Its a true story from the 1940s. About a young man tired of traipsing the world. So, on a little street, he built a small inn for travelers as world weary as he was. Sailors. Merchants. Drunk singers. No Little India then. No trains. No shopping complexes. Just a little anonymous inn on an anonymous street. But the young man offered the same to anyone who dropped in. A warm handshake. A hot drink. A comfortable bed to sleep in.

The inn lived through it all. World War II. Recession. Tough times. Yet, the inn remained standing. And it stood firm as it was passed on to the second generation. And because theres nothing quite like enterprise to stir a Singaporeans heart, the inn was developed into a modern hotel in 1996. The quiet street it stood on had become a bit louder. With more restaurants, pubs, and shopping around the area. Times have changed. The hotel opened its doors to budget travelers, wandering writers, and busy businessmen.

Today, the hotel stands at an important cultural crossroad. With vibrant Little India chocked full of spices and curries behind and an international complex with modern shopping, movies, trains, just in front. Really, times have changed. What has not is the art of the serve. The warm welcome. The cosy, clean rooms. The hospitality from 70 years ago.