For centuries, the mere mention of Cambodia has conjured an image of mystery and adventure. From Angkor, the seat of the mighty Khmer empire, which flourished as one of Asia’s most important civilisations, to Phnom Penh, a modern, bustling royal metropolis, Cambodia today is one of the most popular destinations for travelers from around the world. Now, Raffles Hotel Le Royal in the capital and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap have come together to introduce an exclusive new 7-day stay package, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, billed as ‘a journey like no other, where grand history, enchanted glamour and extraordinary adventure entwine’. The experience takes in the wonders of both destinations, including the iconic luxury hotels – both in their ninth decade – which are historic landmarks in their own right. The curated journey begins in Phnom Penh, where guests stay at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, which opened in 1929 and combines an elegant past with a bold, contemporary style inspired by French colonial, Khmer and Art Deco influences, including spacious rooms and suites. Here, visitors meet their Raffles Butler, who will assist with local excursions and hotel activities. The Resident Historian is also on hand to guide visitors through the hotel’s storied legacy. The following two days include outings with the official biographer of Cambodia’s royal house who guides visitors to the nearby Royal Palace of Cambodia. Guests also visit the National Museum of Cambodia, home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer sculpture and much more, where they are privately led by the museum’s lead curator. And a special afternoon tea is arranged with Cambodian royalty, Her Highness Princess Chansita Norodom. The experience in the capital also includes special local culinary activities, an architectural tour and a Khmer fine-dining meal at the hotel’s Restaurant Le Royal, including a five-course wine dinner highlighting the ultimate in Cambodian gastronomy. On Day Four, guests travel by private helicopter from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, where they check into Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, whose design features an authentic expression of 1930s French Art Deco style. They are welcomed by their Raffles Butler, who will guide them to their poolside suite or glorious royal villa. In Siem Reap, visitors explore the ancient Khmer archeological site of Angkor – one of the world’s most popular UNESCO heritage sites – on a cozy Vespa scooter. The tour includes stops at the temple ruins of Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, along with some of the complex’s lesser-known architectural wonders. The next morning, guests watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat and further explore the surrounding archeological sites before visiting a local art gallery and the floating village of Chong Kneas at Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. The evening concludes with an exceptional Khmer dinner at the hotel’s 1932 restaurant. Guests also visit Banteay Srei, considered to be the most intricate of all of Cambodia’s temples, the crown jewel of Angkorian art. They also visit a dance school under royal patronage and the last remaining elephants of Angkor in Kulen National Park. In the evening, guests culminate their ‘journey of a lifetime’ with a magical temple dinner at Angkor Archeological Park, illuminated by blazing torches and flickering candles. The final morning includes a hot-air balloon ride above the temples of Angkor that also takes in the bucolic countryside dotted with sugar palm trees – a fitting farewell to this legendary tale of two cities. The package is part of Raffles’ global ‘The Butler Did It’ campaign, which features one-of-a-kind, signature experiences across five continents, with a focus on the uncompromising levels of personalised service performed by Raffles’ legendary butlers since 1887. To book part or all of this itinerary, Raffles requires two months’ advance notice. Seasonalities, royal duties and the availability of hosts and other elements of the itinerary are subject to change. Pricing is available upon request. More details on ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ can be found here: www.raffles.com/siem-reap/experiences/A-Tale-Of-Two-Cities/. For more information on Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please contact +855 23 981 888 or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh. For Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, please call +855 23 982 598 or visit www.raffles.com/siem-reap/

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Blue Bottle Coffee has announced that its highly anticipated first café in Southeast Asia will officially open its doors at LUMINE SINGAPORE in Raffles City Singapore on Thursday, 3 April 2025. Since its humble beginnings as a small coffee cart in Oakland, California, Blue Bottle Coffee has grown into a globally recognised brand with a reputation for its meticulous approach to specialty coffee. This milestone opening brings its signature coffee experience to the heart of Singapore’s vibrant café culture scene. Following the launch of its retail store and exhibition in August 2024, the new café marks Blue Bottle Coffee’s expansion into a key market in Asia, complementing its presence in cities in Japan, Korea, Hong Kong SAR, and China. Occupying a 135-square-metre space with a seating capacity of 42, the café will open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Designed as more than just a place to enjoy coffee, the space reflects the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, hospitality, and community. At the new café, guests will be able to experience Blue Bottle Coffee’s signature single-origin and espresso-based beverages, crafted with the brand’s renowned precision. The café will feature a rotating seasonal coffee selection, including hand-drip pour-over and espresso options, carefully sourced from sustainable farms worldwide. Located within LUMINE SINGAPORE, the café offers a welcoming environment where guests can connect over coffee, further strengthening Blue Bottle’s relationship with a growing community of specialty coffee enthusiasts in the region. A Shared Commitment to Craftsmanship and Community Rooted in the belief that great coffee is best enjoyed in a welcoming space, the new café is a reflection of Blue Bottle Coffee’s dedication to creating meaningful experiences through precision and care. “This café opening marks an exciting chapter for Blue Bottle Coffee in Southeast Asia. Beyond serving coffee, we look forward to sharing this journey with a new community, creating a space where guests can experience not just great coffee, but the warmth and hospitality that define who we are,” said Kester Whitaker, Chief Growth Officer & Head of Asia at Blue Bottle Coffee. “Singapore’s rich coffee culture makes it the perfect home for our first café in the region, and we are thrilled to welcome guests into our world of specialty coffee.” Blue Bottle Coffee has long been inspired by the thoughtful approach to coffee culture in Asia, beginning with its first international expansion to Japan nearly a decade ago. This café continues that journey, offering Singapore’s discerning coffee lovers a space to slow down and savour a meticulously crafted cup. “At LUMINE, we believe in crafting meaningful experiences that bring people together, and our partnership with Blue Bottle Coffee reflects this shared vision,” said Teruyuki Omote, President and Chief Executive Officer of LUMINE Co., Ltd. “With this café, we hope to offer a space where guests can enjoy not only exceptionally brewed coffee, but also the thoughtful design and warm hospitality that defines both our brands.” Blue Bottle Coffee’s arrival in Singapore showcases its continued expansion in Asia and its commitment to thoughtful, high-quality coffee experiences.

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Following in Raffles’ grand tradition of concocting exotic new cocktails, Mr Kong Len, the bar captain at the iconic Elephant Bar in Raffles Hotel Le Royal, in Phnom Pen, brings us the “Fifth Pillar”. While infusing locally sourced orange skin and homemade orange bitters with Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin for 15 days, Kong roasted a blend of rock salt, kaffir lime leaves, and orange zest. All the ingredients were then shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass. Kong said he was inspired to support Cambodia’s orange and lime farmers, and wanted to create a drink that offers the zesty twang of citrus with the refreshing botanicals of gin. The Elephant Bar first opened in 1929; early guests at the bar included Charlie Chaplin and W. Somerset Maugham. And it was here in the 1960s that the Femme Fatale was created especially for the visit of former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Happy Hour at the Elephant Bar, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, is daily from 4 pm to 9 pm with 50% off selected drinks. Patrons may be sated with the knowledge that a percentage of proceeds from sales of the Fifth Pillar is donated to a local NGO, Sunrise Cambodia, which supports children and struggling families in rural Cambodia. ABOUT RAFFLES     Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

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Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh celebrated for more than 90 years as one of the “Grandes Dames” of Southeast Asia, has confirmed an agreement with EVA Air to provide their Gold and Diamond card holders a string of benefits during their ASQ stay at the hotel in Phnom Penh, including a complimentary Royal Khmer meal with wine. The hotel is the only venue in Cambodia that boasts a license to prepare and serve Royal Khmer cuisine, a feast of traditional recipes known for generations only to chefs in the palace. The menu includes steamed lobster served in a coconut shell, and nhoam svay, a fragrant dish of grilled scallops and smoked fish accompanied by green mango and peanuts. Each guest will also be included in a lucky draw, with one business-class ticket (Phnom Penh to Taipei) as the first prize. The deal, which is valid until 31 March 2022, applies only to EVA’s Gold and Diamond card holders flying to Phnom Penh from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they are afforded the comfort of priority check-in and access to an exclusive VIP lounge ahead of the flight. Cambodia recently announced its reopening to international tourism, with the country widely lauded for its containment of the covid virus and stringent border controls. Upon arrival at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, in-bound travelers will be hosted in the hotel’s northern wing which has been set aside as an ASQ (alternative state quarantine), offering an elegant option in rooms and suites that were each refurbished as part of a meticulous one-year restoration project which was completed in 2020. Returning guests will immediately notice lighter and brighter interiors, accentuated by spotlights. Segafredo coffee machines, USB charging stations, and Simmons pillow-top mattresses are among the new features that add modern appeal. However, traditionalists will be relieved to know that the heart and soul of this vintage landmark hotel has been lovingly maintained. Polished hardwood floors, age-old ceiling fans, and brass rotary telephones continue to feature in the rooms. Designed by architect Ernest Hébrard in French colonial style, Le Royal originally launched in November 1929. Among the numerous celebrities who have graced the hotel are Charlie Chaplin, French President Charles de Gaulle; and in the 1960s, former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. “We are dedicated to offering a sanctuary of unparalleled comfort for those guests arriving from Taiwan and other countries,” said Hotel Manager Dennis de Groot. “Visitors staying at the hotel as part of the ASQ program can expect private airport transfers, exquisite dining experiences, 24-hour medical services, PCR tests, and a truly comfortable and memorable stay.” Rooms and suites at Raffles Hotel Le Royal start from US$240+++ per night. For more information about the various ASQ Packages at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, please go to: 3-Day Quarantine: https://www.rafflesphnompenh.com/offer/3-day-alternative-state-quarantine-package/ 7-Day Quarantine: https://www.rafflesphnompenh.com/offer/7-day-alternative-state-quarantine-package/ 14-Day Quarantine:  https://www.rafflesphnompenh.com/offer/alternative-state-quarantine-package/   ABOUT RAFFLES Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

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