June 3, 2004 - Close to half a million affluent
worldwide respondents of several prestigious luxury international surveys
and publications have a common ultimate favourite � Raffles Hotel, Singapore.
These respondents� uncompromising judgment and taste have resulted in the
team at Raffles Hotel working overnight to urgently renovate the Trophy
Room to make room for these welcomed new additions to join the remarkable
collection of esteemed awards and accolades achieved over a decade, since
the reopening of the Hotel in 1991.
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Raffles Hotel
1 Beach Road
Singapore
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Mr Javier Rosenberg, General Manager of Raffles Hotel, Singapore, says,
�We are most honoured to be recognized as the Best in Singapore.
There are no winning formulas in anticipating and exceeding the ever changing
needs of our residents and patrons. It�s about individuality; we
strive to deliver a personalized experience each time. The passion
in delivering impeccable service lies not in the monumental columns of
the Hotel that shapes the myths, but rather in the hearts of every employee,
winning the praise of presidents, prime ministers and the world�s elite.�
Raffles Hotel Singapore�s continued passionate pursuit of excellence,
setting the standard for the best in service and quality in Singapore,
have, since the beginning of this year, won eminent praises and a record
number of noteworthy awards from well-heeled travellers and highly esteemed
publications. These organizations and premium travel and lifestyle
publications have recognized the Hotel�s delivery of impeccable service,
innovative cuisine, architectural grandeur, superb location and rich history.
American writer and journalist Patricia Schultz�s book entitled �1000
Places to See Before You Die� credits Raffles Hotel as a place one should
visit in one�s lifetime � placing Raffles Hotel amongst the world renowned
seven wonders of the world, alongside the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal
of India, Grand Canyon of the US and the Pyramids of Egypt.
This current valued listing in Schultz�s book, adds to the impressive
list of quotes from a distinguished list of novelists paying tribute to
the Grand Dame, for over a century, including Pulitzer-Prize winning novelist
James Michener who wrote �to have been young and had a room at Raffles
was life at its best�. Raffles Hotel was also featured in BBC�s
Top 50 Places to See Before You Die programme.
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The Story of Raffles International
A new company
Raffles International is formed in 1989 to restore, redevelop and manage
the world-famous Raffles Hotel, to restructure and manage the I.M. Pei-designed
Raffles City mixed-use development and to lay the foundation of an international
hotel management company.
First milestone
After a complete and careful restoration, Raffles Hotel reopens on
16 September 1991 to international acclaim. The spacious suites with ceiling
fans, timber floors and oriental carpets, the lush tropical gardens and
the interesting array of restaurants receive rave reviews from guests.
Merchant Court Hotels
Expansion begins in 1993 with plans for a second-tier hotel brand.
The brand is launched with the opening of Merchant Court Singapore in 1997.
Merchant Court Hotels provide stylish yet value-oriented accommodation
near city centres, paying special attention to the needs of professionals
on the move.
Grand gems
In 1994 Raffles International commences restoration work on two grand
historic hotels in Cambodia - The Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and the
Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap. The restored Hotel Le Royal is a subtle
blend of the best of old-world Cambodian and French colonial style. The
cool marble lobby welcomes its first guests on 24 November 1997.
Raffles Resorts
The opening of the restored Grand Hotel d'Angkor at the end of 1997
marks the launch of our luxury resort brand. Elegant and comfortable, the
Grand is located eight miles from the temple complex of Angkor in a gracious
garden setting. Resort facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court
and health spa.
Europe beckons
In 1997 Raffles International expands its portfolio of international
super deluxe and landmark hotels with the acquisition of two European classics:
Brown's Hotel in London and Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg. Raffles'
tradition of hospitality extends to Europe with the opening of two signature
restaurants, 1837 in Brown's and Doc Cheng's in Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.
Amrita Spas
Amrita, an ancient Sanskrit word meaning elixir of youth', inspires
a new concept in health spas to soothe away the harmful effects of stress
and fatigue. In addition to the flagship Amrita Spa in Raffles City, Singapore,
the year 2000 sees Amrita Spas opening in Raffles Hotel, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten
in Hamburg, the Grand Hotel d'Angkor and Hotel Le Royal in Cambodia and
Merchant Court Sydney.
To the USA
The acquisition of L'Ermitage Beverly Hills in October 2000 marks the
arrival of Raffles International's unique brand of hospitality to North
America. Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills is located on beautiful Burton
Way, the rooftop swimming pool having a superb panoramic view of the surrounding
city.
A global company
In May 2001 Raffles Holdings acquires Swissôtel Hotels and Resorts,
doubling its room inventory and expanding its portfolio to 38 hotels in
33 destinations in 17 countries across six continents. The Raffles International
masterbrand now incorporates three brands of hotels and resorts: Raffles,
Swissôtel and Merchant Court. On 1 January 2002 the rebranded Raffles
The Plaza and Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore join the Raffles International
family of hotels.
On 28 February 2002, Merchant Court Hotel Singapore is rebranded the
Swissotel Merchant Court Singapore. There is now a choice of two Swissotel
in Singapore: Swissotel The Stamford (at Raffles City) and Swissotel Merchant
Court Singapore (by the Singapore River).
Subsequently, 18 March 2002 sees four magnificent hotels in the Raffles
International portfolio share the same sublime detail - the Raffles name.
Raffles Brown's Hotel, Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Raffles Grand Hotel
d'Angkor and Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Legendary landmark hotels; each synonymous
with the best in style and service. |
The recent accolades and awards received include
:
Departures magazine, May/June 2004
Readers� Favourites
Over 51 000 American Express Platinum and Centurion Card members across
the world picked Raffles Hotel as their favourite hotel in Singapore, in
a survey published in the May/June issue of Departures magazine.
Gourmet Magazine, May 2004 (USA)
The World Best Hotel Dining Rooms
Raffles Hotel was the only Singapore hotel to make it to this list.
Raffles Grill was credited with �Provencal dishes with an Asian twist in
a proper English dining room that can�t help but recall Somerset Maugham�.
Quorum Magazine, March/April 2004 (Florida)
Best Hotel
The Quorum Award recognizes the finest places and things the world
has to offer. In searching for the best hotel, Quorum �found it not in
a modern New York or London glass monolith, but at Raffles Hotel Singapore.�
�1000 Places to See Before You Die� by Patricia Schultz
Raffles Hotel is placed alongside the Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal
of India, Grand Canyon of the US, Pyramids of Egypt and Lake District in
England.
Institutional Investor
World�s Best Hotels
The prestigious ranking - �Institutional Investor Readers Select World
Best Hotels 2004�, is based on a survey of senior financial executives
from 25 countries. The ranking meticulously balances luxury accommodation
standards with the particular needs of the international executive traveller.
Among over 600 hotels critiqued, Raffles Hotel was ranked the top in Singapore.
This award is no stranger to Raffles Hotel, having won it for several years.
Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, January 2004 (USA)
World�s Best Places to Stay
Raffles Hotel has once again been voted as one of the �Best Places
to Stay in the World� in the annual Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. The
Hotel was voted for excellence in service standards, accommodation, ambience
and restaurants in a choice poll of 37,000 readers. The Hotel has
been voted as one of the �Best Places to Stay in the World� for 10 consecutive
years.
Travel + Leisure 500, January 2004 (USA)
Top Hotels in the World
Raffles Hotel was included in Travel + Leisure�s 500, a guide to the
best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine. The list comprised
500 hotels that received the highest overall ratings from the 2003 World�s
Best Awards survey.
Raffles Hotel features 103 elegantly appointed suites, 18 distinctive
restaurants and bars, the world-class Amrita Spa, Raffles Hotel Arcade
housing the best in regional specialities and international brand names,
including THOS SB Raffles � an incubator shop offering lifestyle concepts
and products as well as a purveyor of fine food and wines, the Raffles
Hotel Museum, the Jubilee Hall theatre playhouse, the Raffles Culinary
Academy and extensive lush gardens and courtyards.
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