Tuesday 3 April 2012

RAFFLES HOTEL, SINGAPORE

Raffles Hotel is a colonial-style hotel in Singapore, and one of the world's most famous hotels. The hotel was established by the famous Armenian Sarkies Brothers. Opened in 1887, it was named after Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles (6 July 1781 – 5 July 1826). Managed by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, it is known for its luxurious accommodation and superb restaurants. The hotel houses a tropical garden courtyard, museum and Victorian-style theatre.

Raffles Hotel is reputedly where the sole surviving wild tiger in Singapore was shot and made extinct. Some stories place this event in the Long Bar. Raffles itself claims the tiger had escaped from enclosure at a nearby "native show" and chased underneath the hotel's Bar & Billiard Room (a raised structure) and shot to death there on August 13, 1902.

Raffles Hotel  is where the Singapore Sling was invented. The cocktail was invented by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon between 1910 and 1915. The Long Bar  was patronised over the decades by a host of literati, including Ernest Hemingway and Somerset Maugham.


The Hotel is the setting for Murakami Ryu's novel and film titled "Raffles Hotel". The film was shot on location.

The site of the hotel was originally the location of the oldest girls' school in Singapore (1842), now called St. Margaret's. It was founded by Maria (Tarn) Dyer, the missionary wife of Samuel Dyer.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme.














15 comments:

  1. What an impressive hotel! It combines the elegance of the past with the comforts of the present times.

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  2. WOW! What a gorgeous, impressive hotel indeed, grace and and elegance!! Your captures are fantastic as always, Nick! I would love to spend a night or two there! One doesn't see many hotels like this any more! Hope you have a great week!

    Sylvia

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  3. It's an amazing place. I enjoyed a drink at the outdoor bar there.

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  4. such a gorgeous hotel. the interior and courtyard look exquisite. great shots.

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  5. an elegant architecture. the courtyard with a fountain is my favorite. the wirework is beautiful. marvelous photos.

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  6. What an incredibly beautiful hotel!

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  7. What a beautiful hotel, lovely photos. I also love the courtyard. Thanks for sharing, have a great week!

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  8. A definite must visit place if one is in Singapore!

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  9. I prefer to stay in these kind of hotel than the new ones. The new ones has a blah effect while the old hotels has a lot of characters and history to tell. Great shots!


    You are invited to post your water photos here Water World Wednesday

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  10. is there a place where you havent been?
    did you ever visit the netherlands?
    curious to see pics! :)

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  11. This is one impressive structure. It is wonderful. I would love to visit such place as this. In places it is so ornate. Bet it costs $$$$$$ to stay there. Nice photos. genie

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  12. This is one gorgeous building!

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  13. The one and only! Not only the place is fabulous but also your shots are fantastic! Great job.

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  14. Fantastic shots of an iconic hotel. It reminds my of my time in Singapore - could never afford to stay at that hotel, though.

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  15. Nice to see this place again. I was there years ago. Went to the bar for a Singapore Sling! Thanks for dropping by....yes, my sheep is no longer a lamb!

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