Raffles Singapore, one of the top luxury hotels in the world, has been named No. 17 on the prestigious and first-ever list of ‘The World’s 50 Best Hotels’. These awards recognise outstanding and best-in-class experiences at hotels and the people who make them happen.
The list, released on September 19, 2023, at the Guildhall in London, has been organised by the ‘50 Best’ brand, whose parent company is the reputable publishing company William Reed. It has been independently curated by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy, based on the opinions and experiences of 580 hotel and travel industry experts.
First opened in 1887, and declared a National Monument a century later by the Singapore Government in 1987, the storied, 136-year-old legacy of Raffles Singapore has been a significant part of Singapore’s history. Its neo-Renaissance halls simultaneously reflect the charms of yesteryear and the luxuries of the contemporary age.
“We are humbled and excited to have found a place among this esteemed collection of outstanding and beyond the everyday luxury hospitality destinations. To be included in this list and to have received this prestigious industry recognition from The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy is a realisation of aspirations that we had when the hotel embarked on its two-year restoration project four years ago,” said Christian Westbeld, Managing Director, Raffles Singapore.
“This global recognition is a true validation of our legendary and timeless Raffles experience, delivered by the wonderful team we have in Singapore,” said the MD.
“It makes all of us immensely proud that our world-renowned service delivering always-relevant and ever-evolving experiences have transcended Singapore’s shores and are being recognised by the Academy. We are also honoured to not only be flying the Raffles brand flag high, but also proudly representing Singapore on a global stage,” Westbeld continued.
Outlining what made this property so special, Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express said, “Raffles Singapore has long been a leader within the luxury hospitality space, setting new standards for impeccable guest relations. This is where our distinctive Raffles Experiences come into play; they weave immersive wellness activities with cultural journeys, thus helping to lead the way for Raffles Hotels, Resorts and Residences globally. I cannot express my sincere gratitude enough for our management and hotel staff who have made achieving this accolade possible.”
Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, commented, “Our heartfelt congratulations go out to every hotel on the list, each of which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of travel experts. After seeing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, it has been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Hotels.”