Raffles Hotel Singapore - A Suite Treat

It was a Mommy and Kids Staycay. Back where I used to work; where I grew up and where magic happens. After 17 years, I still refer to Raffles as “we”. As much as we’ve created many memorable memories for our Raffles Residents, it also had for me.

I had to return to see for myself how delicately restored Raffles Singapore is today. The March School Holiday week seems to be the perfect time to take this trip.

UPON ARRIVAL

Max saw us from cobbled-stoned driveway, as we hugged daddy goodbye, to our suite. The check-in experience was seamless. I needn't fumble into my bag for passports because we had these all settled from an online pre-registration process. 

He excused himself for a second as we soaked in the Sakura-themed lobby this season. Max came back with a Leica and offered to welcome my party with a photograph! I always believe in creating lasting memories and photographing high quality pictures should be basic etiquette. I assumed our photograph would be printed. If it was taken with a mediocre camera, it wouldn't turn out as impressive as it did. 

Max ticked all the boxes for me with his Raffles disposition and the little historical banter he struck up with us as we walked the historical block of Palm Court into the extension wing.

I knew all these history because it was part of my training back then and he did not lose any bit of the message at all. I was filled with pride to see what we've left behind hadn't been lost. And I hear he is only interning! 

The children and I were escorted to our Personality Suite, Charlie Chaplin. He did exactly what I would have done if I was bringing a family up to their suite. He offered Faye his keycard to tap open the door and reminded us, "Welcome Home."

Ewan was puzzled, "This is not our home?" *haha* but Faye wittingly added, "Mommy used to work here to they are welcoming her HOME. Understand?" I don't know Max from back then but he must have done his homework right. 

During this trip, I personally gave my children a History Tour of this Grand Old Dame. Where we walked the Hall of Fame hung full with photographs of celebrities and royalties who stayed with us. Of whom mommy had once taken care of. Of mommy in one of the pictures. I couldn’t help straightening photo frames or clearing a stray tissue from the floor.

Raffles lives up to its name because of their service and we were blown away on the first day as we received attentive care without even asking. That prompted me to write a Thank You note to Jeremy! We worked hard for these compliments and they keep our passion alive. 

I was on my verandah. Relaxing. I thought how nice it would be if I had a cuppa coffee or tea. Before I know it, as if the butler call button was telepathic, Jeremy walked over with a a pot of Camomile tea. "I saw you from afar and I thought you'd like something to drink. Would Camomile tea be good?" Why of course! Subtle service to impress is what Raffles Butlers do. 

"Mr Jeremy!", as my son affectionately greeted him after he came with gifts to keep them company throughout our stay - a story book and a craft piece. That was a very sweet gesture and I am heartened that the motto Like a Gentle Breeze lives on.

Grace and Jeremy are a big part to the reason why I have decided to come for a staycation. If not now, when? Two of our most outstanding interns are now heading Raffles Butler Team and there truly isn't a better time to come. It is always nice to return to a place you can still find familiarity and warmth. The time is now.

It truly is surreal experiencing Raffles from the other side. What more in a Personality Suite.

I was ecstatic to find those turn-down story cards still living strong after many decades. I usually wouldn’t wait for turn-downs if they were too late but I waited specifically for the Raffles turn-down to receive a copy of this unique bedtime story. Doubly stoked to find they have now created turn-down stories for the little ones with a Treasure Hunt adventure that sent us on a walking tour of the property the next day.

Oh yes. And I did notice. I was actually looking out for little things like these every time we returned back to our suite. 

Butlers at Raffles Hotel are trained to have a keen eye for detail. They noticed Ewan's spectacles on the side table and subtly placed a cleaning cloth right next to it. Bravo team!

DAY AFTER

The kids woke up at 6.45am and we were at the swimming pool by 7am. While at Raffles, there's no time to waste. So, Wake Up Now! Ya... they never let mommy sleep in. 

The pool at that time was empty and we had the entire rooftop all to ourselves! It was really nice and comfortable. Each booking slot stands for 90 minutes and that is more than enough for us to enjoy. 

Breakfast was a charmer at Tiffin Room. How privileged were we to be served by my ex-colleague, Serene, who has a wealth of experience when it comes to service. She knew exactly how to impress and exceeded my expectations by coming back with a piping hot cup of cappuccino to replace my half-drank cup. Faye wanted to return back to the suite to grab her storybook and I went with her. Leaving the table for just a mere five minutes but the Raffles attentiveness never left. She replaced my cup, "A hot cappuccino for you. It's not nice to drink cold." She left me lost for words and feeling extremely pampered.

The Main Building is the most historical part of the entire hotel. Gazetted as a National Monument in 1987 and again in 1995, I had to bring Ewan and Faye for a little history tour. Telling them stories of the royalties and celebrities who once stayed in these Grand Hotel Suites and Presidential Suites. It was nice reliving my younger days with them. That grand piano that used to sit in Writer's Bar on the ground floor has now been shifted to The Library on level 1. Same, but different. 

I shouldn't have arranged that Duck Tour outing during our stay at Raffles. It was a huge regret; boring and distasteful. Ewan and Faye kept saying "We should have just stayed in the hotel and not go anywhere!" The kids saw Narajan, Raffles iconic doorman, upon our return and ran to him with much relief. 

Our butler saw us coming back from the terrible weather and brought us a bottle of fruit-infused water with chocolates to sweeten the day a little. What more can we ask for?

It was good to be back!

DEPARTURE DAY

What a beautiful morning!

We had an intimate breakfast on our Verandah with Daddy, who dropped by just to join us for the morning! Our butlers, Neesha and Ancy, transformed our Verandah into a Dining Room and it looked as though we were transported to a tropical oasis! It was really nice to have daddy joining us on our last day and experiencing a teensy bit of Raffles. I had always wanted to show him The Raffles. 

I didn't notice because the table was full. But there, sitting alongside us were old photographs of me when I was a butler myself with my AWESOME OG Team! It was a very touching sight as I looked at every face in the pictures and reminisced the past. One thing's for sure! We have better quality cameras today than we did two decades ago! 

We did one more swim. 

We went to the Raffles Shop to pick up more souvenirs, thanks to our package inclusion.

We bought Thank You French Fries for our butlers - the children chose French Fries because they wanted to share their favourite food with the team. 

We were left with only a few more hours* before check-out. Ewan and Faye thought they'd just hang around, chill and probably watch some cartoons before we leave. Little did they know, Grace and I orchestrated a big surprise for them! When we came back to our suite after lunch, the children jumped with delight when they saw a Nintendo Switch in the parlour waiting for them! That totally closed the Raffles chapter rather sweetly for Ewan and Faye. And mommy me, ex-butler me, Alway A Raffles me, had to write individual Thank You notes to the butlers who had taken care of us this trip. I will always have a soft spot for the team that shaped me.

Last day of our trip and I had my daughter sobbing uncontrollably into the pillow when we reached home. She missed Raffles that much; just 30 minutes from saying goodbye to everyone at the hotel. That must be the biggest compliment! 

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* Just the evening before, Faye dragged her feet in the lobby muttering [quite audibly], “I WISH RAFFLES HOTEL WILL GIVE ME ONE MORE NIGHT’S STAY! FOR FREE!” I laughed at her ridiculous request. She said “FREE” because she knows mommy has no more budget to pay for another night. I pushed her along and we went back to our suite to turn in. 

Just as we clicked our DND button on, the phone rang. The front office called us, “Hello Ms Liang, upon hearing that your children would love to stay longer, I’ve extended a late check out for you.” Eternally grateful. I mean, it’s not on purpose our conversation was eavesdropped but the fact that someone is listening and trying to make some one’s day is very heartening. It is also our lucky day that our suite doesn’t have an early arrival from another Resident after we leave.