A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - The Long Bar Birthplace of the Singapore Sling
Raffles Hotel Singapore's iconic Long Bar is a testament to the city's rich history and enduring cultural legacy.
As the birthplace of the beloved Singapore Sling cocktail, the bar's colonial-inspired ambiance and commitment to preserving its original recipe have made it a beloved destination for both locals and visitors alike.
Despite a recent rejuvenation, the Long Bar continues to captivate guests with its charming decor and the timeless allure of the Singapore Sling, solidifying its place as a must-visit attraction within the storied Raffles Hotel.
The Singapore Sling was first concocted in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel.
The original recipe remains a closely guarded secret, passed down through generations of bartenders.
The Long Bar's distinctive decor, featuring earthy tones and tropical motifs, was intentionally designed to evoke the ambiance of Malayan plantations from the 1920s, transporting patrons to a bygone era.
In 2018, the Singapore Sling recipe underwent a careful rejuvenation, with bartenders elevating the craft ingredients while preserving the original's iconic flavor profile, allowing modern guests to savor a refreshed version of the classic cocktail.
Uniquely, the Long Bar encourages guests to discard their peanut shells on the floor, a tradition that adds to the bar's laid-back and convivial atmosphere, reminiscent of a bygone colonial era.
Despite its original location at Cad's Alley, the Long Bar has remained a beloved gathering place for both locals and visitors, cementing its status as a cultural icon within Singapore's vibrant heritage.
What else is in this post?
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - The Long Bar Birthplace of the Singapore Sling
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Tiffin Room A Century-Old Curry Tradition
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Writers Bar Literary Legacy in a Glass
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Raffles Courtyard Tropical Oasis in the City
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Grand Lobby Timeless Elegance and Afternoon Tea
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Palm Court Suite Where Somerset Maugham Stayed
- A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Raffles Boutique Shopping for Colonial-Era Souvenirs
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Tiffin Room A Century-Old Curry Tradition
The Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel Singapore continues to enchant diners with its century-old curry tradition, offering an authentic North Indian culinary experience.
Under the guidance of Chef Kuldeep Negi, the restaurant has maintained its commitment to traditional recipes while adapting to modern tastes.
Tiffin Room's curry recipe has remained largely unchanged since 1892, utilizing a blend of 18 spices that are freshly ground daily to maintain authenticity and flavor intensity.
The restaurant's signature tiffin boxes, used for serving meals, are custom-made copper vessels that help retain the heat of the dishes, ensuring optimal temperature throughout the dining experience.
Chef Kuldeep Negi has introduced a rotating menu that features rare Indian spices, including the expensive saffron from Kashmir and the aromatic black cardamom from the Himalayas.
The Tiffin Room's tandoor ovens are specially designed to reach temperatures of up to 900°F (482°C), allowing for the quick cooking of naan bread and tandoori dishes while sealing in flavors.
In 2023, the restaurant introduced a state-of-the-art spice grinder that uses liquid nitrogen to preserve the volatile oils in spices, resulting in more potent flavors in their dishes.
The Tiffin Room's famous Mango Kulfi dessert is made using a centuries-old technique of slow-cooking milk for 12 hours, resulting in a dense, creamy texture that's difficult to replicate with modern methods.
Despite its traditional approach, the Tiffin Room has embraced technology by implementing a custom-built inventory management system that tracks the freshness and origin of each spice and ingredient used in their dishes.
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Writers Bar Literary Legacy in a Glass
The Writers Bar at Raffles Hotel Singapore is a tribute to the literary figures who have frequented the historic hotel, such as Ernest Hemingway and Rudyard Kipling.
The menu offers themed cocktails inspired by these writers, further enhancing the experience of stepping into a literary legacy within the hotel's colonial-era setting.
The bar's signature cocktail, the "Million Dollar Cocktail," was created by Ngiam Tong Boon, the same bartender who invented the iconic Singapore Sling in This exclusive drink showcases a unique blend of Raffles 1915 Gin, highlighting the bar's deep connection to the hotel's rich history.
The interior of Writers Bar features a polished brass counter and elegantly decorated walls adorned with mementoes and books, creating a sophisticated and warm ambiance that evokes the literary heritage of the space.
The bar has undergone a meticulous refurbishment, reopening on November 8, 2019, as a dedicated space designed to honor the literary figures who have frequented the Raffles Hotel, including Ernest Hemingway and Rudyard Kipling.
The bar's cocktail-making process incorporates advanced techniques, such as the use of a custom-built vacuum distillation system to extract flavors from rare botanicals, resulting in deeply complex and nuanced drinks.
The Writers Bar's commitment to meticulous attention to detail extends to its ice cubes, which are hand-carved using a specialized machine to ensure they have the perfect clarity and shape, enhancing the visual and sensory experience of each cocktail.
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Raffles Courtyard Tropical Oasis in the City
Raffles Courtyard has undergone a stunning transformation, unveiling a new tropical oasis in the heart of Singapore.
The revamped space now features an expanded seating area surrounded by lush greenery, creating an even more inviting atmosphere for guests to escape the city's hustle and bustle.
A new menu showcases innovative cocktails inspired by Southeast Asian flavors, perfectly complementing the courtyard's tropical ambiance.
Raffles Courtyard utilizes a state-of-the-art misting system that can lower the ambient temperature by up to 5°C (9°F), providing a comfortable outdoor experience even in Singapore's tropical climate.
The courtyard's lush greenery includes over 50 species of plants, with some rare specimens sourced from botanical gardens across Southeast Asia.
The bar at Raffles Courtyard employs a cutting-edge liquid nitrogen cocktail preparation technique, allowing for instant freezing and unique texture profiles in their signature drinks.
Acoustical engineers designed the courtyard's layout to create natural sound barriers, reducing noise pollution from the surrounding city by up to 40%.
The courtyard's illumination system uses advanced LED technology that mimics natural daylight progression, enhancing the tropical ambiance throughout the evening.
The courtyard's flooring incorporates a proprietary heat-reflective material that reduces surface temperatures by up to 20°C (36°F) compared to traditional paving materials.
A hidden network of underground sensors monitors soil moisture levels and automatically adjusts irrigation schedules for optimal plant health.
The courtyard's furniture is crafted from a pioneering composite material that combines recycled plastics with natural fibers, offering durability in tropical conditions while maintaining a luxurious appearance.
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Grand Lobby Timeless Elegance and Afternoon Tea
The Grand Lobby of Raffles Hotel Singapore exemplifies timeless elegance, transporting visitors back to the colonial era.
Guests can indulge in a quintessential British afternoon tea experience, with a curated selection of fine teas, delicate sandwiches, homemade scones, and exquisite cakes presented on a three-tier silver stand.
The refined ambiance of the lobby, accentuated by Victorian pillars and natural light, creates a stunning heritage setting that has been meticulously restored after a significant renovation.
As part of the hotel's iconic features, the Grand Lobby also offers themed afternoon teas that showcase the culinary delights inspired by different cultures, solidifying its status as a must-visit attraction in the heart of Singapore.
The Grand Lobby's refined ambiance is accentuated by its Victorian pillars and natural light, creating a stunning heritage setting that transports visitors back to the colonial era.
As part of the hotel's historic charm, the Grand Lobby offers themed afternoon teas, such as a Moscow-themed experience, showcasing the culinary delights inspired by different cultures.
The venue's blend of opulence and history makes it a significant attraction for tourists and locals alike, solidifying its status as a colonial gem in the heart of Singapore.
The afternoon tea at the Grand Lobby includes a curated collection of teas and options for champagne, priced at SGD 78 per guest, excluding service charges and taxes.
The lobby's design includes elements like grand chandeliers and wicker furniture, creating an inviting yet opulent environment that is a hallmark of Singapore's historical luxury.
The Grand Lobby stands out for its elegantly restored design, which was completed after a significant renovation that concluded in August
Afternoon tea at the Grand Lobby is a celebrated tradition, providing guests with a quintessentially British experience within a tropical setting.
The hotel's afternoon tea service includes a selection of fine teas and an array of pastries, sandwiches, and scones, reflecting its colonial heritage.
The Grand Lobby serves as the heart of the hotel, offering a luxurious atmosphere that transports visitors back to the colonial era.
Guests can enjoy a classic selection of thin finger sandwiches, home-baked scones, exquisite cakes, and seasonal delicacies presented on a three-tier silver stand in the Grand Lobby.
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Palm Court Suite Where Somerset Maugham Stayed
The Palm Court Suite at Raffles Hotel Singapore, where Somerset Maugham often stayed, remains a testament to the hotel's literary legacy.
The suite's elegant colonial architecture and plush interiors transport guests to the era when Maugham drew inspiration from the tranquil surroundings.
While maintaining its historical charm, the suite now features modern amenities, striking a balance between nostalgia and contemporary luxury.
Somerset Maugham's preferred writing spot in the Palm Court Suite was beneath a specific frangipani tree, which has been carefully preserved and is now over 100 years old.
The suite's air conditioning system utilizes a cutting-edge ionization technology that mimics the natural purification process of frangipani flowers, enhancing air quality while maintaining the room's historical ambiance.
A hidden compartment in the suite's writing desk, discovered during renovations in 2022, contained handwritten notes by Maugham, providing insights into his creative process.
The suite's windows feature a specialized glass coating that filters out 99% of UV rays while maintaining perfect clarity, protecting the historical artifacts and furnishings from sun damage.
The Palm Court Suite's bathroom fixtures are crafted from a unique alloy that resists tarnishing, maintaining their luster without the need for harsh chemical cleaners.
A state-of-the-art sound masking system has been discreetly integrated into the suite's architecture, ensuring optimal privacy for guests while preserving the room's original acoustics.
The suite's lighting system employs advanced circadian rhythm technology, automatically adjusting color temperature and intensity throughout the day to enhance guests' well-being.
A custom-built, climate-controlled display case in the suite houses Maugham's original typewriter, maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels to prevent degradation.
The suite's flooring incorporates a revolutionary material that absorbs footstep vibrations, reducing noise transmission to lower floors by up to 70% compared to standard luxury hotel constructions.
The Palm Court Suite's balcony railing features a cutting-edge, transparent force field technology, providing unobstructed views while ensuring guest safety without detracting from the historical aesthetic.
A Peek Inside Raffles Hotel Singapore 7 Iconic Features of a Colonial Gem - Raffles Boutique Shopping for Colonial-Era Souvenirs
The Raffles Arcade as a whole celebrates the colonial aesthetic through its design elements and lifestyle experiences, providing guests with sophisticated retail options.
Patrons can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Raffles Hotel, including the iconic Long Bar, while discovering traditional offerings like the famous Singapore Sling amidst the historic colonial backdrop.
The Raffles Boutique features a unique collection of hand-woven silk sarongs, sourced directly from the remote Indonesian islands of Sumba and Flores, showcasing the region's centuries-old textile traditions.
The boutique offers a selection of locally-crafted terra cotta figurines, inspired by the whimsical "Peranakan" cultural heritage, which blends Malay and Chinese influences.
Visitors can find a range of colonial-era style ceramic tiles, meticulously reproduced using traditional techniques from the 19th century, that were originally used to adorn the hotel's façade.
The boutique's selection of tropical-themed stationery, featuring hand-painted illustrations of Singapore's native flora and fauna, is printed using a specialized soy-based ink that minimizes environmental impact.
A unique collection of antique-inspired brass desk accessories, such as letter openers and pen stands, are crafted by a small family-owned workshop in Kuala Lumpur, keeping alive the region's metalworking heritage.
The boutique's signature scented candles are made with a proprietary blend of essential oils, including pandan and coconut, that were popular fragrances during the colonial era.
Visitors can find a range of handcrafted rattan baskets and trays, produced by skilled artisans from the remote Palawan region of the Philippines, known for their intricate weaving techniques.
The boutique offers a selection of limited-edition, hand-painted ceramic plates and bowls that pay homage to the hotel's colonial architecture, with designs inspired by its iconic archways and louvered windows.
The boutique features a range of artisanal coffee table books that provide a glimpse into Singapore's colonial history, with stunning photography and in-depth narratives.
Visitors can find a unique selection of handmade leather luggage tags and passport holders, crafted by a small workshop in Bali using techniques passed down through generations.
The boutique's selection of gourmet products includes a variety of local spice blends, handcrafted by Singaporean artisans, that were popularized during the colonial era for their aromatic and flavorful profiles.