10/10
“Exceptional in every aspect”
Gorgeous welcoming and superbly presented
Singapore · head to head
Raffles Singapore vs Mandarin Oriental
Priced on the same night, 2026-10-25: Mandarin Oriental is $783 a night less. They are 491 metres apart.
Mandarin Oriental
$499/ night, 2026-10-25
+ $42 taxes & fees · Free cancellation
Book takes you to the exact room at that rate on HotelDupe's booking partner. Confirmation arrives by email; manage or cancel any time from Find your booking.
The honest take
Mandarin Oriental is less than half the price of Raffles at $673 versus $1,753 a night, with the same 9.6 guest rating and far more reviews behind it. Raffles has a rooftop and hot tub that Mandarin Oriental lacks on paper, but that's a thin difference against a thousand-dollar gap. Book Raffles for the building and the history; book Mandarin Oriental if you want a very good modern hotel for half the money.
The look and the feel
Raffles Singapore
Raffles is a low white colonial pile from 1887, all cast-iron columns, potted palms and ceiling fans turning slowly over the Palm Court. The suites Raffles is known for keep teak floors and Persian or oriental carpets, verandahs, and a butler on call, which is a genuinely old-fashioned touch rather than a marketing line. The Long Bar upstairs is where the Singapore Sling was invented, all rattan chairs and peanut shells on the floor, loud with tourists most evenings. It is a museum piece you get to sleep in, and it draws people who want Somerset Maugham's Singapore, not a glass tower.
Raffles suits people who want to stay inside a piece of colonial history and don't mind paying heavily for the theatre of it.
Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental is a curved 1980s tower over Marina Bay, all glass and full-height windows onto the water and the skyline, with an atrium lobby that feels corporate-grand rather than intimate. The outdoor pool sits up on a deck with cityscape views, and the spa and gym read as properly resourced rather than an afterthought. It's plugged straight into Marina Square mall and a short walk from City Hall MRT, which makes it a hotel built for people who want the city at their door rather than a story in the building itself.
Mandarin Oriental suits people who want a very well-run modern five-star with bay views and easy transit, for half the spend.
Booking the cheaper Mandarin Oriental means giving up Raffles' rooftop and hot tub, but nothing else on the facility list is missing — the gap is really about the building's age and story, not the amenities.
Raffles is the more beautiful and characterful place to be, because it's an actual 19th-century building with real patina, not a view from a tower, however good that view is.
The numbers
| Raffles Singapore | Mandarin Oriental | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, same night | $1,282 | $499 |
| Guest rating | 9.6/10 | 9.6/10 |
| Reviews | 590 | 1341 |
| Stars | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Facilities on our list | 8 | 6 |
| Distance apart | 491 m |
What one has that the other doesn't
Only Raffles Singapore has
- Hot tub
- Rooftop
Only Mandarin Oriental has
Nothing on our list that Raffles Singapore lacks.
What guests actually say
Raffles Singapore
- exceptional staff and butlers
- stunning hotel presentation
- delicious dining options
- check out process issues
“This is a stunning hotel, the staff are all amazing, especially the butlers that go above and beyond.”
Mandarin Oriental
- exceptional, attentive staff
- impeccable cleanliness and detail
- great breakfast variety
- poor view over rooftops
- breakfast restaurant too small
- price does not match quality
“Our stay at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore was absolutely exceptional from start to finish.”
Raffles guests come away happier overall, since Mandarin Oriental reviews raise recurring complaints about room views, breakfast space, and value that Raffles reviews largely avoid aside from an isolated checkout issue.
Rooms & rates, 2026-10-25
Raffles Singapore
- Run of HouseRoom Only$1,275
- Run of HouseBreakfast Included$1,275
- Run of HouseRoom Only · free cancellation$1,278
Mandarin Oriental
- Room with ViewsBreakfast Included · free cancellation$499
- Double Room Sea View (Full Double Bed) (Bed Type Is Subject to Availability)Breakfast Included · free cancellation$506
- Double or Twin Room Sea ViewBreakfast Included$540
In guests' own words
Raffles Singapore
4/10
“Stunning hotel and service but check out disaster!”
This is a stunning hotel, the staff are all amazing, especially the butlers that go above and beyond. The locations and facilities could not be better and the dining options delicious.
Unfortunately, after a wonderful stay, I was left disappointed by the check out process - they allowed a later check out by 1 hour but when I arrived to process then check out the team were not ready - they had not updated all my incidentals that I highlighted on the statement. I had to leave so they said they would em
Mandarin Oriental
10/10
“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10 Stars if I could!”
Our stay at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. Everything was perfect — from the delicious food and wonderful variety of restaurants within the hotel, to the outstanding staff, impeccable cleanliness, and incredible attention to detail. What impressed me most was how thoughtfully the hotel catered even to the little ones. Every detail made us feel truly welcomed and cared f
9/10
“sejour comme on le souhaitait. impeccable.”
tout etait impeccable
10/10
“Great”
Super
All goid
About each
Raffles Singapore
Luxurious Suites with Oriental Touches Experience the elegance of spacious suites at Raffles Singapore, featuring fine oriental carpets and teak wood flooring. Enjoy modern amenities like free WiFi, verandah, and a separate dining area for a comfortable stay. Wellness and Butler Service Indulge in a range of wellness activities including a spa, fitness…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Mandarin Oriental
Luxurious Amenities and Services Towering over Marina Bay, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore offers a luxurious stay with an outdoor pool boasting stunning cityscape views, a lavish spa, and a well-equipped gym. Guests can also enjoy rejuvenating Yoga classes during their stay. Prime Location and Accessibility Directly linked to Marina Square Shopping Centre and…
Check-in — · Check-out 12:00 PM
Facilities, in full
Raffles Singapore
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Free Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Room service
- Business center
- Terrace
- Garden
- Lift / Elevator
- Laundry
Mandarin Oriental
- Fitness facilities
- WiFi available
- Parking
- Free Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
- Fitness center
- Swimming pool
- 24-hour front desk
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Business center
- Heating
- Terrace
- Family rooms
- Lift / Elevator
Where they are
1 Beach Road5 Raffles Avenue, Marina Square
More comparisons in Singapore
Raffles Singapore vs Capella SingaporeRaffles Singapore vs Marina Bay SandsRaffles Singapore vs The Fullerton Bay Hotel SingaporeRaffles Singapore vs JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South BeachRaffles Singapore vs Four Seasons Hotel SingaporeRaffles Singapore vs The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia SingaporeCapella Singapore vs Marina Bay SandsCapella Singapore vs Mandarin Oriental
Rates are live for 2026-10-25, one night, two guests, fetched together so the two are comparable. Facilities and reviews are from each hotel's own listing. The honest take is written by our AI from the listing, the reviews and what is widely known about each hotel. HotelDupe earns a commission if you book, which never changes the verdict. All comparisons