Raffles Hotel is pleased to launch the book Memoirs of a Raffles Original, featuring the story of its Resident Historian, and his unique relationship with the Grand Dame. Mr Leslie Basil Danker is the only person in Singapore to have personally experienced the many incarnations of Raffles Hotel, in this 37 years of service. In this wistful and humorous autobiographical account, he retraces his nearly four decades of service; from his humble start in the maintenance department tending to clogged toilets to becoming its very first Resident Historian, sharing the hotel’s storied past with celebrities, dignitaries and VIPs.
Leslie Basil Danker joined Raffles Hotel in 1972, and had taken the initiative to collect and painstakingly organize old press releases and photos of the hotel while continuing to delve into its role in Singapore history.
On his morning walkabouts to meet and greet guests, Mr Danker freely shares his knowledge so as to give the Raffles residents a sense of the building’s heritage. Today, Mr Danker remains the one person whom his colleagues rely upon for information whenever queries arise, about the hotel’s roots, from the residents, visitors or media.
In the early days, he held the position of Site Supervisor working closely with engineers, architects and interior designers to oversee the entire restoration process of the hotel. He was later promoted to Chief Information Officer, then quickly to Guest Relations Manager. His immense knowledge and keen ability to apply new skills to his job have made Mr Danker a valuable and reliable member of the Raffles team.
Mr Danker’s personal philosophy to his own learning journey is summed up in one of his favourite quotes from T.S Eliot: “We shall never cease from striving. At the end of all our striving will be to arrive where we began and to know the place for the first time.” For Mr Danker, it will be personally satisfying if he can continue to play his part in the growth of Raffles Hotel by helping to train his colleagues in creating experiences where “guests arrive as residents, leave as friends and return as family”.
Memoirs of a Raffles Original is available at Raffles Hotel shops at S$29.90 nett, and Mr Danker will be conducting an autograph signing session on 1, 3 and 5 March 2010 between 4 pm to 5 pm, at the Raffles Hotel Shops. During the autograph signing session, a 10 percent reduction will be given on the book purchased.
About Raffles Hotels & Resorts Raffles Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The portfolio currently comprises nine luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to chic hotels in key locations around the world: in Singapore, Cambodia, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles and Paris. The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in the Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines and China scheduled over the next two years. With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on the original Raffles tradition of delivering thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests. Raffles Hotels & Resorts is owned by FRHI Holdings Ltd, a leading global hotel company with 98 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties. www.raffles.com
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Memoirs of a Raffles Original By Leslie Danker Memoirs of a Raffles Original is the story of one man and his unique relationship with Singapore's most iconic property. Leslie Danker is the only person in Singapore to have personally experienced the many incarnations of Raffles Hotel: from bastion of colonial prestige, to fading icon, and now, the country's premier symbol of luxury and hospitality. In this wistful and humorous autobiographical account, he retraces his nearly four decades of service; from his humble start in the maintenance department tending to clogged toilets to becoming its very first Resident Historian, sharing the hotel's storied past with celebrities, dignitaries, and VIPs.
