Singapore's Raffles Hotel to shut for face lift

It will reopen in mid-2018.

Singapore's historic Raffles Hotel announced yesterday that it would temporarily close its operations for several months for renovations to the popular tourist landmark starting next year.

At a media briefing, the management said that the restoration of the 129-year old hotel will be done in three phases. It will start with the shopping arcade in January.

The management refused to disclose the renovation cost of the hotel declared a national monument in 1987.

Restoration works for the 103-suite hotel will begin in the main hotel building and lobby in mid-2017 before the hotel shuts completely at the end of the year. It is targeted to reopen in mid-2018.