Latest news with #Raffles
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Escape to paradise: luxurious beach hotels for ultimate relaxation
There's nothing quite like escaping to a luxurious beachfront retreat, where the sound of waves, indulgent spa treatments and world-class hospitality create the perfect setting for relaxation. Whether you're seeking a tranquil wellness escape or a lavish family-friendly getaway, Best At Travel has rounded up a selection of stunning resorts to inspire your next holiday. Shangri-La Le Touessrok, Mauritius Following an extensive refurbishment, Shangri-La Le Touessrok offers a fresh, contemporary design. Nestled on Trou d'Eau Douce, it boasts six secluded beaches, uninterrupted ocean views and a private island retreat at Ilot Mangénie. Golfers can enjoy complimentary green fees at Ile Aux Cerfs and Anahita Golf Club, while guests can indulge in premium dining, complimentary aqua sports and heartfelt Mauritian hospitality. Raffles The Palm Dubai A palatial retreat on Palm Jumeirah, Raffles The Palm Dubai is synonymous with grandeur and indulgence. Featuring Dubai's largest swimming pool, a private cinema and 24-hour butler service, it ensures unparalleled luxury. Club room guests enjoy exclusive Raffles Club Lounge access, with three daily food offerings and evening aperitivi. Exclusive Club Level offer: stay for seven nights, pay for six. Complimentary half board, Club Lounge access & benefits, plus children under 12 stay free. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai Atlantis The Royal Dubai sets a new standard for luxury with its architectural design and 17 world-class restaurants, including venues led by celebrity chefs such as Heston Blumenthal and Nobu Matsuhisa. For relaxation, Awaken Wellness offers a Hammam Sensorium, while Cloud 22, a 90m rooftop infinity pool club, provides panoramic views. Guests also receive complimentary access to the world's largest waterpark at Aquaventure World. Special offer: save up to £200 per person, complimentary access to Aquaventure World and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Cap Maison, Saint Lucia An intimate five-star boutique resort, Cap Maison offers private villa suites, many with rooftop pools. Guests can enjoy fine dining at The Cliff at Cap or Caribbean flavours at The Naked Fisherman Beach Bar & Grill. The Champagne Zipline delivers bubbly via zipline to a private oceanfront table, while adventurers can explore the walk-in wine cellar or set sail on a private 46-foot resort boat. Special Offer: save up to 20 per cent. Banyan Tree Dubai Located on Bluewaters Island, Banyan Tree Dubai boasts a 500m private beach, moments from Ain Dubai (Dubai Eye). Guests enjoy half-board dine-around at seven restaurants and relax in three outdoor pools, including an adults-only pool. Wellness seekers can embrace daily yoga, meditation and the Rainforest hydrotherapy experience, while the exclusive I-Dom Bed (Infrared Dom) enhances relaxation. Special offer: save up to 35 per cent, plus a complimentary upgrade to half board (three-course set menu), AED 150 spa credit per room and complimentary Ain Dubai tickets. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah Synonymous with timeless luxury, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah provides a serene escape with panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. Families will love the Kid's Club, shaded kids' pool and Once Upon a Brunch Saturdays, while guests can unwind in spacious sea-facing rooms featuring marble bathrooms and signature bedding. Indulge in award-winning spa excellence and luxurious facilities designed for ultimate relaxation, elevating every stay into a rejuvenating retreat. Special offer: save up to 40 per cent, plus children stay free on an all-inclusive basis. The St. Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius Set against the Unesco-listed Le Morne mountain, this all-suite retreat, inspired by the summer homes of the Astors, features 172 suites, each with private terraces or balconies. Guests enjoy legendary butler service, signature St. Regis Timeless Rituals and Exquisite Experiences designed for modern tastemakers. Special offer: save up to 30 per cent, plus complimentary half board. Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia Set on a private island, Pangkor Laut Resort is a tropical sanctuary where luxury meets nature. Guests can unwind on Emerald Bay, a secluded beach with powder-soft sand and crystal-clear waters. The award-winning Spa Village offers traditional wellness treatments, while dining showcases fresh seafood, Malaysian specialities, and international flavours. Whether indulging in a sunset cruise, rainforest trek, or a private dining experience, every moment feels indulgent. Special offer: save up to £350 per person, plus enjoy a 50-minute couples spa treatment per stay. Turn inspiration into reality Best At Travel brings dream holidays to life with expertly curated escapes tailored to your every need. With exclusive offers on the world's finest luxury and spa resorts, their UK-based travel experts – trusted for nearly 40 years – ensure every detail is seamlessly planned. Rated 4.9 on Trustpilot, their commitment to exceptional service makes holiday planning effortless and as an Atol-protected operator, they provide complete peace of mind. Open seven days a week, their team is always ready to craft your perfect getaway. Call 020 3813 9306 or visit today and let the journey begin. Offers correct at time of publication and subject to availability. Visit Best At Travel website for the latest, most up-to-date pricing. This content is provided by an advertiser, and while every care is taken in ensuring the content complies with the Advertising Standards Authority and the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), Telegraph Media Group assumes no responsibility in the effect rising therefrom, and readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information. The Daily Telegraph/TMG does not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Casteel bags the Chettinad Stud Plate
S. Narredu trained Casteel (Ramswarup up) won the Chettinad Stud Plate (1,600m), the feature event of the races held here on Saturday (May 31). The winner is owned by M/s. Blazing Saddles (PF), Mr. Balam Mohla, Mr. Teja Gollapudi, Mr. Jehangir Homi Mehta & Mr. S. Narredu. The results 1. CLASSICAL ACT PLATE (1,400m): EL ALAMEIN (Bhawani S) 1, Embosom (Jagadeesh) 2, Sacred Creator (Ramswarup) 3 and Raffles (Trevor) 4. 2-1/2, Shd and 2. 1m 29.35s. Rs. 30 (w), 12, 25 and 15 (p), SHP: 66, THP: 40, FP: 648, Q: 202, Trinella: 1,643/568, Exacta: 2,954/978. Favourite: Raffles. Owners: Mr. Girish S. & Mrs. Kokila E. Trainer: Faraz Arshad. 2. WORLD NO-TOBACCO DAY PLATE (1,400m): SUNSHINE (S. Saqlain) 1, Efficacy (Shreyas S) 2, Knight Regent (Neeraj) 3 and Seneca (Sandesh) 4. 3-1/2, 1 and 5-3/4. 1m 26.72s. Rs. 35 (w), 13, 17 and 72 (p), SHP: 49, THP: 201, FP: 394, Q: 90, Trinella: 3,132/1,708, Exacta: 8,990/5,779. Favourite: Juracan. Owners: Mr. Saleem A. Jasdanwalla, Mr. Deepak S. Suryavanshi & Ms. Ameeta Mehra. Trainer: Irfan Ghatala. 3. ROMANTIC DANCE PLATE (Div. II), (1,400m): AMAZING STRIDE (C. Umesh) 1, Vibrant Queen (P.P. Dhebe) 2, Adelanto (R. Vaibhav) 3 and Pursuit Of Wealth (Sai Kiran) 4. 3-1/2, 1-3/4 and 2. 1m 27.64s. Rs. 18 (w), 10, 26 and 14 (p), SHP: 80, THP: 64, FP: 111, Q: 118, Trinella: 214/65, Exacta: 1,487/637. Favourite: Amazing Stride. Owners: Mr. P.J. Vazifdar, Mrs. P.J. Vazifdar, Mr. M. Rishad, Mr. Kersi H. Vachha & Mr. S.R. Sanas'. Trainer: S. Padmanabhan. 4. MARILINGAIAH MEMORIAL TROPHY (1,200m): DIVINE STAR (Trevor) 1, Walking Thunder (I. Chisty) 2, Aquastic (Suraj) 3 and Grenoble (Hindu S) 4. 6, 1 and 4-1/2. 1m 12.50s. Rs. 21 (w), 14, 17 and 11 (p), SHP: 54, THP: 55, FP: 146, Q: 112, Trinella: 293/78, Exacta: 1,668/893. Favourite: Divine Star. Owners: Mr. Ashok Ranpise, Mr. Pranav Ashok Ranpise, M/s. DT Racing & Breeding LLP, Mr. Rajiv S. Ghule, Mr. S.R. Sanas' & Shaawn Horses & Sports (P)ltd. Trainer: Aman Altaf Hussain. 5. DHARMAPRAKASHA L.S. VENKAJI RAO MEMORIAL TROPHY (1,400m): MAYNE MAGIC (Antony) 1, Secret Saint (Trevor) 2, Arkadian (S. Saqlain) 3 and All Attraction (G. Vivek) 4. 1/2, Lnk and 2-1/4. 1m 25.61s. Rs. 23 (w), 14, 14 and 17 (p), SHP: 41, THP: 49, FP: 100, Q: 67, Trinella: 192/66, Exacta: 326/176. Favourite: Mayne Magic. Owners: Mr. Eugene Aloysious Mayne & Mrs. Joan Mayne. Trainer: Kishan Thomas K. 6. CHETTINAD STUD PLATE (1,600m): CASTEEL (Ramswarup) 1, Champions Way (Suraj) 2, Star Of Night (Neeraj) 3 and Mescalito (Trevor) 4. 1/2, 2-1/2 and 2-1/2. 1m 39.08s. Rs. 66 (w), 27 and 13 (p), SHP; 31, THP: 39, FP: 233, Q: 78, Trinella: 270/120, Exacta: 656/175. Favourite: Champions Way. Owners: M/s. Blazing Saddles(PF), Mr. Balam Mohla, Mr. Teja Gollapudi, Mr. Jehangir Homi Mehta & Mr. S. Narredu. Trainer: S. Narredu. 7. ROMANTIC DANCE PLATE (Div. I), (1,400m): STENTORIAN (Shezad Khan) 1, Star Honour (Darshan) 2, Eclipse Pulse (Asirvatham) 3 and Highland Dream (I. Chisty) 4. Not run: Monterio. 1, 3-1/2 and Nose. 1m 27.25s. Rs. 32 (w), 14, 12 and 31 (p), SHP: 34, THP: 89, FP: 65, Q: 40, Trinella: 969/429, Exacta: 6,903/1,643. Favourite: Star Honour. Owners: Dr. Prabhakar Chowdary Tripuraneni, Mr. Teja Gollapudi & Mrs. Radhika Narredu. Trainer: S. Narredu. Jackpot: Rs. 1,422 (267 tkts) Runner-up: 235 (692 tkts); Treble (i): 137 (72 tkts); (ii): 611 (24 tkts).
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sky News AU
Darling Harbour's stunning new 'W' hotel, hilltop Singapore resort among new entrants on luxury list of the best places to stay in Asia, Australia and beyond
A new hilltop hotel in a tropical garden with its own beach has helped reignite a tourism boom in Singapore. It is one of a number of new hotels from Asia, Europe and Australia to make the hotel hot list this year. Raffles Sentosa is Singapore's first all-villa hotel featuring 62 contemporary lodges, each with its own private pool. It is an ideal place for a mini break for travellers making the arduous trip to and from Europe. Or stay longer and settle into a resort style hotel with access to an award-winning golf club and Sentosa's Tanjong Beach. Raffles Sentosa is set in 100,000 sq m of gardens. It is a far cry from the original Raffles hotel built at 1 Beach Road in 1887 and named in honour of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British statesman and the father of modern Singapore. It is steeped with history and nostalgia. Rudyard Kipling edited his first draft of The Jungle Book there. Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson, W. Somerset Maugham, Noël Coward, and Ernest Hemingway also stayed there. The hotel was refurbished in 2017. The Raffles name also spread to 18 hotels including new properties in Cairo, Istanbul, London and Bali. Raffles London at the OWO occupies a stately Grade II Edwardian Baroque building in Whitehall once the centre of British Government and the Old War Office. It is close to St James's Park, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey and close to West End theatres. Raffles Bali features 32 oceanfront villas, each with their own pool and garden. Raffles Sentosa is noted for its culinary offerings starting with the Empire Grill, a modern Italian restaurant. And of course there is a restaurant offering Cantonese cuisine. Royal China is set in a dining room framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and surrounded by lush greenery. And there is a Japanese omakase restaurant, Iyasaka by Hashida. Chef Kenjiro "Hatch" Hashida's aim is to make it the best Japanese restaurant outside his homeland. Hilton, the global hotel colossus, already operates 8,600 hotels and resorts and is planning more. The new ones are being built in New York, Costa Rica, Athens and Osaka. In London, The Emory at Belgravia in London seems to be top of the hit parade with the critics. It's the capital's first all-suite hotel and one of the last projects by the late Richard Rogers, one of England's most celebrated architects. The Emory was built by the Maybourne hotel group which owns and runs the Berkeley next door as well as Claridge's and the Connaught. In Sydney, the curvaceous W hotel at Darling Harbour reeks of glamour and sophistication and features weirdly wonderful mirror aluminium panels on the ceiling. It is a grand edifice with 588 guestrooms and suites. Josh and Julie Niland's boutique hotel Grand National in Paddington couldn't be more different. It has 14 rooms and is a study in a restrained elegance. It sits above their celebrated restaurant, Saint Peter, and is a drawcard for the culinary cognoscenti. Their original restaurant, Saint Peter, opened around the corner in 2016, was the only Australian restaurant that made it to The World's Best Restaurant List in 2024. The new Eve Hotel on the border of Surry Hills and Redfern in Sydney draws on the Australian landscape for its architectural inspiration. Guests enter a calming lobby anchored by natural stone and bespoke glazed terracotta. Architect Adam Haddow designed the hotel to wrap around a central courtyard allowing sight lines through to lush greenery. The hotel's 102 guest rooms each offer a 'unique experience with an Australian inspired palette of either eucalyptus or red clay tones'. Each room has a private balcony. Haddow's groovy hotel is the centrepiece of the new Wunderlich Lane retail and hospitality precinct on Cleveland Street. TRAVELLERS' TIP Singapore Airlines is offering competitive business class fares to Singapore. A sampler: Sydney to Singapore return, from $6,108. Melbourne to Singapore return from $4,343. Adelaide to Singapore return from $4,448. Brisbane to Singapore return from $5,659.16.
Hospitality Net
7 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Shanghai's Iconic Peace Hotel to Join the Glamorous Raffles Portfolio
Accor and Jinjiang International Group today announced a new era for the world-renowned Peace Hotel, one of Shanghai's most beloved landmarks. Built in 1929 by Sir Victor Sassoon as the Cathay Hotel, the art deco masterpiece has been owned by Jinjiang Group since 1984, and became a part of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2010. The legendary hotel will remain open during its transformation before debuting in 2027 as the Raffles Peace Hotel Shanghai, a flagship among a celebrated portfolio that includes the illustrious Raffles Singapore as well as the historic Raffles London at The OWO. Accor and Jinjiang International Group have established a strong trusted relationship, laying a solid foundation for the glorious future of the Peace Hotel. Accor's global expertise in luxury hospitality is well recognized, and the Raffles brand will inject new vitality into this historical landmark. Raffles perfectly aligns with the century-old heritage of the Peace Hotel, with the ability to create an extraordinary guest experience that celebrates the modern charm of Shanghai culture. At the upcoming Raffles Peace Hotel Shanghai, guests and the local community can look forward to an experience of elegant splendor, marked by fine art and design, extraordinary cuisine, and bespoke service. A refreshed design will capture the spirit of modern Shanghai while honoring the hotel's glorious past and preserving the treasures designated by the National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. With the brand's unique blend of British etiquette, Asian grace, and touches of Chinese heritage, Raffles Peace Hotel Shanghai will be a world of inspiration, authentic culture, and the distinguished culinary and bar experiences that the well-traveled guests of Raffles worldwide have come to know and love. Raffles is well-established in China, with a portfolio of spectacular retreats that blend modern luxury with heritage and are cherished by locals and travelers alike. Destinations include Macau, Shenzhen, and Hainan, along with key international locations in Singapore, Paris, London, Boston, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh and Bali, among others. Most recently, Raffles debuted in Sentosa, Singapore and will open in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia later this year.
Independent Singapore
19-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
Woman says that despite Raffles Girls' School being the best thing that happened to her, it also messed up her life
SINGAPORE: A recent video from a former banker turned mom-blogger has stirred up quite the controversy. Earlier this month, Dianna Lee, whose social media bio describes her as 'teaching you everything our mums should've taught us,' spoke up concerning her experiences as a woman educated at Raffles Girls' School, one of Singapore's most respected secondary schools. Ms Lee says at the outset that the school is the 'best thing that happened' to her and that she could not be prouder to be a Rafflesian, clarifying that what she was about to say was not meant to bash RGS. However, she added that she did not realise the psychological damage she received due to having studied at RGS until later. @coolmumdianna #rgs #raffles #rafflesian #singapore #school #feminism ♬ original sound – Cool Mum Dianna🇸🇬🇭🇰 – Cool Mum Dianna🇸🇬🇭🇰 The heart of the matter appears to be how feminism was taught and exemplified at the school, where Ms Lee said students were told they were not just as good as but actually better than boys. She added that RGS girls were taught 'to be men' and as a result, many alumni have risen to the top in various fields such as law, banking, and business. While this has served them well in their careers, when it comes to marriage and motherhood, 'we're completely destroyed,' she said. 'In our eagerness to become men, we reject everything that is feminine,' Ms Lee said, resulting in the students 'fundamentally' looking down on women and more traditional forms of femininity, such as staying home and raising one's children. 'Our definition of femininity is incomplete. Femininity should be about freeing women to choose whatever they want to do in life, including staying womanly. We should have the freedom to tap into both our feminine and masculine energies. Being feminine itself is not something shameful.' In the caption to her post, she said she wanted to hear from fellow RGS alumni or other former girls' school students about how the experience affected them. Her video, which has been posted on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, has gotten a lot of views and some very strong reactions, both for and against Ms Lee's points. One male commenter wrote, 'I married an RGS girl and have an RGS sister, our friends have debated this for years, but I will say the views in this video are by far the most rounded, genuine, and hard-hitting truths.' A woman wrote that she was happy Ms Lee shared her views 'because the thing is, there is inherent strength in the way a woman is in her ability to be soft and strong, which is something most Singaporean women, I would wager, struggle with.' Others were less than thrilled, feeling that Ms Lee had overgeneralized the experience of RGS girls. Some wrote that they had a completely different experience at the school, suggesting that things have changed since Ms Lee was a student. 'Fellow RGS alumni here, and I respectfully disagree. The teachers I had were quite clear that gender equality is about being empowered to make the choice, and also emphasised the need for empathy. One path is not 'better' than another. I have classmates who are now amazing career women, and classmates who chose to be SAHM. We each recognise the difficulties of the other's paths, and the joys that they bring.' Another chimed in with, 'As an RGS alumna, I was really shocked watching this and am sorry that you went through what you did. I can't recall a single instance of the school culture suggesting that male traits are superior, or that being feminine was inferior, or that we should be 'better than men'… Of course, we were taught to strive for excellence (which leads to other issues like perfectionism, etc), but I think it was more of being ambitious rather than putting anyone else down or being less feminine. I hope it means the school culture has been improving since you experienced it!' /TISG
