New 'old' Raffles Hotel reopens after 2-year renovation. Here's how it looks inside

If you step into the revamped Raffles Hotel and feel that nothing has changed, its designer, Edmond Bakos, will take it as a compliment.

Speaking to The Straits Times, Bakos said: "The goal was to bring the hotel to the next chapter, not to completely change it."

The hotel reopened its doors today (Aug 1) after a two-year revamp, which saw the 132-year-old grand dame given a fresh coat of paint and new white marble flooring in its interior. The air-conditioning system also underwent an upgrade.

The last restoration done to the hotel was from 1989 to 1991. 

With well-heeled guests still its target, the hotel now has 115 suites up from 103. A suite at the Raffles Hotel starts at $1,300 a night.

Couples looking to get hitched may want to take note — the hotel's former Jubilee Theatre has been transformed into a ballroom that can fit 300 guests.

Perhaps the other most perceivable change would lie in its refreshed lineup of F&B outlets.

Gone are restaurants such as Royal Blue China and The Halia, with new concepts like Yi by celebrity Masterchef Jereme Leung, and BBR by Alain Ducasse taking over.

The former Raffles Grill has also been replaced by La Dame de Pic, opened in partnership with celebrated chef Anne Sophie Pic.

Besides Yi, more than 30 retail, dining, and lifestyle offerings are also open at the Raffles Arcade, the hotel's lifestyle belt. Among them is Burger & Lobster, which opened its first outlet at Jewel Changi Airport, as well as co-working space The Great Room.

Good news for those who have missed The Long Bar and its peanut shell-strewn floor. It's back, along with Tiffin Room, The Lobby, Writers Bar, Raffles Courtyard, and Ah Teng's Cafe.

According to the hotel's general manager, Christian Westbeld, the hotel is already seeing a crowd. It's at 65 per cent capacity on its opening day, and will be at 85 per cent capacity tomorrow.

candicecai@asiaone.com