10 Top Colonial Hotels Asia

Asian Geographic Passport : 02/2009

1. RAFFLES, SINGAPORE

The Lion City has more than its fair share of swanky hotels, but only one can lay claim to being an icon of colonialism: Raffles Hotel. For a considerable outlay, you’ll get opulent rooms with four-metre-high ceilings, designer boutiques on your doorstep, and the best Singapore Sling in town (presumably, since they invented it). Plus, local lore has it that the island’s last wild tiger was shot here. Raffles Hotel, Central, Singapore www.raffles.com

2. THE PENINSULA, HONG KONG

With its fleet of Rolls Royces and exquisite rooms oozing European elegance, the Peninsula is a defining structure on Kowloon’s southern tip. Whether you’re in the original building from 1928 or the modern adjoining tower (complete with Philippe Starck-designed restaurant), you’ll get an in-room plasma TV, fabulous service, and that all-important harbour view. The Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong www.peninsula.com

3. WINDAMERE, INDIA

Perched on a hill overlooking endless Darjeeling tea plantations and with a skyline that includes the planet’s third-highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, the Windamere certainly gets top marks for the view. For an authentic, undisturbed stay, request the main house, Ada Villa, which is deliberately devoid of TVs and telephones. Nice and Victorian. Windamere Hotel, Darjeeling, India www.windamerehotel.com

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