The Grand Lobby

I’ve enjoyed high tea at Raffles Hotel many times, and my most recent visit during Christmas was truly exceptional. The magical atmosphere was enhanced by live harp music, creating a serene and classical ambience that perfectly complements the hotel’s classical charm.

Raffles has elevated the experience even further with new additions. They now present a beautiful selection of teas on a special tray, allowing you to choose your favorite. Tea preparation is done right at your table, adding an interactive and refined touch to the experience.

For an extra indulgence, you can order champagne to accompany your high tea. While it’s certainly not cheap, it’s well worth the price if you’re looking for a classy and memorable outing in one of Singapore’s most iconic venues.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate elegance and exceptional service!

Went for afternoon tea on Saturday to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

The tea selection and its taste were ok, the experience of having a staff pushing a trolley with tea leaves and tea pots to the table side and make the tea in front of guests was more enjoyable than drinking the tea itself. I got the Jade Sword for tea and paid extra for Assam Gold, both were ok ok. Maybe ordering coffee will be a better choice then.

As for the food items, the overall balance between savoury and sweet was good. Pairing different bread with different filling for each finger sandwich is a nice touch, but for the price point I think it ought to be done so. For the sweets, most were not too sweet and it was a mix of light and richer/heavier in taste. There were 3 types of scones to chose from: plain, bacon with cheese and raisin. I prefer scones to be a bit buttery and slightly soft in the middle but the scones were a bit mushy in the middle. Overall it is not bad but I think most afternoon can deliver same level of taste.

When the staff came to remind us about the dining time limit, she also asked if we want another serving of any food items from the afternoon tea. This came as a pleasant surprise as I was never offered another serving when I had 3 tier stand kind of afternoon tea at other hotels (not sure if it is supposed to be a norm).

$98++ per pax is not cheap (total bill for 2 pax was $246.99) but if there is a special occasion, I think this would be a good option. I enjoyed the experience because of the environment and warm service rather than the taste of the food and tea.

Dear Raffles Hotel Team,

I am writing to share my disappointment with the afternoon tea experience I had at The Lobby Lounge on 30 November, which was my friend’s birthday. At $98++ per person, likely the most expensive afternoon tea in town, we anticipated a unique and luxurious experience reflective of Raffles Hotel’s reputation. However, the experience fell short of expectations.
1. Missed Birthday Surprise:
When making the reservation, I informed your team it was my friend’s birthday and requested a small surprise to mark the occasion. Unfortunately, this was completely overlooked on the day. This was a significant letdown, especially for an establishment known for its six-star service.
2. Service Quality:
While the time limit of 90 minutes is understandable given the popularity of the venue, the service provided did not justify the premium price.
• Tea was not refilled proactively and only upon request.
• There was no communication about reserving scones for later.
• Parking coupons were not offered until we specifically asked for them.
3. Follow-Up:
I called the following Monday to provide feedback and was assured my concerns would be taken seriously, with a follow-up promised. However, I have yet to hear back, which further diminishes the experience.

With a total bill of $286 (including a glass of rosé champagne), the experience did not match the high expectations associated with Raffles Hotel. I hope my feedback can help ensure better service for future guests.
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