TTG Travel Hall of Fame 2018

Raffles Hotel Singapore

How has your organisation stayed ahead of the competition this year?

Currently, Raffles Singapore is fully closed for a careful and sensitive restoration designed to ensure that we retain what is so special about Raffles – the ambience, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. Raffles Singapore aims to reopen in mid-2019.

What three factors are critical in bringing your organisation continually forward into the future?

Raffles’ emphasis on service excellence truly makes the hotel a global icon of luxury hospitality. Our dedicated team of colleagues, who deliver personable and top quality service to create truly memorable experiences for our guests, is an essential element. This legendary service is the reason for our guests to return; time after time, year after year, generation after generation.

A focus on conceptualising and delivering innovative culinary concepts is another factor: for more than 100 years the dining venues at Raffles Singapore have been recognised as an integral part of the vibrant and ever changing local bar and dining scene, exciting the local community as well as city guests alike. We will be introducing concepts with partner chefs to create culinary experiences that are new and distinct to Singapore.

An organisation is only as good as its people. A large number of our colleagues have been with the hotel for many years; some more than 20 years. We believe in providing constant on-the-job training, including adapting to technological changes. There are succession plans in place in all departments to ensure continuity. At the same time, we also provide opportunities for colleagues to take on leadership roles in various committees within the hotel.

What can your trade partners and customers look forward to in doing business with you in 2019?

In 2019, Raffles Singapore will welcome guests to a newly-restored hotel, following a careful and sensitive restoration that will breathe new life into our beautiful building.

With enhanced comfort and splendour for the discerning traveller, guests can immerse in our striking architecture, heritage and graceful service for that unique feeling of being somewhere very special. – Christian Westbeld, general manager

Credits to Chadi Chemaly, Executive assistant manager – rooms, Raffles Hotel Singapore