July 4, 2012

• Raffles Hotel Presidential Suite
  
  

  

   

  
  Every cloud has a silver lining

   

  What a blessing.
  My friends (a very sweet couple) were having a weekend staycation at the La Grande Dame De l’Orient and home to the Singapore Sling….

  The Raffles Hotel. And they had the presidential suite nonetheless!

  With such a sprawling space and just two tiny people to share it, they invited some of us friends over to hang out together with the spirit of Michael Jackson and do some moonwalkin’.

  Okay kidding about the MJ part. But it’s true that in 1993, the King of Pop once famously stayed here in the very same suite and waved to screaming fans below! A strange feeling of his presence came over me as I thought to myself, “wow he sat where I’m sitting, slept on this very bed…” I guess it’s hard to ignore MJ’s celebrity connection now that he’s gone.

  

  The Sarkies Suite is named in honour of the enterprising Armenian family who established Raffles Hotel in 1887, and ran it until the early thirties of the 20th century.

  
  
  Luxury defined

  The suite is distinguished by it’s amazing spaciousness and elegant appointments, it’s magnificence amplified with soaring 14-foot high ceilings. There’s a remarkable quality of antiques and artwork displayed, ultra lush period furnishings, grand chandeliers including Oriental carpets arranged on teakwood flooring.

  

  

  
  $5000 cognac at the bar. Not for cheap drunks.

  
  The beautiful colonial style is extended to the enormous dining room.

  
  Friends mucking around. It’d be funny to have a candle lit dinner sitting so far apart at opposite ends!

  
  They told me to make a “poor little rich girl” face.

  
  Found something cool!
  The presidential suite has a several doors and deceptively placed exits that guests (or their staff) can discreetly move in and out of secretly!

  
  Warm splendour of the bedroom.

  
  Prettier wardrobe than Narnia’s

  
  Keeping the old brass knobs for switches add to the rustic touch.

  
  Gorgeous chinaware

  Flowers are everywhere…

   
  The blooms were all beautifully formed and immaculately arranged. They were so perfect, we thought they were fake at first!

  
  Aha! Discovered their secret…. peek underneath you’ll see little hair clips holding them together

  

  

  
  Fancy a nice cup of English tea…. where are the scones?

  The rest of the hotel also exudes timeless colonial style.

  

  

  

  

  

  Tiffin Room: The name “Tiffin” originated from India where men went to work with their lunch packed in “tiffin carriers”.
  The three-tiered container is usually filled with rice or chapatti, a vegetable dish and a curry, prepared by wives or servants.
  When the British arrived in Singapore, they adopted the same practice, preferring to eat hygienic, home-cooked meals.
  Through the years, tiffin curry has evolved into a lunch spread at the famous Tiffin room.

  
  This bar is a tribute to the numerous writers who have stayed at the hotel or have written about it.

  
  Beautifully restored to its former glory, with French windows overlooking the courtyard,
  Raffles Grill captures the true essence of traditional fine dining

   

  

  

  
  Other charming eateries

  

   

  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.

   

  ***

  After staying in countless modern hotels after boring modern hotel, this Raffles Hotel suite was a nice change.
  A gorgeous ambience coupled with that nostalgic touch elevates the experience to a truly special one. You are magically transported back in time to that golden era of “Old Singapore”. Loved it and think I’ll be back to dine there again soon.

  If you’ve stayed at other unique/historical hotels, do share!
  

   

  Raffles Hotel Singapore
  
  Beach Road, Singapore 189673

  Tel: +65 6337 1886

  
   

  • 10:30 am
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