Raffles Hotels & Resorts

 Hello, Goa! Raffles Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce that we will be opening Raffles Goa Shiroda, an extraordinary resort offering 120 luxury villas. With a debut slated for 2030, we are looking forward to giving guests the opportunity to explore the city through the enchanted world of Raffles.

For Ülker Yıldırım, success comes as easily as a song. Outside of her career at Raffles Istanbul , where she serves as Rooms Division Training Manager, Ülker is a prize-winning solo singer. Over the past six years, she has conducted her career with that same sense of harmony and creativity, an approach that resonates with colleagues and guests alike. In her current role, Ülker is integral to upholding Raffles’ impeccable standards, training colleagues and creating a data system for operational training. Reflecting on her professional journey, Ülker says, "It feels like just yesterday that I embarked on what has become a transformative chapter of my career. Six years with the legendary Raffles family — each moment rich with growth, challenges and victories — have shaped me into the professional I am today.”

Once upon a cocktail… Did you know that the Elephant Bar’s famous Femme Fatale was created for a First Lady? Back in 1967, Jacqueline Kennedy visited Phnom Penh upon a special invitation issued from Prince Sihanouk. Relations between the U.S. and Cambodia were strained at the time, so Mrs Kennedy and her entourage flew in on US Air Force C54 — the first US aircraft to touch down in Cambodia for two years. It was only natural that the First Lady be hosted at Phnom Penh’s most prestigious hotel, now Raffles Hotel Le Royal. Knowing that Mrs Kennedy was a fan of European-style cocktails, the hotel’s Elephant Bar concocted one in her honour. The result was a blushing, crème de fraise-based elixir, topped with champagne and garnished with a rose. Nearly 60 years later, the ‘Femme Fatale’ remains an Elephant Bar favourite. Discover the full story at https://lnkd.in/eGjqvgNt

Raffles London at The OWO presents Zach Weiss x George Cleverley. The first collaboration of its kind in the British bespoke leathergoods maker’s 66-year history, the three-piece collection offers an irreverent take on travel ‘essentials’ inspired by the hotel’s rich heritage. The campaign for the collection was photographed by Brandon Hinton and captured in the hotel’s grand lobby staircase, the building’s central courtyard, and the Churchill Suite, historic site of Sir Winston’s private cabinet meetings. Brought to life by the exacting artisans of the George Cleverley workshop in an exciting array of unexpected materials, the collection includes a crocodile-effect grocery tote, a bottle-green wine & spirits case, and a sleep mask in varying shades of recycled ostrich, lizard and calf skin. Two limited-edition colourways of the eye mask may be purchased exclusively by guests of Raffles London at The OWO, while the rest of the collection is available online.

If you have yet to encounter Emilia Andersson, Resident Marine Biologist at Raffles Maldives Meradhoo, here’s your deep dive… Part educator, part instructor and part scientist, Emilia is charged with the unique task of monitoring the property’s two house reefs and sharing their beauty with our guests in the most environmentally responsible ways. Emilia’s day usually begins with an early-morning snorkelling session to check in on our underwater neighbours. Every week, she takes water quality samples to test for temperature, salinity and pH levels. She also hosts regular training sessions with colleagues to ensure we’re all playing our part in preserving the integrity of the reefs and their marine life. Once the sun sets, you can often catch Emilia at the Long Bar, chatting with guests about what they discovered on their underwater adventures. Read about a typical day in her life over on Raffles 1887, our online magazine: https://lnkd.in/dDTxezGV

Every stay at Raffles bookmarks a new chapter, a story waiting to be told. Since Raffles Hotel Singapore opened its doors in 1887, literature has been part of its illustrious heritage — a legacy that continues to be authored thanks in no small part to its Writers’ Residency programme. In 2022, the hotel was pleased to welcome poet Madeleine Lee, the first Singaporean writer to participate in the programme, to let the historic environs of the colonial palace inspire her pen. “Much has been written on the history and the building. I wanted to add to that the characters and the psyche,” Madeleine explains. Read more about her experience and explore a day in the life of a resident writer: https://lnkd.in/ecHXUP9V

At Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor history is part of our hospitality. The Henri Mouhot Personality Suite, named after the eponymous French naturalist and explorer, pays tribute to a man who immortalized Angkor with his art and words. Best known for bringing the majestic temples of Angkor to the Western world’s attention in 1860, Mouhot's vivid descriptions and intricate illustrations introduced Europe to the ancient Khmer capital’s grandeur, likening its beauty to the works of Michelangelo. While the beauty of Cambodia is no longer a secret to the rest of the world, guests will find their own moments of wonder and discovery at our historic home at the gates of Angkor. Discover more at https://lnkd.in/ePMpUZN9

If you have had the pleasure of dining at Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London or Mauro’s Table, you will likely have encountered our exceptional General Manager, Melissa Fergus , who has been with the restaurants since the grand opening of Raffles London at The OWO. As a native of Australia, Melissa’s journey in hospitality began in Melbourne before she brought her talents to the UK in 2015. Her impressive professional background includes opening Trivet, where she served as Restaurant Manager and helped secure the restaurant’s Michelin star in 2022; and a tour at The Fat Duck, also Michelin-starred. Today, Melissa brings her passion for hospitality and dedication to her guests to Mauro Colagreco, ensuring every experience is nothing short of exceptional. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of dining in her capable hands, we hope you will soon.

If you want to sip on history, take a seat at the Elephant Bar at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh . The hotel’s famous Elephant Bar is not only home to Asia’s largest selection of gin, it’s also the birthplace of the Femme Fatale cocktail. Concocted for former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy during her visit in 1967, this house favourite, a chic mix of champagne, cognac and crème à la fraise des bois, remains as elegant and delightful as it was nearly 60 years ago. Join us for a drink? For the full story, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eGjqvgNt

We are delighted to announce the launch of Raffles 1887, our new online features platform that takes a deeper dive into the stories and conversations that shape the enchanted world of Raffles. Named after the founding date of Raffles Hotel Singapore, Raffles 1887 is a contemporary digital home for editorial features written by expert voices, with photography and illustration to underline its glossy magazine feel. The content is inspired by Raffles’ 23 destinations around the world, the passions of our guests and all the lives touched by Raffles over its 137-year history. Regular ‘The Butler Did It’ Guides will carry top tips from our legendary butlers on how to spend 72 hours in each of our destinations. Join us in this exciting new digital chapter of the Raffles experience: https://lnkd.in/eDWYzJFn