122 years and counting. Why we still love the Raffles Hotel

She's big, she's grand, and by Singaporean standards, extremely ancient.

So Singapore's Raffles Hotel has had a few facelifts over the years but we won't hold that against her.

Out of towners almost always stop by to snap a shot of the Raffles Hotel's grand entrance. For the rest of us, it's the icon of Singapore's colonial past.

Numerous bigwigs have walked through the turn-of-the-century halls of this Singapore hotel, from Rudyard Kipling to Michael Jackson. And, of course, the Singapore Sling was created here.

Some may say its a little stuffy, but hey, that is part of the charm. Some get all misty-eyed in the presence of colonial cannonade and grainy newsreel footage of Lord Mountabatten strutting about.

We love her and to bring in her 122nd anniversary, the team at the Raffles Hotel have a range of related 'treats.'

There are special S$122 nett per couple cooking classes on August 16 and September 16, $S122 anniversary menus at the Tiffin Room, Raffles Courtyard and Long Bar Steakhouse, and a range of other specials.

To mark the 1887 birthdate, Singaporeans with 1887 in their identity cards and visitors with the same digits in their passports get a bonus return $122 dining credit when spending more than $122 at any of the hotels bars and restaurants (save the Royal China). That deal ends 16 September.

Happy birthday, Raffles Hotel.

getting there

Raffles Hotel, Singapore
1 Beach Road Singapore
tel +65 6337 1886
www.raffles.com