RIYADH – The Raffles Hotel, Singapore was awarded “Best Hotel in Asia” by Ultratravel in 2012, a company statement said Wednesday. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, Chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), commenting on the award, said: “This achievement is a reflection of Kingdom Holding Company's sound investment in the hospitality sector.” KHC holds a 35 percent stake in Fairmont Raffles Holdings International (FRHI) that manages Raffles Hotel, Singapore. Raffles Hotels & Resorts was formed in 1989 to restore, redevelop and manage the world-famous Raffles Hotel. This laid the foundation for Raffles Hotels & Resorts to become a world-class international hotel management company. After complete and careful restoration, Raffles Hotel, Singapore reopened on Sept. 16,1991 to international acclaim. The spacious suites boast ceiling fans, timber floors and oriental carpets with lush tropical gardens and an interesting array of restaurants, Raffles Hotel, Singapore received rave reviews from residents. In 2011, Makkah Clock Royal Tower was Awarded the “World's Leading Landmark Hotel” Award during a ceremony held at Katara Cultural Village, Doha for announcing the winners of the World Travel Awards 2011. An outstanding era of votes were casted globally by 213,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and tourism organizations from 160 countries. In the same year, Raffles Makkah Palace was Awarded the “Middle East's Leading Luxury Hotel” 2011 Award at the World Travel Awards. Furthermore in 2011, Alwaleed attended the signing of Business Gate's agreement with for Fairmont to manage a new 287-room luxury hotel and 4,000 square meter convention center in Riyadh, scheduled to open late 2012. The project is the second Fairmont in Saudi Arabia, as the first is the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, a Fairmont Hotel. — SG
