Fable of the Exotic East: Raffles Hotel Singapore | 東方寓言：新加坡萊佛士酒店
When it comes to grand historic hotels in Asia, none is as illustrious as the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
提到亞洲歷史悠久的大旅館，新加坡的萊佛士酒店一定榜上有名。
For more than 125 year, this striking colonial-style property has been a frontline witness to this tiny island's tumultuous history and dazzling progress, from British colonization, two world wars, immigration boom, declaration of independence, to the multicultural city state and economic powerhouse that we know today.
In 1987, on its 100th anniversary, the Raffles Hotel was declared a historic monument by the Singaporean government.
125多年來這棟富有殖民時代風格的酒店一直站在最前線，目睹這個小島國動盪的歷史與快速的成長，從英國的殖民統治開始，經歷了兩次世界大戰，移民熱潮，宣布獨立，直到我們現在所看到的多元文化經濟強國。
1987年，在其誕辰100週年，萊佛士酒店被新加坡政府封為國寶級歷史古蹟。
Named after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, the 10-room Raffles Hotel opened its doors to the public in 1887 offering luxury accommodation, impeccable service, and direct ocean view.
酒店是以新加坡創始人萊佛士爵士之名命名，於1887年正式開幕，當時只有十間客房，標榜豪華住宿，無可挑剔的服務，與無懈可擊的正面海景。
Beach Road -- the street on which the property stands -- used to be on the edge of the island until land reclamation robbed it of its coveted beach access and sea vistas.
Today the hotel is in the business and civic district surrounded by modern high-rises and shopping centres, but inside the old world charm remains intact.
萊佛士酒店位於濱海大道（Beach Road），顧名思義這條路以前是緊靠著海岸線，後來因為海埔新生地的開發，海灘被填為土地，從此自萊佛士酒店就再也看不到海景了。
如今酒店座落於商業和市政區中心，被高樓大廈和購物中心所包圍，不過踏進萊佛士大門，你還是可以感受到她濃厚的舊世界魅力。
The poster image of Raffles Singapore is no doubt the elegant neo-Renaissance main building and its immaculately dressed Sikh doorman, a palpable reminder of the city state's colonial past as well as the hotel's exclusivity to the rich and powerful.
Erected in 1899, this multilevel space is an architectural delight, with high ceilings, white columns, dark wood trimmings and antique furniture, effortlessly combing style with comfort and deep nostalgia.
All 103 rooms at the Raffles Hotel are suites with separate sitting room, original period features, teakwood flooring and oriental carpets. At over 600 square feet, even the smallest of the suites feels spacious, but also a bit tired.
萊佛士酒店共有103間客房，全都是含有起居室的套房，柚木地板，東方地毯，也保留的許多原有的建築特色。最小的套房佔地約 600 平方英尺（約 17 坪），算是寬敞，可惜感覺有點老舊。
It is a grand dame who's showing her age. The dark wood and thick fabric furnishings lend an air of heaviness to the room, and depending on luck you might even get a bathroom with cracked tiles and chipped paint.
On a brighter note, you do get daily replenishment of fresh fruits, Ronnefeldt tea and Nespresso coffee, as well as access to a helpful, 24-hour butler.
萊佛士的客房像是上了年紀的貴婦人，美麗依舊，但被沈重的裝飾品壓迫著，時而感覺老邁龍鐘，有些浴室還可見裂瓷磚與油漆脫落。
不過酒店的服務一流，每天提供新鮮水果，德國老牌 Ronnefeldt 茶葉 和 Nespresso 咖啡，還有24小時隨時待命的管家。
The Tiffin Room -- or the room for light midday meal -- serves up Raffles' famous curry dishes on Sundays, an experience billed as "an essential aspect of colonial life in the early 20th century".
蒂芬懷舊餐館 - The Tiffin Room - 每週日提供萊佛士著名的咖哩自助餐，標榜為「20世紀初殖民生活的一個重要體驗」。
Besides curry and afternoon tea, a sumptuous breakfast is also served at the Tiffin Room, where guests can enjoy an extensive a la carte menu with dishes from all corners of the world along with a beautiful buffet. The food is simple and delicious; the service is warm and impeccable.
除了咖哩與下午茶以外，蒂芬餐館也提供豐盛的早餐，每早呈現 breakfast buffet 和許多單點的世界美食，任君挑選。食物美味俐落，服務親切，無可挑剔。
Of course, you can't set foot inside Raffles Singapore without paying a visit to the hotel's most famous tourist trap - the Long Bar, birth place of the Singapore Sling.
The famous pink cocktail consists of gin, cherry liqueur, Benedictine, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine and Angostura bitters and is topped with a slice of pineapple and a cherry. The taste of Singapore Sling is exotic, sweet, and complex -- just like Singapore itself.
這杯粉紅色飲料的原料包括了琴酒，櫻桃利口酒，法國廊酒，君度橙酒，鳳梨汁，檸檬汁，糖漿和安哥斯圖娜苦酒，配上一片鳳梨和一顆櫻桃，就成為新加坡最有名的雞尾酒。Singpoare Sling 的味道奇特，甜蜜又複雜 -- 就像新加坡一樣。
MY RATING: 8 / 10
The Raffles Singapore is a grand historic hotel with fine colonial architecture and impeccable style. Come for its old world charm, Singapore Sling, afternoon tea and excellent service.
我的評價：8 / 10
新加坡萊佛士酒店歷史悠久，精美的殖民時代建築與優雅風格令人懷舊，是個享受新加坡司令與下午茶的好地方。