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Raffles Hotels & Resorts announced that it will manage a 49-villa luxury resort, Raffles Resort Konottaa, its first venture in the Maldives. The resort, owned and developed by Platinum Capital Holdings Pvt Ltd, is located at the pristine and the newly-developed Gaafu Alifu atoll, in the southern part of the Maldives.

Scheduled to open in Spring 2008, Raffles Resort Konottaa features 49 duplex villas, all with individual plunge pools. The duplex villas, of which 22 are over-the-water villas, are the first of its kind in Maldives. The water villas, which have an additional Jacuzzi pool, are set in secluded surroundings and enjoy unobstructed spectacular ocean views.

The villas, spread over an expansive 1,250 to 3,700 square feet, will be designed with a contemporary edge, but yet embrace the best of Maldivian architecture with tropical accents and details from the region.

Guests who seek the spa experience can rejuvenate and indulge at RafflesAmrita Spa, a sanctuary of calm and pampering luxury treatments. The brand name is derived from an ancient Sanskrit legend in which deities searched for Amrita, an elixir that would grant them eternal youth. Launched in 2000, there is now a RafflesAmrita Spa in all the Raffles properties in the world and several such as RafflesAmrita Spa in Raffles The Plaza and Raffles Hotel in Singapore, Raffles Le Montreux Palace, Raffles Resort Canouan Island, The Grenadines have received awards as best spa in their respective destinations.

A tantalizing selection of food and beverage options awaits guests. They may choose to dine at a specialty restaurant, an all-day casual dining restaurant or at the elegant Grill Room for exquisite fine dining. The culinary creations by Raffles chefs will feature specialties from the region and the freshest catch from the sea. For glorious sunsets, guests can unwind with signature cocktails at the Main Bar, which overlooks breathtaking ocean vistas.  

Guests will also have access to an extensive library of DVDs at the resort, while the more energetic may choose to practice on a golf simulator, play tennis, scuba dive or snorkel at some of the most untouched and spectacular coral reefs in the Maldives. Other water sports include catamaran sailing and deep-sea fishing.

Accessibility to Raffles Resort Konottaa is made seamless through a 50-minute flight from Male to Kaadedhdhoo airport, and a relaxed 15-minute ride on the well-appointed Raffles speedboat to the resort paradise.    

One of the top leisure destinations of the world, the Maldives is ranked 8th in the world with the fastest rates of tourism and travel growth, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF). With a tourism growth rate of 7.2%, Maldives is forecast as one of the top ten countries in the world’s tourism industry.

“This is another milestone for the Group, as we extend the Raffles presence to one of the premier travel destinations of the world,” commented Mrs. Diana Ee Tan, Managing Director of Raffles Hotels & Resorts. “The Southern Gaafu Alifu atoll, with its pristine waters and untouched surroundings is certain to be a haven for the discerning traveler in search of paradise and luxury. We are extremely gratified that Platinum Capital Holdings  has entrusted Raffles to manage this luxury jewel.”

Mr. Mohammed Shaweed, President & Chief Executive Officer, Platinum Capital Holdings Pvt Ltd, said, “We are delighted with our partnership with Raffles Hotels & Resorts. The name Raffles represents a promise to provide the best. Its uncompromising standards in products and service are well renowned and legendary. We believe that the Raffles difference will set a new benchmark in the Maldives.”

This new venture, Raffles Resort Konottaa, marks Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ expansion into the top leisure destinations of the world, and reaffirms the brand’s global position as a leading and much sought after management group.

About Raffles Hotels & Resorts

Raffles is a collection of luxury hotels around the globe that distinguishes itself through the highest standards of products and services.  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 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.

The award-winning collection of legendary hotels includes Raffles Hotel and Raffles The Plaza in Singapore, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Raffles Beijing Hotel, People’s Republic of China, Raffles L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, California, Raffles Resort Canouan Island, The Grenadines, Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg, Germany and Raffles Le Montreux Palace, Montreux, Switzerland. Raffles Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will open in the third quarter of 2007.

Future additions to the Raffles portfolio include a hotel on the Cotai Strip in Macau, Raffles Da Nang in Vietnam and Raffles Phang Nga Resort and Residences in Phuket, comprising 150 rooms and 25 luxury residential villas overlooking the Andaman Sea.

About Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Inc.

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Inc. is a global hotel company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The company owns and manages 120 hotels in 25 countries under four brands, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts and Delta Hotels as well as vacation ownership properties managed by Fairmont Heritage Place.