Last winter we stayed at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Expensive and posh? Yep. But I decided YOLO, it was my birthday  and I like pampering.  Who doesn’t?

The hotel, synonymous with the city/state Singapore, was originally built in 1831 as a private home on Beach Road. In 1887 at the Dawn of the Golden Age of Travel. It was purchased and converted to the Raffles Hotel named for the British statesman Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who is credited with establishing Singapore. 

It has morphed and changed over the years, while maintaining the caché of elegance and charm.

Over the years, celebrities have stayed at the Raffles including many Presidents, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Somerset Maughn, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, James A. Michener, Pablo Neruda, John Wayne and more.  The hotel boasts a hall of photos for those who want to see celebrities who have stayed at the hotel. 

In 2018 it was used for filming Crazy Rich Asians. 

Singapore Sling

Mostly it is known for being the home of the Singapore Sling, the sticky sweet drink that was invented at the Raffles in 1915.

Turns out when the fancy people of society hung out at the Raffles it was forbidden for women to drink in public. They wanted to indulge so they asked the bar tender to create a drink that didn’t look like the drink—the brown scotches and bourbons– their male friends and husbands were enjoying. 

The drink is now served in a bar where  guests enjoy this fruity concoction and are encouraged to brush peanut shells onto the floor, a tradition from the 1920s when plantation owners hung out there on weekends. 

In a recent renovation the Raffles leadership redid the design so that folks visiting the hotel to sample a Singapore Sling  go around the side of the hotel to get to the relocated bar at the back without going through the lobby. The lobby is reserved for guests who stay in one of the 115 suites. 

The lobby is lovely. Simple. Elegant. Gorgeous chandelier. Beautiful flowers. It is mostly a place to retreat for afternoon tea. We enjoyed chatting with the harpist who plays every day. The mix of antiques and modern design  is attractive and soothing. 

We  toured  the grounds, all elegant and pristine. Even in early Feb. the weather was pretty hot. I didn’t see many folks hanging around outside except at breakfast. Understandable.

I found the service to be incredibly attentive and polite and the meals we had there were  delicious.  Certainly worth the once in a lifetime experience. 

YOLO: You Only Live Once.  

Susan’s note:  Unfortunately I am experiencing some health issues that are requiring my attention.  As a result, I am going to an every other Monday schedule for DesignDestinations instead of the weekly plan I have been on.