Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/20/2012 -- Raffles Hotel Singapore celebrated her fifth year of being named Best Hotel in Asia in the ULTRA - Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Award, at the ceremony held at a luncheon in London, United Kingdom on 15 May 2012.

For over a century, countless travellers from all around the world have made Raffles Hotel their home away from home and this Singapore Hotel (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/) has delighted them with an unparalleled level of service excellence as a luxury Singapore hotel (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/suites-and-rooms/presidential-suites/) and many memorable experiences.

Mr Pierre Jochem, General Manager of Raffles Hotel and Regional Vice President of Operations Asia Pacific, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, said, "We are deeply honoured to be recognized as the Best Hotel in Asia for the fifth year. This is an acknowledgement of Raffles Hotel's pursuit of excellence, providing personalised service with passion, anticipating the needs of the guests and offering an oasis for the well travelled. We wish to thank the readers of Ultratravel magazine for voting for Raffles Hotel once again."

Organised by the Daily Telegraph's luxury travel magazine Ultratravel, the Ultratravel 100 award is the result of an extensive consumer-driven survey into the very best in modern luxury travel and consolidates readers' favourite travel partners worldwide including leading airlines, resorts, hotels and travel companies in 20 ultimate luxury travel categories.

With over 500,000 in circulation, Ultratravel, published by The Daily Telegraph, is an acclaimed luxury travel publication that is referred to by industry peers and consumers for inspiring travel ideas and sojourns.

To access high resolution, print-friendly photographs of Raffles Hotel, please visit our Private Digital Library: www.leonardo.com/raffles/

About Raffles Hotels & Resorts
Raffles Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. The portfolio currently comprises nine luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to chic hotels in key locations around the world: in Singapore, Cambodia, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles and Paris. The company is embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in the Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines, China and Turkey scheduled over the next two years.

With a compelling mix of cultures and styles, every hotel in the Raffles family has its own individual personality, with its own story to tell and its own sense of place. However, each one is proud to draw on the original Raffles tradition of delivering thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests.

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is owned by FRHI Holdings Ltd, a leading global hotel company with 98 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissotel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded residences, estates and luxury private residence club properties. http://www.raffles.com

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Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/24/2012 -- Raffles Hotel takes great pleasure in announcing that our sommelier Eric Li Xing has been crowned the Winner in the inaugural Rising Sommelier of the Year 2012 award by epicure magazine, beating four other contenders to the coveted title. The shortlisted candidates must be working for not more than 3 years in his capacity as a sommelier in an establishment in Singapore, and preferably possess a professional certification relevant to his trade. The award was presented at epicure's 2nd Anniversary Gala Dinner held on 5 April.

After an assessment by the judging panel comprising the epicure team (Ms Cecilia Goh, Publisher, and Mr Lin Weiwen, Feature Writer) and wine panellists (Ms Jenny Tan, Wine Journalist, and Mr Kelvin Tay, Former Sommelier-turned-Entrepreneur), Eric's sparkling personality, together with his intricate knowledge of wines, professionalism, and active engagement won the judges over.

Originally from Hunan Province, Eric Li was a sommelier at the Grand Hyatt Beijing prior to joining Raffles Singapore Hotel (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/).

His passion in wines soon brought him to Singapore shores, to join the international sommelier team at this luxury hotel in Singapore (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/suites-and-rooms/presidential-suites/). Under the careful guidance of Wine Director, Stephane Soret, his aptitude in wines was skilfully honed and his confidence nurtured.

He has also been selected as a Panellist during the Perfect Pairings Awards 2011 in Singapore. In a short two years, Eric has become a talented sommelier and is a shining star in his field, and is off to a promising career ahead.

Epicure is a local monthly gourmet lifestyle magazine that features the latest dining trends and intricacies of the local and international culinary scene.

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Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/14/2012 -- Bar & Billiard Room at Raffles Hotel introduced the first Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brunch in Singapore. Strating May 5th , guests will be able to enjoy a true luxurious indulgence on Saturdays too, with Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve and Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose accompanying the Weekend brunch buffet at $178 and $198 respectively.

The buffet repertoire at Bar & Billiard Room at this Singapore hotel (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/) presents an extensive medley of gourmet antipasti and hors d'oeuvres that depict a parade of European flair and Mediterranean vividness. A luxurious offering of Maine Lobster, Tiger Prawn, and freshly shucked Belon, Fine de Claire and New Zealand Oysters on Ice, is only a prelude

The selection of imported cold cut meats from Spain and Italy also adds to the epicurean factor. The live chef station of Steamed Foie Gras with Mango Ginger Chutney and Sangria Reduction, and a speciality pasta counter, will please the gastronomic palate of regulars and aficionados.

Drawing inspiration from the world's best gastronomic traditions are the carving stations of Australian Grain Fed Prime Rib, Welsh Leg of Lamb, US Omaha Beef Tenderloin and Organic Milk Fed Rack of Veal. Further down the buffet spread, a French cheese counter awaits and enchanting rows of endless sweet creations end the brunch on a perfect note.

Weekend Brunch at this luxury hotel Singapore (http://www.raffles.com/singapore/suites-and-rooms/presidential-suites/), is available on Saturdays and Sundays at the Bar & Billiard Room of Raffles Hotel Singapore from 12pm to 3pm.

For reservations, please contact Raffles Hotel Singapore, Dining Reservations at 6412 1816 or email dining@raffles.com .

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Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/11/2012 -- The first Wine Director for Raffles Hotel, also a first in Singapore, is Mr Stephane Soret. In this unique and esteemed position of Wine Director, Mr Soret augments a comprehensive wine program for this Singapore hotel's 15 distinctive restaurants and bars, banquet and catering facilities. He also orchestrated the wine chapter in the Raffles Wine, Food and Arts Experience, which took place on 26 to 30 January 2011.

Mr Soret joined Raffles Hotel with many years of exceptional experience in the arena of wines. A French national by birth, Mr Soret is a graduate from CMH Hotel Management Paris with a DIMH-Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.

Blessed with a fine palate and natural aptitude for wines, he has crafted an illustrious career of over 20 years in some of the finest hotels in the world, sharing with patrons his authority and passion in wines. Prior to joining Raffles Hotel, he was the Head Sommelier at The Imperial in New Delhi, India.

A respected figure in the international wine scene, he is also on the Bordeaux and Burgundy panel of judges for the World Wine Awards organised by Decanter magazine in London, UK.

One wine philosophy that Mr Soret stands by is that wine crosses all social boundaries and is best enjoyed amongst friends. Hence over and above precision and finesse, Mr Soret is adamant that the wine program must be indulgent yet affable. Of particular note is the Enomatic wine system he has introduced in the Bar & Billiard Room, which encourages tasting and sharing of wines by carafes at this luxury hotel Singapore.

Mr Soret adds depth and character to the wine program with vintages from distinguished vintners, as well as boutique wine-makers, whose exclusive and limited bottles are rarely available commercially. He has personally chosen the global team under his direction, with three female and four male sommeliers

With the establishment of a comprehensive wine program, the Food and Beverage strength of Raffles Hotel will reach greater levels of excellence.

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