Raffles Singapore officially opens after two years of renovations — in pictures

Singapore's most famous hotel has officially reopened with Michelin-starred dining, upgraded suites and a brand new ballroom

People walk through the lobby of the Raffles Hotel, operated by Accor SA, in Singapore. Raffles, which hosted a grand reopening festival following an extensive renovation that brought the icon into the 21st century, has hosted everyone from Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling, to Elizabeth Taylor and King Edward VIII. From humble beginnings in 1887, it now houses a variety of restaurants, bars and numerous upscale shops, in addition to its luxury suites. Bloomberg

Beds stand inside a Palm Court Suite at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Vintage switches are seen inside a Palm Court Suite at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Guests stand in the Palm Court at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

An employee stands in an external corridor at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

A stuffed tiger stands among merchandise displayed in the Raffles Boutique at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Palm trees stand in a courtyard at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Raffles Hotel, operated by Accor SA, stands in Singapore. Bloomberg

A bust of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British founder of modern Singapore, stands at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Framed posters are displayed in the Raffles Boutique at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

A chandelier hangs above people sitting in a lobby of the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Loungers surround the swimming pool at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

A woman walks through an entrance to the Yi by Jereme Leung restaurant at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

A waiter holds a high tea set for a photograph in the Grand Lobby restaurant at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Flowers in vases sit in the La Dame de Pic restaurant at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

A harpist plays in the lobby at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

A photograph featuring the late actress Elizabeth Taylor is seen inside a menu in the Writers Bar at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

Guests sit in the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. Bloomberg

It's played host to Rudyard Kipling, Liz Taylor and Charlie Chaplin and is easily the most famous hotel in Singapore. Now, after two and half years of renovation works, Raffles Singapore has officially reopened.

The hotel, which is also a National Monument, started accepting guest reservations in August but is now officially open for business.

Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the man credited as the founder of Singapore, the landmark hotel opened in 1887 as a bungalow with just ten rooms. After its most recent renovation, the all-suite hotel now has 115 rooms across nine suite categories and room rates start from $1,300 (Dh4,774) per night.

As always, every stay at Raffles Singapore comes with its fabled butler service and almost all rooms have balconies with views over the hotel's extensive gardens. The hotel's Personality Suites pay tribute to some of the hotel’s most renowned guests and you can book a stay in the Ava Gardener, the Joseph Conrad or the John Wayne suite.

Dining options at the hotel have been entirely revamped with new concepts including BBR by the Michelin-acclaimed Alain Ducasse and Yi by celebrity chef Jereme Leung opening up in the spots formerly held by Royal Blue China and The Halia. La Dame de Pic has taken over from the Raffles Grill and features dishes from Anne-Sophie Pic of the three-Michelin star Maison Pic in Valence, France.

The legendary Long Bar is back with an upgraded look, as is Tiffin Room, The Lobby, Raffles Courtyard, Bar & Billiard Room and Writers Bar. There's also a plethora of new retail and dining options opened at the adjoining Raffles Arcade. Elsewhere, the Jubilee Theatre has been transformed into a ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 guests.