Five Star Singapore Hotels

One of the world's few city-states, Singapore is a remarkable country which has survived many periods in history to become unique and special in many ways.

While its geographical position has made it a busy trading-post for many centuries, it wasn't until the arrival of the British in the early 19th century that the first steps towards the modern country were taken. In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived at the main island and immediately deemed it an ideal trading-post for the British Empire.

He signed a treaty with Hussein Shah, Sultan of Johor, allowing for the British East India Company to use Singapore for the purposes of trade. It didn't take long for the British to assume government of the area, which had been a relatively small fishing community until then. In 1867 Singapore became an official colony of Britain.

As a trading-post of the Empire, Europeans settled on the main island, and many ethnicities arrived to participate in the growing trade route economy. The growth of Singapore as a colony was interrupted during the Second World War when the Japanese Army forced the British to surrender their control.

Following the allied victory rule was returned to the British in 1945, but it was only a little more than a decade later that the colony assumed a state of self-government, although still within the British Empire. Four years later, in 1963, it declared independence and summarily joined Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak, collectively being the Federation of Malaysia. Political and ideological divergence caused Singapore to seek sovereignty, which it finally gained in 1965.

Following a determined plan to overcome the widespread problems of unemployment, the new country went from strength to strength, developing an economic infrastructure which has successfully made it one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

Its successful trade and manufacturing based economy has attracted much foreign investment and interest. The multi-cultural climate for which it has become known is discernible in the unique architecture and cuisine, both of which have taken the divergent cultural influences and made them their own. Even though Malay is the national language, there are four official languages, English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. English is widely used and taught to all children at school.

The country's rich, culturally diverse heritage has made it a popular destination for people from all over the world, many of whom get to enjoy the wonderful hospitality and luxury of the many renowned Five Star Singapore Hotels. With a dedication to preserving the numerous important buildings, many of these hotels have a discernible old world charm, such as the famous Raffles Hotel, now a national monument.

Taking its name from the man credited with inspiring the modern country, the hotel abounds with colonial splendour and is situated close to the Botanical garden and famous shopping district on Orchard Road. Fittingly for a hotel with such specific origins, the celebrated author, Somerset Maugham, once called it symbolic for 'all the fables of the Exotic East'. An idea which perfectly encapsulates the meld of Eastern culture with the Colonial luxury, further enhanced by the tropical rainforest climate.

Not every Five Star Singapore Hotel is steeped in the colonial heritage, many reflect the county's progressive ethic of developing modern and post-modern architecture. Hotels like the Grand Hyatt is a veritable feast for the those who enjoy the use of elegant angles and contrasting materials. From the sporting and spa facilities to the unrivalled fine dining delights to be found in the resident restaurants, it is the ideal place for those with 21st century leisure and luxury in mind.