very closely with the team to do so. Mind your words.

[@audi4444player]

​@@shopgirl6183 I don't know what's wrong with you, you come to pick a fight and insult me over a comment I made on a documentary I watched over two years ago, I watched a nearly two hour video and I was disappointed at the end result as it felt like while new and shiny, the life was gone, that's how I felt and you can't tell me I didn't. when I went to the hotel it was 20 or so years ago for about a week, having apparently gone very often your knowledge of the place and names of the rooms is obviously vastly more than my own, so I can only go from what this documentary has shown me, if that is inadequate to show the good points of the renovation then you can blame them for not presenting it properly. I have not seen the full building after the remodel but if I can see from these videos that there are a number of fixtures missing and not replaced i.imgur.com/LoChaV3.png everything in red isn't there, am I wrong? all the sconces, gone, fans, gone, small hanging chandeliers gone, replaced with a simply designed "modern" silver chandelier, that brings down the warmth and character of the space and yes, the ceiling fans don't cool the whole room as well as air conditioning, however the breese created by a ceiling fan is far more efficient at cooling the people and better for acclimatisation than living in a fridge and dying when you go out, which you obviously want to do if you're visiting a beautiful country such as singapore. Honestly I can't remember what mouldings I was referring to but it's not the beautiful original parts you pointed out, as I said, I watched this over 2 years ago. I am an interior designer myself with a focus on historical sensibilities so trying to belittle my opinion by claiming yourself one is unnecessary, and as far as not being a singaporean, I don't see what relevance that has to talking about the renovation of a hotel that has made a documentary to share with the world, and presumably being a hotel, most of their customers would be from somewhere else, so you mind your words and don't try to gate keep design and architecture, heaven forbid somebody have a differing opinion to your own.

[@bnayyar5204]

Love the sikh guys personality

[@thetreasonseason]

i personally feel that the restoration was a little oveyr done; losing the old charm of the Raffles hotel.

[@Helen-us1ly]

I understand wood rot and crumbling mortar. Don't fix it if it's not broken. The hotel was absolutely charming. Why does everybody want to look like a boutique hotel, boring. My heart broke when I saw the hundred-year-old palms falling, a marble floor being destroyed the whole process is absurd. All I can say is : Are the owners on drugs? Why not build a brand new hotel if that's what you want. Leave the old gems alone. They are one of a kind. This whole process probably cost the hotel millions .I'm still scratching my head.

[@hongating6538]

the present features looks lyk 4 stars . . .

[@indonesiar110]

Where do they go from here? The charm of aristocratic colonial land owner dictator vibes are now gone... The only plus thing is they did repair the nasty foundation however much details are missing...

[@gordygibson8776]

An absolutely brilliant hotel before and after the latest renovation.

[@CDGMR1]

Way too white - painful white.

[@trevordodd7106]

I first stayed at Raffles in c1985. The hotel at that time was sadly in need of renovation, but I really enjoyed my stay, in the Somerset Maugham suite at the time. When living in Singapore in the late 1990s I dined there frequently. I had the pleasure of staying there again quite recently. I have to say the most recent renovations are very tasteful. I totally disagree with the negative comments posted here regarding bad taste in the improvements. It’s still the Queen of good taste and faithfully maintains its historic mage.

[@prairiedoggy1]

It’s sad that classic decor is no longer in fashion. I miss the oriental rugs.........

[@shopgirl6183]

They are called Persian rugs. Not oriental.

[@Jasonadventures]

My message was deleted CNA

[@andrewsartduchy7721]

It all feels a bit generic now.

[@swindpendulum8760]

Past and present British splendors at their best. Hong Kong should follow it roots.

[@Probanot]

Their original roots are chinese lol

[@swindpendulum8760]

@@Probanot - I was talking about Arts and Styles.

[@Probanot]

Swind Pendulum why would it be? 😂😂

[@phytonphyton9943]

I hope one day i'll be there..RHSG.icon reborn

[@egisantoso949]

Love the new Raffles ❤️. Reminds me of old dutch building at my hometown, Semarang.

[@vinny4149]

Old? Dutch? I think the furniture reminds you more of IKEA.

[@So_So]

Vinny your response is rude and unnecessary.

[@hrhbear]

Sorry but I found the furniture and the rooms were very poorly decorated and muted colors...I was expecting the furnishings to be much more plush as I am use to, and when they said the furniture in the presidential sweet was specially made I laughed because it looked like office furniture and poor quality at that!...Very disappointing but I was glad to see this video because I was going to stay there but now I wont!.........lots of white but no colors at all!...it was sterile like a hospital!........

[@aquickstory2196]

it was better before.....

[@CDGMR1]

Not impressive. I have seen better. The madam lady in red wasn’t happy about her shower, poor lady can’t even get in the bathtub. Attention to details and they would have known that.

[@bleedblack37]

very confused as to why they pushed the peanut shells onto the ground

[@limes194]

That's what you do in the Long Bar. You are encouraged to do so.

[@bleedblack37]

Limes ah! Ok that makes more sense, thanks

[@kanga3]

Madam Schoof looked really disappointed, and rightly so... what a shame the hotel has lost it’s charm and elegance 😞

[@itloads]

she checked out that same night and never returned.

[@maxinehulme2009]

@@itloadshonestly?

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Looking very very nice...