Inside insane details of what it’s really like to stay at the legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore

Ridiculously decadent details at one of the world’s most luxurious hotels show why it’s the perfect place for Aussies to stop over.

With a 900kg crystal chandelier worth $1.2 million, a legendary tale of a tiger shot on the grounds, and silverware saved from Nazi plunderers buried in the garden, it’s far from your ordinary hotel.

Raffles in Singapore, undoubtedly one of the most famous hotels in the world, is synonymous with luxury and elegance, having hosted the world’s grandest guests including the late Queen, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner.

Given its history, you’d be forgiven for thinking Raffles could be, perhaps, just a little bit… dated? Dusty? So legendary that it struggles to move with the times, and the demands of the modern guest.

But after a $200 million renovation, the 115 room property is far from living in the past.

The atrium at Christmas time is truly magical, with guests overlooked by a $1.2 million crystal chandelier, which is hand cleaned by a dedicated team.

The beautiful main atrium at Raffles, where guests and visitors alike can have a high tea experience.

Each ‘room’, which comes with a dedicated butler at your service 24/7, by the way, is a miniature apartment, with multiple rooms to luxuriate in as you wander around in their custom robes and slippers.

Your butler, really can’t put too fine a point on the fact there’s a butler, offers a sumptuous selection of hand-crafted chocolates, as well as your complimentary Singapore Sling - the world-famous cocktail created at Raffles in 1915.

And when it’s time to turn in for the night, said butler performs a turn-down service which involves laying out slippers in front of your side of the bed, as well as pouring a large glass of water for the night stand.

The dressing room leads into the bedroom, which then leads into the parlour.

Your butler can even bring you a selection of artisan chocolates to try.

A bubble bath service, where our kind butler arrived late at night to draw a bath with essential oils and salts, made for a type of relaxation only dreamt of.

Far from making guests feel guilty for indulging in such a ridiculously mad show of luxury, the butlers make everything feel effortless. It’d almost be rude not to ask them for the bubble bath service?

It’s the little things, these pristine, thoughtful touches, which make Raffles’ legendary butler service something which once experienced, make all other hotel stays futile.

A Singapore Sling is a must-do at Raffles, with the cocktail created there in 1915.

The parlour room is a classic Singapore design, with modern features.

The wardrobes, open and inbetween the bedroom and bathroom, are straight from a luxury apartment.

The parlour room inside your suite is the perfect place to relax and enjoy tea.

Flying from Thailand back to Sydney after a two-week holiday, it seemed almost silly to head straight home, with a stopover in Singapore both financially convenient, and an easy way to break up a long flight - and end a holiday in style.

When it comes to bedtime, or really any time during your stay, two iPads - one by the bed, and one in the parlour room - give you ultimate control of the suite.

Everything from air conditioning, to lighting, butler calls and even a full pillow menu with Tempur options can be sorted from the touch screen.

The two in-room iPads allow you to control every feature in the room with a stroke of your finger.

The suites have incredibly comfortable four-poster beds.

The standalone bath is a real highlight, with your butler able to come and draw you a bubble bath.

The bathroom offers plenty of space, with handmade soap and all the expected Raffles touches.

Little touches, like a Dyson hairdryer, help to elevate the experience.

Just under eight hours from Sydney, Singapore is an increasingly dynamic country to visit thanks to its stunning gardens and ever-impressive museum offerings, not to mention more than its fair share of world-leading restaurants per square kilometre.

Due to the city state’s diminutive size, it’s easy to explore and get a feel for both its fascinating history and promising future all in just a day, or ideally two if you can push it.

If you’re really stretched on time, which we certainly were with just 18 hours between flights, this is where a stay at Raffles allows you to maximise both relaxation, and exploration.

Too exhausted to traipse around to find a restaurant in the city, we booked into Raffles own legendary Indian eatery, the Tiffin Room, which first opened in 1892.

The Tiffin Room, opened in 1892, boasts authentic and sumptous north Indian curries, including a classic, creamy dal makhani and a scallop coconut curry.

The Tiffin Room restaurant is also where breakfast is served.

The Royal Dabba tiffin box experience at Raffles' Tiffin Room restaurant isn't to be missed.

The building has kept its stunning architectural charm.

Offering authentic North Indian delicacies, the restaurant’s clean white lines and authentic colonial-era touches were charming, with the kind and enthusiastic staff recommending their speciality Royal Dabba Tiffin Box experience?

How could we refuse, really?

Choosing from a series of appetisers and mains, including a scallop coconut curry, a kadhai prawn curry and a deliciously creamy methi chaman (which is paneer, by the way), all are serve in traditional tiffin boxes with a chutneys, breads, and rice.

Eating at Raffles allows more time to explore the city on foot, without having to traipse around looking for a restaurant. The majestic harbour is a short walk away.

A cocktail experience at Raffles also isn’t to be missed, with an extensive menu offering modern twists on classics, as well as traditional cocktails a bar would be amiss to go without.

The Writers Bar boasts a menu full of unique cocktails, as well as fresh twists on classic favourites.

The Writers Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a stiff drink.

The bar boasts an exceptional cocktail menu.

The building has kept its stunning architectural charm.

If you have time, and you really should try to make some, Raffles’ own in-house historians offer an incredible historical tour of the property.

Our guide, Nazir, was a legend of the hotel in his own right, having worked there for years - and knowing everything there was to possibly know about its history and lore.

The beautiful antique polyphon as shown by our historian, Nazir.

The Queen is one of many world leaders who have stayed at Raffles over the years.

On a tour of a suite used by Michael Jackson, he told us all about the hotel’s unparalleled history and legend - including the time a tiger escaped onto the grounds in 1902.

Noel Coward’s ‘I’ll See You Again’ is played on an antique record player every night at 8pm, a nod to the old tradition of a pianist playing the song nightly for guests, with the soothing tones floating up the balau wood staircase.

Palm Court as seen from the VIP suites.

This is the suite used by Michael Jackson and other A-list celebs.

The classic decor of the hotel has been given a modern revamp, but still keeping its original charm.

A polyphon from 1887 sits opposite, with a delicate selection of just a few records even being able to play on it, and a unique specialist - the only one in Singapore - often visiting to service it.

Meeting Nazir for our tour in the main atrium under Raffles’ grandfather clock from 1853, he informed us the clock - built in London’s Strand - has never been moved, regardless of the wars, renovations and changes to the hotel.

It’s a testament to a hotel institution that, despite the changing world and trends around it, refuses to lose what makes it special - its enduring history.

The journalist stayed as a guest of Raffles Singapore