Charming and Iconic, But Falls Slightly Short on Personalization

I have visited Singapore multiple times, but until now had never stayed at Raffles Singapore. Finally, I managed to spend a few days at this legendary hotel. It truly lives up to its reputation: centrally located in Singapore, the hotel has been impeccably renovated while preserving its colonial essence and old-world allure. My room was on the first floor, with a view of the Palm Court. This made for a pleasant and convenient stay since it was close to the lounge and the Tiffin Room, where breakfast is served. The room itself was spacious for a city hotel, though I did find it somewhat dark. Raffles features several dining options, including the newly awarded two-Michelin-starred 1887. However, their booking policy is rather peculiar—they don't take reservations for odd numbers of guests unless you pay for an even number. For example, although there were three of us, we were required to book—and pay—for four. This was a policy I found perplexing for a hotel of this caliber. The other fine-dining restaurant, Yì by Jereme Leung, serves Chinese cuisine. While the food was excellent, I don’t feel it’s quite Michelin-star quality yet. All in all, Raffles Singapore justifies its reputation as an outstanding and historic property. However, when it comes to personalization and guest familiarity, I’d rank it slightly below Four Seasons. At the Four Seasons, the staff consistently recognize guests by name and their attentiveness creates a uniquely warm and memorable experience. While Raffles is extraordinary in many ways, Four Seasons still leads in delivering personalized service.