The Raffles, Penang’s E&O, the Metropole in Hanoi – famous writers’ favourite Asian hotels, and how they celebrate their literary legacy

• Kipling paid the The Raffles a backhanded compliment, Noel Coward praised the sangfroid of staff at the Metropole, Somerset Maugham was everywhere
• Today, heritage hotels have suites named after illustrious former guests, and one has launched a writers’ residency programme to keep up the literary link