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A FINE
START TO THE DAY WITH RAFFLES
At Raffles, we know that a day that
begins well for our guests, will end well too.
From a daybreak detox in Paris or sunrise yoga in the Seychelles, to Tai
Chi in Singapore or a Bedouin breakfast in the Dubai desert, here are
just a few recommendations for catching the magic moments of stillness in the
early morning - as the world wakes up and the bustle of another day
begins again.
A morning detox at Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
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Le Royal Monceau – Raffles
Paris has the perfect recipe for a healthy, energizing start to the busy
Parisian day; a morning mini-detox. Runners can take a turn around the Parc
Monceau, just a short hop along the Avenue Hoche, while water babies can
enjoy some peaceful lengths in the hotel’s pool – longer than any other
hotel swimming pool in the city – for starters.
On to the stylish
surroundings of La Cuisine breakfast, which marries gourmet food and
wellbeing in a tempting spread. Begin with a cleansing ‘Royal Booster’
smoothie, packed with vitamin C rich Chia seeds, fresh fruit and spices.
Next, choose organic eggs cooked any way – perhaps an egg white omelette -
or seafood, rich in Omega-3.
There is also seasonal fruit platters, an
‘Alternative Milk Bar’ (soya, almond milk, coconut water) and gluten-free
cakes and bread, dried fruits, organic cereals and grains. Don’t miss the
delicious Granola Ispahan by Pierre Hermé – a reinterpretation of a classic
with oats, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, puffed rice, grated coconut,
pistachios, pecan and almonds, flavoured with honey and rose, dried
raspberries and lychees. www.raffles.com/paris
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Trek to Taal Volcano with Raffles Makati
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Taal Volcano is the world’s
smallest active volcano; just the right size for a challenging yet
achievable start to the day. Taal Volcano sits a boat ride away at the
centre of Taal Lake, just fifty kilometres from Raffles Makati.
The
ethereal lake was formed when a much larger volcano cooled and collapsed to
leave an open caldera which, over several thousand years, filled with
water. Leaving Manila in darkness, visitors will arrive at the lake as the
day begins, taking a beautiful boat journey across the water to the shores
of the volcano itself.
From here, a trail leads to the rim of the main
crater, a breezy 45 minute walk – with an astonishing view waiting at the
top. At the centre of the island, visitors will be surprised to find
another highly sulphuric lake at its centre, and within that another small
island. The views from the top of the trail both inside the caldera, and
outside across the Philippines are at their best in the early morning, as
the hazy dawn light gives way to bright sunshine. www.raffles.com/makati
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A Champagne Breakfast at Angkor Thom with Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
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The temples of Angkor Wat
are undoubtedly Cambodia’s most majestic of experiences: ancient monuments
telling stories of hundreds of years. Angkor is at its most magical as the
day begins, as the sun rises and the jungle around the temples wakes up.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor guides its guests away from the main tourist
sunrise spots to a hidden spot of Angkor Thom.
Breakfast is served…
tropical fruits, fresh pastries, and a glass of champagne as the cool dawn
light lifts to reveal the 54 faces carved into the rocks at Bayon, and the
charming figures on the Terrace of Elephants. Spot monkeys beginning their
day, and make the most of the early start to discover the secrets of an
ancient world before the sun rises too high in the sky and the cool of the
pool at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor calls. www.raffles.com/siemreap
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Cambodian cooking with Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh
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The cooking class at
Raffles Hotel Le Royal has been described as “one of the most bespoke
cooking classes South East Asia has to offer.” Early birds catch the best
of Phnom Penh here, travelling to the local market with Chef to collect the
freshest produce and finest ingredients of the day before the rest of the
city wakes up.
Returning to the hotel, guests will learn the secrets of
Royal Khmer Cuisine: Raffles Hotel Le Royal was gifted exclusive rights to
recipes from the Palace kitchen by King Father Norodom Sihanouk during his
reign.
Six dishes will be created in total using rice – a sacred component
of Khmer Culture – and fish and shellfish fresh from the Mekong and Tonlé
Sap rivers. Herbs and spices come fresh from the market, and the lesson
ends with guests tasting their own culinary creations. www.raffles.com/phnompenh
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Sunrise Yoga Paddle Boarding at Raffles
Praslin, Seychelles
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What better way to start
the day than with some carefully guided sun salutations… on a paddleboard…
in the Indian Ocean... at sunrise? Raffles Praslin, Seychelles’ yoga master
Sajeesh Pazhayidath regularly guides guests through sunrise yoga classes to
the sound of the sea. But instead of just listening to the sea, guests are
now being encouraged to practice yoga on the sea itself.
Paddle Board Yoga
helps develop core strength and balance. The board provides the perfect
platform to increase the intensity of the yoga workout by creating a
continuous challenge to balance and adapt to the motion of the board. This
challenge adds to core stability and creates greater strength, flexibility,
and balance.
Guests can enjoy a private sunrise session, with the idyllic ocean backdrop
and natural surroundings providing the perfect environment for total
relaxation and rejuvenation. Raffles Praslin, Seychelles resort is
perfectly positioned to catch the best sunrise on the island, as the sun
creeps over the mountains to one side, slowly moving high into the sky as
the day goes on. www.raffles.com/seychelles
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China’s most glamorous beach at its best: Raffles Hainan, Clearwater Bay
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Every day marks a new
beginning on Hainan as birdsong fills the gold coast of Clearwater Bay, and
the world wakes up to a refreshing breeze off the sea. Make the most of the
restorative early morning light with a range of outdoor activities. Take a
yoga class on the beach, or jog along the water’s edge leaving footprints
in the sand.
Borrow a bicycle and be carried along the coast in no time, or
head for the gentle pick-pock of tennis balls on court for starting the day
à deux. Or simply take a wonder along the beach, collecting
shells, and spotting crabs and small fish starting their day in Hainan
style. This is China’s most glamorous beach at its best; all to yourself. www.raffles.com/hainan
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Dawn flag raising ceremony with Raffles Beijing
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While most tourists are
still sleeping, guests of Raffles Beijing can join Raffles Ambassador John
Spooner to witness the traditional and atmospheric Flag Raising Ceremony at
Tian An Men Square, the largest city square in the world.
The raising of
the national flag is accompanied by a marching military band as the day
begins in Beijing and the sun appears over Tian An Men. John will share his
knowledge of the history of the ceremony, as well as taking guests on a
journey through Beijing’s past.
Opened in 1917 as the Grand Hotel de Pékin,
Raffles Beijing Hotel’s graceful French-Orient façade has long stood as an
icon of the city’s historical heritage. Just over six years ago, a
new chapter began when it was fully renovated in 2006 by Raffles Hotels
& Resorts. www.raffles.com/beijing
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Tai Chi in the Botanical Gardens with Raffles Singapore
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The martial art of Tai Chi
has long be revered for its natural benefits to health; a calming,
slow-moving art traditionally practiced outside to lifts stress and build
core strength, all fostering a healthy mind and body.
The tranquil greenery
of Singapore’s Botanical Garden is the perfect sanctuary for starting the
day gently; slip out of Raffles Singapore to match up to the expertise of
the locals. The gardens are a cool retreat from the morning bustle; catch
the scent of frangipani and fruit trees drifting on the breeze, and slowly
sway your body and hands in accordance with the soft movements of the Tai
Chi teacher.
The Botanic Gardens were originally the brainchild of Sir
Stamford Raffles in 1822 – not only the founder of modern Singapore, from
whom Raffles Singapore takes its name, Sir Stamford was also a keen
naturalist. The gardens were moved to their current site in 1859, and
remain an incredibly important botanical institute for the city. This is a
natural wonderland for setting a slow pace of life for the day; return to
the haven of Raffles Singapore ready for breakfast in the iconic Tiffin
Room. www.raffles.com/singapore
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A Bedouin breakfast with Raffles Dubai
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Dubai lends itself
perfectly to early mornings; before the heat of the midday sun comes into
full force there are a few precious hours to be enjoyed.
Guests of Raffles
Dubai can rise early, escaping the city under the cover of darkness. The
destination: the desert – all rolling sand dunes and striking silhouettes
as dawn rises. Discover wildlife on a sand safari, before arriving at a
local Bedouin retreat to learn breakfast recipes handed down from
generation to generation. Take the opportunity to hop on board a camel, try
your hand at falconry, experience traditional Yowalah dancing and enjoy a
delicious breakfast at sunrise.
This is a rare opportunity to glimpse the
rich, authentic history of Dubai in pristine desert surroundings. Return to
the bright lights, hustle and heat of the city safe in the knowledge of a
stolen few hours of peace… www.raffles.com/dubai
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Modern Art ahead of the crowd with Raffles Istanbul
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Offering a new perspective
on a timeless city, Raffles Istanbul sits at the heart of the Zorlu Center,
a new hub for fashion, food and the arts on the European shore in Beşiktaş
– a next generation bazaar where fashion, performance and art converge.
When it opens on 1 September, the hotel will let guests in to the best kept
secrets of the cutting edge of the city. Start the day with a dose of
exciting modern art: the concierge will arrange a trip to be first through
the doors of some of Istanbul’s best galleries… the Istanbul Modern -
Turkey’s first private museum to show modern and contemporary art
exhibitions - on the shores of the Bosphorus as the sun rises over the
city, or SALT, the contemporary art space, which opened in 2012.
Return to
Raffles, inspired, for coffee with a view from the private balcony of your
bedroom as the world wakes up. www.raffles.com/istanbul
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Morning Calm at Raffles Makkah Palace
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As one of the world’s most
holy cities, Makkah is at its most magical in the early morning as the call
to prayer wakes the city.
Visit the legendary Zamzam Well, a miracle rising
from beneath the sand which has generated water for thousands of years or
the Jabal Al-Nour (Mountain of the Light), a mountain lying east of Makkah
from which Abraham built the Kaaba. Catch the Qasr As-Saqqaf at its most
peaceful: one of the oldest buildings in Makkah, this is typical of the
traditional architecture of the city, with unique Islamic motifs.
Or visit
the Qasr Khozam, the palace of King Abdul Aziz, built more than 80 years
ago with stone bought from the west coast of the kingdom. Part of the
palace has now been converted into a museum of archaeology and ethnology.
Or within the hotel, slip into the Raffles Makkah Palace library - the only
library of its kind - with a collection of more than 2,000 Hadith and
classic Islamic texts on its shelves. www.raffles.com/makkah
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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 ten luxurious properties,
from secluded resorts to city hotels in key locations around the world:
in Singapore, Cambodia, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, the Philippines
and Paris, each one is an oasis of calm and charm.
The company is
embarking on a new phase of expansion, with openings in Istanbul and
Indonesia scheduled over the next year. 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 timeless essence of Raffles – to deliver
thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests. www.raffles.com
FRHI Hotels & Resorts(FRHI) is a leading luxury hotel management
company that operates more than 105 hotels globally under the Fairmont,
Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company’s distinctive portfolio of luxury
and upper upscale hotels features celebrated icons, world-class resorts and
stylish city center hotels.
Some notable hotels include the Raffles
Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, The Fairmont San Francisco and London’s
The Savoy. Focused on growing its distinctive hotel brands, the company is
also developing new hotels in key locations around the world including
exciting projects in China, Russia, India, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The
company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private
residence clubs, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences
properties. For more information or reservations, please visit frhi.com.
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