Over 129,000 tropical plants to be enjoyed at Raffles Sky Garden
DUBAI: Raffles Dubai, the much awaited addition to Raffles Hotels & Resorts' collection of luxury hotels, will feature a tropical garden occupying one hectare when the hotel opens in October 2007. "Raffles Sky Garden" is inspired by Singapore's garden city landscape and designed by Singapore Garden City Pte Ltd (a wholly owned company of the National Parks Board Singapore). Located on the third level of the hotel, 14 metres off the ground, it features 129,090 plants including the Traveller's Palm which has long been associated with the Raffles name. The logo of Raffles Hotels & Resorts is a fine detailed drawing of the Traveller's Palm by British penmaster David Horridge.
Raffles Sky Garden comprises four themed garden areas, based on the four essential elements of life: Fire, Wind, Water and Earth. Flora in fiery crimson, vermillion and luscious reds make up the Fire garden, while bamboo, weeping willows and ferns that bend in the breeze feature in the Wind garden, and low-growing shrubs dominate in the Earth garden. The Water garden houses a stream that gathers into a pond, where a vibrant display of Water Hyacinth takes centrestage. Paths around the four themed gardens will allow residents to wander through Raffles Sky Garden and enjoy the array of tropical plants.
The gardens converge on the centerpiece, The Eye of Horus, a large glass dome that looks into Café Raffles, adjacent to Wafi City Mall, allowing guests and shoppers a view of the lush gardens as they enjoy afternoon tea. According to Egyptian legend, Horus was god of the sky and the Eye of Horus was often associated with health and vitality. Wafi City Mall is one of Dubai's most exclusive shopping and leisure destinations, and renowned for its range of haute couture boutiques.
Planning for Raffles Sky Garden commenced in 2005. Horticulturalists sourced more than 70% of the garden's plants from Asia, with the remaining from Dubai, and tended to them in nurseries before planting them at Raffles Dubai. The garden features some 260 trees, 650 palms, 1,400 bamboo plants, 500 aquatic plants, over 100,000 shrubs and 1,000 climbers.
Said Diana Ee-Tan, Managing Director, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, "Our residents have often commented how much they appreciate the landscaped gardens at other Raffles properties, such as Raffles Hotel Singapore and Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap. Raffles Sky Garden, with its exceptional concept and location, will be well-loved by residents and patrons at Raffles Dubai. With this unique feature, and the high standards of hospitality, service and cuisine that Raffles is renowned for, Raffles Dubai will become a treasured landmark in the Middle East."
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About the Traveller's Palm
A native of Madagascar, the Traveller's Palm was introduced to Singapore in the early 1900s and became a favourite in landscaped gardens, including Raffles Hotel Singapore. Not only does the base of the palm hold water, which early travellers could use as sustenance, the leaves of the Traveller's Palm are known to come to rest in an 'east-west' direction and served as an informal compass for those making their way home after long journeys. Today, residents of Raffles hotels and resorts are greeted by Raffles staff, who each wears a Traveller's Palm-design pin, indicating to residents that they have found their way home.
About Raffles Dubai
Experience the latest luxurious addition to the award-winning Raffles Hotels & Resorts' collection of hotels, when Raffles Dubai opens in October this year. Inspired by the great pyramids of Egypt, the stunning pyramidal structure of Raffles Dubai will be a magnificent addition to the city skyline. Located within Wafi City, Raffles Dubai adjoins Wafi City Mall, one of Dubai's most exclusive shopping and leisure destinations, home to hundreds of high-end retail boutiques offering an extensive selection of haute couture, jewellery and gifts. Adjacent to Dubai Healthcare City, only 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport and a short drive to the business district, the hotel is ideally placed in the heart of Dubai. Raffles Dubai features 248 resplendent guestrooms with seven dedicated Raffles Inc. floors. Boasting some of the most spacious guestrooms in the city and private balconies at each room, one can be assured of supreme luxury whilst in residence at Raffles Dubai.
ABOUT RAFFLES HOTELS & RESORTS
Raffles is a collection of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide, each distinguished by its luxury, elegance and residential charm. Each hotel is a landmark in its respective city, positioned at the top of its local market and rated among the very best in the world.
Raffles' relentless pursuit of service excellence has earned for its hotels and resorts a legion of international accolades, including Condé Nast World's Best Places to Stay and Travel & Leisure World's Best Awards. Its flagship Raffles Hotel Singapore was named Best Hotel in Asia by readers of Ultratravel magazine by The Daily Telegraph and Best Luxury Hotel 2006 by Travel Trade Gazette Asia. Raffles Hotels & Resorts was ranked second among the world's top hotel brands in the 2006 Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards. For more information, please visit www.raffles.com
About Fairmont raffles hotels international inc
Raffles is owned by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Inc., a leading global hotel company with over 120 hotels in 25 countries worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont, Swissôtel and Delta brands. The company also owns Fairmont Heritage Place and Fairmont Residences, offering luxury vacation ownership and residential properties.
For More Information, please contact:
Paul Estorffe
Account Director
WNN Limited
Tel: (971) 4 369 2497
Fax: (971) 4 391 0688
Laurence Kraenzlin
Marketing Manager
Raffles Dubai
Tel : (971) 4 324 8888
Fax : (971) 4 324 6000
For high resolution images, please visit our Private Digital Library: http://www.leonardo.com/raffles/
Raffles Hotels & Resorts' award-winning collection of legendary hotels includes:
1. Raffles Hotel, Singapore
2. Raffles The Plaza, Singapore
3. Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia
4. Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
5. Raffles Beijing Hotel, People's Republic of China
6. Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, United States
7. Raffles Resort Canouan Island, The Grenadines
8. Raffles Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Future additions to the Raffles portfolio include:
1. Raffles Tianjin Hotel, People's Republic of China (2008)
2. Raffles Resort Konottaa, Maldives (2008)
3. Raffles Phang Nga, Thailand (2009)
4. Raffles St Lucia, West Indies (2010)
5. Raffles Resort Taimana Tahaa, French Polynesia (2010)
6. Raffles Macao, Cotai Strip (2010)
7. Raffles Tortola, British Virgin Islands (2010)
8. Raffles Manila, Philippines (2010)
9. Raffles Da Nang, Vietnam (2011)
© Press Release 2007
