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A QUARTERLY UPDATE BY RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS<br />

<strong>Condé</strong> <strong>Nast</strong> <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> <strong>Business</strong><br />

<strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Awards</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>romance</strong> and splendour of a<br />

regal past returns to Beijing<br />

Raffles Resort Canouan Island<br />

hosts Trump Million Dollar<br />

Golf Tournament<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ultimate in Decadent Indulgence<br />

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007 MITA (P) NO: 254/08/<strong>2006</strong>


Contents<br />

1 Raffles News<br />

<strong>Condé</strong> <strong>Nast</strong> <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Awards</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />

2-8 Events<br />

Leading travel, leisure and lifestyle media<br />

experiences Raffles hospitality in New York<br />

Raffles holds reception for Elite <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> friends<br />

Raffles Resort Canouan Island hosts Trump<br />

Million Dollar Golf Tournament<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>romance</strong> and splendour of a regal past<br />

returns to Beijing<br />

Grand Opening Celebrations<br />

A night with culinary stars<br />

A Historical Menu and a Musical Treat<br />

Raffles Hotel’s Annual Gala Christmas Tree<br />

Dinner & Auction<br />

9 Residential Sanctuaries<br />

<strong>The</strong> Ultimate in Decadent Indulgence at<br />

Raffles <strong>The</strong> Plaza, Singapore<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Travel</strong>ler’s Plam<br />

<strong>The</strong> culture of service excellence is embodied in our<br />

logo — the <strong>Travel</strong>ler’s Palm. <strong>The</strong> fine drawing of<br />

the <strong>Travel</strong>ler’s Palm is the work of top British<br />

penmaster David Horridge. A native of Madagascar,<br />

it was introduced to Singapore in the early 1900s<br />

and became a favourite in landscaped gardens islandwide,<br />

including Raffles Hotel. <strong>The</strong> leaves of the<br />

<strong>Travel</strong>ler’s Palm are known to come to rest in an<br />

‘east-west’ direction and thus have served as an<br />

informal compass for travellers making their way<br />

home after long journeys. Residents of Raffles hotels<br />

and resorts are greeted by our staff, who each wears<br />

a <strong>Travel</strong>ler’s Palm-design pin. It is an indication to<br />

our residents that they have found their way home.<br />

www.raffles.com<br />

Dear readers<br />

Welcome to the New Year’s issue of Raffles World. Its fresh new design<br />

celebrates what had been a momentous year for us, one marked by our<br />

winning some wonderful awards.<br />

Our hotels and resorts were singled out as among the best in the world<br />

by the prestigious <strong>Travel</strong> + Leisure’s World’s Best <strong>Awards</strong> survey: Raffles<br />

Hotel appeared in the Top 100 worldwide as well as the Top 50 in Asia;<br />

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and Raffles Hotel Le Royal also made the<br />

Top Asia list… a first for both Cambodia hotels together; and Raffles<br />

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills held its place in the Top 100 Continental U.S. list.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Raffles brand was equally prominent in the 13th World <strong>Travel</strong><br />

<strong>Awards</strong>. Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly Hills was voted California’s Leading<br />

Hotel, and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Cambodia’s Leading Hotel, while<br />

Raffles Resort Canouan Island was lauded as St Vincent & <strong>The</strong> Grenadines’<br />

Leading Spa Resort. And, garnering yet more recognition, Raffles Grand<br />

Hotel d’Angkor was selected as one of the Top 10 Hotel Spas in Asia.<br />

To crown these accolades, Raffles Hotels & Resorts has been ranked<br />

as among the top three hotel brands worldwide, in the influential <strong>Condé</strong><br />

<strong>Nast</strong> <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> <strong>2006</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Awards</strong> <strong>2006</strong> (see next page). I wish<br />

to convey our heartfelt gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen who have<br />

chosen to reside and dine with us; to our partners in hospitality; and, most<br />

of all, to each Raffles person who has done what he, or she, loves to do —<br />

and in doing so has made us all better than ever.<br />

Another highlight for <strong>2006</strong> has been the opening of Raffles<br />

Beijing Hotel. This magnificent heritage landmark, arguably Beijing’s best<br />

address, opened with befitting elegance and grace on 1st December, <strong>2006</strong>.<br />

With the opening of Raffles Beijing Hotel, we celebrate a new era of<br />

unprecedented luxury and service excellence that is distinctively Raffles,<br />

at the heart of a vibrant city.<br />

We look forward very much to welcoming you to a Raffles hotel<br />

wherever your travels may take you.<br />

Our best wishes for a happy new year — may it be filled with new<br />

hopes, new joys, new beginnings.<br />

Diana Ee-Tan<br />

Managing Director<br />

Raffles Hotels & Resorts


<strong>Condé</strong> <strong>Nast</strong> <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong><br />

<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Awards</strong> <strong>2006</strong><br />

Raffles Hotels & Resorts ranked among the top three<br />

hotel brands in the world<br />

R<br />

Raffles Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia<br />

When we started to expand the Raffles brand in 1996 beyond one single<br />

hotel, namely Raffles Hotel Singapore, we knew that we could not surpass the<br />

established hotels chains in terms of size and global footprint. However, we could<br />

distinguish ourselves and be a leader in terms of quality, by consistently delivering<br />

the Raffles promise to provide the best. To receive this recognition as one of the<br />

top hotel groups within a short span of time is particularly gratifying.<br />

Diana Ee-Tan<br />

Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts<br />

affles Hotels & Resorts is accustomed to garnering an abundance of awards<br />

and accolades for its uncommonly fine collection of landmark hotels. Raffles<br />

Hotels & Resorts has been ranked among the top three International Hotel brands<br />

worldwide in the recent <strong>Condé</strong> <strong>Nast</strong> <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> <strong>2006</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Awards</strong>.<br />

<strong>The</strong> awards recognize outstanding organizations in the travel and hospitality<br />

trade, and is one of the most influential and widely followed in the luxury travel<br />

industry. It reflects the opinions and views of the most discerning travellers and travel<br />

industry experts, and is conducted amongst international business travellers who make<br />

informed choices based on their frequent business travel experiences around the world.<br />

This prestigious annual poll ranked Raffles Hotels & Resorts number two, above<br />

eight other leading international hotel chains. <strong>Business</strong> travellers gave top marks to<br />

Raffles in different categories of the poll — <strong>Business</strong> Services, Rooms for Working,<br />

Service and Design. In addition, Raffles Hotels & Resorts was lauded for its innovative<br />

24-hour check-in/check-out practice which is different from the traditional check-in/<br />

check-out times observed in most hotels.<br />

“This award is a tribute to our General Managers and their teams at Raffles<br />

hotels and resorts, who strive tirelessly to meet and often exceed the expectations of<br />

our residents,” said Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts.<br />

“We must also thank residents who have given us their continued patronage<br />

and support.”<br />

Raffles L’Ermitage, Beverly<br />

Hills receives five-star rating<br />

from Mobil <strong>Travel</strong> Guide<br />

For the seventh consecutive year,<br />

Mobil <strong>Travel</strong> Guide has conferred a Five-<br />

Star rating on Raffles L’Ermitage, Beverly<br />

Hills. Mobil <strong>Travel</strong> Guide’s proprietary ratings<br />

process is based on more than 750<br />

standardized criteria for hotels, making it<br />

the most rigorous and comprehensive in<br />

the industry. <strong>The</strong> process begins with<br />

a facility inspection that considers every<br />

aspect of the property, including its overall<br />

cleanliness, condition and location.<br />

To achieve Mobil Five-Star status, properties<br />

must then meet or exceed the Guide’s barsetting<br />

service standards, which are<br />

determined through an unannounced,<br />

undercover service evaluation conducted<br />

by its expert inspectors.<br />

“We are proud to be among such<br />

an elite group of hotels,” said General<br />

Manager Jack Naderkhani. “Being<br />

recognized as one of only 37 Mobil<br />

Five-Star properties in North America<br />

— and one of only two Five-Diamond,<br />

Five-Star properties in Los Angeles —<br />

is truly an honor.”<br />

1


2<br />

Leading travel, leisure and lifestyle media<br />

experiences Raffles hospitality in New York<br />

45<br />

New York-based journalists and media mavens attended<br />

a by-invitation-only reception at Brasserie 8 1 ⁄2 in the<br />

heart of Midtown Manhattan. <strong>Travel</strong> + Leisure, Condè <strong>Nast</strong><br />

<strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong>, Elite <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong>, Town & Country <strong>Travel</strong>, Departures,<br />

ForbesLife, Food & Wine, and Modern Bride and Hotels were<br />

among the consumer, lifestyle and trade publications represented.<br />

Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director Diana Ee-Tan<br />

Mrs Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, with the Raffles General Managers and Lord Charles<br />

Spencer-Churchill, Ambassador-At-Large, Raffles Hotels & Resorts (6th from the left)<br />

Mr & Mrs Carl Ruderman and Mrs Diana Ee-Tan<br />

Mr Hagop A. Doghramadjian, General Manager, Raffles Dubai, with Ms Laura Hughes<br />

and Doug Gollan, Elite <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong><br />

introduced each Raffles General Manager to the guests, as well<br />

as Ambassador-At-Large, Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill. During<br />

the evening the journalists had access to information on the<br />

individual hotels through elegant displays and interviews with<br />

the General Managers, while enjoying the famous Raffles-created<br />

Singapore Sling and a handsome selection of hor d’oeuvres from<br />

Raffles’ world.<br />

Raffles holds<br />

reception for Elite<br />

<strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> friends<br />

I<br />

Ed Kelley, President and CEO of American Express<br />

Publishing and Mr Riaz Mahmood, GM of Raffles<br />

Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia<br />

n October, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Elite <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong><br />

Magazine co-hosted a reception at the exclusive Core<br />

Club in New York City. Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill,<br />

Ambassador-At-Large of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and<br />

Ambassador of Raffles Hotel, addressed the audience of<br />

Elite <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> readers and industry influencers, together<br />

with Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director of Raffles Hotels<br />

& Resorts, who took the opportunity to thank guests for<br />

their support for the Raffles hotels. Elite <strong><strong>Travel</strong>er</strong> was well<br />

represented, led by charismatic Chairman Carl Ruderman<br />

and President/Editor-in-Chief Doug Gollan. Also in<br />

attendance were the General Managers from the properties<br />

under Raffles Hotels & Resorts.


Raffles Resort Canouan Island<br />

hosts Trump Million Dollar Golf Tournament<br />

“I am going to personally give $1 million<br />

to the one golfer who can prove they have<br />

the skill and nerve it takes to survive under<br />

the most extreme pressure on one of the<br />

world’s most demanding courses,” promised<br />

Donald Trump, issuing a challenge to golfers<br />

around the world in January <strong>2006</strong>. <strong>The</strong> golf<br />

course he was referring to was Raffles Resort’s<br />

Trump International Golf Course on Canouan<br />

Island in the heart of <strong>The</strong> Grenadines. And<br />

the event was the inaugural Trump Million<br />

Dollar Invitational Golf Tournament, which<br />

took place in May <strong>2006</strong>.<br />

Raffles Resort Canouan Island, Raffles<br />

Hotels & Resorts’ glittering gem in <strong>The</strong><br />

Grenadines hosted an elite field of 100 golfers<br />

during the first dramatic high-stakes 54-hole<br />

stroke-play tournament. Pros, amateurs and<br />

celebrities competed for bragging rights and<br />

a magnificent $1.6 million in cash prizes.<br />

Among them were film star Dennis Quaid,<br />

Olympic medalist Edwin Moses, baseball<br />

great Jose Alvarez and 85 members of the<br />

U.S. Pro Golf Tour.<br />

<strong>The</strong> participating golfers were given a<br />

taste of the legendary Raffles hospitality in<br />

an elaborate welcome reception sponsored<br />

by Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Guests were<br />

welcomed by an impressive walkway of ice<br />

sculptures portraying famous golfers, food<br />

<strong>The</strong> golf course offers unbelievable vistas of Canouan Island and the surrounding turquoise waters of <strong>The</strong> Grenadines<br />

Raffles Resort General Manager Gilbert Madhaven (extreme left)<br />

presenting the US$1,000,000 cheque to winner, Stuart Deane<br />

(2nd from left)<br />

displays representing Raffles locations around<br />

the world, and entertainment by local West<br />

Indies musicians and Carnival dancers.<br />

Stuart Deane, a 34-year-old Australian<br />

currently living in Arlington, Texas, USA was<br />

the winner, defeating 2nd place Gibby<br />

Martens, 25, of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.<br />

Donald Trump personally presented checks<br />

and trophies to the winners, who were<br />

announced during ESPN’s July 2 worldwide<br />

Cuisine from the different Raffles hotels<br />

showcased at the welcome reception<br />

broadcast of the tournament.<br />

“We were extremely impressed by how<br />

well these young golfers performed on our<br />

course, which can be very challenging, even<br />

for experienced players,” said Gilbert<br />

Madhavan, General Manager of Raffles<br />

Resort Canouan Island. “<strong>The</strong> feedback on<br />

the course was also overwhelming — the<br />

golfers told us it was the most stunning and<br />

unique course they have played!”<br />

Named Best of the Best in 2005 by Robb Report, the Trump International Golf<br />

Course at Raffles Resort Canouan Island is a stunningly picturesque and challenging<br />

course, demanding accuracy and finesse. Designed by Jim Fazio, the 18-hole par<br />

72 course covers 140 acres that run along the sea, a flat coastal plain and carved<br />

hillside above the bay and resort. From here, golfers get to enjoy some of the<br />

most spectacular vistas on any golf course, anywhere around the globe.<br />

3


4<br />

Penned by the late Premier Deng<br />

Xiaoping, the hotel’s name “Beijing Fan<br />

Dian” in Chinese characters arches<br />

elegantly over the French-infused<br />

colonnade façade which is surrounded<br />

by a flourish of auspicious blooms.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se elements are delicately enclosed in<br />

graceful lines inspired by latticed<br />

peekholes of traditional Orient homes.<br />

This is the promise of <strong>romance</strong> and<br />

splendour, a window that opens into<br />

an exclusive world of peerless luxury<br />

and refinement that is quintessential of<br />

the Raffles legend.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>romance</strong> and<br />

splendour of a regal past<br />

returns to Beijing<br />

Raffles Beijing Hotel opens with great fanfare<br />

I<br />

magine relishing the rich experiences<br />

of Beijing while residing in a landmark<br />

hotel that has been the pulse of the city’s<br />

dramatic social and cultural life for over<br />

a century! Now, the <strong>romance</strong> and<br />

splendour of its regal past returns, as the<br />

city’s cherished heritage icon emerges from<br />

an extraordinary transformation and<br />

re-debuts as Raffles Beijing Hotel.<br />

Bringing a new level of luxury to<br />

Beijing, Raffles Beijing Hotel reveals its<br />

majesty in its regal franco-oriental façade.<br />

Beyond the brass-edged doors lies a<br />

heritage interior of lofty spaces, soaring<br />

windows, vaulted arches and antique<br />

chandeliers. Paying homage to its<br />

illustrious past are handsome furnishings<br />

and rare finds from the city’s antique<br />

markets: a display of original Ming<br />

Dynasty rank badges, Chinese opium beds<br />

adorned with richly hued damask<br />

cushions, framed photographs from the<br />

archives, a century-old Bosendorfer grand<br />

piano. Indeed, history itself is woven into<br />

the hand-tufted carpets that sweeps up<br />

the grand staircase and corridors of the<br />

historical wing. Specially commissioned<br />

from the famed weavers of Xinjiang, their<br />

motifs, patterns and colours reveal artistic<br />

influences dating back to the 15th century.<br />

Today’s residents also get to walk on the<br />

original 1926 timber sprung floor, across<br />

which danced such luminaries as Dr and<br />

Mrs Sun Yat Sen, Chiang Kai Shek and<br />

Marshall Zhang Xueliang.<br />

<strong>The</strong> pleasures of residency unfold<br />

in the privacy of the 171 elegant<br />

guestrooms and suites, each infused with<br />

the glamour of a more genteel age, yet<br />

technologically enabled with discretion<br />

for 21st century living; where you are<br />

pampered with your very own valet who<br />

is at your service at all hours — a first in<br />

China. For the ultimate experience,<br />

residents may retreat to one of the five<br />

stately Grand Hotel Suites, or our<br />

Personality Suites that honour leading<br />

lights associated with the hotel through<br />

its illustrious 100-year history.<br />

Raffles Beijing Hotel commands the<br />

crossroads of Chang An Avenue and<br />

Wangfujing, and is a heartbeat away from<br />

the Forbidden City and Tiananmen<br />

Square. Arguably Beijing’s finest address,<br />

there’s no more splendid and graceful<br />

retreat from which to explore the charms<br />

of this fabled city.


Raffles Beijing is declared open!<br />

Grand Opening Celebrations<br />

D<br />

ecember 1st <strong>2006</strong> marked the Grand Opening of Raffles<br />

Beijing Hotel, where the city’s luminaries gathered to pay<br />

tribute to this cherished heritage icon. A ceremonial highlight<br />

was the unveiling of the Raffles Beijing Hotel plaque, followed<br />

by a naming ceremony of the sumptuous 154 square-metre<br />

Grand Hotel Suite as the Tang Dynasty Suite. <strong>The</strong> beautifully<br />

restored hotel was symbolically declared open with an exquisite<br />

jade key, setting off a shower of shimmering lights and<br />

illuminating the Raffles courtyard atrium with a spectacular<br />

glow. <strong>The</strong>re followed a grand banquet followed by entertainment<br />

in the form of a percussion band, an acrobatic show and a<br />

traditional changing masks performance.<br />

Mr Ding Xiang Yang, Vice Mayor, Beijing, Mr Duan Qiang, Chairman,<br />

Beijing Tourism Group and Mr Zhang Xi Qin, Vice-Chairman, China National<br />

Tourism Administration<br />

“Today’s Grand Opening is a proud moment for Raffles<br />

Hotels & Resorts,” said Chris Cahill, President and Chief<br />

Operating Officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Inc.<br />

“It is an honour to be entrusted by the Beijing Tourism Group<br />

to manage one of Beijing’s most well known and treasured<br />

icons.” Concluding the celebrations, the hotel’s General Manager<br />

Peter Wynne enthused “With its distinguished history and legacy,<br />

Raffles Beijing Hotel will continue to be one of the city’s most<br />

significant landmarks. Infused with the Raffles style of hospitality,<br />

it will soon be well-loved not only by local residents, but by<br />

global travellers as well.”<br />

5<br />

Mrs Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Mr Bernard<br />

Chong, Executive Assistant Manager, Raffles Beijing Hotel with VP Li Zhong<br />

Ren, Beijing Tourism Group at the Gala dinner<br />

Mr Chris Cahill, President & COO, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Inc and Mr Duan Qiang<br />

unveil the Tang Dynasty suite


6<br />

F&B<br />

menu<br />

Hors d’Oeuvres<br />

Jean-Charles Dubois<br />

(Raffles Hotel /Singapore)<br />

Mini Tuna belly Tartar, Ginger Infused Spoon,<br />

and Home Made Blinis<br />

Petite Terrine of California Sea Scallop with<br />

Mozzarella and Basil<br />

Deep Fried Oyster a la Minute served in the Shell<br />

Smoked Duck Breast and Fois Gras Torchon in Cone<br />

1997 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes D’Or<br />

First Course<br />

Jean-Charles Dubois<br />

(Raffles Hotel/Singapore)<br />

Layers of Oyster Tartare, Avocado Mousse,<br />

Clarified Lobster Jelly, Raffles Caviar<br />

2005 Inman Family Pinot Gris,<br />

Russian River Valley<br />

Second Course<br />

Todd English<br />

(Olives, Figs/Boston and New York)<br />

Creamy Corn Pillows, Roasted<br />

Porcini en Paupiette,<br />

Rosemary Burro Fuso, Parmesan Brodo<br />

2005 Inman Family Pinot Gris,<br />

Russian River Valley<br />

Third Course<br />

Thomas Keller (French Laundry,<br />

Per Se/Napa Valley and New York)<br />

“Caesar Salad” Maine Lobster Tail,<br />

“Pochée Sous Vide” with Caramelized Heart of<br />

Romaine Lettuce, Parmesan “Melba” and<br />

“Bottarga de Muggine”<br />

2004 Kesner Chardonnay,<br />

Hudson Vineyard, Carneros<br />

Main Course<br />

Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter’s/Chicago)<br />

24-hour Organic Beef Short Rib with Sunchoke<br />

Puree, Sweet & Sour Chanterelles and<br />

Red-Wine Licorice Emulsion<br />

2004 Blackbird vineyards Napa Valley<br />

Proprietary Red Wine<br />

Dessert<br />

Cat Cora<br />

(Executive Chef, Bon Appétit Magazine)<br />

Chocolate-Jasmine Budino with Poached Fig<br />

and Pistachio-Sea Salt Brittle<br />

Inniskillin Vidal Ice Wine<br />

A night with<br />

culinary stars<br />

Celebrity Chefs: Thomas Keller, Charlie Trotter,<br />

Todd English and Cat Cora create an evening of<br />

Starlight Dining at Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly Hills<br />

Celebrity chefs and culinary VIPs gathered on the rooftop of Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly<br />

Hills on September 8th for a once-in-a-lifetime Starlight Dining event to launch the<br />

Bon Appétit Culinary and Wine Focus in Beverly Hills, celebrating the 50th anniversary of<br />

the magazine.<br />

World renowned chefs Thomas Keller (<strong>The</strong> French Laundry/Per Se), Todd English (Olives,<br />

Figs), Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter’s), Chefs for Humanity President and Co-Founder Cat<br />

Cora (Food Network’s Iron Chef America), Jean-Charles Dubois (Raffles Hotel Singapore),<br />

celebrated party planner Colin Cowie (Colin Cowie Lifestyle) joined Bon Appétit Editor-in-<br />

Chief Barbara Fairchild, Bon Appétit publisher Paul Jowdy and Beverly Hills Mayor Steven<br />

P. Webb for a spectacular dining experience.<br />

“We were delighted to host this spectacular event and bring such a distinguished<br />

group of chefs to our hotel,” said Jack Naderkhani, General Manager of Raffles L’Ermitage.<br />

Guests at the event, which benefited Chefs for Humanity, enjoyed an orchestrated fivecourse<br />

menu of each chef’s signature presentations paired with specialty wines chosen by<br />

the Bon Appétit Tasting Panel. Raffles Hotel chef Jean-Charles Dubois coordinated the<br />

extraordinary menu of food and wine pairings.<br />

General Manager Jack Naderkhani (2nd from left) with celebrity chefs and distinguished guests


pera diva Maria Callas had a very special<br />

relationship with Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.<br />

She was a regular guest of the hotel throughout the 1960s,<br />

and indeed has a suite dedicated to her; the Maria<br />

Callas Suite. So what a perfect place to throw an operatic<br />

evening extravaganza.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Maria Callas Opera Gala was held in the hotel’s<br />

magnificent antiques-laden reception rooms. As a musical<br />

treat, during the soiree the young Russian artist Switlana<br />

Slivia performed some of the arias for which the divine<br />

Maria Callas is famed. <strong>The</strong> guests enjoyed a historical<br />

four-course dinner that replicated the menu served on<br />

September 3, 1957, the night Maria Callas met Aristotle<br />

Onassis at the Danieli in Venice and the start of an<br />

unforgettable love story that then continued in Hamburg<br />

in 1959. <strong>The</strong> dinner — Consommé Gelée en Tasse, Scampi<br />

Flamingo with Oriental Rice, Poulet en Cocotte Soumaroff,<br />

and a Soufflé Glacé à l’Aurum with wild berries — was<br />

specially prepared according to original Italian recipes,<br />

copies of which were distributed to the guests at the end<br />

of the evening. Most of the proceeds of the entire event<br />

were donated to the Jedem Kind ein Instrument (an<br />

instrument for every child) Foundation.<br />

Judith Fuchs-Eckhoff, Aldo Simoni, Stefanie Siegmeier and Bruno Tosi<br />

A Historical Menu<br />

and a Musical Treat<br />

<strong>The</strong> Maria Callas Opera Gala at Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten<br />

O<br />

This rare cultural and culinary treat coincided with<br />

the “Maria Callas, the Myth goes on” exhibition at<br />

Alsterhaus, Hamburg’s famous department store, which<br />

attracted some 30,000 visitors every day during its month<br />

running. “<strong>The</strong> Divina has always chosen Hamburg as<br />

starting point of her triumphal concerts all over the<br />

world,” explained Bruno Tosi, president of the Associazione<br />

Culturale Maria Callas, whose remarkable collection of<br />

memorabilia including gowns, jewellery, personal letters<br />

and documents belonging to La Divina form the exhibition.<br />

Some of the stage costumes worn by Maria Callas were<br />

also displayed at Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Prima Donna gave her first performance in<br />

Germany, on May 15, 1959. Her tour of Germany was<br />

inaugurated by a huge gala event at the music hall. Aristotle<br />

Onassis was there too, and the two Greek nationals met<br />

at the Vier Jahreszeiten. Callas and the Tanker Tycoon<br />

would share their lives for the next nine years. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

travelled extensively, and they were highly valued guests<br />

at Raffles’ beautiful hotel located on the shores of<br />

Hamburg’s Inner Alster Lake. Rudolf Boter, the Maître<br />

d’hotel at the time, describes Maria Callas as “cordial,<br />

natural, warm hearted.”<br />

7


8<br />

Raffles Hotel’s Annual Gala<br />

Christmas Tree Dinner & Auction<br />

A<br />

highlight of Singapore’s social calendar in the run-up to<br />

Christmas, the Raffles Hotel’s Annual Gala Christmas<br />

Tree Dinner & Auction has been spreading festive cheer to<br />

numerous charities by raising well over three million dollars<br />

since its inception in 1991. Now in its 15th year, the <strong>2006</strong> event<br />

proved to be a scintillating evening of fun and philanthropy.<br />

Guest-of-Honour President S R Nathan presided over a glittering<br />

gathering of some 300 guests, all elegantly attired in evening<br />

dress, who enjoyed a sumptuous gala dinner served in the<br />

Ballroom at Raffles Hotel. <strong>The</strong> climax of the evening’s revelry<br />

was the auction of eight Christmas Trees, each donated by<br />

generous organisations who share a similar commitment to<br />

spreading joy to the less fortunate. F J Benjamin, ONE°15<br />

Marina Club, Silversea Cruises and <strong>The</strong> Hour Glass were among<br />

those who contributed highly creative trees, each accompanied<br />

by an array of luxurious treats, from coveted club membership<br />

to extravagant cruise packages. “A regal splendour returns”<br />

was the theme of Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ Christmas tree,<br />

the winning bidder took home more than a beautifully<br />

decorated fresh tree; but a magical stay at the iconic Raffles<br />

Beijing Hotel as well.<br />

Such was the generosity of those in attendance, the auction<br />

raised a magnificent sum of $220,000 which will benefit<br />

the work of four charities supported by the Community Chest,<br />

the Rainbow Centre Balestier Special School, Ang Mo Kio<br />

Family Service Centres, Very Special Arts and Hua Mei Care<br />

Management Service, and a fifth beneficiary — the Singapore<br />

Repertory <strong>The</strong>atre.<br />

(From left to right) Ms Jennie Chua, Chairman, Raffles Hotel, Mrs Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, President S R Nathan and Mr Robert Logan,<br />

General Manager, Raffles Hotel


<strong>The</strong> Ultimate in Decadent Indulgence<br />

at Raffles <strong>The</strong> Plaza, Singapore<br />

R<br />

affles <strong>The</strong> Plaza, Singapore is now offering a truly once<br />

in a lifetime experience to style-conscious travellers by<br />

introducing Divine Splendour, an exclusive accommodation<br />

package priced at SGD$4,800+++ per night. <strong>The</strong> epitome of<br />

indulgence, Divine Splendour is an all-encompassing experience<br />

in a Penthouse Suite<br />

<strong>The</strong> experience starts the moment you alight from your<br />

plane, to be warmly greeted at the arrival gate in front of the<br />

aerobridge and escorted to your BMW 7 Series limousine for<br />

the 20-minite trip to the hotel, embellished with iPod and 3G<br />

Internet access. (<strong>The</strong> limousines, accompanied by the Hotel’s<br />

professionally trained concierge, are also at your disposal should<br />

you wish to travel anywhere in Singapore, at any time.)<br />

Within the Penthouse Suite, a jewel box of handmade<br />

Thos SB Raffles chocolates, personalised stationery, lush<br />

bathrobes, silk pajamas and a Tiffany photo frame await your<br />

arrival, along with a choice of luxury bathroom toiletries from<br />

Hermès, Bvlgari, Lanvin, Molton Brown and Chopard.<br />

As night falls, the hotel’s Head Chef creates a sevencourse<br />

menu degustation, with fare like Maine Lobster, Goose<br />

Liver, Sea Scallop, Wagyu Beef and Ossetra Caviar paired with<br />

exquisite champagnes and fine wines, while a violin plays in the<br />

background. In the morning, arise to a champagne breakfast<br />

served in your suite, accompanied by panoramic views of<br />

Singapore. <strong>The</strong>n perhaps enjoy a leisurely RafflesAmrita Spa<br />

massage or beauty treatment in your suite or in the RafflesAmrita<br />

Spa’s VIP Couple Suite, which also offers in-room dining,<br />

private jacuzzi and aromatherapy steam room. Throughout<br />

your stay your own butler will attend to your every wish, around<br />

the clock.<br />

We invite you to embark on a journey like no other and<br />

experience the magical moments of Divine Splendour by Raffles<br />

<strong>The</strong> Plaza, Singapore, in a penthouse suite that has veen voted<br />

the most decadent in the world.<br />

9


Endlessly Enchanting Landmarks and Legends<br />

Raffles Hotel, Singapore<br />

1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673<br />

Tel: +65 6337 1886<br />

Fax: +65 6339 7650<br />

singapore-raffles@raffles.com<br />

www.singapore-raffles.raffles.com<br />

Raffles <strong>The</strong> Plaza, Singapore<br />

80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560<br />

Tel: +65 6339 7777<br />

Fax: +65 6337 1554<br />

singapore-plaza@raffles.com<br />

www.singapore-plaza.raffles.com<br />

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor,<br />

Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia<br />

1 Vithei Charles de Gaulle,<br />

Khum Svay Dang Kum,<br />

Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia<br />

Tel: +855 63 963 888<br />

Fax: +855 63 963 168<br />

siemreap@raffles.com<br />

www.siemreap.raffles.com<br />

Raffles Hotel Le Royal,<br />

Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia<br />

92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh,<br />

(off Monivong Blvd) Sangkat Wat Phnom,<br />

Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia<br />

Tel: +855 23 981 888<br />

Fax: +855 23 981 168<br />

phnompenh@raffles.com<br />

www.phnompenh.raffles.com<br />

Raffles Beijing Hotel,<br />

People’s Republic of China<br />

33 East Chang An Avenue<br />

Beijing 100004 People’s Republic of China<br />

Tel: +86 10 65263388<br />

Fax: +86 10 65273838<br />

beijing@raffles.com<br />

www.beijing.raffles.com<br />

www.raffles.com<br />

Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten,<br />

Hamburg, Germany<br />

Neuer Jungfernstieg 9-14, D-20354<br />

Hamburg, Germany<br />

Tel: +49 40 34 94 0<br />

Fax: +49 40 34 94 26 00<br />

hamburg@raffles.com<br />

www.hamburg.raffles.com<br />

Raffles Le Montreux Palace,<br />

Montreux, Switzerland<br />

Grand-Rue 100, CH-1820<br />

Montreux, Switzerland<br />

Tel: +41 21 962 1212<br />

Fax: +41 21 962 1717<br />

montreux@raffles.com<br />

www.montreux.raffles.com<br />

Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly Hills<br />

California, USA<br />

9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills,<br />

California 90210, USA<br />

Tel: +1 310 278 3344<br />

Fax: +1 310 278 8247<br />

beverlyhills@raffles.com<br />

www.beverlyhills.raffles.com<br />

Raffles Resort Canouan Island,<br />

<strong>The</strong> Grenadines<br />

St. Vincent & <strong>The</strong> Grenadines<br />

Tel: +1 784 458 8000<br />

Fax: +1 784 458 8885<br />

canouan@raffles.com<br />

www.canouan.raffles.com<br />

Under Development<br />

Raffles Dubai, United Arab Emirates<br />

(opening Summer 2007)<br />

Raffles Resort Konottaa, <strong>The</strong> Maldives<br />

Raffles Phang Nga, Thailand<br />

Raffles Resort Taimana, Tahaa,<br />

French Polynesia<br />

Worldwide Reservations<br />

U.S. & Canada<br />

1 800 768 9009<br />

Elsewhere in the world*<br />

+800 1 RAFFLES (7233537)<br />

+ Prefix with your international access code<br />

* Number not valid in all areas. Should<br />

this number not connect in your country,<br />

please dial +1 506 870 6794<br />

(not toll free)

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