Hotels with History | Raffles Hotel, Singapore, with Richard E. Grant and Jules Perowne

Summary

Podcast Summary: Hotels with History | Raffles Hotel, Singapore

Podcast: Intelligence Squared
Hosts: Richard E. Grant and Jules Perowne
Date: September 25, 2025

---

Overview

This episode of Hotels with History takes listeners on a journey through the story of Raffles Hotel, Singapore—an iconic institution that began as a humble beach bungalow and evolved into a global symbol of luxury and heritage. Hosts Richard E. Grant and Jules Perowne blend personal anecdotes with rich historical details, exploring Raffles’ ties to colonial ambition, global travel, literary inspiration, and its enduring status in the city’s cultural life.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting the Scene

• The episode opens with a vivid description of Singapore’s bustling cityscape and the contrasting calm of Raffles Hotel, emphasizing its sense of timelessness amid constant change.
  • “The city may swirl around you, but enter Raffles? It feels like this place has been waiting for you to step inside and slow down.” (Jules, 01:40)

Origins and Founders

• Raffles Hotel’s origins lie with the Sarkies brothers—Armenian entrepreneurs fleeing geopolitical change, who began their hospitality journey in Penang, Malaysia, before identifying Singapore’s strategic potential.

  • The rise of global travel after the Suez Canal’s opening and developments in steamship technology fostered a “golden age for global travel.” (Richard, 05:11–05:44)

• The building’s earlier life as a private beach house, Emerson’s Hotel, and a boarding house is traced, showing the property’s evolution prior to the Sarkies’ lease in 1887.

  • “The original building was a far cry from the hotel you would have stayed at, Richard, wasn’t it?” (Jules, 10:30)

Naming and Colonial Heritage

• The hotel’s name honors Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, founder of modern Singapore, whose vision of a free port catalyzed Singapore’s prosperity but was intertwined with British colonial ambitions.
  • “Raffles was a complex figure. While he certainly had vision and ambition, his legacy is tied to British colonial expansion in Southeast Asia, which brought both opportunity and exploitation.” (Richard, 09:44)

Architectural Evolution

• Rapid expansion in the late 19th century, including the addition of new guest wings and the grand Neo-Renaissance main building in 1899, designed by R.A.J. Bidwell.

  • Key physical features: cast-iron portico, palm gardens, a Victorian fountain—symbols of Raffles’ dedication to elegance and heritage.

• Preservation efforts and restorations are highlighted, ensuring that the hotel remains “a concerted effort to embed local history and heritage directly within the hotel’s physical fabric.” (Richard, 13:00)

Financial Turmoil and Resilience

• The hotel survived bankruptcy during the Great Depression (1931) due to the Sarkies brothers’ generosity—and later incorporation as Raffles Hotel Limited (1933) after clearing significant debts.

• Japanese occupation in WWII briefly transformed it into Sionan Ryokan; a legend tells of hotel staff burying silver in the Palm Court as Japanese troops approached.

  • “Legend has it that as the Japanese Imperial army descended upon the city, the Raffles Hotel held one last waltz…” (Jules, 15:15)

Cultural and Literary Influence

• Raffles’ rich literary legacy, hosting luminaries such as Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham (who often wrote under the frangipani tree), and later memorialized in suite names and resident programs.

  • “To have been young and had a room at Raffles was life at its best.” (James A. Michener, 16:01)

• Posts-war, Raffles became a magnet for global celebrities: Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson—with anecdotes about wild arrivals and unique requests.

Colourful Anecdotes and Local Folklore

• The legendary doormen of Raffles, most notably Narajan Singh (“one of the most photographed doormen in the world” – Richard, 17:57), whose duties have ranged from grand welcomes to wrestling wild boars (1904) and removing pythons.

• The famed tiger incident (1902): an escaped circus tiger sought refuge under the bar and billiard room, only to be dispatched by the local headmaster in his pyjamas (19:03).

• Other quirky stories: a guest stuck in a Shanghai jar bath, roller skating in the main dining hall (early 1900s), and the Grill Room’s transformation into the Elizabethan Grill for Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation.

Rituals and Modern Traditions

• The nightly playing of Noël Coward’s “I’ll See You Again” is a modern nod to tradition, echoing the days when live music floated up the staircase.

  • “Every night at 8pm, Noel Coward’s ‘I’ll see you again’ is played on an antique record player. It became something I looked forward to…” (Richard, 20:52)

• The Singapore Sling’s origin: invented by bartender Niam Tong Boon in 1915 as a clever way for women to enjoy alcohol discreetly in public.

  • “It’s tropical, refreshing and sweet with pineapple, lime and cherry flavours running through.” (Jules, 21:38)

• The post-2019 restoration’s reimagining of service: abolishing the front desk in favor of butler-led hospitality, a modern yet deeply rooted tradition.

Raffles as a Living Heritage

• Raffles Hotel declared a National Monument in 1987, recognizing its architectural and cultural significance.
• The hotel is still a “rite of passage” for locals, not merely a tourist destination, and remains central to Singaporean life and identity.

---

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Raffles’ Timeless Atmosphere:
  “The city may swirl around you, but enter Raffles? It feels like this place has been waiting for you to step inside and slow down.” – Jules Perowne, 01:40

• On the Role of Hotels in History:
  “Hotels are where history happens... the true silent witnesses to history, where the past lingers in every corridor.” – Jules, 03:28

• On Historical Expansion:
  “Please remember, we are no better than the best, but better than the rest.” – Sarkies Brothers’ 1887 advertisement, 10:37

• On Literary Legacy:
  “To have been young and had a room at Raffles was life at its best.” – James A. Michener, 16:01

• On Butlers and Service:
  “Service should be like a gentle breeze, unobtrusive, yet ever present.” – Jules, 23:29

• On Singapore’s Transformation:
  “Outside, the Singapore which Sir Raffles once knew has transformed beyond anything he could have imagined… always moving forward, but never quite letting go of where it began.” – Richard, 24:20

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:49–02:31: Vivid introduction to Singapore’s energy and the tranquil contrast of Raffles Hotel
• 04:17–06:13: Story of the Sarkies brothers and the global shift in travel
• 08:20–10:12: Naming of Raffles and colonial Singapore’s transformation
• 11:05–12:33: Expansion and Neo-Renaissance redesign
• 13:00–14:25: Great Depression and recovery
• 14:33–15:23: World War II, Japanese occupation, and the legend of buried silver
• 15:23–17:32: Literary legends and celebrity guests
• 17:47–19:32: The legendary doormen and tiger incident
• 19:32–20:44: Peculiar anecdotes and transformations—Shanghai jars, roller skating, Royal visits
• 20:52–21:27: Noel Coward tradition
• 21:38–22:22: Singapore Sling’s invention and significance
• 22:59–23:39: Writer-in-residence program
• 23:12–24:03: Modern service innovations—elimination of the front desk
• 24:20–25:35: Raffles’ national monument status and enduring place in Singaporean culture

---

Conclusion

Hotels with History presents the story of Raffles Hotel, Singapore, as a unique intersection of architecture, commerce, literature, and tradition—embodying the city’s ability to reinvent itself while revering its roots. Through evocative storytelling, candid recollections, and memorable anecdotes, the episode illustrates why Raffles remains a living monument: where every guest, whether literary giant or local family, becomes part of its ongoing legacy.

---

Transcript

[A]

Hello, I'm Head of Programming Conor Boyle. Today, something a little different. We're excited to share with you a handpicked episode of a brand new series, Hotels with History, produced by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Peron International. From grand buildings that hosted royalty to secluded retreats that shaped cultural legends, Hotels with History uncovers the remarkable stories behind some of the world's most storied hotels, as well as the layered histories of the places that they stand in. In each episode, hosts Richard E. Grant and Jules Perrone travel to a different hotel, sharing the unforgettable moments that occurred both inside and outside the walls and grounds, and how the forces of history transformed entire regions into luxury destinations we know today. Now over to Jules and Richard for Hotels With History.

[B]

Singapore, a sprawling modern metropolis. Gleaming towers of glass and steel piercing the clouds. The dense, heady green of the Botanic Gardens after a sudden equatorial downpour, with the iconic gardens by the bay imbuing the skyline with identity and distinctiveness. But let's take a step back from the neon haze of the ever evolving centre. Travel a few blocks from the bustle of Orchard Road and you'll find yourself on Beach Road. Although the beach is now a distant memory reclaimed long ago, here stands a relic of another time. A white colonnaded building wrapped in tropical foliage. Its verandas cooled by whispering ceiling fans. And the scent of frangipane drifting on the air, appearing almost like a mirage at the edge of memory. There's no rushing here, only ritual. Afternoon tea beneath punkers, a gin sling in a glass with just the right weight. The rustle of linen, the scent of old paper and jasmine. All in the shadow of a Singapore that's always changing. And yet within these walls somehow stands still. Night falls fast in the tropics. One moment the sky is glowing like an ember, the next it's dark as velvet and humming with cicadas. And the night is soft and thick with heat. So step beneath the portico. Feel the hush. The city may swirl around you, but Anta Raffles? It feels like this place has been waiting for you to step inside and slow down.

[C]

Welcome to Hotels With History. I'm Jules Perrone, lifelong traveller and lover of hotels. In my role as founder of Peron International, I've traveled the globe and have visited the very best of the best in the hospitality industry. But hotels are more than just the place to rest one's head. They are the crossroads of every city, bringing together some of the most intriguing, influential people in the world. Just like seats of government and boardrooms, Hotels are where history happens, and that's what this podcast is all about.

[B]

And I am Richard E. Grant, and the nature of my work as an actor means I am constantly traveling, making me no stranger to spending time within the four walls of hotel rooms of every size, shape and flavour. I've come to be something of an expert in what makes a good hotel great. And like Jules, I'm fascinated by the history made within these remarkable buildings.

[C]

To truly understand a city, I believe we must look beyond the famous landmarks. I've stood in rooms where history was made. And I know more than anyone that hotels are the true silent witnesses to history, where the past lingers in every corridor.

[B]

But the future is also quietly being written in hotels. Deals being sealed over cocktails, love stories beginning over candlelight in the dining room, and memories being stored forever as heads hit the pillow.

[C]

In every episode will be taking you inside some of the world's finest, grandest and most historically significant hotels.

[B]

Jules has sent me around the world to experience these extraordinary hotels firsthand. And together we will be exploring the history of each property and the stories that transform them into modern icons.

[C]

In this episode, how a 10 room beach bungalow transformed into a 115 suite global icon. The literary giants that found their muse within its walls and the bar that created one of the world's most famous cocktails. Well, Richard, we've made it to Singapore, the great crossroads of the East. I felt it was time that you hopped on a plane a little further afield to Southeast Asia, home to some of the world's most storied hotels.

[B]

And I gladly did so when I found out where I was going. This is a truly iconic hotel and its history is no different.

[C]

The story of Raffles doesn't actually begin in Singapore, but in Yuga, the Armenian quarter of Isfahan in Persia. With four brothers, Martin Tigran, Aviat and Arshak Sarkis, to set the stage for.

[B]

Their story, we must understand that the late 19th century was a period of revolutionary change, marking what many consider a golden age for global travel.

[C]

Indeed, a pivotal moment arrived with the opening of the Suez canal in in 1869, which dramatically shortened the arduous Europe Asia journey by a staggering 7,000 kilometres. This engineering marvel coincided with the rise of luxurious ocean liners capable of delivering hundreds of passengers across vast distances in considerable comfort.

[B]

Joseph Conrad in the End of the Tether vividly captured this era, describing how the piercing of the Isthmus of Suez, like the breaking of a dam, had let in upon the East a flood of new ships New men, new methods of trade.

[C]

And it wasn't just about the faster ships. Thomas Cook had stepped onto the scene and back in the 1800s, he was revolutionizing tourism into a business and attracting a new class of adventurous travellers, or bon vivants.

[B]

So it was into this burgeoning world of global travel and opportunity that these four ambitious brothers arrived. And while they didn't know it at the time, they, these Armenian entrepreneurs were soon to become the architects of a hospitality empire. The Saki's family history is as fascinating as that of their hotels. They had been displaced as part of Shah Abbas I's forced relocation of Armenians in the early 1600s, an event that paradoxically led to the creation of one of history's greatest trading networks. By the 1860s, however, the ancient Silk Road, which had sustained their merchant families for centuries, was dying due to the very impact of the Suez Canal. Exactly. The decline of the ancient Silk Road and the subsequent rise of the Suez represented a monumental geopolitical and economic restructuring. And this forced astute merchant families, just like the Sakis, who were established merchants, to seek new commercial opportunities across Britain's expanding colonial empire.

[C]

Their initial foray into hospitality began in Penang, where they opened the Eastern Hotel on April 15, 1884. But they soon began seeking expansion and they swiftly recognized Singapore's strategic importance.

[B]

The opening of the sewers made Singapore into one of the world's most vital coaling stations, an essential port of call for steamers to refuel. And the travel revolution created an unprecedented demand for high quality accommodation.

[C]

And thus the idea for Raffles was born. Now the story of the hotel's physical site actually begins much earlier than the Sakis brothers arrival. In the early 1830s, it was simply a privately owned beach house. It first transitioned into a Hotel in 1878, known as Emerson's Hotel, when Dr. Charles Emerson leased the building. However, upon his death in 1883, Emerson's Hotel closed and the Raffles Institution, now Singapore's oldest school, stepped in to use the building as a boarding house until Dr. Emerson's lease expired in September 1887.

[B]

When the lease expired, the brothers stepped in. And just a few months later, on December 1, 1887, Raffles Hotel officially opened its doors. The name Raffles itself actually carries immense historical weight. Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles, born at sea off Jamaica in 1781, was a British statesman widely regarded as the founder of modern Singapore. His name can be found to this day across the island nation.

[C]

In 1819, Raffles established a British trading post on the island. Then a Small fishing village at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Raffles saw what others didn't. Its location right at the meeting point of the Indian Ocean and South China Sea made it vitally strategic. So he sensed a slightly different opportunity. For the Sakis. He he created a free port open to traders of all nations.

[B]

Just as Raffles wanted Singapore to be a free port open to all, so the Sakis created a hotel that welcomed the world's wealthy travelers in lavish style. Sir Raffles was actually a bit of a radical. In his day, concepts like free trade and urban planning were still relatively new ideas.

[C]

He laid out streets, regulated trade and envisioned Singapore as more than just a trading post. He wanted it to be a clean, well run and cosmopolitan city. And this is exactly what happened.

[B]

Raffles was a complex figure. While he certainly had vision and ambition, his legacy is tied to British colonial expansion in Southeast Asia, which brought both opportunity and exploitation.

[C]

While the period brought rapid economic growth, it came with a reality of foreign rule. And it is true to say that that his vision would not have been realized without the contributions of local Malay rulers, early migrant communities and the everyday people.

[B]

But the spirit of resourcefulness and openness that the free port idea set in motion is certainly something that is celebrated and carried on to this day. And Sir Thomas name lives on throughout Singapore in Raffles Institution, Raffles Place, the financial district and of course the Raffles Hotel.

[C]

So this was how Raffles gained its name. But the original building was a far cry from the hotel you would have stayed at. Richard, wasn't it?

[B]

Slightly Jules, slightly. Let's call it A modest Bungalow offering just 10 bedrooms in a prime location overlooking both the beach and the South China Sea. And despite their then isolated position, their opening advertisement boldly proclaimed, Please remember, we are no better than the best, but better than the rest.

[C]

The initial success of the hotel was immediate and overwhelming. Within its first decade, a rapid expansion was desperately needed.

[B]

Three new buildings were swiftly added to the original beach house. First, a pair of elegant two story wings were completed in 1890, each containing 22 guest suites. Soon afterward, the Salkies brothers leased a neighbouring building at number three Beech Road, meticulously renovated it and by 1894 the beautiful palm Court wing was completed.

[C]

I've honestly never known expansion quite like it. These brothers really were in the right place at the right time. The crowning architectural achievement, however, arrived in November 1899 with the unveiling of the magnificent main building. This was the vision of British architect Regent Alfred John Bidwell of Swan and MacLaren. Who designed it in the grand Neo Renaissance style. Give us a taste, Richard, of what our listeners should be picturing here.

[B]

Okay, think. Immensely pleasing symmetry, stately Corinthian and Doric columns punctuated by graceful round arches, wide verandas and rows of Palladian windows. Both attractive and practical to keep out the tropical heat. And we must talk about the portico jewels.

[C]

Guests are greeted with this elegant and elaborate cast iron portico, a masterpiece manufactured by Walter MacFarlane & Co. Of Glasgow. It's worth noting that the current portico, installed during the extensive 1989-1991 restoration, is a faithful reproduction of that design, preserving its historical integrity.

[B]

What I loved about Raffles was the attention paid to the outdoors as well. The palm garden offers a serene oasis featuring tall palm trees and an ornate cast iron Victorian fountain, also crafted by Walter MacFarlane and company.

[C]

Yes, exactly. And this fountain has its own fascinating backstory. It was originally installed at the nearby Telok Aya market before being rediscovered and meticulously restored to its former glory at Raffles.

[B]

This could easily be just a simple anecdote, but I think it demonstrates exactly what makes Raffles so special. It's a concerted effort to embed local history and heritage directly within the hotel's physical fabric. Even a grand institution like Raffles was not immune to the seismic shifts of global history. The Great Depression in particular spelled severe financial troubles for the hotel.

[C]

Yes, in 1931, the Sarkees brothers declared bankruptcy. The tragic irony was that their legendary generosity ultimately proved fatal. It turns out they, for example, viewed unpaid tabs as a relationship investment. Which isn't quite a good enough explanation to your accountant, I don't think.

[B]

The scale of their financial distress was immense. Within four months of Aarshak's death in January 1931, Raffles Hotel was even taken to court by Singapore's oldest department store, John Little and Company for debts amounting to about half a million pounds in today's money, making it the largest bankruptcy affair of that time.

[C]

The path to recovery was arduous. The bankruptcy proceedings involved two years of complicated negotiations with all 195 creditors. But against all odds, the hotel survived and was eventually incorporated in 1933 as Raffles Hotel Limited.

[B]

This was not the end of the woes for this hotel. Just a few years later, the world plunged into World War II and Singapore suffered greatly.

[C]

The Japanese invaded Singapore in 1942 due to its strategic significance in the region. Once Singapore fell, the hotel was taken over by the Japanese occupying forces and was renamed Sionan Ryukan Sionan meaning light of the south and being the Japanese name for occupied Singapore, and Ryokan, being the name for a traditional Japanese inn. Legend has it that as the Japanese Imperial army descended upon the city, the Raffles Hotel held one last waltz, a poignant and desperate attempt to distract the Japanese soldiers while the hotel staff bravely buried the silver, including the precious silver beef trolley, right in their midst in the Palm Court.

[B]

A bold and brave act from the staff, but something that does not come as a surprise to me, having spent some time at this hotel.

[C]

And it's no wonder, given both the incredible service and the magnificent location and history, that Raffles has become more than just a place to stay. It's a destination for inspiration, becoming a cherished haven for literary icons.

[B]

Joseph Conrad is rumoured to have been one of Raffles, Singapore's very first guests in 1887. Legend has it that his presence helped establish the hotel's literary tradition from its very inception. Rudyard Kipling was a guest in 1889, and James A. Michener immortalized the hotel with his poignant observation. To have been young and had a room at Raffles was life at its best.

[C]

Possibly the most celebrated literary patron was Somerset Maugham, who was a frequent visitor to the hotel. He could often be found in a tranquil spot under the shade of the frangipani tree in the palm court, correcting his manuscripts.

[B]

Maugham, Kipling and Conrad were all immortalized in the fabric of the hotel, having suites named after them. Maugham's suite even features a personal letter from the authority praising his time at Raffles.

[C]

It wouldn't be an episode of Hotels With History if we didn't explore the roster of glittering celebrities that have crossed the threshold, would it?

[B]

No. And it's not just the literary elite. After World War II, Raffles attracted the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner. Apparently, Chaplin caused a near riot of excitement in 1933 when he appeared in the Raffles Dining Room.

[C]

And Elizabeth Taylor was famously dressed by designer Doris geddes, who from 1947 ran the Little Shop at Raffles. She even returned to the hotel 30 years later to take up residence with her good friend Michael Jackson during his dangerous world tour.

[B]

Ah, yes, one of the hotel's more surreal chapters of celebrity, I might say. In 1993, Michael Jackson requested to have the Singapore Zoo all to himself for a day. When this extraordinary request was denied, zoo officials offered a unique compromise. They brought Ah Meng, Singapore's famous orangutan mascot, to meet Jackson Poolside at Raffles.

[C]

I think I'd feel a bit shocked to see an orangutan whilst I was relaxing with my Singapore Sling.

[B]

Well, it was definitely dramatic, Jules, but this whole trip was dramatic, to be honest. Even Jackson's arrival, about 400 fans gathered at the hotel driveway, forcing him to enter through the staff entrance, while hotel staff lined the corridors to greet him.

[C]

The staff are certainly a hallmark of Raffles. The doormen in particular are part of the experience of the hotel. Their iconic outfits instantly usher you in with a sense of tradition and heritage.

[B]

Narajan Singh has been a doorman at Raffles since 1992. He was truly hospitable and he actually told me he is one of the most photographed doormen in the world. Can you believe that?

[C]

It's incredible. But their legend goes far beyond their impeccable uniforms. These doormen have faced some truly wild situations. In 1904, one doorman famously went in pursuit of a wild boar and incredibly wrestled it to the ground. In the very same year, another doorman spotted a python escaping into the serene Palm Court Garden and safely removed it.

[B]

Luckily, I didn't have to see them in action during my stay.

[C]

Well, quite. And I have to assure listeners that the wildlife invasions are not a common occurrence. But we do have one more dramatic encounter that we can't not mention in 1902.

[B]

Ah, yes, the last tiger to be killed in Singapore.

[C]

This wasn't a wild jungle beast, but an escaped tiger from a performing circus on Beach Road. After its escape, it managed to get onto a Tonkan, which is a traditional boat, scratched a watchman and then swam up the Singapore river before ending up at the door of none other than Raffles.

[B]

The hero of this extraordinary tale was Mr. Charles McGowan Phillips, the headmaster of Raffles Institution and a member of the Singapore Rifle Team. He arrived on the scene still dressed in his pyjamas and armed with his rifle. The tiger had slipped under the bar and billiard room.

[C]

The Raffles team had known about Phillips sharp shooting abilities and summoned him. Now he missed with his initial shots as it was dark. Eventually, he was able to ensure everyone's safety and no tiger was killed on Singapore soil.

[B]

Again, I heard so many hilarious, quirky anecdotes during my stay that had become part of Raffles folklore. Take, for instance, the Shanghai jar mishap of 1904. Before modern plumbing was fully installed, Raffles Hotel provided large earthenware vessels known as Shanghai jars for guests to bathe. A guest famously mistook one for a bathtub, climbed in and became hopelessly stuck. His cries for help led a room attendant to break the jar with a hammer to free him.

[C]

And then there's the surprising tale of roller skating in the main dining hall. In the early 1900s, Raffles actually transformed its elegant main dining hall into a roller skating rink to attract guests. The smooth marble floors provided a perfect surface, turning the sophisticated space into a venue for fashionable entertainment, often accompanied by a live orchestra playing until 11pm Another.

[B]

Unique transformation occurred in 1953 when the Grill Room was renamed the Elizabethan Grill in honour of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth ii. It was given a Tudor inspired makeover, complete with wood panelling, false timber beams and the coats of arms of noble English families.

[C]

And the Queen herself would actually later stay at the hotel in 1992, using it as her base for an official visit to the country.

[B]

My personal favourite touch was that every night at 8pm, Noel Coward's I'll see you again is played on an antique record player. It became something I looked forward to every evening, and it turned out it's a beautiful nod to the old tradition of a pianist playing the song nightly for guests, with its soothing tones floating up the bellow wood staircase.

[C]

Noel Coward, of course, being another celebrated visitor to Raffles. He first stayed at the hotel in 1931 after completing private lives and continued to visit until 1968. He always also had a suite named after him.

[B]

Well, speaking of icons, we would be amiss not to mention that Raffles is the birthplace of a bar menu staple, a cocktail that has become synonymous with Singapore itself.

[C]

Ah, yes, the legendary Singapore Sling. It was first created in 1915 by Raffles insightful bartender Niam Tong Boon. You'll know if you've had one. It's tropical, refreshing and sweet with pineapple, lime and cherry flavours running through.

[B]

The pretty pink hue, which is so characteristic of the Sling, is a colour choice that was entirely deliberate. In colonial Singapore at the turn of the century, strict etiquette dictated that ladies could not consume alcohol in public. Niam, ever insightful, recognized a clear niche in the market. He decided to create a cocktail that cleverly looked like plain fruit juice, but was in fact infused with gin and liqueurs.

[C]

Aha, crafty.

[B]

Now, we've spoken about plenty of hotels with both amazing bars and sparkling literary guests, but very few who intentionally intertwined them. Something I loved hearing about at Raffles is how deeply they have embodied their reputation as a literary haven and continued to create the next legacy of creatives. Following its 2019 restoration, Raffles launched a formal Writers Residency program in explicitly aimed at reinvigorating the literary heritage that is embedded deeply in the Raffles ethos. And each writer in residence gets a cocktail created in their honour at Raffles Writer's Bar.

[C]

A cocktail named after you. At Raffles, this might just be a new life goal. And you mentioned the 2019 restoration there, Richard. And there's one other unique feature of Raffles I want to mention. How did you check in?

[B]

Ah, yes. Well, when I arrived, I was surprised to not come across a front desk in any capacity. I learned that after the 2019 reopening, Raffles had eliminated traditional front desk operations, with guests being serviced almost exclusively by butlers.

[C]

The tradition began in 1887 and has continued ever since. The ethos being that service should be like a gentle breeze, unobtrusive, yet ever present.

[B]

Right. So it meant I actually checked both in and out in the comfort of my own room. And I learnt the butlers have to actually undergo an intensive two to three month training period before they can serve guests independently. This comprehensive program includes passing product tests and mastering extensive knowledge about the hotel. I have to say, it was magnificent to experience. They just knew everything.

[C]

And maybe that's what makes Raffles feel so special even today. It's not just the grand architecture or the polished floors or the courtyard gardens. It's the sense that within these walls, every detail still matters, just as it did more than a century ago.

[B]

Outside the Singapore, which Sir Raffles once knew, has transformed beyond anything he could have imagined. The beach is long gone and that sleepy trading post is now a thriving city of skyscrapers, a global hub for finance, tech and culture, always moving forward, but never quite letting go of where it began.

[C]

And in recognition of its deep historical and cultural significance, Raffles Hotel was officially declared a National Monument of Singapore on 6 March 1987, exactly 100 years after it first opened its doors. The building is now legally protected for its architectural and heritage value, ensuring it remains preserved.

[B]

Because for Singaporeans, Raffles isn't just a place for tourists or visiting celebrities. It's part of local life in its own quiet way. Generations have come here to mark special milestones. A wedding reception, an anniversary dinner in the Tiffin Room, or a first Singapore Sling savoured at the writer's Bar. It's almost a rite of passage, a way of stepping into history while marking your own moment in time. And to stay there, even for a bit, feels like you're adding your own memories to this tapestry.

[C]

So that's the end of this episode of Hotels With History with me, Jules.

[B]

Perrone and me, Richard E. Grant.

[C]

Thank you for exploring Raffles Singapore with us and we'll see you next time.

[B]

Ta ta.

[A]

Thanks for joining us for this episode of Hotels With History, produced by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Peron International. If you enjoyed it, just search Hotels With History wherever you're listening to this podcast and follow the show so you don't miss an episode.