Raffles Resort Marrakech scheduled to open in 2009

SINGAPORE 19 November, 2007 – Raffles Hotels & Resorts makes its debut in fascinating Morocco with Raffles Resort Marrakech, a destination renowned for its mystique and romance. Marrakech has been receiving more tourists per year than any other city in Morocco. Strategically located less than a 3-hour flight from Paris, London and Madrid, and conveniently within 350 kilometres from the main Moroccan cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir and Fes,Marrakech is popular with European travelers.

Raffles Resort Marrakech will comprise 150 luxurious rooms and suites, with each room elegantly designed to offer the residential charm and ambience of cultured luxury that Raffles hotels and resorts are renowned for. Residents in search of an oasis of comfort

and relaxation can also look forward to residency in one of the 36 luxury villas planned for the resort. When it comes to dining, Raffles Resort Marrakech will offer three exquisite dining options offering an extensive range of cuisines. State-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, lend the resort well as a venue for corporate

meetings and executive retreats.

Residents seeking a rejuvenating spa experience will find the RafflesAmrita Spa at Raffles Resort Marrakech an ideal sanctuary in which to relax and to be pampered. According to an ancient Sanskrit legend, ‘Amrita’ is the gift of living well, sought by deities. RafflesAmrita Spas provide residents with enchanting spa experiences, and RafflesAmrita Spa in Raffles Hotel in Singapore and Raffles Resort Canouan Island in The Grenadines are acknowledged as the best spa in its respective destination by prestigious publications such as The Robb Report

The resort will enjoy an exceptional location, just one kilometer away from the old city of Medina, well-known for its ancient monuments dating back to the 12th century. The resort’s location across the famed Aguedal Garden will also give rise to stunning views of the majestic Atlas Mountains. In addition, a golf course and the city’s entertainment district in the Central Business District are within five minutes drive from Raffles Resort Marrakech.

Raffles Resort Marrakech is also a short drive away from the Marrakech-Menara Airport, which is served by several international airlines, including Air France, British Airways and Austrian Airlines.

Said Mr Mohamed Yacoubi, in charge of the Hospitality Division of SOMED, “The name Raffles represents the highest standards of luxury and service, and we are very pleased to be working with Raffles Hotels & Resorts to develop their first property in Morocco, and to bring the mystique and legendary service standards of Raffles to Marrakech.”

Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts added, “Morocco, with its rich cultural heritage and thousands of years of history, has been attracting visitors in increasing numbers over the years. Tourism revenues remain a top contributor to Morocco’s economy and the vision of the government is to have 10 million visitors by 2010. Raffles is delighted to be part of this dynamic tourism growth and is honoured that our entry into exciting Morocco is with an illustrious partner such as SOMED.”

SOMED, whose principal shareholders are the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Moroccan Treasury, have in their portfolio, 7 other properties in Casablanca, Tangiers and Agadir. Formed in 1982, as an economic and strategic alliance between Morocco and United Arab Emirates (UAE), it focuses primarily on tourism, although it has grown to become an integral part of the country’s development as a whole. It has a share capital of nearly 100 million dirhams, and its function is to help grow investment in Morocco from the UAE and other international partners.

ABOUT MARRAKECH

Marrakech is located in south western Morocco at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, and comprises the historic city of Medina and the modern city of Gueliz. In the first seven months of 2007, the city enjoyed 11% visitor arrival growth, leading other Moroccan cities such as Casablanca and Tangier. Marrakech is home to the largest souk (traditional market) in Morocco, including the famed Djemaa el Fna market square and impressive monuments such as the Koutoubia Mosque that date back to the 12th century when Marrakech was a political, cultural and economic centre for the region.

RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS

Raffles is a collection of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, each distinguished by its luxury, elegance and residential charm. Each hotel is a landmark in its respective city, positioned at the top of its local market and rated among the very best in the world.

Raffles’ relentless pursuit of service excellence has earned for its hotels and resorts a legion of international accolades, including Condé Nast World’s Best Places to Stay and Travel & Leisure World’s Best Awards. Its flagship Raffles Hotel Singapore was named Best Hotel in Asia by readers of Ultratravel magazine by The Daily Telegraph and Best Luxury Hotel 2007 by Travel Trade Gazette Asia. Raffles Hotels & Resorts is consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 hotel brands in the annual Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards.

It recently opened Raffles Dubai, a spectacular pyramidial structure which is a magnificent addition to the city’s skyline. Located within Wafi City, and only 15 minutes from the international airport, Raffles Dubai is ideally placed in the heart of Dubai.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, a leading global hotel company with over 80 hotels in 25 countries worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.

For more information, please visit www.raffles.com

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