Named after Singapore's founder, Sir Stamford Raffles, this is the Raffles Hotel which was constructed in 1887. It started off as a tiffin house within a private residence, serving luncheons, gradually developing into a small hostel. Thereafter the Sarkies Brothers developed it into a colonial mansion and then redeveloped it over time attaching additional wings to each side of its building. At this time it was the only hotel in the Straits of Malacca lighted with electricity, electric bells and spacious green tennis lawns. Some of the more famous personalities who have stayed at this hotel include Charlie Chaplin, Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling. It remains one of the world’s last great 19th century hotels in Singapore.
