The Grand Lobby

Festive decorations and performances to match the excellent food and service.

A bad day at this iconic location. I love raffles, but the afternoon tea was a real disappointment. An hours wait to be served, worst there was a complete mess with the allergy requirements for one diner which had to be sent back 3 times. The team had no idea what was in the ingredients and the chef kept sending back food with the allergens in them. In the end, we ended up with cheese and ham sandwiches as they was all they could offer, not good enough in the 21st century, especially as we had written confirmation before we arrived all was in order. Even without these issues, sadly, it was a very poor afternoon tea generally. The produce was average at best and didn't seem freshly created. Compared to Emirates palace in Abu Dhabi and the ritz in London...this isn't a patch on them. We won't be doing it again. It's sad that such a fun event turned out like this. Must do better team. Sorry.

Had an absolutely delightful high tea experience at The Grand Lobby, Raffles Hotel Singapore! From the moment we walked in, the service staff impressed us with their attentiveness and professionalism. They were courteous, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the session.

The tea selection was impressive, offering a wide variety to suit different tastes. For those who prefer premium options, higher-grade teas are available at an additional cost.

As it’s December, we got to enjoy the festive-themed high tea set, which was both beautiful and delicious. The three-tier presentation was classic and elegant, featuring bite-sized sandwiches, cakes, and pastries. My favorite was the egg mayo sandwich, while the curry bread with crab meat filling was a unique and flavorful surprise. The staff even offered free refills, which we wouldn’t have known about if they hadn’t mentioned it—such a nice touch!

The cakes were the highlight for me. They were perfectly balanced in sweetness, not overly sugary, and incredibly satisfying. The variety ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy.

The ambience of The Grand Lobby added to the charm of the afternoon. It’s a stunning and relaxing venue, perfect for a luxurious tea break. The only small downside was the harp performance. While the idea of live harp music was lovely, the musician played a bit too loudly and with a faster pace than expected. A softer, slower melody would have complemented the serene atmosphere better.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience that I highly recommend. From the exceptional service to the exquisite food and beautiful surroundings, it was a high tea to remember!

While the Raffles Hotel provided some thoughtful touches, like preparing a special chocolate cake dessert for my husband’s birthday and escorting us to the Long Bar after our tea, the overall experience fell short of expectations. The cakes and scones were delicious, and the setting is undeniably beautiful, but the service had significant flaws that marred the experience.

The pacing of the service was completely out of order. We were seated first, then the tea tower arrived before we even had the chance to order our tea. The champagne and welcome drink both came later—at the same time—leaving us without anything to drink initially, not even water. It felt rushed and poorly organized, detracting from the elegance and relaxation one expects at afternoon tea.

Additionally, the sandwiches were misproportioned, and the napkin presentation didn’t match the traditional standards of afternoon tea (a simple triangle fold or napkin ring would have added a refined touch).

I’d highly recommend visiting the Four Seasons for afternoon tea instead—it was a flawless five-star experience. While the Raffles Hotel is worth visiting for its beautiful gift shop, they need to address the service flow, pacing, and attention to detail to elevate their tea service. There’s great potential here, but the execution needs improvement.