A new company
Raffles Hotels & Resorts was formed in 1989 to restore, redevelop and manage the world-famous Raffles Hotel. This lays the foundation for Raffles Hotels & Resorts to become a world-class international hotel management company.
First milestone
After complete and careful restoration, Raffles Hotel, Singapore reopens on 16 September 1991 to international acclaim. The spacious suites boast ceiling fans, timber floors and oriental carpets. Together with the lush tropical gardens and an interesting array of restaurants and bars, Raffles Hotel, Singapore receives rave reviews from residents.
Grand Gems
In 1994, Raffles Hotels & Resorts commences restoration work on two grand historic hotels in Cambodia - Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap. The sensitively restored Hotel Le Royal is a subtle blend of Khmer, Art Deco and French Colonial architecture. This palatial tropical residence 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, it is located eight miles from the Temple Complex of Angkor. Resort facilities include a swimming pool, tennis court and health spa, all set in a gracious garden setting.
A Night to Remember
The magnificent Angkor Wat was the backdrop for a Jose Carreras concert presented by Raffles International. On 6 December 2002, 1000 privileged guests gathered to pay homage to the world-class tenor and raise money for four charities.
A Partnership of Distinction
Raffles Hotels & Resorts and American Express announced in September 2005 the official launch of exclusive Centurion Suites in Raffles hotels and resorts around the world. These suites offer the ultimate in luxury service and amenities for American Express Centurion Cardmembers globally.
Fairmont Raffles Hotels International
On 1 October 2005, Raffles Hotels & Resorts entered a new chapter, following its acquisition by Colony Capital, LLC. This high profile-transaction earned the recognition of Asia’s top hospitality leaders, investors and financiers, and was named Deal of The Year at the 16th Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific.
On 11 May 2006, the hotel portfolios of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts were combined following the acquisition of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts by Kingdom Hotels International and Colony Capital, transforming the two companies into a single enterprise, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI), with a vision to become the world leader in the global hospitality industry.
Today, FRHI owns and manages 98 hotels worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands. The Company also owns Fairmont and Raffles branded Residences, Estates and luxury private residence club properties.
A Regal Splendour Returns
The inimitable Raffles experiences arrived in China with the re-debut of Raffles Beijing Hotel enjoys one of Beijing ’s most prestigious address, just minutes from the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square . Within the first year of its opening, the elegant hotel was name “Best New City Hotel” in Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report (2007 Special Awards) and also recognized as one of the best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler magazine (US and UK editions), in the 2007 Hot List. Its French restaurant Jaan, was also conferred “Hot Table” status.
A New Legend Begins in the Middle East
Raffles Dubai opened with great fanfare in November 2007, marking Raffles Hotels & Resorts debut in the Middle East. Raffles Dubai is a spectacular pyramidal structure with a glass capstone that forms the top three levels of the hotel. Located within Wafi, and only 15 minutes from the international airport, the hotel is ideally placed in the heart of Dubai. In 2008, the hotel was named Best New Hotel Development in the Middle East at the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference.
Raffles Ambassadors
Raffles Hotels & Resorts introduces 'Raffles Ambassadors' in 2008, according its most frequent residents the highest levels of recognition, reward and a wealth privileges at Raffles hotels and resorts around the globe.
Raffles Wine, Food & Arts Experience in the Middle East
In November 2008, Raffles Dubai unveiled its inaugural Raffles Wine, Food & Arts Experience – a signature Raffles gastronomic experience which began at Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Raffles Wine, Food & Arts Experience in Singapore is presently in its 16th year.
Expansion in China
The group welcomed the addition of Raffles Tianjin, China, in March 2010. Distinguished as the city’s first ‘penthouse hotel’, Raffles Tianjin presides over the city, occupying the top 36th to 50th floors of Tianjin Centre's West Tower. Guestrooms, and even bathrooms, feature stunning views of the city. The top two levels of the hotel house a stunning contemporary European and Japanese restaurant Sóu, and CitySpace bar where the city’s denizens mingle.
Growth in the Middle East
August 2010 saw the arrival of Raffles to the holiest city on earth for approximately 1.6 billion Muslims: Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Raffles Makkah Palace is located in the spectacular new Abraj Al Bait complex, a seven-tower community directly adjoining the Masjid Al Haram – or Grand Mosque – and the Kaaba. Raffles Makkah Palace features 213 suites with breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque and Kaaba. It also offers a superbly equipped business center and state-of-the-art business rooms, ideal for business travel. 10 months after opening, Raffles Makkah Palace is named “Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel” at the 2011 World Travel Awards.
Palace & Parisian
Following a two year transformation by renowned French designer Philippe Starck, Raffles Paris - Le Royal Monceau opened its doors in September 2010 and is immediately distinguished by its artistic personality. The hotel features art exhibitions, a contemporary bookstore with television screens beaming live feeds from auctions and an Art Concierge - a first among Parisian hotels. It is also the first hotel in Paris with its own cinema. Master pâtissier Pierre Hermé lends his expertise and creates all of the hotel’s desserts and pastries. Within a year of opening, the hotel earns honours as one of the world’s top new hotels from Condé Nast Travel(l)er Hot List – both in the US and UK.
Navigating into the Indian Ocean
Raffles’ first resort in the Indian Ocean, Raffles Praslin Seychelles opens in February 2011. The resort features 86 luxurious pool villas and the first Raffles Spa which embraces the concept of transformation, embodied by the lotus flower as it progresses from bud, to blossom to bloom. Raffles Spa at Praslin is known for its signature Pure Pearl treatment which features herapeutic grade pearl powder blended with soothing tropical essences of organic ylang ylang and bergamot to exfoliate the skin.