Raffles, Millennia, or Four Seasons?
 

My husband is taking me to Singapore to celebrate our retirement from the workforce. He is sparing no expense because we have been saving 10 years to go Singapore in style. To all you veteran travelers, which hotel would you pick for pure, unadulterated luxurey: Raffles, Ritz Millennia, or Four Seanons? Thank you.

No expense spared? Beaufort Sentosa.

Wouldn't know about the luxury angle, but the Raffles is the most famous and historic hotel in all of south-east Asia! That would be my choice for sure, even if I had to sleep in a corner of their kitchen!

I'd probably choose Raffles, but you can't go wrong with the Four Seasons. Remember that while Raffles is very famous and has wonderful service, the only rooms that are "really special" are the "named" rooms. Otherwise, you're better off at the Four Seasons. <BR><BR>I wouldn't stay anywhere at Sentosa. But then I don't like amusement parks.

Travel + Leisure Magazine's Reader Poll of the 100 Best Hotels in the World ranked the following hotels in Singapore:<BR>1. Four Seasons<BR>2. Ritz-Millennium<BR>3. Raffles<BR><BR>A friend of mine stayed at Raffles last November and she said it was not as fabulous as she thought it would be, especially since she paid something like $650 a night for her room.<BR><BR>If I had my choice, I would pick the Four Seasons because every Four Seasons hotel I have ever stayed at was fantastic.

I'm the self-proclaimed hotel and dining expert in Singapore, have stayed in all hotels mentioned and here is my take:<BR><BR>Raffles(US$400) is 1920 opulence.Designed in the colonial style its suite-rooms have antiques, high ceiling, bronze fans and wide corridors. Think SOmerset Maugham.Located beside Raffles City MRT it is a stone's throw away from the magnificanet Esplande on the Bay, Singapore's answer to the Sydney Opera House.<BR><BR>Ritz Carlton(US$200) on the other hand is post-modern in design and has the sexiest bathrooms. Every room has a full height window beside the bathtub overlooking the skyline so don't forget to order a champagne bath package.It is located in Marina Bay and award-winning jap and chinese r'rants.<BR><BR>Four Seasons(US$200) is a boutique hotel in Orchard Rd and has excellent rooms (tho abit small)and great svc. It is like what you can find at all Four Seasons hotels but nothing memorable.Located near Orhard MRT.<BR><BR>The newest luxury hotel, the Fullerton (US$200)is beside the Singapore river right in Raffles Place is housed in a colonial building (the ex-GPO) with huge doric columns but designed with a post modern interior!Philip Starck bathrooms and high comfy beds make this a great hotel. It has the best chinese (Jade)and french r'rants (lighthouse)in SIngapore. The chefs were awarded best chinese and western chefs recently.If you don't stay there go there and eat.Located near Raffles Place MRT.<BR><BR>Beaufort was mentioned.Unless you take the 2 room private pool villa, it is like most hotels you can find in Bali. It being in Sentosa makes it inaccesible to other parts of Singapore.<BR><BR>Which would I choose? Raffles, because you can't find it anywhere else in the world.Four Seasons and Ritz are almost the same worldwide.It caused one guest to say "When in Raffles, why not visit Singapore?"

My husband's US military and we just 2 years in Saudi so we thought we'd splurge and go to Singapore and stay at the Four Seasons. Im just a simple girl from Texas and I never stayed at a great hotel before so I have nothing to compare it to really, but the Four Seasons was something out of a movie. I wouldn't of cared if they said, Polly you have to spend the rest of your life here. Well, dang it, I'd do it. It is that good. Have a good time, girl, you deserve it and stay at the Four Seasons.

Hi Petra, you say you've saved for 10 years? Forget Singapore, go somewhere nicer. Speaking from my 31 years of living here i'd say its a waste of time and hard-earned savings. Go for a month to Australia or something... you'll get your four seasons!

Yea totally agree with Sheldon. If you have money to spend and want a great hotel go to one of the great lodges of NZ(Blanket Bay or Huka lodge) or an Aman in Bali or a ryokan in Japan or even Banayan Tree Phuket. What does Singapore have that Jeddah can't offer?

Well, Wayne, for one thing it has the Raffles!

Thanks John, Kathie, and Polly for the POSITIVE responses....Just yesterday I checked out the Travel and Leisure magazine and the Four Seasons was indeed the best hotel in Singapore according to its readers......And while I do appreciate your oppinions Wayne and Sheldon, I don't think it is up to you to decide where I should take my vacation. I asked for hotel choices, not whether or not you approve of Singapore....Singapore is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, so I don't know why you would want to degrade it....My husband and I are kind of leaning towards Raffles because of all its history and all the famous people who have stayed there.....Thanks!!!!

Petra, here is one more thing to consider as you make your final decision between Raffles and The Four Seasons. First, you can't go wrong with either. Second, consider whether you would prefer a suite at the less expensive hotel. I always think staying in a big suite is a wonderful extravagance. You could get a fabulous suite at the Four Seasons for the price of a room at Raffles. (That said, I would have difficulty discouraging anyone from staying at Raffles.)<BR><BR>No matter where you stay, do make sure you have a meal or two at Raffles. I always enjoy Doc Cheng's there. Indeed, I've spent two Christmas Eves in that wonderful restaurant.<BR><BR>One other restaurant recommendation: In the Botanical Gardens, there is a wonderful French restaurant, called Les Amis au Jardin. The food is exquisite, the setting sublime. I like to have lunch there, as you get the wonderful view of the gardens. Make reservations. It's expensive (I call it the home of the US$150 lunch), but memorbale.

Hello Petra,<BR>I am from Singapore but living in the US now. Thank you for wanting to visit Singapore but I am really curious about why you chose Singapore. I love my country but I can think of many other more beautiful places in Asia to splurge in. Perphaps there's a sentimental reason behind it.

Hello Petra,<BR>I am from Singapore but living in the US now. Thank you for wanting to visit Singapore but I am really curious about why you chose Singapore. I love my country but I can think of many other more beautiful places in Asia to splurge in. Perphaps there's a sentimental reason behind it.

Go where you wish with your holiday Petra but don't knock us for giving you suggestions. If you don't like our suggestions, you don't have to take it my dear.I live in Singapore and I love it here. Saying I'd prefer other destinations is not degrading Singapore.I wouldn't have given you so much info abt the various hotels if I didn't consider myself proud of Singapore.<BR><BR>Travel & Leisure grade their hotels by the number of respondents. If Raffles get fewer votes it does not mean the hotel is worse than the Four Seasons. It could mean more people stayed at (and liked) the Four Seasons.They may not have stayed at Raffles and hence, not voted for it. To get a truer picture you have to ask people who have stayed at both.Anyway both are excellent hotels. You'll just have to decide what kind of atmosphere you want. <BR><BR>I was going to recommend you the best r'rants by type of cuisine in Singapore here but due to your ingratitude I won't be offering my suggestions to you this time.You'll have to spend some time finding them out for yourself by visiting "makansutra" for local hawker fare or "wine and dine" for r'rant fare.

Wayne, I think I'll survive..... How old are you? Five????? I doubt you live in Singapore. I think you are still in kindergarten in the US.

Petra: Stay home and don't pollute our clean Singapore with your pompous ass attitude. You obviously have fond memories of colonial Singapore when you were masters. Surprise, surprise,it has all changed now. Your kind work for us now. You should be thankful for the useful suggestions you've received here and stop bashing those who have helped you in your planning.

Ahmad, that's a shocking statement; there was nothing at all racist in Petra's original post; it is you that have brought racism into the discussion, and your abusiveness to her<BR>(all this malarkey about polluting your beautiful atmosphere with pomposity) was quite uncalled for. Can all potential visitors to Singapore expect a<BR>reception such as you are giving to her?

Petra: You are about as ungracious a bitch as i have ever seen on this board. Grow up. Other people offer you their advice for free and if you don't like it, skip the message and read the next one.<BR><BR>People are being nice and thoughtful to suggest that you consider other locations as well. And for good reasons for a rookie who probably haven't left her house for 10 years.

I went to sinagpore last June and my finace and I had a wonderful time. I would stay at the Raffles, if $ is not an issue. The hotels on sentosa are a bit far from the shopping and the sites in singapore. Try to take a mini trip to Bintan. Its a small Indonesian island off the coast of Singapore. It's so serene and nice and cheap. I would stay at Mayang Suri if you go!