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Sipping on a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel

The iconic Raffles Bar may be a good place to escape Singapore’s sizzling heat and enjoy a cool and refreshing Singapore Sling, but it is pricey!


Growing up, I read volumes about the British Empire where the heroes were shipped overseas to some exotic location, made to work in the hot sun, and sometimes even learned to appreciate the cultures in which they were immersed. Therefore upon arrival in Singapore, I was more than excited to do the touristy thing and head to the Raffles hotel, even though we had a really busy time trying to get all the top Singapore sights on our itinerary.

Drinking an original Singapore Sling cocktail at the iconic Raffles Hotel is an attraction you cannot miss while in Singapore.

An iconic tourist must-do or a colossal waste of money?  You decide.

The hotel is named after the first governor of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Raffles arrived around 1818 and decided there needed to be a British presence on the tip of the Malay peninsula. He set about building the infrastructure for a city and making a place British subjects could live.

After he felt this job was done, he went home to London and then founded the London zoo. A pretty industrious gentleman, Raffles accomplished quite a bit in his 46 years of life, and the luxurious Raffles hotel is only one of them.

The hotel is all Victorian grandeur with a beautiful white-washed and colonnaded facade, sweeping verandas, and a precisely manicured landscape. Today it is dwarfed by all the tall buildings and malls that is downtown Singapore, but with such a large lot, you can certainly imagine how it dominated the city-scape of days gone by.

Exterior view of the Raffles Hotel, Singapore.

To luxuriate in such rich environs for even 30 minutes to an hour and imagine yourself one of the privileged has become one of the things most visitors have placed high on their list. Sitting in the long bar and sipping on a Singapore Sling, originally concocted in that very room, really cements the idea that yes, you are in Singapore. (One of the last strongholds of the empire?)

I’ve been to Singapore twice, and the first time was not during high tourist season, so my daughter and I were able to sit in the Raffles bar, enjoy our drink and take a breather from the oppressive heat and humidity that plagues the city-state all year round. It was quiet and elegant, tasty and cool; we loved it.

Second time around, I was with Jim and my other daughter, Devon. We were hot; we were a little cranky. We needed a stiff drink and a respite from the concrete jungle. Unfortunately, this was not a unique notion. The bar was packed, but we finally spotted a table in the back.

They had introduced the peanuts phenomenon well-known in chain western-style steak houses. What a mess! They had increased the price of the Singapore Sling to make it very difficult for the cheaper travelers (read me) to dole out the money. Twenty-seven Singapore dollars ($) for the drink alone, but there was a special for a full lunch that included a Sling for a mere 45. In Singapore that’s a pretty expensive lunch.

However, we were hot; we were cranky, and we were getting a little peckish to boot. We still didn’t spring for three lunches. Are you kidding? But, we did share one lunch and order the other two drinks. It was definitely one of the more expensive touristy things we did during the trip.

Don’t let yourself get too hot and cranky, have high tea in Singapore! Luxury for everyone.

Was it worth it?  Overall, I would say just don’t bother if you are on a budget!  There are plenty of malls that are air-conditioned that will give you a nice cold drink or ice-cream and a chance to get out of the heat. I felt the old-world charm diminished with the entire peanut experience.  Yes, there is history and yes, it was novel to have a drink where it originated, but I don’t think it was worth the price.

Have you ever paid way too much for a lack-luster tourist activity?  Where and when?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Andrew Darwitan

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

Love the Sling, would recommend to try it at least once. Also try Blue Spin if you can find it somewhere in the Chinatown, it's truly efficient to deliver its effect. :)

Jack Maggard

Thursday 16th of October 2014

Delicious? YES! But too much expensive.. :(

Corinne Vail

Thursday 16th of October 2014

Jack, It can be expensive, but it was worth it!

Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

Friday 1st of August 2014

My goodness, that is very expensive. I haven't been to the Raffles during my many visits to Singapore as I've always had my 3 kids with me, and I didn't think either the younguns or the establishment would appreciate us stopping there. I did manage to order a Singapore Sling at the hotel that we were staying at. It was much, much cheaper.

Corinne Vail

Friday 1st of August 2014

Michele, Well, I think you've done well then. I would leave it at that!

Johanna

Friday 1st of August 2014

Wow, expensive! But it was lovely to see photos of Raffles. I went there 35 years ago when I was backpacking and we did have a gin sling, heavens only knows how we afforded it! But we did if I remember have some vodka in somebody's rucksack too ;) I loved it's old world charm back then, but I'm sure it's changed hugely.

Corinne Vail

Friday 1st of August 2014

Johanna, I think the hotel still has loads of charm...but it just must cost a hefty bit to keep it so.

Mike

Tuesday 29th of July 2014

Gawd, that hotel looks gorgeous on the outside. It's ironic as I proposed to my fiance' (at the time) at Raffles (the restaurant) in Maui...which is no longer there. Singapore is #1 on any Far East trip I take aside from being further in-continent like Nepal and Tibet. I would most definitely apply that $27 to some amazing street food! I will absolutely pay for good food but I can stand paying for high end alcohol, Corinne! I'm glad you said it's a "pass" :)

Corinne Vail

Wednesday 30th of July 2014

Mike, The hotel is gorgeous. It's worthwhile to take a look around at it. I wouldn't spend any more money there; I think street food is the much better idea!