| Wine&Backstage | Behind the scenes of the legendary Raffles Hotel Singapore

RAFFLES HOTEL SINGAPORE

It is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Discover what made The Raffles a Legend...

AN OASIS With its classical architecture in a tropical garden setting, declared National Monument by the Singapore Government in 1987, the hotel is an oasis within the modern city. “Raffles stands for all the fables of the exotic East” – says playwright et novelist Somerset Maugham, who used to work during mornings under a frangipani tree in the Palm Court.

THE "WRITER'S BAR" The “writer’s bar” is a tribute to the novelists who have enjoyed staying at the hotel. Like Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad, then a seaman navigating the deep Eastern seas, and the young writer Rudyard Kipling who enjoyed dining at the Hotel. The author of The Jungle Book even dedicated a text: “Feed at Raffles”.

THE SINGAPORE SLING The Singapore Sling was created in 1915 at Raffles during the English colonial period so that Ladies could drink alcohol, without showing it! Guests can still enjoy this pink coloured gin based cocktail in the hotel’s Long Bar, the only place in Singapore where people are encouraged to litter by tossing peanut shells on the floor.

HIGH TEA The delightful practice of Afternoon Tea is still going on at Raffles Hotel. Everyday, the Tiffin Room (main restaurant) is full of guests enjoying warm local delights, mini pastries and delicate finger sandwiches in the colonial settings like Charlie Chaplin used to! One true classic is the legendary warm scone served with thick clotted cream and homemade jams.

THE SUITES There is no ordinary room at Raffles, there are only suites! Among which two presidential suites, where Queen Elisabeth II, Sting, Michael Jackson and Jacky Chan (to only name a few) had the chance to sleep.

VISIT RAFFLES HOTEL SINGAPORE WEBSITE

by Aude Giraud
photos Hotel Raffles Hotel Singapore

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