Raffles Singapore opened in 1887 on Beach Road and has stayed at the heart of the civic and business district ever since, a low white colonial building among the skyscrapers. Tropical gardens fill more than a quarter of the estate, so birdsong carries across the verandahs. The Raffles Arcade sits inside the walls, the Convention Centre and Esplanade are a short walk away, Orchard Road is two minutes by rail and Changi twenty by road.

Every one of the 115 rooms is a suite, arranged across the Main Building, the Bras Basah wing, the Palm Court wing and Raffles Arcade. Sizes run from 58 square metres in the Courtyard and Personality Suites to 260 in the two bedroom Presidential Suite. Expect a separate parlour, a dressing area, a marble double vanity bathroom, a shared or private verandah and a Raffles Butler on call at any hour.

Raffles Spa draws on Asian wellness philosophies for body and facial treatments, with a vitality pool of Peruvian pink salt, a herbal sauna, an aromatherapy steam room and an ice fountain. Yoga, Pilates, sound healing with crystal bowls, reiki and craniosacral therapy are all on the timetable, and personal training is available. The 25 metre outdoor pool opens from 7.00am to 7.00pm, ringed by tropical planting.

You will find 115 suites, an outdoor swimming pool on the third level of the main building, a fitness centre open around the clock on the third floor, and Raffles Spa in the gardens. Concierge, valet parking, self parking and 24 hour support run throughout. Wireless internet is included, meeting and event spaces total 2,500 square metres, and the Raffles Boutique at the Seah Street entrance opens daily from 10.00am until 8.00pm.

Eight venues carry the dining. 1887 by André works modern French technique into the hotel's historic formal dining room, yì by Jereme Leung ranges across Chinese regional cooking, Butcher's Block cooks over pure wood fire, and Tiffin Room has served North Indian food since 1892. Afternoon Tea belongs to The Grand Lobby, Raffles Courtyard is the alfresco lounge, Writers Bar mixes cocktails named for authors, and Long Bar poured the first Singapore Sling in 1915.

The Jubilee Ballroom occupies the former Jubilee Hall Theatre and seats more than 300, its coffered ceiling hung with chandeliers and gold Venetian fixtures, with a foyer for receptions beforehand. Lawn ceremonies suit an outdoor exchange of vows, and private dining rooms at Butcher's Block, yì by Jereme Leung and the Chairman's Room take smaller parties. Event planning support comes with the space.