How this foreigner saved the most iconic hotel in Singapore 🇸🇬

[@kitty2527]

Thank you very much for your contribution, I have always like Raffles Hotel. Somehow the other new hotels can never have the kind of vibes. Bless you in abundance.

[@robertopregarz711]

I have been very surprised to receive so many nice comments! I am most grateful and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

[@MaxChernov]

Roberto you’re the legend! ♥️

[@limian3599]

Thank you Roberto for your motto in life and making the island's history with a splash of Italian flair. Now the hotel was being purchased many times not for the physical structure but for it's brand name. Keep well.

[@kerrsun2392]

Hello Roberto ! This is Kerr Sun great to hear your stories online again!

[@jcpshaw4468]

Would be nice to have an extended interview. So enjoyable hearing about the early history of the hotel. Bravo Sir

[@amarbaha]

Thank you for sharing Sir. I love the historical context you provided. Great Interview Max.

[@kccheung4586]

Mrs Pregarz was my form teacher when i was in P6 in Telok Ayer area in 1976. After the PSLE, she brought the whole class to this hotel for set lunch. Mr Pregarz was the manager and came out to receive us, a bunch of poor kids growing up in Amoy St and Chinatown area. I still remember that day. THANK YOU BOTH, MR AND MRS PREGARZ. I now bring my family there for meals and staycation. 😊😊

[@limian3599]

What a beautiful connection and heart-warming story. Especially when the barriers between rich and poor melted away and that you're doing amazing now.

[@k.gerard5813]

God bless you both, Mr and Mrs Pregarz.

[@knock-knockwhosthere9933]

Dayum

[@robertopregarz711]

I am happy that Max viewers have enjoyed the video of my interview about Raffles. Some years ago I wrote the Book “Raffles Legends and Stories” which was sold at Raffles. Now is sold out. I may try to do a reprint if I can find a sponsor and a buyer.

[@jcpshaw4468]

I would be happy to preorder at least two copies

[@drjennyli]

I can listen to this man for hours. What a story. And can we say, before any brand agency, he has done the brand story right. Great video. Wow, what a story well told.

[@Trinetra3382]

thank you for making Raffles Hotel a well-known Singapore icon, and in-turn contributions to the country

[@eslgurucalif]

What a genuine and kind-hearted man.I have always associated Raffles Hotel very closely with Singapore itself. That's a tribute to this gentleman's life's work. Good job on this, Max.

[@YusriSapari]

thank you so much Max for working so hard to document our history

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Thank you for this video. It's really wonderful to hear stories from someone who has been in the country for a very long, long time.

[@saxyjon]

This is wonderful history story for all Singaporeans. Thank you Max for interviewing Mr Pregarz. I am very grateful to you both!

[@my.business]

*This video draws the attention to someone missing from the scene to many people in SG about the iconic Raffles and the man that made it what it is. In a way a sort of unsung hero*

[@michaelseet9320]

what a character!! So enterprising and you can see the staff still hold him in high esteem..

[@hugholiveiro2081]

A BRILLIANT AND ELOQUENT REPORT OF A SINGAPORE ICON. So interesting, you almost feel you are there, for a private viewing.

[@DanielFoo]

What a great history and stories! Its the real encounters and the colonial stories that makes this hotel so iconic. Great interview with the GM of the yesteryears, thank you for sharing your down to earth dedication to this legendary place Roberto !

[@hipposamadesu]

There is so much history in everything. Thank you for giving us this amazing interview 🙏

[@pamelapeel4893]

Lovely man 😊 Love The Raffles & Singapore Sl😮ngs

[@jessiejames7492]

So interesting listening to him bringing us through history. Hes so sharp in his recollection. 👍

[@idoit5005]

Classy hotel and a very classy gentleman as their former GM. But I’m more amazed about the guy who talent spotted Roberto from among the staff of the passenger ship

[@rustomghadiali5631]

Happy Birthday. Roberto, wish you all the best. Regards Shìrin n Russi

[@prasad5621]

Very nice interview.Thank you 🎉🎉

[@irinaivanova9473]

Thanks for this video! My favourite spot in Singapore. Historical oasis in modern city. Interesting story for GM of hotel❤

[@kalahantri]

Brilliant interview,a lot of history and life's message 👍

[@andreabettoni2527]

I can feel that Mr. Roberto is from most likely Friuli/Istria, his accent is still there. Hard working and such wonderful people. Thanks Max for this.

[@MaxChernov]

BTW Roberto saw our interview, Andrea :)

[@tejash21]

I loved every moment of this video. Absolutely fascinating person. So glad to have learned about Roberto!

[@ahhoonlim3672]

Thanks, Max, this is one of the best videos I have watched, so very interesting. Keep up your good work. Cheers from Australia

[@MaxChernov]

Thanks so much! Sending love to Australia!

[@곰고양이-n8i]

wow this episode is so interesting. A legend.

[@lvrn124]

Super cool to know all the advertising efforts and history! Thanks for interviewing him!

[@ceridwen888]

What an amazing man! So positive and creative! No wonder we were so attracted to the Raffles when we first arrived in Singapore. It is the beautiful architecture, gardens, history and the stories that make it so attractive. It's good to have a purpose. Ikigai...

[@hiroyukishinichi9873]

It is ok, he is Singaporean at heart

[@stevegand]

Great video. 💯👍

[@ragsoh]

The GM said he is 25% Italian and 75% Singaporean. I think he is 100% Singaporean. Such a nice and humble gentleman. Thank you for your contribution to Singapore. You are awesome.

[@chenyinmei6466]

Wish you the best always..Mr.Roberto..keep happy

[@joyceng1522]

Thank you for an amazing video . Enjoyed watching you all enthusiastically trying out the street food. Jonkers Street is indeed worth visiting.

[@kinw5548]

White colour hotel so beautiful in tropical island.

[@TheCornellJunkie]

Lee Kuan Yew do not give any preferential treatment ...... Warms my heart

[@jessiejames7492]

😊

[@MelissaLim89]

As a Singaporean, I love these stories! Thank you.

[@judymckee5992]

This man sure knows how to run a hotel. I used to work as a receptionist in the seventies in Malacca, Shah's Beach Motel. It was a learning curve to manage a business, we don't have managers but the receptionist that was on duty is in charge of the motel. Lovely motel with 50 rooms at that time and occupancy rate was more than 90%.

[@margih7374]

My husband and I had a wonderful stay at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Like a step back into another time but with beautiful hospitality, food and stunning decor. Beats the Plastic, chrome and meaningless neverending boxes of corridors, lift spaces. Oh to go back ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@enakeit8967]

Very enlightening and intriguing to hear so much tge history about Raffles hotel. Great video!

[@jamesteo6395]

Kindly thank he great work in little island.

[@chenyinmei6466]

thank you for this very informative video..and wow..Raffles stands for the exotic East..agree..so grand Raffles look..

[@balisaani]

Excellent interview/profile - what a wonderful job Mr. Pregarz has done with the Raffles (not least the Sunday Brunch there),

[@leewn2319]

Thank You Mr Roberto! Your story is so amazing & enlightening. 👍👍👍👏👏👏🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🤝🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@kenlim5483]

I’m 50 yo and I’m ashamed to hv knew so little about my country. Thank you

[@chenyinmei6466]

Respect to Mr. Roberto..

[@sushilkumarlohani6709]

You deserve so much more support. I watchwd your all 3 videos about Foreigners living in Mumbai, and that was very well summarised. I subscribed

[@MaxChernov]

thanks so mcuh!

[@playerlucky]

You can tell this man lived a good life

[@evgenimakarov]

Interesting fact about this hotel is that in it's current form it has been built by "immigrant entrepreneurs" Sarkies brothers, who were Armenians and founded several other luxury hotels in South-East Asia

[@MaxChernov]

Correct

[@thaimanclark]

Wonderful thank you

[@Sema4beach]

Raffles is a Singapore icon!!😊Love it! I always stay in Bugis so i can visit and walk past!! Especially The Long Bar!🍻🥂🍹Thanks must go to Roberto!!✅👏

[@jbrkjferkjbekjb]

Hey Max just a tip. If you want to truly understand Singapore, interview people from different income groups, including the hawker centre stall owners. Even though we are a small country, we have diverse groups of people from different 'classes' (largely depending on income too); we are hardly homogeneous as 'singaporeans'. e.g. many of us have never stayed in raffles hotel all our lives - it's mainly for the wealthy and tourists

[@douglasstanley5209]

YES! This is the best video you have made. Thanks for doing this.

[@MaxChernov]

You are so welcome!

[@kokliangchew3609]

As a Chinese Malaysian and back in the 1980s, I befriended a Iranian student at a British university in Wales, UK. Although Iranian by citizenship, ethnically, she was of Armenian Christian origin, and there were many of them in Iran. To my surprise, I found out that she was a direct descendant on her mother's side from the Sarkies brothers who had founded and owned Raffles Hotel. She told me that whatever shares that the Sarkies brothers had left in Raffles Hotel had been placed in trust for their descendants with a law firm in Singapore. On encouraging her, she flew to Singapore in the late 1980s, the first Sarkie descendant to do so since the Sarkie brothers left Iran for Singapore to find their fortune. Unfortunately for her, it seemed that the trust had mysteriously disappeared sometime in the 1950s and except for the name, the Sarkie descendants had no more connection with Raffles Hotel.

[@XavierFairbairn-Sykes]

Very enjoyable episode! This man is undoubtably a pioneer of singapore

[@alemmat1750]

Excellent guest, thanks very much to created this excellent content

[@MrJonslife]

One of the most amazing videos done by Max. Thank you.

[@MaxChernov]

🙏

[@MuzixMaker]

I had a Yard of Ale at the Long Bar back in the early 90s while in Sing for business. Grateful for the experience.

[@andrewbhurvitz6298]

Very touching video. I can see how this high quality gentleman was asked to come into such a prominent and key position at Raffles Hotel. SG is lucky he said yes.

[@shanti4820]

Such an honest interview. Loved his anecdotes and stories.

[@MrKenken2346]

Amazing story. Amazing purpose. And so apt hat you carried out part of the interview at Raffles hotel itself :)

[@aarong.5979]

Wow. What a rich tapestry of history narrated by a key person who lived through it all. Just wow.

[@KhoosengKuang-bb3yz]

I once stay at raffle's hotel very rare and beautiful hotels in Singapore thanks to pregartz for maintaining everything

[@gabbyfoo2]

Thank you Max for sharing such history of an iconic hotel. We recalled her famous Sunday "Curry Tiffin" and its famous Hainanese chefs ...Terrific...and the S'pore Sling

[@kennySg101]

Nice story! I think the national archives may be keen to capture his story about David Marshall and raffles hotel.

[@hoebeng1]

My very kind regards to my old friend Roberto. Long time no see,❤

[@mtan0001]

Great content about Roberto and the little known history of Raffles Hotel.

[@crazychinesewoman]

It is quite sad that I've only been in the Raffles twice even though it's the most iconic hotel in Singapore , that all Singaporeans should be proud to show off to - their foreign friends/guests. Unfortunately, during Jennie and Helfer time, they made Raffles so attas that we don't even try to go. I personally did not find Raffles welcoming at all, therefore, we used other hotels to house our guests.

[@kfedfan1314]

Raffles Hotel only recently regained their magic with French-Qatari ownership.

[@zerocurry]

Raffles is blessed to have such a good manager!

[@katherinetan3850]

Thank you, love this video, love the hotel n your interviewee

[@MaxChernov]

Our pleasure!

[@joanne-marie]

Amazing stories about the history of Singapore from such a nice old man! 😍

[@SuccessforLifester]

Raffles Hotel remains elite level exclusive. I have not stepped into their lobby for many years as they only only allow guests of the hotel to enter.

[@AniMaTheEarth]

Dam history from your channel interviewing these people are so much more interesting then the history books taught in schools XD

[@MaxChernov]

Lol 😍

[@bminton3291]

Excellent interview with a very interesting person.

[@jack5689]

I would not have know much about Raffles Hotel if not in this video. A Thousand thanks for your endless effort and keep up the good work. Cheers

[@MaxChernov]

Our pleasure!

[@Munchmores]

The amazing stories Mr Roberto has and many more i suppose. Thank you.

[@linhwang6651]

Only now I know Mr. Pregarz was the general manager of the white colonial hotel across the Beach Road, to the left of the headquarter of 1st Singapore Infantry Brigade(1SIB), which is now situated elsewhere. The hotel was very safe, having an army camp nearby. Mr Pregarz did an excellent job indeed.

[@PeterAKnipp]

Wow, what an interview! Interesting that you didn’t put pictures of the Hotel prior its redevelopment in the early 90’s, would give a better understanding! Hmmmmm…..

[@massimo.marotta]

Great content and nice to see Roberto sharing his amazing experiences !

[@MaxChernov]

3rd Italian on my channel! :)

[@massimo.marotta]

@@MaxChernov yeah thats cool ! Maybe u should organize an annual in person event and we can have an italian table 😂😁

[@MaxChernov]

Haha with pleasure!

[@jennifergargiulo4526]

Very interesting!

[@YusriSapari]

General Manager was basically what we call CEO today

[@alfredtoh138]

Chao Roberto, you’ve done a great job for racial harmony! During that period, I’ve visited The American Club and Cricket Club and the (local) staffs had treated the “non Ang Mo visiting guest” with a discrimination way of service! I was disappointed deeply

[@Albert_Einstein_not]

Super interesting

[@hughofIreland]

I will make a point of visiting the hotel-a pilgrimage-when I visit Singapore in a few weeks.

[@AbdulHamid-pi9kp]

He's like a living diary

[@shahzadkheros]

loved it

[@chenyinmei6466]

Wow...a real tiger..amazing 'dangerous' advertising..

[@jessiejames7492]

How is he related to mr Lee?

[@iDoug03]

Job well done!

[@___Danny___]

guess 1/2 correctly, know about old raffles hotel but didn’t know the “relative “ part

[@rickyloh4791]

Respect legend who built sg😊

[@willieho4386]

Thanks Max! This will never appear in any of our history books😂

[@ckGohhelen]

👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@sneo7470]

👍👏💪🇸🇬

[@mayfoo7258]

❤

[@bell-xk5dd]

He didn’t say anything about Michael Jackson staying there 😂

[@MaxChernov]

It was after Roberto left

[@bell-xk5dd]

@@MaxChernov Ok 😅thank you 👍

[@jeanrenevitry]

❤

[@joeroganpodfantasy42]

In most countries if you are not related to leadership you get prosecuted in Singapore if you are related you get prosecuted cause LKY didnt want even the appearance of favoritism

[@winniewoon1]

Wonder if he is really a good boss

[@shanicestella2226]

Keep Raffles Hotel Alive

[@lianlengchew7325]

全世界的人民都要團结一起.加油加油加油加油加油新加坡人加油加油🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@amyg1073]

❤ max