Raffles must be Singapore’s most famed hotel, if not one of the world’s. If you’ve made the trip to the stop-over favourite, it’s likely you’ve visited the 1887 landmark – if only to sample its famed creation, the Singapore Sling.

But it might be worth revisiting shortly, as the iconic heritage space has just undergone extensive renovation that has delivered a slew of new accommodation options, as well as dining spaces.

The luxury destination hopes to reaffirm its status with a makeover described as an “update [on] its distinctive suites with new amenities and technology while maintaining the sense of space and colonial ambience”. It is more than a century old after all.

When the hotel reopens it will offer guests three new suite categories – Residence Suites, Promenade Suites and Studio Suites. This is alongside the existing suite categories that include Presidential Suites, Grand Hotel Suites, Palm Court Suites, State Room Suites, formerly known as Raffles Inc. State Room Suites. (Yes, that’s a lot of suites). The total suite count will increase from its existing 103 suites to 115 suites.

But it’s not just bedrooms that will be updated – the Raffles Arcade has also welcomed new social spaces. There’s a Raffles Gift Shop (to house a history gallery) as well as a brand-new spa – a holistic space to escape the busy Singapore city outside.

“The History Gallery exhibits the hotel’s heritage over the past 130 years, and highlights the role Raffles Singapore played as a landmark in the country, and also in the region,” explains general manager Christian Westbeld. “We are confident the local community will enjoy the refreshed facilities within the arcade that would rejuvenate the experiences within our neighbourhood.”

When it comes to dining, the restaurant and bars that have been present since the 1900s have also undergone a gentle refurbish – namely the Long Bar, Tiffin Room and Writers Bar. Thorough research by a team of heritage consultants led by interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud informs the makeover, with attention paid to preserving historic features and traditions – for example, visitors will still be welcome to continue the tradition of throwing peanut shells on the floor of the Long Bar.

It’s events that will truly benefit from the overhaul, with a new 300-guest ballroom – the Jubilee Ballroom – welcomed to the hotel. It is named after the Jubilee Theatre, which was originally a ’30s cinema at the same location.

“Careful consideration has been taken to ensure we retain the ambience and what is unique to Raffles Singapore,” explains Christian of the project’s attention to detail. “In the meantime, we are committed to deliver a level of service and comfort that is expected of us for areas of the hotel that remain open.”

This isn’t the last of the luxury hotel’s planned renovations. Phase Three of the restoration begins on December 13 this year when the hotel will be fully closed until the project’s finish sometime in 2018.