Raffles Hotels & Resorts expands overseas operations

Group to debut Raffles Praslin and Paris after launching in Makkah and Tianjin.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts continues to expand worldwide with its first ultra-luxury resort in Seychelles and a dramatic Philippe Starck transformation for iconic Raffles Paris Le Royal Monceau. These landmark projects follow the group’s August debut in Saudi Arabia, in the holy city of Makkah and the successful launch of Raffles Tianjin, China.

Raffles Praslin in Seychelles

Raffles sails into the Indian Ocean with Raffles Praslin, Seychelles, opening in early 2011 on tranquil Praslin Island, close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai, one of Seychelles’ natural treasures.

The resort encompasses 86 villas and villa suites with private plunge pools and outdoor sheltered pavilions, complemented by the group’s signature round-the-clock Raffles Butler service. Guests can also look forward to a 500 metre white sand beach.

Its exceptional Raffles Spa features 13 pavilions built among natural rock formations, high above the water, offering spectacular views. At the core of Raffles Praslin’s spa philosophy is the pearl. The unique lustre of every pearl begins as a grain of sand, an expression of the Raffles Spa transformation - an enriching journey that takes guests through an all encompassing renewal and rejuvenation of body and mind.

The private dining experience at Raffles Praslin is not to be missed as the resort is marked by undulating slopes, stunning ocean views and lush scenery; lending itself to creative outdoor dining experiences from lively family picnics atop boulders and sand banks, to romantic dinners at the beach, garden, aboard a yacht or in the villa.

Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris

Opening in Autumn 2010 is Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris, located in close proximity to the couture boutiques and luxury specialty stores of Champs Elysees.

With interiors transformed under the creative eye of French designer Philippe Starck, this luxury Paris hotel is a French masterpiece offering sophisticated residency with a glamourous, exuberant and artistic mood. Devoted to true elegance, Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris set to once again be the favoured meeting point for artists, intellectuals and a new generation of travellers, just as it was in the 1930s when the hotel was originally established.

Specially curated art exhibitions, a contemporary arts bookstore with television screens beaming live feeds from art auctions and an Art Concierge set Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris apart. Design of public spaces is dramatic, including a stark red Cigar Parlour.

Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris is also the first hotel in Paris with its own cinema, designed so an entire movie promotion from red carpet screening premieres, reception, media interviews and accommodation can be organised in one venue.

Among the hotel’s dining highlights are the pastries and sweets which will be created by Pierre Herme, famous in France, Japan and the Unites States and acclaimed by Vogue magazine as the ‘Picasso of Pastry’. He takes an original approach to the profession of pastry chef and revolutionizes even the most firmly entrenched traditions such as “using sugar like salt, in other words, as a seasoning to heighten other shades of flavor."

Raffles Makkah

Raffles has arrived to the holiest city on earth for approximately 1.6 billion Muslims: Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The newly-opened 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 which is the primary destinations of all pilgrimages.

The hotel, located only steps away from the Holy Mosque, is expected to reach new levels of personal service in Saudi Arabia.  It features 213 suites with breathtaking views of the Grand Mosque and Kaaba with personal butlers exemplifying “heartfelt service” as they strive to anticipate residents’ needs.

The hotel also offers a superbly equipped business center and state-of-the-art business rooms, making it a business destination as well.