Raffles Hotel Singapore Guide: The Singapore Sling, History & Visiting Tips (2026)

Here's the thing most people get wrong about Raffles Hotel Singapore: you don't need a room key to walk through its doors. This grand colonial icon — the birthplace of the Singapore Sling — opens its lobby, courtyards and arcades to the public, so even if you're on a tight budget you can soak up the history and sip the city's most famous cocktail. I've wandered in twice on day trips, once in a slightly creased linen shirt, and nobody batted an eye.

So what exactly can you see, what does the Sling cost, and is it worth your afternoon? Below I'll walk you through the history, the Long Bar ritual, the dress code, afternoon tea, and how to get there. If you're planning a wider trip, our team builds these stops into bespoke Singapore tour packages, but you can absolutely do Raffles solo too.

Why Raffles Hotel Singapore is worth your time

The short answer: it's Singapore's grand colonial landmark and the home of the Singapore Sling — and you can visit even if you're not staying. The public areas, the Long Bar, the boutique and the lush courtyards are all open to non-guests. You get a genuine slice of 19th-century Singapore without paying for a suite.

Opened in 1887, Raffles is a whitewashed, palm-fringed beauty that looks more like a film set than a working hotel. It's a gazetted national monument, which means it's legally protected, and a careful restoration wrapped up in 2019 brought back the original glamour without turning it into a museum. Famous guests stack up like a who's who of the last century — Rudyard Kipling, Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham, Queen Elizabeth II. There's even an old (probably tall) tale about the last tiger in Singapore being shot under the billiard room here.

A bit of history: 1887 and the colonial grand dame

The hotel was founded by the Sarkies brothers, Armenian hoteliers who also ran famous properties in Penang and Yangon. They named it after Sir Stamford Raffles, the British figure credited with founding modern Singapore in 1819. What began as a modest bungalow grew, wing by wing, into the sprawling colonnaded property you see today.

Through the decades it survived the Japanese occupation, a slow mid-century decline, and a major 1991 renovation before that latest 2019 refresh. Yet the bones never changed — the cool marble lobby, the tropical courtyards, the cast-iron portico where the turbaned doorman still greets arrivals. However grand it looks, the place wears its age with ease rather than stuffiness.

Can you visit Raffles Hotel without staying?

Yes — and this surprises a lot of travellers. Non-guests are welcome in the public spaces. You can stroll the Grand Lobby, photograph the courtyards, browse the Raffles Boutique, and head to the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling. What you can't do is wander into the residential corridors or guest-only wings, which are reserved for those staying over.

For a first visit, I'd budget about 60 to 90 minutes. Walk the arcade, peek into the lobby, grab your cocktail upstairs, and pick up a souvenir on the way out. It's an easy, low-cost add-on to a Singapore itinerary, and it pairs nicely with the nearby sights covered in our guide to the best Singapore attractions.

The Long Bar and the Singapore Sling experience

The Singapore Sling was invented right here at the Long Bar, created around 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. The story goes that he wanted a fruity, pink drink that looked socially acceptable for ladies of the era, who weren't supposed to be seen drinking alcohol in public. Gin, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice and a few secret touches later, a legend was born.

Today the Long Bar sits on an upper level, decked out in plantation-style rattan and lazy ceiling fans. A Singapore Sling here runs roughly SGD 37 to 39 (around ₹2,300 to ₹2,450), which isn't cheap — but you're paying for the address, not just the gin. The quirkiest tradition? Complimentary monkey nuts. You crack the peanut shells and toss them straight onto the floor. It's the one place in spotless Singapore where littering is not only allowed but encouraged, and honestly, it's good fun.

Tip: the Sling is sweet and goes down dangerously fast. Order one, savour it, and resist the urge to make it a round of three — your wallet will thank you.

Dress code: smart-casual, no slippers

Raffles keeps a smart-casual dress code across its public areas, so dress with a little care. Closed shoes or neat sandals, a collared shirt or a nice top, trousers or a smart skirt — all fine. What won't fly is beachwear, sleeveless singlets for men, flip-flops, sportswear or rubber slippers.

You don't need a jacket and tie for the Long Bar during the day, but turning up in shorts and Havaianas straight from Sentosa might get you a polite refusal. Pack a tidy outfit if Raffles is on your plan, especially for afternoon tea, where the standard nudges up a notch.

Afternoon tea at the Grand Lobby

The afternoon tea at the Grand Lobby is one of Raffles' signature rituals, served amid white columns and live music. Think tiered stands of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and free-flowing tea or champagne. It's a proper splurge and books out fast, so reserve ahead through the hotel rather than rocking up and hoping.

Is it worth it? If you love a slow, dress-up experience and want to linger in the lobby's atmosphere, absolutely. If you'd rather see more of the city, skip it and just do the Long Bar — you'll still capture the essence of Raffles for a fraction of the cost.

The Raffles Boutique and souvenirs

On your way out, the Raffles Boutique is a fun browse. It stocks the hotel's own kaya jam, teas, chocolates, branded glassware and Singapore Sling kits so you can recreate the cocktail at home. The packaging is gorgeous, which makes these easy gifts to carry back to family in India. Prices sit at the premium end, as you'd expect, but a tin of tea or a jar of kaya makes a tasteful, lightweight souvenir.

How to get to Raffles Hotel Singapore

Raffles sits at 1 Beach Road in the Civic District, dead central and very easy to reach. The closest MRT stations are City Hall and Esplanade, both a short walk away. From either, it's a five-minute stroll past the colonial core. If you're coming from Marina Bay, it's a pleasant 10 to 15 minute walk — pair it with our Marina Bay guide for a full day in the area.

Taxis and Grab rides drop you right at the portico, which is handy in the midday heat. The hotel is also walkable to the National Gallery, St Andrew's Cathedral and the shops along Bras Basah, so it slots neatly into a downtown wander. You can confirm current opening details and events on the official Raffles Singapore website.

Visiting Raffles Hotel with kids

Raffles is more of an adults' pleasure than a kids' playground, but families do drop by. Children are welcome in the public courtyards and the boutique, and the doorman and grand architecture make for great photos. The Long Bar, though, is a cocktail venue, so it suits couples and grown-ups more than toddlers. If you're travelling with little ones, keep the Raffles stop short and sweet, then move on to more child-friendly sights nearby.

Insider tips for visiting Raffles

• Go mid-morning or mid-afternoon — the lobby and courtyards are quietest and the light is lovely for photos.
• Carry a tidy outfit if Raffles is on a beach-and-city day, so you're not turned away for slippers.
• One Sling is plenty at SGD 37-39 a glass; enjoy the ritual rather than the round.
• Book afternoon tea ahead — walk-ins are routinely turned away.
• Combine it with the Civic District — the National Gallery and Esplanade are minutes away on foot.

For the wider trip, the bookings, transfers and hotel stays around landmarks like this are exactly what our team sorts out, whether you want a quick city break or a longer holiday. You can see what's possible through our Singapore holiday packages, and we'll weave Raffles in if you want that colonial cocktail moment.

Practical info box

• Location: 1 Beach Road, Civic District. Nearest MRT: City Hall / Esplanade.
• Opened: 1887; national monument, restored 2019.
• Entry: Free to walk the public lobby, arcade and courtyards.
• Singapore Sling: ~SGD 37-39 (₹2,300-2,450) at the Long Bar.
• Dress code: Smart-casual; no beachwear, slippers or sportswear.
• Best time: Mid-morning or mid-afternoon for fewer crowds.

I'll be honest — Raffles isn't a thrill-a-minute attraction. But there's something quietly satisfying about cracking peanut shells onto a polished floor while a ceiling fan turns overhead, knowing the cocktail in your hand was first poured here over a century ago. That's a memory worth the price of one slightly overpriced gin.