Iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore Officially Marks its Returns
Singapore (Singapore) – October 30, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Raffles Hotel Singapore, which is owned by Katara Hospitality, global hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar; and managed by Accor, was officially celebrating its reopening.
Developed with the aim to celebrate with Singapore and the global community, the official reopening of Raffles Hotel Singapore began this morning in the presence of guests from Singapore’s business and cultural community. The iconic hotel marks the start of a new chapter with a traditional lion dance ritual, followed by a commemorative ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On this occasion, His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality said: “Raffles Singapore represents a true hospitality jewel in our portfolio of iconic hotels. It is the ultimate in luxurious hospitality, built on many, many years of tradition and innovation. The property has undergone a meticulous and sensitive restoration that marries contemporary design with the hotel’s colonial architectural style, ensuring that this remains as one of Singapore’s historic landmarks.”
“Katara Hospitality’s vision is to build and to develop a portfolio of leading hotels in key destinations around the world. We are proud of what has been achieved together with our partner, Accor. Raffles Singapore is a true reflection of our vision that ensures the heritage of such iconic properties continues around the world” added His Excellency.
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO Accor commented, “We are very pleased to partner with Katara Hospitality, the owners of Raffles Singapore for the iconic property’s official return to the city – refreshed, reimagined and revitalised. This is where it all started and faithful to its roots, Raffles Singapore reinvents emotional luxury. As the hotel concludes its restoration and embarks on the next chapter, the return of this flagship property to Raffles Hotels and Resorts paves the way for the expansion of the brand as we deliver this same level of unparalleled service and sublime experiences to new destinations in cities such as Udaipur, London and Boston.”
The official reopening celebrations of Raffles Hotel Singapore will continue this evening with The Raffles Reopening Festival. An exciting line-up of captivating performances by recognised local and international acts, unique suite activities and curated culinary experiences will be presented all around the property. Ticketed at $300 each, The Raffles Reopening Festival will feature performances by beloved homegrown singer Kit Chan, the indie-pop band The Sam Willows, singer and songwriter Inch Chua, and musician Jeremy Monteiro who will perform with a jazz quartet and singer Alemany Fernandez. Ticket holders can also indulge in fine gourmet experiences through tasting portions from menus of the Grand Lobby, Tiffin Room, La Dame de Pic, BBR by Alain Ducasse, Burger & Lobster and Raffles Courtyard throughout the event.
As part of the hotel’s reopening celebrations and inclusiveness, Raffles Hotel Singapore will be donating the proceeds raised from the festival to non-profit organisation, Community Chest Singapore, benefitting about 80 charities.
Andrew Humphries, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality, said: “For more than a century, this historic architectural gem has provided exceptional hospitality and hosted dignitaries and celebrities, as well as business and leisure travellers. The legendary Raffles Singapore epitomises the opulence and impeccable service standards characteristic of Singapore hospitality; we look forward to continuing its long-standing tradition of excellence.”
Christian Westbeld, General Manager, Raffles Hotel Singapore, said, “As we commemorate the iconic return of Raffles Hotel Singapore, we are deeply humbled by the overwhelming support and generosity that we have received from the wider community, our partners and friends. Contributing back to society has always been a significant part of our celebrations and we would like to thank our beneficiary, Community Chest Singapore, and everyone who has been a part of our charity efforts. We look forward to the next chapter of our illustrious history and to continue delivering the legendary Raffles service with our elevated and enhanced Raffles experiences and offerings.”
About Raffles Singapore: Opened in 1887, Raffles Singapore is one of the few remaining great 19th century hotels in the world. Till today, its architecture is perfectly preserved both inside and out, giving it
an intoxicating blend of luxury, history and classic colonial design. Within its walls are more than a hundred expansive suites, framed by polished teak verandahs and white marble colonnades, clustered around lush tropical gardens. Each is serviced by the legendary Raffles butlers and offers every modern convenience necessary.
Raffles Singapore has recently undergone a careful and sensitive restoration and has fully reopened on 1 August 2019. The restoration of Raffles Singapore is designed to ensure that it retains what is so special about Raffles – the ambience, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. It is also designed for Raffles Singapore to stay relevant and distinctive by moving with the times and with its guests and adapting to the changing needs of the well-travelled and Singapore’s community.
About Raffles: Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Warsaw, Jakarta or Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group which invites travellers to feel welcome in almost 4,800 hotels, resorts and residences, along with some 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.
About Katara Hospitality: Katara Hospitality is a global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar. With more than 45 years’ experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in peerless hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of iconic properties in key international markets. Katara Hospitality’s portfolio has grown to include 40 owned and / or managed hotels and the company is now focused on achieving its target of 60 hotels in its portfolio by 2026. As the country’s flagship hospitality organisation, Katara Hospitality supports Qatar’s long-term economic vision. Katara Hospitality has gained global recognition for its contributions to the Qatari and international hospitality landscape, through numerous prestigious accolades from the industry.