The Raffles Story

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True luxury is not just about what you do, it’s about how you feel.

Raffles has gone out of its way to give you the warmest welcome, the richest experiences and the fondest of memories. And today the legend continues all around the world. From the classic colonial splendour of Raffles Singapore where it all began to urban oasis in Dubai, Paris or Warsaw and peaceful resorts in Maldives, Bali or Makati. The Raffles Story will soon continue in London, Boston, Moscow and many more. The Raffles name is synonymous with luxury, glamour and extraordinary adventure.  Each hotel is an oasis of calm and charm at the crossroads of a civilisation. Each is a carefully chosen destination in its own right. Each is uniquely, indefinably, sublimely Raffles.

Now, as we grow, and reach new and sometimes surprising destinations, our guests can rest assured that wherever in the world we travel, we will remain distinctly Raffles - infused with the same spirit of adventure, luxury and sublime service. Exciting and enchanting, refreshing and reinvigorating, Raffles is loved by those with an adventurous spirit and a taste for the very best.

Legendary service since 1887.

1887

Raffles Hotel Singapore opens, offering 10 rooms in an old bungalow-style building overlooking the beach and the South China Sea.  It soon becomes - and remains - the most fabled hotel in the Far East, with a guest list that reads like a Who’s Who.

1989

Raffles International Ltd was formed as the hotel management arm of Raffles Holdings Limited to redevelop and manage Raffles Hotel, Singapore. 

1991

Raffles Hotel, Singapore reopens on 16 September after a complete restoration that lasted 2 ½ years, looking much as it did in 1915 during its elegant first heydays.

1997

Raffles reopens two landmark hotels in Cambodia – Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap.

2006

Raffles takes its expansion to the Middle East with the opening of Raffles Dubai.

2007

The Royal Monceau is bought by QDHP and its management is assigned to Raffles Hotels & Resorts.

2010

Raffles Makkah palace opens, strengthening the brand's presence in Middle East. The Royal Monceau reopens after 2 years of intense renovation led by the French designer Phillippe Starck.

2011

Raffles settled in the home to natural wonders, Seychelles by opening on the remote island of Praslin: it is the first Raffles property to open in the Indian Ocean.

2012

Raffles & Fairmont Makati complex opens its doors. It is the first Luxury hotel to open in the central business district in 18 years.

2013

Raffles opens its largest property in China’s southern tropical Island of Hainan - it remains until now the only luxury property of the island, situated adjacent to two championship golf courses at Clearwater Bay Golf Club.

2014

Raffles Istanbul opens in the heart of the Zorlu center, a stylish and luxurious address offering breathtaking views of the Bosphorus.

2015

Jakarta’s golden triangle welcomes its first Raffles property, blending an elegant Indonesian aesthetic design with modern technology and supreme comfort.

2016

Accor takes over FRHI’ and strengthens its portfolio in the ultimate luxury segment with Raffles.

2018

Opening of the third European destination of Raffles, Raffles Europejski Warsaw in a neo-renaissance palace from 1857 built by Enrico Marconi.

2019

Raffles expands its portfolio to include Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, a peaceful haven in the crystalline Indian Ocean; and Raffles Shenzhen, a glamorous icon where the business district meets the city bay. Raffles Singapore reopens, the return of Raffles’ legendary flagship.

2020

Opening of Raffles Bali: a collection of 32 exquisite pool villas in tropical hillside gardens with captivating views over Jimbaran Bay. A tranquil retreat for emotional wellbeing that elevates the art of individual care and attention

2021

Raffles Udaipur and Raffles The Palm Dubai arrive, bringing fresh perspectives on favourite destinations. Raffles Udaipur is an architectural marvel immersed in a serene natural setting; Raffles the Palm Dubai a majestic palace crafted by masters, at the heart of Dubai’s social scene.

2022

Raffles Singapore’s Resident Historian, Leslie Danker, celebrates his Golden Jubilee, the longest-serving member of the Raffles community. Mr Danker’s 50-year career led him from maintenance supervisor to ‘accidental historian’, enthralling guests with nostalgic anecdotes of our rich history.


Raffles Gala Events

In 1997, the company initiated REACH (Rendering Encouragement, Assistance, Care and Hope), a community programme that offers pillars of support to underprivileged children, the arts and the environment in all destinations Raffles Hotels & Resorts operates in.

Since 1992, the annual Raffles Christmas Tree Auction and Gala Dinner held at Raffles Singapore has raised more than SGD 280,000 each year. Over the past 16 years, more than SGD 3,000,000 has been raised from this annual event benefiting numerous charities in Singapore.

Activities to support biodiversity at Raffles Praslin, Seychelles include the protection of the nesting areas of the Seychelles Cave Swiftlet from development works and plants that support the endangered Seychelles Blue Pigeon in the resort’s landscaping plans. Several endemic and indigenous plant species have also been replanted throughout the grounds of Raffles Praslin, Seychelles to restore the natural beauty of the site which had been laid bare by fires some 40 years earlier. Among the many highlights include the rare Coco de Mer and Bwa Ponm - a favourite food of the local blue parrot.

Raffles Dubai’s Reach efforts are extended to needy families, children and adults with special needs, and raising cancer awareness. Annual activities include hosting fund-raising events for the Children’s Hope Foundation to assist with school fees, Pancreatic Cancer Research, Safe & Sound Breast Cancer Awareness. Another highlight of the hotel’s Reach calendar takes place during Ramadan. In 2011 Raffles Dubai supported Mawaheb from Beautiful People by displaying paintings created by adults with special needs in the hotel’s lobby.

Raffles Green initiatives

 

Raffles plans to fully adopt the Planet 21 programme of AccorHotels across all its properties. The programme focuses on improvements in waste management, energy and water conservation, as well as community outreach through local groups and partnerships.

Environmental benefits are realised through reduced utilities consumption and best practices. The programme emphasizes on sustainability and encompasses everything from recycling and organic waste diversion in the hotel’s kitchens to retrofitting energy efficient lighting. An audit report records the environmental initiatives of each hotel. It also allows for the tracking of the hotel’s progress and ensures that hotels are carrying out the Green Partnership mandate.

In addition, an annual cleanup of the Siem Reap river is organized by the hotel staff of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor to ensure that natural eco system is maintained despite heavy tourism in the region.

Awards

Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ philosophy of delivering emotional luxury, thoughtful, welcoming and graceful service has put its hotels and resorts in the spotlight time and time again. Recent awards include:

#10 Hotel Brands

World's Best Awards

2022

Raffles Hotels and Resorts = #10 Hotel Brands - World's Best Awards 202

Conde Nast Traveler

World's 3rd Best Hotel

2022

Raffles Istanbul has been nominated World's 3rd Best Hotel by Conde Nast Traveler

World Spa Awards

World Spa Awards Winner

2021

Raffles Praslin Seychelles has been nominated as the World Spa Awards Winner in 2021

The best hotels in Europe

Readers’ Choice Awards

2021

Raffles Europejski Warsaw has been nominated as The best hotels in Europe by Readers' Choice Awards

Travel + Leisure

World's Best Awards

2021

Raffles Singapore has been nominated as World's Best Awards 2021 by Travel + Leisure

Forbes Travel Guide

Five-Star Hotel

2021

Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris has been nominated as Five-Star Hotel 2021 by Forbes Travel Guide