The art of celebration
Where the party began
What do Jackie Kennedy, Charlie Chaplin and Lady Gaga have in common? All of them – not to mention countless authors, politicians, members of royalty, actors and the beau monde of fashion – have enjoyed exclusive parties and celebrations in Raffles Hotels, a proud tradition that has continued for over 130 years.
Do they come to revel in life’s most significant moments because Raffles adds extra touches that no other hotels can? Undoubtedly. But this legendary service extends to all guests, not just those in the public eye, whether they are celebrating personal milestones, a successful business event or a romantic escape.
With an innate sense of style and sophistication, Raffles works tirelessly to create these exceptional celebrations and accompany you during life’s most cherished moments. Come join us on this historical journey, whether it’s to waltz to Johann Strauss at a sensational Christmas ball, to dance with your granddaughter on her 21st birthday or dine under the stars overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Raffles, Singapore’s most iconic hotel, is the place to be since its doors swung open on Beach Road in 1887. The property has always known how to organise select celebrations from the get-go. It’s something that Raffles carries on to this day in its ever-expanding network of properties around the world.
The stories emanating from Raffles’ fashionable parties have entered folklore. Then, as now, a Raffles party was unlike any other. From the early days, kings, queens, maharajahs and sultans were entertained by the finest international chefs and danced to music played by the King’s Regiment.
At special dinners in the early 1900s, waiters sped from the kitchen to the dining room on roller skates, with some guests joining in the merriment by undertaking a few laps on the Italian-marble floor themselves. In 1921 the new ballroom opened, and the Raffles Dance Orchestra played the hottest tunes of the day. It was widely acknowledged as the finest in the East, able to accommodate 500 revellers, and was visited a year later by the Prince of Wales, a man who certainly enjoyed the finer things in life.
In 1929 the Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh was opened by His Majesty Sisowath Monivong, which included a lavish buffet, dancing and a band flown in from Saigon…a party that was the talk of the town. Elsewhere in Cambodia, at Christmas 1936, the Grand Hotel d’Angkor, at Siem Reap arranged for the seasonal illumination of the breath-taking temples of Angkor Wat, accompanied by music and dancing, which attracted party-goers from all over Asia.
The clouds of war were gathering, though. By the end of 1941 the mood was sombre but preparations went on, nonetheless, for the traditional New Year’s Eve Ball. Almost defiantly, the hotel filled with wealthy evacuees from all over Asia. During the party, the rooftop watchman blew his whistle four times to signal the approach of enemy planes. Quite the adrenaline rush for the guests to be sure.
The post-war glamour lives on
The return of peace heralded a new age for Raffles and with it a fresh sense of glamour and spontaneity. Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore, was married in the hotel in 1950. Famous Hollywood actors also passed through her doors while visiting the Far East.
One legendary visit happened in November 1967. Jackie Kennedy visited Cambodia and stayed at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal, where a cocktail, the Femme Fatale – crème de fraise des bois, cognac and champagne – was created in her honour in the legendary Elephant Bar. (If you’re passing through, ask to see the glass that still bears her lipstick.)
From the 1960s onwards, several movies and TV shows were shot at Raffles in Singapore, bringing her allure to cinema screens around the world. The hotel featured in the film Pretty Polly (later renamed A Matter of Innocence) and even appeared in an episode of cult 70s police-drama series Hawaii Five 0. More recently, Raffles once more stole the show in the film Crazy Rich Asians, which featured the main characters indulging in the elegance of the Drawing Room.
As the decades passed and new properties came under the Raffles banner, the crème de la crème of the fashion world were also attracted by the sense of grand tradition combined with modern facilities.
The celebration continues
Celebration is Raffles’ raison d’être and a party or commemorative dinner at one of their properties is unlike any other. It’s a proud heritage that continues today in the ever-growing family of iconic landmarks around the world, which have become landmarks in their own right. From Jakarta and Manila via Istanbul and Seychelles to Paris, modern sophisticated gatherings across the portfolio are still glittering affairs.
And you can make this tradition yours. A fabulous get-together of friends or family, or a romantic interlude with your significant other, deserves extra attention to detail. Leave it in hands of Raffles for a celebration that will be remembered and cherished forever.
Gastronomy is also at the heart of every celebration, and no one does it quite like Raffles. Like a well-executed symphony, Raffles’ master chefs run some of the world’s best culinary programs, concocting dishes with the most perfect flavor palettes. While you might not notice the hustle and bustle going on behind the scenes, you will notice how deliciously paired the champagne was with your first course.
In Paris, enchant your taste buds at Le Royal Monceau with the vibrant menu from renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Or if you prefer, indulge in a sublime Italian feast at Michelin-starred Il Carpaccio. Whichever you choose, you will be met with delightful macaron creations by Pierre Hermé upon arrival to pique your interest.
According to Indonesian artist, Hendra Gunawan, food is art in all its senses. Raffles Jakarta was designed to pay tribute to this great artist, and in the kitchen, Chef Matias creates fantastical and innovative dishes such as the Chilli Crab in charcoal bun. If you want to make a whole weekend of it, treat yourself to the decadent Romance Experience, starting bespoke cocktails at Writer’s Bar, private dinner for two in a private cabana and a sumptuous Indonesian Heritage massage.
With sweeping view of the Bosphorus, Raffles Instanbul reminds you that wellness is about heart AND body. Begin with a strength building session with a personal trainer, followed by a relaxing massage at a hammam (Turkish steam bath). In the evening, keep up the momentum by dining on delicious and healthy juices and food.
If you are looking for a bit of adventure, head to Raffles Seychelles where nature is on display in all its glory. Take a private tour or excursion to Curieuse Island and see the giant Aldabra tortoises – found in only two places on earth (the other being Galapagos). Build up an appetite by kayaking and paddle boarding, and then relax on the beach with a picnic and Praslin Slings.
And what better way to welcome the new year then at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor. Wake up every morning with champagne breakfast poolside – a design feature inspired by royal bathing pools of the King of Cambodia. Get culturally acclimated by the in-house historian, who will take you back in time and immerse you in the wonders of the Angkor Wat.
With excellence of organization and spirit of generosity, Raffles is synonymous with hospitality for over 130 years. With a timeless elegance, the hotel has truly turned ‘celebrating’ into an art form delighting the world over. From an intimate wedding on the pristine white sands of Meradhoo Island in the Maldives, to a grand 50th-anniversary gala in Dubai featuring a hundred pink roses to remind her of the first time you met, to a surprise video link to friends in India who couldn’t make the party …… let Raffles bring your celebration to life with the glamour of yesteryear and legendary service that continues to this day.
Next year, after a meticulous restoration to preserve the best of what the hotel has always been, Raffles Singapore will reopen. With a refreshed look and some new surprises, the grande dame, is sure to delight returning families and friends.
In 2019, as in 1887, the celebration continues at Raffles.
In Paris, enchant your taste buds at Le Royal Monceau with the vibrant menu from renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Or if you prefer, indulge in a sublime Italian feast at Michelin-starred Il Carpaccio. Whichever you choose, you will be met with delightful macaron creations by Pierre Hermé upon arrival to pique your interest.
According to Indonesian artist, Hendra Gunawan, food is art in all its senses. Raffles Jakarta was designed to pay tribute to this great artist, and in the kitchen, Chef Matias creates fantastical and innovative dishes such as the Chilli Crab in charcoal bun. If you want to make a whole weekend of it, treat yourself to the decadent Romance Experience, starting bespoke cocktails at Writer’s Bar, private dinner for two in a private cabana and a sumptuous Indonesian Heritage massage.
With sweeping view of the Bosphorus, Raffles Instabul reminds you that wellness is about heart AND body. Begin with a strength building session with a personal trainer, followed by a relaxing massage at a hammam (Turkish steam bath). In the evening, keep up the momentum by dining on delicious and healthy juices and food.
If you are looking for a bit of adventure, head to Raffles Seychelles where nature is on display in all its glory. Take private tour of excursion to Curieuse Island and see the giant Aldabra tortoises – found in only two places on earth (the other being Galapagos). Build up an appetite by kayaking and paddle boarding, and then relax on the beach with a picnic and Praslin Slings.
To learn more about Raffles’ enduring legacy as an epicentre of revelry, culture and celebration, check out Soirées, Sojourns & Stories by Raffles by renowned author Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni. A must-read for devotees of luxury, glamour and travel, it encapsulates the Raffles spirit of yesteryear and today.