Raffles Hotels makes its mark in Moscow

Raffles Hotels makes its mark in Moscow

 

RAFFLES Hotels & Resorts yesterday signed a management contract to stamp its brand on a 130-room luxury hotel a stone’s throw from Red Square and the Kremlin.

 

Opening in 2011, Raffles Moscow will be housed in a mid-17th century building – and is likely the oldest heritage building in Raffles’ portfolio of 22 hotels.

 

Located in Moscow’s Kitay-Gorod district, it is a three-minute walk from Red Square and the Kremlin, and 10 minutes from the Bolshoi Theatre, plus being right next to the ‘Tretyakovsky Proyezd’, a strip housing the most luxurious and prestigious shops in Moscow.

 

Interestingly, Kitay- Gorod popularly translates into ‘Chinatown’ although ‘Kitay’ which means ‘Cathay’ is likely to be derived from the architectural style of the old walls of the quarter.

 

The building, which is under an investment contract between Moscow government and ALT Corporation, will soon be redeveloped.

 

It’s also part of a larger development that will include apartments, high-end retail galleries as well as historic buildings, such as an 18th century Russian Orthodox Church and a house where Napoleon Bonaparte had stayed before.

 

The contract was signed by Vladimir M Pereverzev, chairman of the board of directors, ALT Corporation, and Diana Ee-Tan, president, Raffles Hotels & Resorts yesterday, witnessed by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, who were also in Moscow.

 

Raffles Moscow will also feature six restaurants and bars and RafflesAmrita Spa, which at 1,300 square metres, will be one of the largest spas in Moscow.

 

Ms Tan said that Moscow is a fascinating destination with great appeal to world travellers.

 

‘In terms of tourism growth, the city enjoyed a robust growth of 7.5 per cent in international tourist arrivals last year and a phenomenal growth of 16 per cent in revenue per available room.’

 

Mr Pereverzev said that the company chose Raffles after examining several global hotel brands and chains, because the brand’s standards correspond to the requirements of the luxury hotel

 

Source : Business Times