Travellers and staycationers are spoilt for choice when choosing a hotel in Singapore. Our city's hotel scene is as diverse as it gets, overflowing with 5-star properties, cute boutiques, and laidback beach resorts. We even have shophouse hotels for those who want to immerse in Singapore's heritage. But two hotels stand a cut above the rest: Raffles Singapore and Capella Singapore, which were just named in the World's 50 Best Hotels 2024 list.
Raffles Singapore, the iconic grand dame completed in 1899, shines at No. 6 – a remarkable improvement from its No. 17 ranking in the World's 50 Best Hotels 2023 list. And it's not a stretch to say that Raffles Singapore is more than a hotel – it's been a landmark for over 100 years and gazetted a National Monument to boot. Travellers from all over the world flock here to marvel at its awesomely white and symmetrical neo-classical facade (as well as its mustachoed Sikh doormen) and to try the famous Singapore Sling cocktail developed at the hotel's Long Bar. For a hotel so centrally located in the city, Raffles Singapore also makes for a surprisingly tranquil escape thanks to foliage-filled courtyards and airy, colonial-style suites. This grand dame is not simply resting on her laurels either; a 2019 facelift kept things fresh by adding new restaurants and bars to round out an impressive arsenal of seven swish dining venues.
Coming in at No. 33 is Capella Singapore, a five-star luxury hotel nestled on Sentosa Island. This one's a beauty: 30 acres of greenery hug restored colonial buildings and a modern wing, housing 112 modern rooms, suites, and villas. You'll have plenty of space to relax in these accommodations, which have generous balconies and sweeping garden or sea views. Go up a few tiers and you might even have a private plunge pool or lap pool to yourself. Complete your tropical escape with a dip in the resort's cascading pools and a rustic Italian meal at the farmhouse-style Fiamma, or if you're out of ideas, turn to the Capella Culturists to help curate experiences tied to Singapore's culture.
If you're curious about where else in the world to book in, Capella Bangkok topped the World's 50 Best Hotels 2024 list. Passalacqua in Lake Como slid from first to second place this year, followed by Rosewood Hong Kong, Cheval Blanc in Paris, and The Upper House in Hong Kong. Check out the full list of the World's 50 Best Hotels here.
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