Guests were treated to an exquisite banquet created by Executive Chef John Rees and served on interactive �live� tables. These comprised models wearing outfits that incorporate the serving tables and were a collaborated effort of both the hotel and Mode Gakuen, one of the leading fashion schools in Japan.  The five-star Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, Raffles International�s first foothold in Japan, is part of the Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts portfolio of 24 hotels worldwide. They include award-winning hotels such as Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore; Swissôtel Métropole, Geneva; Swissôtel Chicago; and Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul. Swissôtel hotels are noted for

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka 1-60, Namba 5-chome Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka is in the heart of Namba, the most vibrant part of Osaka. It is located amidst a shopping, entertainment, cultural and business district. The tastefully appointed guestrooms and luxurious suites come with the view of Mido-suji, or Osaka Bay. The 36-floor super skyscraper has nine food and beverage establishments offering a wide variety cuisine such as Italian, Chinese and Japanese. They include Long Bar Grill, Empress Room and Tavola 36. 

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka is the only hotel with direct access to Kansai International Airport via the rapid train. It also sits above the Namba Station which has immediate access to the main subway system, providing commuters with connections to various parts of Osaka. 

After an extensive 8-month refurbishment programme, the upgraded hotel lobby now features a contemporary entrance with an elegantly modern design; 53 rooms and suites on 32nd to 34th floors were redesigned to Swiss Executive Club rooms, each equipped with a large working desk, ergonomic chair and work lamp, and broadband Internet access. These are just some of the smart room features that give business travellers that distinctive Swiss Business Advantage during their stay. The hotel also saw five vibrant new restaurants and bars and an Amrita Fitness & Spa was introduced. 

Mr Francois Cnockaert, General Manager of Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, said,  �The renovations are only part of our continued commitment to exceptional guest service and comfort.  I would like to stress that we not only put tremendous effort in improving the hardware, but also our software, our staff.  We are sure that our guests will be impressed with our impeccable service staff as well as our new look.� Mr. Cnockaert has more than 18 years of 5-star hotel experience in three different continents, including three years as hotel manager at an international luxury hotel chain in Osaka from 1996.

To thank the local community for its support since the hotel�s soft opening in September 2003, over 100 Swissôtel staff organised a clean-up of Mido-suji, the largest street in the Minami area of Osaka, two days before the Grand Opening. 

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts (www.swissotel.com) 
Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for today�s discerning modern business and leisure traveller. It combines individual, modern and functional design with local character and renowned standards of Swiss hospitality, service efficiency and product quality. Located in gateway destinations and city centres, the hotels offer convenient access to business and shopping districts and local attractions. Many of the hotels have also won awards and accolades including Swissôtel Merchant Court Singapore, Swissôtel The Bosphorus Istanbul, Swissôtel The Drake New York and Swissôtel Berlin Am Kurfurstendamm. Swissôtel Hotel & Resorts has a portfolio of 24 hotels worldwide. 

About Raffles Holdings Limited & Raffles International Limited 
(www.rafflesholdings.com and www.rafflesinternational.com)
Raffles Holdings Limited is a hospitality company listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. It is headquartered in Singapore and has an approximate 12,000-room portfolio comprising 36 hotels and resorts in 31 destinations across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Raffles Holdings Limited is a member of CapitaLand, one he largest listed property companies in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, the multinational company's core businesses in property, hospitality, property services and real estate financial services are focused in gateway cities in Asia, Australia and Europe. 

Raffles International Limited is the hotel management arm of Raffles Holdings Limited. Formed in 1989, Raffles International Limited is a name well respected in the industry for its standards of quality, award-winning concepts and innovative approach towards hotel management. Raffles International markets its hotels and resorts under two brands -- Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. 

Raffles Hotels & Resorts (www.raffles.com) is a collection of 12 luxury hotels located in major cities around the globe and distinguishes itself by the highest standards of products and services. Each hotel is a landmark in its respective city and most are positioned at the top of their local markets. The collection of award-winning hotels includes Raffles Hotel and Raffles The Plaza in Singapore, Raffles L�Ermitage Beverly Hills in the US, Raffles Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg and Le Montreux Palace, Montreux. 

About CapitaLand Limited (www.capitaland.com)
CapitaLand is one of the largest listed property companies in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, the multinational company's core businesses in property, hospitality, property services and real estate financial services are focused in gateway cities in Asia, Australia and Europe. The company's hospitality businesses, in hotels and serviced residences, span more than 60 cities around the world. CapitaLand also leverages on its significant real estate asset base and market knowledge to develop fee-based products and services in Singapore and the region. The listed subsidiaries and associates of CapitaLand Limited include Raffles Holdings, The Ascott Group, Australand Property Group (which is listed both in Singapore and Australia) and CapitaMall Trust.