RAFFLES SINGAPORE RECOGNISED AS NO. 17 IN “THE WORLD’S 50 BEST HOTELS” INAUGURAL AWARD
The awards celebrate hotels from 35 destinations across six continents worldwide that showcase best-in-class experiences.
(SINGAPORE, 20 SEPTEMBER 2023) Raffles Singapore is pleased to announce that it has been named No. 17 on the prestigious and first-ever “The World’s 50 Best Hotels” list. The awards aim to recognise outstanding and best-in-class experiences hotels from all over the world have to offer, and to celebrate the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen.
Organised by 50 Best, whose parent company is reputed publishing company William Reed, this inaugural list is independently curated by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy based on their opinions and experiences. It comprises a group of 580 seasoned and esteemed hotel and travel industry experts led by a group of nine Academy chairs, all hailing from all corners of the globe. On 19 September, the world of travel gathered at the historic Guildhall to unveil the outstanding hotel experiences across the world that will shape the aspirations of travellers and hoteliers.
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 and artfully reflecting the charms of yesteryear and the luxuries of the contemporary age. Through the hotel’s evolution, it has strived to uphold its old-world splendour matched with inimitable service across the hotel’s array of offerings.
“We are humbled and excited to have found a place among this esteemed collection of outstanding and beyond the every-day 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. This global recognition is a true validation of our legendary and timeless Raffles experience, delivered by the wonderful team we have in Singapore,” said Christian Westbeld, Managing Director, Raffles Singapore.
“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,” Mr Westbeld continued.
“It is an incredible honour that our flagship Raffles Singapore has been recognised as one of The World’s 50 Best Hotels in the inaugural list. 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, which 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. This prestigious acknowledgement is a testament to their skill and dedication to upholding the hotel’s storied 136-year heritage by providing guests with gracious service and unforgettable journeys at every visit,” says Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express.
Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, comments: “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’s 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. We hope this list inspires travel lovers to book somewhere truly spectacular for their next trip.”