Istana, the Singapore presidents official residence is a graceful 19th century neo Palladian piece of architecture with its pillared colonial faade set off by an extensive English style garden with green lawns, fountains, a lily pond, a marsh garden and a lake with swans. The 106 acre compound had its beginnings as a nutmeg plantation which was acquired by the British government. Government House, as Istana was then known, was built in 1869 to station the then Governor of the Straits Settlements. Sitting atop a slight rise, the house overlooks a large expanse of greenery, reminiscent of an English country garden. It originally had views of the ocean and the land around it. The house was designed to be cool and airy in order to counter the hot tropical climate. Deep verandas and louvered windows were also put in to withstand the vagaries of the tropical weather.
Istanas nearly 150 years of history includes being occupied by the Japanese during WW II; the Japanese regional commander and the general in charge of Singapore both stayed here. Apart from that, the building has seen twenty one terms of governorship and six presidential terms. Amongst the buildings and facilities on the grounds are a nine-hole golf course and even an old burial ground of a Muslim sect.
Istana is the site of formal government events and houses function rooms inclusive of a reception hall, banquet hall and state rooms where guests of the Government of Singapore are entertained. No one lives at Istana or in the three other buildings on the grounds at present. While it houses the offices of the president and the prime minister of Singapore, the Minister Mentor and the senior minister have their offices in another building on the grounds.
Visitors to Istana will be amazed by the extent of well manicured lawns and clusters of large trees just off Orchard Road, the busiest part of the city.
Over 120 years old, recalling the grand style of its heyday with inimitable old world charm and elegance, Raffles Hotel, Singapore, is truly an iconic
Singapore hotel, not to be missed by guests interested in experiencing a certain type of gracious hospitality not available at other establishments. This all suite hotel with its comfortable and exceptional accommodation, spaces redolent with history combined with excellent facilities and amenities is a true
luxury hotel Singapore where guests can experience a little bit of grandeur found nowhere else.
