Tuesday, June 26, 2007

SINGAPORE: RAFFLES HOTEL



Raffles Hotel (莱佛士酒店) is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore, dating from 1887 and named after Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles. Managed by Raffles International, it is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum, and Victorian-style theatre.






The hotel was founded by the four Armenian Sarkies Brothers (Martin, Tigran, Aviet, and Arshak Sarkies). They opened the ten-room colonial bungalow at Beach Road and Bras Basah Roads on December 1, 1887.



The original location was by the seaside, although continued reclamation means that the site is presently some 500 m away from the shore. No Asians were permitted as hotel guests until the 1930s. (Source: Wickipedia)


The lush greenery that surrounds it reminds one of Singapore's British past as a colony. One could almost imagine men in white suits and safari hats come out into the verandahs to have high tea.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hapet Dylan. I'm enjoying your coverage of singapore. Parang gusto ko tuloy bumalik dyan. Did you take that free guided tour of the museum? Looking forward to more of your coverage there.

Anonymous said...

I found the Raffles lobby smug, I was questioned if I was a guest there (obviously not) and got stopped somewhere in between the lobby. Ditto with the Oriental in Bkk (ok, so maybe I was in shorts but so where some Westerners). Somehow, you dont get feeling at the Manila Hotel or the Fullerton.