10 Monday, October 21, 2019 Economy & Business Katara Hospitality officially reopens Raffles with original grandeur

Singapore hospitality. We look for- The revamped iconic ward to continuing its long-standing features 115 tradition of excellence,” Humphries said. luxurious suites The guests indulged in fine gour- across nine distinct met experiences through tasting por- tions from menus of the Grand Lob- suite categories, an by, Tiffin Room, La Dame de Pic, BBR by Alain Ducasse, Burger & Lobster increase from 103 and Raffles Courtyard throughout the event. Satyendra Pathak The donation will go to about 80 Doha charities, including social services that help children with special needs Katara Hospitality, -based and youth-at-risk, adults with disabil- global hotel owner, developer and op- ities and persons with mental health erator marked the official reopening conditions. of Raffles Hotel Singapore with grand “Contributing back to society has celebrations on Friday. always been a significant part of our Called the Raffles-Reopening Fes- celebrations and we would like to tival, more than 2,000 people turned thank Community Chest Singapore, up for the ticketed lavish ‘block party’ and everyone who has been a part of held to celebrate its official reopening. our charity efforts,” said Raffles Hotel With each person paying $300, General Manager Christian Westbeld. the proceeds of $600,000 will go “As we reopen, we aim to be the towards the S$1 million the hotel pride of Singapore on the world’s hos- will donate to Community Chest pitality stage, creating timeless expe- Singapore. riences through legendary service,” A flagship property within the he said. world’s leading augmented hospital- Raffles Hotel reopened its doors ity group , the official reopening in August after an almost two- of Raffles Hotel Singapore began with year revamp. Established in 1887 a traditional lion dance ritual, fol- by Armenian hoteliers, it is now lowed by a commemorative ribbon- owned by hotel developer Katara cutting ceremony. Hospitality. The four-hour event had tasting Westbeld said, “As we commemo- portions of food served at the hotel’s rate the iconic return of Raffles Hotel restaurants, accompanied by live per- Singapore, we are deeply humbled by formances from a veritable who’s who the overwhelming support and the of Singapore’s music scene. generosity that we have received from In a statement released on the oc- the wider community, our partners casion, Katara Hospitality Chairman and friends. We look forward to the Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor next chapter of our illustrious history al Thani said, “Raffles Singapore and to continue delivering the legend- represents a true hospitality jewel ary Raffles service with our elevated in our portfolio of iconic . It is and enhanced Raffles experiences the ultimate in luxurious hospitality, and offerings.” built on many, many years of tradi- The revitalised Raffles Singapore tion and innovation. The property has offers luxurious all-suite accommo- undergone a meticulous and sensitive by Aedas Singapore, a leading global Sebastien Bazin said, “We are very Providing live entertainment were ic tourist destinations as the country dations, across nine distinct suite restoration that marries contempo- architecture and design firm. Togeth- pleased to partner with Katara Hospi- singer Kit Chan, indie-pop band The have one of the best business environ- categories like State Room Suites, rary design with the hotel’s colonial er, the designers created a refreshed tality, the owners of Raffles Singapore Sam Willows, singer and songwriter ments in the world. Courtyard Suites, Palm Court Suites, architectural style, ensuring that this social haven that delivers a compel- for the iconic property’s official re- Inch Chua and musician Jeremy “Our investment in this incredible Personality Suites, Residence Suites, remains as one of Singapore’s historic ling mix of culture, beauty, and gen- turn to the city, completely refreshed, Monteiro, who performed with a jazz project marks another example of our Promenade Suites, Grand Hotel landmarks.” tility. Exquisite new suite categories, reimagined and revitalised. This is quartet and singer Alemay Fernan- commitment to the Singapore mar- Suites, and Presidential Suites. Resi- “Katara Hospitality’s vision is vibrant lifestyle experiences, and ex- where it all started and faithful to its dez. ket,” he said. dence, Promenade and Studio suites, to build and to develop a portfolio clusive dining concepts are designed roots, Raffles Singapore reinvents Guests who like comedy had a “It has been an amazing journey are the three latest additions to the of leading hotels in key destinations for international visitors and Singa- emotional luxury. belly-full of laughs watching actor to return this unique property to its hotel’s existing line-up. around the world. We are proud of poreans to meet, stay, shop, dine and As the hotel concludes its res- and comedian Hossan Leong perform rightful place as Singapore’s icon,” The Raffles Arcade has been new- what has been achieved together with celebrate. toration and embarks on the next several stand-up routines. he said. ly outfitted with a charming Raffles our partner, Accor. Raffles Singapore Discerning travellers can expect chapter, the return of this flagship The revamped hotel features 115 “For more than a century, this his- Boutique and various bespoke retail is a true reflection of our vision that new levels of unrivalled comfort and property to Raffles Hotels and Re- luxurious suites, an increase from toric architectural gem has provided brands. ensures the heritage of such iconic inimitable service with enhanced sorts paves the way for the expan- 103. One of them was opened for exceptional hospitality and hosted Declared National Monument a properties continues around the suite experience brought to life by the sion of the brand as we deliver this guests to have a view. dignitaries and celebrities, as well as century later by the Singapore Gov- world,” he said. fabled Raffles Butlers, while enjoying same level of unparalleled service Katara Hospitality Acting Chief business and leisure travellers. The ernment in 1987, Raffles Singapore The meticulous restoration led by the new spaces at Raffles Singapore. and sublime experiences to new des- Executive Officer Andrew Humphries legendary Raffles Singapore epito- has through the years, gained both acclaimed interior designer Alexan- Speaking at the inaugural cer- tinations in cities such as Udaipur, said Singapore is fast emerging as a mises the opulence and impeccable local and international recognition as dra Champalimaud was supported emony Accor Chairman and CEO London and Boston.” choice location for developers of icon- service standards characteristic of an oasis for the well-travelled. Interior Treasures opens office at Al Asmakh Tower

Satyendra Pathak other projects in the region. How- porations around the globe. know the per capita income of to finish,” he said. old masters like Picasso among Doha ever, it was four years ago when I “Qatar is a booming market. Qatar is the highest in the world. “Our international multitalented very modern and contemporary was introduced to Ibrahim Hassan The country is witnessing a huge Thousands of villas are built in Qa- team makes all of this possible from paintings and sculptures,” he said. In a bid to tap the growing high- al Asmakh, my association with growth in construction, especially tar every year. Most villa owners in our different locations,” he said. “Artists from Spain, Paris, Neth- end luxury interior design market Qatar deepened,” Marieux van den residential and adminis- Qatar want the best of inte- To finalise a project to perfec- erlands, Singapore, the USA and in Qatar, the world’s leading interi- Broek, founder, and owner of Inte- trative towers and com- rior designs. Earlier there tion, he said, a very important ad- other countries work for us,” he said. or design company ‘Interior-Treas- rior Treasures Design Group, said. mercial complexes. The were not many options dition is to have the most beautiful “True luxury lies in taking care ures’ opened its office at the Al As- “Ibrahim Hassan al Asmakh luxurious character- for such services in and creative art. of the finest details. The sum of all makh Tower on the 22nd floor in gave me the opportunity to do in- istics of these build- Qatar, Now they can “We listen to our clients. We do details makes the magic. I see a very Doha on Sunday. terior designing of his offices in the ings offer a lot to a avail these services not repeat things. Our job is to turn big market for these luxury prod- Formally inaugurated by Re- iconic Al Asmakh Tower. Today, company like us,” from us.” the most complex desires of our cli- ucts and services in Qatar,” he said. gency Group Holding President offices at the 31st and 32nd floor he said. “We take full re- ents into reality, exceeding the ex- “The number of our clients in Ibrahim al Asmakh and Sheikh of Al Asmakh Tower are among the With over 40 years sponsibility of the de- pectations of even the most eccen- Qatar has been growing at a fast Khalid al Thani , Interior Treasures very best offices in the world. Be- of experience in the inte- signs, manufacturing, tric and demanding ones,” he said. pace as the country is witnessing Qatar will concentrate especially in cause of this work, I got different rior design world, Marieux transportation and in- “For this reason, we have espe- significant growth and luxury in its the residential, corporate and luxu- other projects in Qatar. This was said, “We understand our stallation process. Our cially opened our luxury Art gallery architectural style to suit our busi- ry yacht markets of the country. the time when I decided to have my client’s desires, team will take at our office in Doha. Our Art gal- ness,” he said. “This office is the result of own office in Doha,” Marieux said. turning their care of any lery has art pieces from around the Asked if the company has any my long association with Qatar. I Headquartered in Netherlands dreams into project globe. Art is emotion. I personally plans to set up manufacturing units came to Qatar for the first time in and Monaco Mont-Carlo , Interior reality. from know all the artists myself. I know in Qatar to cater to the growing 1982 through my dear friend Sal- Treasures designs, manufactures As we all start my clients. This helps me in choos- number of clients, he said, “There man Darwish. I worked on some and installs projects of the highest ing the right artworks. Currently, is no such plan at the moment. But projects during my initial years in quality for the most extravagant, we have very exceptional and I do not rule out this possibility. It Qatar. I was also involved in many luxury-driven people and cor- valuable paintings of might happen in the future.”