Raffles Hotel Singapore has once again earned a place on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 ranking, landing at No. 17 and maintaining its status as the only Singapore property in the prestigious top 50. While the colonial-era landmark slipped from its fifth-place finish in 2025, industry observers and loyalists alike consider the continued recognition a testament to the hotel’s enduring appeal.
The announcement, released this week, places Raffles among elite global hospitality destinations, though it faces stiff competition from regional rivals. Rosewood Hong Kong claimed the top spot for the second consecutive year, followed by Capella Bangkok and Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River in second and third place, respectively.
A Legacy of Reinvention
Raffles’ latest ranking comes as no surprise to those familiar with its storied history. Founded in 1887 by the Armenian Sarkies brothers as a modest 10-room property, the hotel has evolved into one of Singapore’s most recognisable landmarks. It was gazetted as a National Monument in 1987, cementing its place in the nation’s cultural heritage.
The property completed a major restoration and reopened in 2019, adding new restaurants, bars, courtyards, and social spaces while preserving the colonial-era architecture and old-world service that built its reputation. That blend of tradition and modernity continues to define the Raffles experience.
Culinary Chapter
The hotel’s most recent innovation is decidedly gastronomic. In March, celebrated chef André Chiang returned to Singapore with 1887 by André, a restaurant occupying the hotel’s historic formal dining room. The menu draws from Raffles’ archives and Singapore’s culinary history, pairing heritage flavours with French techniques—a fitting tribute to the hotel’s cosmopolitan character.
Raffles’ guestbook reads like a who’s who of literary and entertainment history, featuring names such as Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, Elizabeth Taylor, and Charlie Chaplin. The iconic Singapore Sling cocktail was famously created at the hotel’s Long Bar in 1915, cementing its place in cocktail lore.
Regional Competition Heats Up
Asian hotels dominated the 2026 list, with properties from Hong Kong, Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo, and Dubai filling numerous top-20 slots. Other notable entries include Atlantis The Royal in Dubai (No. 4), Passalacqua on Lake Como (No. 5), and Claridge’s in London (No. 13).
The Top 20 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026:
- Rosewood Hong Kong – Hong Kong
- Capella Bangkok – Bangkok
- Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River – Bangkok
- Atlantis The Royal – Dubai
- Passalacqua – Lake Como
- Rosewood São Paulo – São Paulo
- Mandarin Oriental Qianmen – Beijing
- Upper House Hong Kong – Hong Kong
- Chablé Yucatán – Chocholá
- Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – Bangkok
- Aman Tokyo – Tokyo
- Four Seasons Firenze – Florence
- Claridge’s – London
- Hôtel de Crillon – Paris
- Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab – Dubai
- Capella Sydney – Sydney
- Raffles Singapore – Singapore
- Casa Maria Luigia – Modena
- Le Bristol – Paris
- Cheval Blanc Paris – Paris
Looking Ahead
For Singapore’s hospitality scene, Raffles’ continued presence on the global stage reinforces the city-state’s reputation as a luxury travel destination. As the hotel moves forward with new culinary ventures and maintains its heritage appeal, industry watchers will be watching to see if it can climb back toward the top five in coming years.
The full list of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 is available on the official awards website. For travellers planning a visit, Raffles offers guided heritage tours, afternoon tea in the Grand Lobby, and, of course, a Singapore Sling at the legendary Long Bar.