Citadine Raffle Place Singapore: Serviced Apartment Guide

The Raffles Hotel commands the spotlight, but the real Singapore CBD play is a serviced apartment with a kitchenette and a rooftop pool. Citadines Raffles Place Singapore offers travellers a practical base steps from the Singapore River, trading colonial verandas for modern self-sufficiency.

Distance to City Centre: 500 metres ·
Standard Room Rate (per night): $172 – $586 USD ·
Amenities: Rooftop pool, fitness centre ·
Nearest MRT: Raffles Place MRT (2-minute walk) ·
Property Type: Serviced apartment

Nine key facts, one pattern: Citadines Raffles Place is a compact, amenity-rich serviced apartment designed for the CBD traveller — not a resort, but a practical base.

Why is Raffles Hotel Singapore so famous?

History of Raffles Hotel (1887–present)

• Raffles Hotel opened in 1887 and is Singapore’s oldest hotel (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• It was declared a national monument in 1987 (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• Recent renovations restored the property while preserving its colonial charm (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Famous guests and events

• Literary figures such as Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling stayed there (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• The Singapore Sling cocktail was invented at its Long Bar (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Architectural significance

• The hotel is a prime example of colonial-era architecture in Singapore (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Raffles Hotel in popular culture

• The hotel has appeared in films and is a cultural landmark (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Bottom line: Raffles Hotel is not just a hotel — it’s a national monument, a cocktail birthplace, and a literary touchstone. For first-time visitors, it’s worth a walk-through even if you’re staying at Citadines.

What is near Citadines Raffles Place?

Nearby attractions

• Merlion Park is within walking distance (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• Marina Bay Sands and the CBD skyline are visible from the neighbourhood.
• Clarke Quay and the Singapore River are steps away (KAYAK, hotel comparison site).

Restaurants and dining

• Multiple dining options in surrounding office towers and malls.
• Note: the property itself does not include meals (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Shopping and entertainment

• Raffles City and Suntec City are nearby.

MRT and public transport

• Raffles Place MRT is a 2-minute walk (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

The implication: The location is Citadines’ strongest asset — you get the CBD’s connectivity without the hotel markup. But if you want room service or a lobby restaurant, you’ll rely on the neighbourhood.

Is Citadines a service apartment?

What defines a serviced apartment

• Fully furnished units with kitchenette, living area, and housekeeping services (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Citadines Raffles Place features and services

• Yes, managed by The Ascott Limited (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• Offers rooftop pool, fitness centre, 24-hour reception (KAYAK, hotel comparison site).
• Minimum stay of 7 nights (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Differences from hotels and regular apartments

• Serviced apartments combine home comforts with hotel-like amenities.
• More space and flexibility than standard hotel rooms (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

What this means: Citadines fits the extended-stay traveller who wants a self-contained base. The 7-night minimum is a dealbreaker for short trips.

How far is Citadines Raffles Place from the airport?

Distance from Changi Airport

• About 20 km (12 miles) (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

Transport options and travel time

• Taxi/ride-hailing: 20–30 minutes, SGD 25–35 (USD 18–26) (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• MRT: 40–50 minutes via East-West Line (KAYAK, hotel comparison site).

Taxi and ride-hailing costs

• Estimated fare SGD 25–35 (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

The trade-off: Taking MRT saves money but adds 20 minutes. For business travellers, the taxi cost is negligible against the convenience.

Can I wear jeans to Raffles?

Dress code at Raffles Hotel bars and restaurants

• Smart casual dress code for most areas (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• Jeans allowed in Long Bar and casual outlets (KAYAK, hotel comparison site).

Rules for the Long Bar and other outlets

• Collared shirts and closed-toe shoes recommended for fine dining (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

What to wear for high tea or dinner

• No shorts, flip-flops, or singlet tops in certain venues (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

The pattern: Raffles is dressy but not formal. Jeans are fine for a drink at the Long Bar, but skip ripped denim and sportswear.

Citadines vs Oakwood Premier Raffles Place vs Raffles Hotel

Three accommodation options within a 500-metre radius, one key difference: price vs. prestige vs. practicality.

The catch: Raffles Hotel is iconic but expensive; Oakwood is a direct competitor with similar amenities; Citadines offers the best value for longer stays, but the 7-night minimum limits its appeal for short trips.

Room specifications

Four room categories, one clear pattern: compact but efficient studio layouts dominate.

What to watch: Rates fluctuate with season — booking direct or through aggregators can yield differences of up to $100 per night.

Timeline: from Raffles Hotel to Citadines

• 1887 – Raffles Hotel opens.
• 1987 – Raffles Hotel declared a national monument.
• 2002 – Major restoration of Raffles Hotel.
• 2017 – Oakwood Premier Raffles Place opens at CapitaSpring.
• 2022 – Citadines Raffles Place listed as built (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

What’s confirmed, what’s unclear

What’s confirmed

• Citadines Raffles Place is a serviced apartment with rooftop pool and fitness centre (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• The property is located at 1 Finlayson Green, Singapore (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• Raffles Place MRT is adjacent (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).
• Raffles Hotel is a historic hotel opened in 1887 (Travel Weekly, travel industry database).

What’s unclear

• Exact number of rooms (some sources say 299)
• Year the property opened as Citadines (may have been refurbished from earlier building)
• Whether Citadines Raffles Place has a restaurant on-site (some sources mention it, but not confirmed)

What guests say

“Clean, modern serviced residence right in the CBD.”

– User reviews on KAYAK (KAYAK, verified ratings platform)

“Standard room rates from $172 to $586 USD per night.”

– Travel Weekly, travel industry database

“Offers accommodation located 500 metres from the centre of Singapore.”

– Official website snippet via Travel Weekly, travel industry database

Editor’s note: The quotes above reflect aggregated user sentiment and official listing data. Individual experiences may vary.

For travellers who value location and self-contained living, Citadines Raffles Place is a solid pick — but only if you can commit to a week or more. For the short-stay visitor in Singapore’s CBD, the choice is clear: book a night or two at a hotel, or commit to Citadines’ minimum and enjoy the extra space.

Frequently asked questions

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