Singapore's Raffles Hotel: Remaking An Icon | Part 1 | Full Episode
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2019
- In the heart of one of the world’s most modern cities stands an iconic structure synonymous with refinement, elegance, and service - unchanged for more than a century.
This is an exclusive invitation to this grand hotel in Singapore as it undergoes the most extensive restoration and renovation in its 130 year history.
We meet devoted staff - Bernd, the poster boy-handsome front-of-house manager who manages guests disgruntled by the construction work, and an exacting general manager; Roslee, the gentle and quirky duty manager; Kaeley, the bubbly assistant head of housekeeping; and Chef Pierre, a volatile Frenchman. The staff struggle daily to maintain the “Raffles standard” while the hotel is pulled down around them.
This is a never-before-seen chronicle of a beloved institution that is both a luxury hotel, as well as a treasured national monument.
Watch Part 2 to see the Raffles Hotel reborn: • Singapore's Raffles Ho...
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It's a stark contrast between the staff members who are bending over backwards for the comfort of their guests, moved to tears by the history of the building they work in; and the interim GM coming in and telling them to cut the crap, then not even mustering the sincerity to give a simple toast to them without pausing to refer to his notes. Their posture around him! I hope he's watched this footage and learned some humility in the years since. I notice that after his blustering about having only two desks in the temporary lobby, there were three desks by the end, and that made me smile.
The last guest, Herr Reiff said it all and said it the best, speaking to the staff, "...you are great people; you are nice people..." It is the wonderful staff that really makes the hotel great.
Sad. Stayed there and loved it. Don’t like change. It seemed perfect but that was over 20 years ago. Don’t know why they got rid of all the beautiful antique pieces though. It had taken them so long to find them 30 years prior.
oh my goodness the human connection between staff and residents is just touching
Those marble slabs, those wonderful millwork and mouldings all shattered. I hope it was worth it.
The beautiful marble floors........😭. Lovely staff , I hope they all kept their jobs .
We were delighted to see that our favourite waiter, Marvin Hummus, had been promoted. He deserved this as he was even more attentive than the other staff, if that was possible. We missed returning for another restful stay whilst the hotel was shut.
i've watched this numerous times....and here I am again watching it. people who value service is so far gone. i'm not talking about people being servants...but about the art of providing service. i just wish that today more people would be appreciative of those that actually do provide it....back to watching a great video :)
I remember walking pass this building every weekend to visit my Father’s office when I was young, the nostalgia
So many Germans. The GM, the Front Office Manager, the family at the begining, the female permanent guest, the a-hole "Developer" guest and the nice guest at the end. Just the cook is French. Somehow not so British at all, not even speaking of Asian. Still, though, Singapore rules and so does the Raffles Hotel :-) Fantastic documentary
Do watch part 2 to see the final transformation! th-cam.com/video/ud4U9Gyt7bQ/w-d-xo.html
Yes i thought it was a British tradition, not very Btritish these days then?
But an Aussie Project Director....really enjoying this program....thanks!
@@billyb37 The Sarkies Brothers who originally owned the hotel aren't British but Armenian. It's now managed by Accor, who are French, and owned by Katara Hospitality, which is based in Qatar. The only British influences are: 1. The name was after the founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. 2. An English architect designed the architecture in a neo-Renaissance one.
That, and Singapore, obviously was a British colony once and is still a commonwealth nation. Just because we were a British colony doesn't mean we cannot be international. Most countries are anyway. It's an indication of a modern metropolis.
This was a surprisingly emotional video! The kindness and love is so apparent from the staff and residents.
Of course there is kindness and love, but it’s for a price
@@chris7921 Very good point
I'm only halfway through this and I'm already dreading what the renovation will look like. Grey drab Ikea chic like every other so-called "luxury" hotel? Please God no. Give me my lovely antiques and brown furniture any day! I cringed when they drilled into the marble. Dreading part 2. Absolutely dreading.
You're not wrong. Re-visited not long ago. Its cold American interior. Alexandra Champalimaud ripped the warmth from Raffles and inserted a typical white cold look.Thank god the staff are wonderful as always
Wow , I will never see this masterpiece but have great respect for the history, employees, staff and dedication of you all, wishing you all continued great success in all that life has.
Never say never
Stunning hotel. I visited it just before this began and although it badly needed a restoration, it was still full of old world charm. If you ever go here, check out the Hemingway bar unless you are allergic to peanuts!! (seriously ... if you are allergic, DO NOT GO THERE).
Had one week stay there 4 years ago for my eighteeth birthday,. and during that week I was in "heaven". I never saw the need for renovations ... but there you are ... different generation. As stated in the documentary, I hope it will not spoil the atmosphere which was very elegant, very unique, in a very quiet environment.
I stayed in the cheapest room which felt like a very luxurious appartment ! Everything looked "rich" ... the
furniture, the curtains in particular, not forgetting the creaking floor boards !
Food and drinks are rather expensive so I indulged on a few occasions. Imagine having a nice dinner in the Grill restaurant and finshing up in the Club Bar sipping a beautiful french Cognac, listening to some jazz music; then stepping out in the warm, humid air of Singapore finally returning to a very special obode for the night ... heaven I said !
I could go on, but four years on, and having another special birthday in 2020, I may "relive" this stay in heaven once more !
What a very beautiful comment! I would love to enjoy it for myself too... Hopefully you may come back to Singapore, and still in 2020. (I visited S´pore in 1990, but then just in the beginning of constructing a new life after "the Iron curtain" it has been to expensive. Nethertheless, I enjoyed Singapore 30 years ago very, very much!!!)
it makes me cry watching this documentary about a great hotel , specially when that great lady check out from the hotel 🍸🥂🍾
i was worked as hotel front desk for yearssss. and its true, both hotel staff and hotel guest, could be each other second family real quick.
Thats beautiful
Great to see a company in Singapore that values service.
And nicely shot and edited video.
(Great to see a company in Singapore that values service.) Yes. Agree 100%. It looks fabulous.
True I’m a Malaysian I travel to Singapore often and spend a short holiday there. I enjoy the food, the shopping, walking on the streets and visiting their historical buildings. Most importantly you feel safe when travelling in Singapore compare with Malaysia where you can even get robbed in the car park of a mall or walking on the streets 😰 You can nicely dressed up with your heels walking on the streets without worry but not in Malaysia. You can see the differences in the video where Singaporeans are truly serious in doing their jobs and they work hand in hand in harmony atmosphere but not our fellow Malaysians “kerja main-main!”
as a small business owner, this is so interesting to watch. seeing all the work and coordination needed to run the hotel, so many staff. i especially love watching the chefs, cooks, platers, servers.
since we all know how that developer looks like, could everyone in the business just not engage him anymore? every hotel just refuse to give him a room, construction companies, architects all refuse to take his project etc. remind him of this video every time he contacts anybody
Sounds like a great 😃 idea !!!
That disgruntled guest was correct. You cannot expect 5-star payment, while subjecting customers to YOUR restoration. It doesn't matter if they've been informed or not. The restoration period should've at least been a discount period to be respectful. They resolved it in the nick of time, luckily. They may've lost $5000 that night but, in the long run, this guy has powerful networks that would not come to this hotel if they didn't care.
That developer guy is every hotel's nightmare!
2 years production? I can only be jealous of the intensity and passion of making it! congratulations on a job well done!
As a person interested in marketing excellence this is a great watch. Congratulations to the team at raffles.
love these two CNA documentaries on Singapore's Raffles Hotel.
i was involved in the restoration project in 1990 ... and i really love this hotel very much
What was your experience then?
@@channelnewsasia i learned a lot about the construction method of the early 19th century and methods of strengthening the existing building with modern materials . There were lots of arguments and coordination problems between the C&S and the M&E consultants which happen to be under the same company .
Totally Excited to Visit the Brand New Raffles!!!!
Wonderfully shot documentary! Great production and great coverage of one of Singapore's most historic sites.
Raffles seems like the pinnacle of luxury with historic rooms and halls. I have been to The Peninsula hotels in both Manila and Bangkok and as much as they are wonderful accommodations, I would love to stay at Raffles one day.
SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HOTEL WITH AMAZING HISTORY. A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING WITH THE PUBLIC WHO ARRIVE IN VERY DAGGY GEAR....GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN GREAT STYLE, AND ELEGANCE ,APPRECIATED THE VERY HARD WORK TO CREATE SUCH AMBIENCE....is this the modern way? All the best to RAFFLES AND THEIR STAFF.
Absolutely true!!
@@ek7593 glad you agree EK .thank you.
@@hugholiveiro2081 : Love from Portugal :)
What a wonderful video, always interested in the beauty and history of this wonderful hotel
I visited raffles several times. Always enjoyable. The bar and the food. Staff were wonderful. Not stuffy at all.
I LOVED THIS HOTEL. BRINGS BACK MEMORIES.
I love how wonderful the staff are!wonderful caring people!wish I had some money I would have loved to have gone just to meet the staff!!!!!💝
Without the information, I already knew that the front manager would be German.
Nobody in the world is better in 1st class hotel management than the Germans.
I am proud, to have been one of them.
The scene with Berd and the interim Managing Director is priceless. Great job!
"Let's cut the crap." so germanic :)
@@euanmorse: I am sure, you speak German language. Because it is "crap" to assume so, I assure you :)
Beautiful renovation! Congrats!
@@makeamerica Happy New Year!
It was nice to see this. Thank you. I spent there 3 days in 1982. Great place! Greetings.
Excellent presentation.I was told this account by a Singaporean shop keeper.I used to bring disabled people from Malaysia to Singapore,staying in hotels.If there was no covid we would have continued and who knows even stayed at the Raffles.
The sincerity of the staff shines through, they seem to enjoy their jobs although in that opulence and beauty it would be hard to be unhappy
Yes, such a beauty .....the way they care for their guests....sweet♥️ lovelyness
This is such an iconic hotel. So happy, and somewhat proud, to have stayed there many times since early 90ies. It has a very special atmosphere.
So very important that restoration and upgrades of such a historic place is done correctly and in accordance with original history.
Lucky you! I wish I could enjoy it too :)
Amazing hotel! i was there in 2013 one week! the top pool bar is my favorite spot! i remember it was a piano man by the name "Jimmy" he played wonderful piano at the lounge!
Love the white building in sg...look so elegant, n suit sg environment n weather.
That German developer was rude, arrogant and had no understanding of the situation. Also his ignorance to be on his IPhone whilst being spoken to by the FDM was appalling. His PA was even told that the hotel was undergoing the work.. The person who should be fired is the idiot developer.
Paid close to 4000 USD recently for a 3 day trip to Singapore, staying at the Raffles. No one came to wish me at the front of the hotel, even though the hotel transfer was organised by them. The Sikh (man wearing turban) who happens to be a doorman was extremely hospitable, especially when i said 'sat shri akal' (greeting in his native culture/religion), considering I am also a Sikh.
Besides that, the service was lack luster and prejudice. I remember coming to this hotel 20 years ago with my family and the quality of service was 10 times better. It seemed like they only wanted to serve the 'white man'.
Not expect much. Even the hotel named after a white british man.
Yes. A Bastion of racism - in many directions.
The concept of envy - the hatred of the superior - has dropped out of our moral vocabulary … The idea that white Christian civilization is hated more for its virtues than its sins doesn’t occur to us, because it’s not a nice idea. … Western man towers over the rest of the world in ways so large as to be almost inexpressible. It is Western exploration, science, and conquest that have revealed the world to itself. Other races feel like subjects of Western power long after colonialism, imperialism, and slavery have disappeared. *The charge of racism puzzles whites who feel not hostility, but only baffled good will, because they don’t grasp what it really means: humiliation. The white man presents an image of superiority even when he isn’t conscious of it. And, superiority excites envy. Destroying white civilization is the inmost desire of the league of designated victims we call minorities. …*
Very sad, probably they want only whites to come.
Like wise some Indians are also nice to Indians only. Is it called racist also? 🤔
Watching this makes me yearn to work with these beautiful people.
Quite intriguing to watch this documentary even though I also work in the hospitality industry!!
This was really enjoyable - thank you
Wow, beautiful caring people. I even shed a tear. ❤
I really wished that something so historic to Singapore was staffed by more locals
It was in 75' & 76' and I had the run of the place for awhile as I think maybe a dozen guest stayed when I was there. Breakfast hall three minute eggs were delightful all staff locally.
sadly with these kinds of hotels in non-western countries, you'll find that the locals make up 90% of all the manual labour/ low level roles, whilst the main managerial roles are usually given to westerners. the remnants of colonisation sadly.
@@hwasooju ....the most effective marketing strategy to attract the rich white men ???
@@hwasooju love song
Agreed however, in a country with so much wealth manual labor is usually outsourced. The local population will not do the work.
this should seriously get more views...
Thanks! Show the team some love by "liking" this video, and hit the subscribe button to get more great content. And have you watched part 2 of the Raffles Hotel to see the final transformation? th-cam.com/video/ud4U9Gyt7bQ/w-d-xo.html
I’ve done my OJT at Raffles Hotel, year 2001. I’ve experienced both good and bad memories. Hope to visit Singapore again, soon!
yess we’ll welcome you with open arms! but do be careful because there’s uh a lot of young ‘gangsters’ in the more local areas haha
My Father, when the RAF, was stationed in Singapore in the 60s. He visited Raffles and said it was so nice.
I've had the great opportunity to have visited personal. Absolutely delightful stay indeed.
Looking veryvery nice...
One of my favorite hotels. Even though I only go there for the famous high tea in the Tiffin Room. Once I had the opportunity to have a look into several suites courtesy of the managers then. Very lovely and well curated rooms. Hopefully they beauty and style will remain after the renovation.
Beautiful building
My wife and I stayed in Raffles in the mid-seventies and had a wonderful time. The renovations look superb, and we would hope to stay again. However, why oh why was this pair of videos centered around Frau Frikker. I'm sure she's a fine person but scene after scene of the staff fawning over her and oddities such as her "brisk 4 km walk" followed by confinement to a wheelchair to get from the lobby to her car were at odds to say the least. My wife thought that maybe she had funded all the restorations but, it seems, her claim-to fame is only to have stayed there many times. I hope, if we do get the opportunity to return, that we will not bump into the good lady in the lobby still striving to steal the limelight.
What a marvelous and well-made documentary! Now I am sorry I did not spend even a night at Raffles when I changed planes at Singapore in Feb 2019. My understanding then was that the hotel had closed for good -- not that certain parts were closed for the renovation. Well, ya can't win them all.
Beautiful hotel ❤️
It's a beautiful hotel, and delicious foods. Good presentation.
BRAVO !
This hotel went to the shitters since it's been acquired by Accor.
I didn't expect anything less. French and hotel management. I'm going to the Fullerton Bay nowadays.
What a pity if this is true. Imagine the rich history and beauty of this etablissement and place. Well, "never touch a running system", right?
The GM... what an attitude 🙈
Happy to see that for all his pompous attitude he didn't get his two matching maps and there were in fact three tables, not two, in the temporary lobby.
In his home country he could not even enter a hotel like this through the backdoor. His suit is so tight because he is going to burst from self-importance.
His arrogance matches all those mattress stains. 💯 And apparently as I have observed, most GM's in Singapore hotels embodies this kind of persona. I HATED it (too surfaced and more acting). 😂
@@beachinthebeach Well you can't be friendly with your subordinate, the friendlier you become, the more they won't follow orders. Most leader give the aura "Hey! follow me or I'll fire your ass"
@@minyaksayur "You can't be friendly with your subordinate"? "Hey! follow me or I'll fire your ass"? Yeah that's the Schutzstaffel management style, and look how well THAT worked out.... Jerk!
Very good documentary.
I stayed in Raffles 50 years ago. It was the best hotel, compared to hovels at that time. It is historical, and I did have a gin sling. It was still a third world hotel then.
at 31:50 & 32:02, low adhesion (blue) masking tape is easier to remove (less residue) than the super sticky beige construction type masking tape.
This is a very KOOL Hotel!!!
I still remember the swimming pool was nice and had a small bar,free cold hand towels mint smell, and also complimentary cold frozen fruits stcks! the piano lounge at the lobby was nice too, the piano man was Jimmy from Usa! at the entrance the door man with the beatd was a big guy! I truly enjoyed the stay!
Exceptional services on earth
$10,000 a night for the Presidential suite, with that mattress? Somehow I expected it all to be a bit more "luxurious" looking.
I will be here in March 2024. Can’t wait 😜.
prestigious !
Love the conservation on old building in singapore. I hope we indonesian could do the same...
You Indonesians managed to tear down Hotel des Indes in djakarta.
The people who work at the hotel do not seem to be oppressed and miserable compared to the Mumbai Taj Mahal hotel employees...and the architecture is incomparably superior.
I was lucky enough to perform at the Raffles Theater in the early 90s' There was only one technician who changed over from the animatronic tiger show to our show. He was great. During this closure, I met a person from the company who were selling all the old equipment of the hotel. I got three seats from that theater.
It's this type of guest (the "Developer" guest) that is such a disgrace to mankind. Unreasonable and demanding. Ugly behaviour.
Charge people few thousand a night and you expect them to be lambs? Seems like you're more entitled than the developer.
Few thousand only too cheap. Trump 2020 woo hoo
Wow great video perfect watching it i had mini version raffles due to business fallen i had to sell 🍷
I stayed there three nights at £25 a night when it was all sad and run down. Loved it and Singapore was still fun then
Its almost similar in manila hotel and its age. Nostalgia
Very nice...
I was there for drinks in 1978. It was getting seedy, but you could see the original greatness.
Edit. The man with the headache is probably just dehydrated. Oh, well!
Stayed there nearly 20 years ago . Sad to read from comments here that its lost all its former glory .
Omg I walked pass the raffles hotel my hotel was right across from that hotel!
I love it
I am proud to say that I stayed there once in 1980s
heading to singapore next year, have not decided on a place to stay, i think i just found it !!
I knew before they lifted the mattresses they was going to be of a different color. I guess even in the finest hotel you'll still find mattresses with nasty yellow stains!😂
i saw this >>> light yellow
They did the same in Paris and gutted the most iconic hotels, there is Nothing left of the original ones and now its all boutiques boutiques and shiny shiny ,,what a pity ,,
Stephanie Murray
Yeah dumb move
That German developer guy - what a horrible entitled little man. Typical nouveaux riche, no manners, no perspective - and if this is his largest problem he needs to look around and see how spoilt he is.
Haha. When you pay that price, you're entitled to be entitled. If the hotel ppl mind, they would charge cheaper.
@@burtonl7239 when you pay that price, you are also entitled to be polite and stop acting like a wronged diva. Totally distasteful and vulgar behaviour.
@@MickyAM I can't tell if you're talking about the guy or yourself. Why are you acting like a wronged diva? How much did you pay for that? LOL.
@@burtonl7239 No honey, I know how to behave in such circumstances. Totally appalling behaviour of this guy.
Nice FO Team ,
The GM seems like a very unpleasant person to work for
Yeah, he carries himself like some Czar. Those types don't last for long.
Excellent hotel and i have never experianced earlier
HAD MY SINGAPORE SLING THERE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL
I can't believe they chopped down those iconic palm trees!
When I was there for Tiffin I felt I was in the 1900s...amazing and gorgeous building. Just hope the modernisation isn't too glaring. 😕
Bern seems like a nice guy and very capable
It´s "Bernd" :)
Hope we could do the same for the iconic but much wanting Manila Hotel..very impressive indeed! 👍❤
Manila Hotel has been renovated in silence. No fancy marketing videos.
As a photographer/videographer I photographed the original General Douglas Macarthur suite in 2012. I returned in 2017 to those same rooms (as well as the Presidential Suite) and filmed them again. The General Douglas Macarthur Suite was totally modernised and has lost all the character and charm of the original suite. It has become just another high end modern hotel suite for a costly sum. You can see my interpretations on my TH-cam channel Train Lord and type in the titles.
I did also spent two wonderful days and nights in this magnificent British Colonial Hotel in 2012 and as a not so wealthy person, I allowed myself to thoroughly enjoy the experience of staying in such a beautiful classic hotel. My room was exquisite with two fine ornate King size beds and traditional Persian rugs on the floor, a lovely butler who served me the traditional afternoon tea on the Terrace outside the room (no other guests were around at the time so the tranquil view over the Palm Court was serene. I saw nothing of Singapore because I spent the entire time walking around the hotel and gardens etc enjoying the best of British Colonialism. I even had a tuxedo tailor made which because I had to leave before the second fitting I have never worn unfortunately! However the experience was priceless. I hope this hotel will not become another modern hotel using its history to attract clients.
'i'm a developer', how bout you start developing a sense of humility?
True that! 💯 And humility should always be applied to whatever you do in life. 🌟
Proud to be a Singaporean! ^^
They are not having high tea , they are having afternoon tea , completely different