The Sarkies Brothers: The Pioneers of Luxury Hotels in Southeast Asia

If you have ever stayed at one of the iconic hotels in Southeast Asia, such as the Raffles in Singapore, the Eastern and Oriental in Penang, or the Strand in Rangoon, you have experienced the legacy of the Sarkies brothers. These four Armenian brothers from Julfa, Iran, were the founders of the Sarkies Brothers Properties, a chain of luxury hotels that revolutionized the hospitality industry in the region.

The eldest brother, Martin, was an engineer who had a vision of creating grand and elegant hotels that would cater to the needs and tastes of the wealthy travelers and colonial elites. He built the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Penang, Malaysia, in the early 1880s, which soon became a popular destination for celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries. The hotel boasted lavish amenities such as electric lights, hot and cold running water, billiard rooms, and ballrooms.

The brothers also expanded their business to Burma (now Myanmar), where they built the Strand Hotel in Rangoon in 1901. The Strand was designed by an Italian architect and featured a classical façade, spacious rooms, and a marble-floored lobby. The hotel attracted famous guests such as George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, and Somerset Maugham, who praised its elegance and comfort.

The most famous of the Sarkies brothers’ hotels, however, was the Raffles in Singapore, which was founded by Martin and Tigran in 1887. They converted an old bungalow into a 10-room hotel and named it after Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore in 1819. The Raffles soon became a landmark of the city, renowned for its colonial charm, tropical gardens, and exquisite cuisine. The hotel also invented the Singapore Sling, a cocktail of gin, cherry brandy, lemon juice and soda, which was first mixed at the hotel’s Long Bar in 1903.

The Sarkies brothers’ hotels have survived wars, revolutions, and economic crises, and have maintained their reputation as the epitome of luxury and hospitality in Southeast Asia. They are also considered national monuments, as they reflect the rich history and culture of their respective countries. The Sarkies brothers’ legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of their guests, who cherish the memories of their stay at these legendary hotels.

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