Raffles Hotel, Singapore

...tell you we stayed at Raffles Hotel during our visit to Singapore but unfortunately that would be a big fat lie. For me to stay in the fantastic hotel would require a lottery win or other such windfall

History

Raffles dated back to 1887 and was named after the founder of Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles.The hotel was founded by four Armenian brothers called Sarkies. The hotel was originally just a 10 bedroom colonial bungalow ...
...as a Victorian style theatre. Raffles is world renowned be its luxurious accommodation and fabulous restaurants. Sad to say it was just a name to me until the TV programme Tenko which I loved filmed some scenes there.
The hotel survived World War 11 and towards the end of the war was used as a transit camp for prisoners of war. In 1987 it was declared a national monument. The hotel closed down in 1989 and reopened after an extensive refurbishment ... more

I would love to tell you we stayed at Raffles Hotel during our visit to Singapore but unfortunately that would be a big fat lie. For me to stay in the fantastic hotel would require a lottery win or other such windfall

History

Raffles dated back to 1887 and was named after the founder of Singapore Sir Stamford Raffles.The hotel was founded by four Armenian brothers called Sarkies. The hotel was originally just a 10 bedroom colonial bungalow but over the years the hotel continued to expand with the addition of extra wings ,a ballroom, veranda billiards room and further buildings and rooms. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum as well as a Victorian style theatre. Raffles is world renowned be its luxurious accommodation and fabulous restaurants. Sad to say it was just a name to me until the TV programme Tenko which I loved filmed some scenes there.
The hotel survived World War 11 and towards the end of the war was used as a transit camp for prisoners of war. In 1987 it was declared a national monument. The hotel closed down in 1989 and reopened after an extensive refurbishment in 1991 which included a shopping arcade and an extension in the same design housing more rooms.
Raffles is where the world famous Singapore Sling was invented by a barman in the Long Bar in the 1900's.

Famous Visitors
Many famous actors and actresses have stayed in Raffles including Elizabeth Taylor, Charlie Chaplin and Noel Coward to name a few also Michael Jackson and our own dear Queen have also stayed.

Our Visit
We decided to take a taxi as I said in a previous opinion they were so cheap its seemed so pointless to waste time waiting on the bus which also would have taken us to the door. Taxi cost a couple of S$ the bus would have been free as Singapore airline stopover holidays give you a free pass for the hop on hop off bus.
As the taxi pulled up outside the hotel the concierge appeared like magic and the door was held open for us we felt like royalty. He was dressed in a very ornate uniform with a scarlet jacket with gold braid and topped off with a white turban. We were not sure where to go so entered the hotel as we thought that was the way to the long bar only to find men are not allowed into the actual hotel itself wearing shorts. We beat a hasty retreat as at 100 degrees outside no way was my husband putting on long trousers.
We were soon on the right track and it was like we had stepped back in time as we walked round the veranda towards the long bar. It was like an oasis of calm with lush vegetation, fountains and seats where we could stop,rest and admire our beautiful surroundings.
There are many food and drink outlets at Raffles these include

Ah Teng's Bakery
Bar and Billiard Room
Doc Chengs Empire Cafe
Kai San Japanese Restaurant
Long Bar
Long Bar Steakhouse
Raffles Courtyard
Raffles Grill
Royal China at Raffles
Seah Street Deli/ Raffles Café
THOS SB Raffles
Tiffin Room
Writers Bar

Our aim was so search out the Long Bar, we must have look bewildered because a maid who was mopping the floor asked if we were lost, No just searching for a lift was our reply. Like magic she opened a panel in the wall and hid her mop and bucket then said follow me. Not content with showing us where the lift was she insisted on taking us to the door. Now that's service!

The Long bar was quiet and cool with the ceiling fans in operation. The bar itself was long and dark wood with the usual brass fitments and a row of padded bar stools nothing out the ordinary you must think. The tables were mostly round with rattan chairs but what makes this bar different is the mess on the floor. When you order your drinks you are given a dish of monkey nuts and told just throw your shells away. The floor is awash with shells and little birds that have come in the open doors hoping for a stray peanut. It was quite bizarre and unique to this bar as far as I know. What I do know is it does not come natural to litter especially in Singapore where you get fined for the slightest thing.
Singapore Sling was the only drink to consider unless you are like my husband who is a non drinker the recipe is according to my fridge magnet he he as follows

One measure Gin
One quarter Cherry Brandy
One quarter mixed fruit juice (orange, lime, or lemon, pineapple)
A few drops of Cointreau and Benedictine
A dash of Angostura Bitters
Serve in a tall glass with a piece of pineapple and a cherry ice and a straw completes the drink.
I really don't like gin but the other alcohol masked it and it was really nice.

Duly refreshed we tear ourselves away from the bar and continue exploring. There are so many designer shops with matching designer prices that I am afraid my dollars on this occasion stayed well and truly in my purse. But it was good to browse I mean if it good enough for the Queen it must be worth a look.

The museum was our next port of call with lots of interesting information and pictures of its colonial background. We spent a while browsing before heading for the gift shop where my purse most definitely came out buying gifts to take home plus a picture as a reminder of our visit. No loud tacky bags here everything is either wrapped in brown paper with a Raffles seal or put in a brown paper carrier emblazoned with the Raffles logo very high class!!
If I have whetted your appetite and you fancy staying at Raffles you will find it situated

Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 6337 1886
Fax: +65 6339 7650

It will only cost about 900S$ per night so start saving your pennies. As I didnt stay in the hotel the accessment are purely on the facilities we used.
I hope to include some pictures my brother is the one in the Toronto t shirt the other my husband Thanks for reading.

 

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