Staycation at Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Surprisingly, we are as relaxed as if we had actually travelled somewhere. And in a way we did. The Raffles Singapore is a universe onto itself, even more fabulous after the recent renovation. It feels like stepping back in time, certainly like stepping out of Singapore which after a long time of not being able to travel anywhere was sorely needed.. History is everywhere in the Raffles - well worth participating in the history tour by the lovely local historian who has a lot of stories and little details one would otherwise never know. The hotel is a rather large complex consisting of the main building in all its colonial splendour with a very chic enormous new chandelier in the main lobby and various wings with differently sized suites and verandahs and a couple of high end shops on the ground floor. We stayed in the Charlie Chaplin Suite, which is simply a palm court suite with a few Chaplin mementos. We were thrilled with it as it is the last one in that row, so no one walks past it when you have your breakfast or drinks on the verandah. It's also next to the noisy road, but one can't hear that inside. The interior design of the suites is gorgeous. Even the smallest ones are generously sized. The hotel has three bars: Courtyard (outside, not anymore), Long Bar (the original bar where they serve the Singapore Sling) and a new very snazzy Writers Bar - lovely design, great cocktails. We have previously eaten at La Dane de Pic, the Michelin star restaurant. Food is lovely, not my taste, but well worth trying. During this stay we ate at the Butcher's Block which is not a steak house anymore, but has now a more seafood inspired menu and some dramatic meat dishes. I absolutely loved the food - lots of smokey tastes, complex flavours. The afternoon tea is also amazing much improved since it was changed from the buffet style affair in the Tiffin Room to