Raffles Hotels and Resorts has announced a raft of new openings for 2021 and beyond.
Accor’s luxury hotel brand is on track to more than double its portfolio, with openings this year in Dubai, Bahrain, Udaipur and Macau, followed by Doha and Jeddah next year.
Raffles will also debut in North America and the UK next year, with hotels in London and Boston, and in Russia in 2023 with a property in Moscow. For further details on the properties, see below.
“Raffles approaches every endeavour with the utmost thought, care and discernment; our global expansion is no exception. With our pioneering spirit, we have sought out locations where we can really bring Raffles’ gracious welcome and tradition of excellence to life.
“Each new Raffles property is a destination in itself, and we are creating places where people want to be, in tune with our well-travelled guests’ contemporary lifestyles.”
Openings in 2021
Raffles The Palm, Dubai (Q4 of 2021)
This will be the brand’s second hotel in Dubai, located on the man-made island and archipelago Palm Jumeirah. The hotel will be located across 100,000 sqm of the West Crescent and will feature 389 rooms, suites and villas, each with a balcony and sea-view terrace, and eight dining concepts.
Raffles Al Areen Palace, Bahrain
The hotel is located near the island’s protected wildlife park and reserve. It features 78 pool villas and a spa. A collection of one- and two-bedroom villas will feature living and dining areas, an office, and expansive master bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Raffles Udaipur, India (open)
The new-build hotel opened this month on a 21-acre private island in Udai Sagar Lake, and features 101 rooms with private pools. See our article:
Raffles at Galaxy Macau (“the second half of 2021”)
The hotel will form part of the Galaxy Macau resort, located in a landmark with a glass airbridge that connects the two towers on every floor. The 450 suites draw inspiration from a modern palazzo, with curated artworks, and some feature private pools and gardens. The resort also offers leisure activities, on-site entertainment and a restaurant by a multi-Michelin-starred Japanese chef.
2022 openings and beyond
Raffles London at The OWO, UK (2022)
The capital’s first Raffles property will be located within the Grade II listed Old War Office building which once served as Winston Churchill’s base during the Second World War, and was the birthplace of Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Raffles says it has preserved many of the building’s architectural details, while also updating design elements. The hotel will feature 125 rooms and suites, 85 residences, nine restaurants and bars, and a spa.
Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel and Residences, US (2022)
This will be the brand’s first mixed-use North American venture, featuring both a hotel and private residences. The 35-storey building in the city’s Back Bay neighbourhood will comprise 146 residences, 147 rooms, and six restaurant and bar venues which include a sky bar and speakeasy. The hotel will also feature a three-story sky lobby, complete with a grand staircase spanning the 17th, 18th and 19th floors.
Raffles Doha, Qatar (2022)
Located in the Iconic Towers in Lusail, the hotel will comprise 132 suites and 49 apartments, along with entertainment and recreational facilities such as cinemas, restaurants, a cigar lounge and meeting spaces.
Accor to open dual-branded Fairmont and Raffles development in Qatar
Raffles Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2022)
The hotel will have 181 rooms and 188 residences inspired by the history of Saudi Arabia and Jeddah’s old town architecture. There will also be six restaurants and lounges, a library, a 1,200 sqm spa with eight treatment rooms and a fitness club. Meeting facilities will include a 1,500 sqm ballroom overlooking the corniche, and 1,000 sqm of conference rooms.
Raffles Moscow, Russia (2023)
Russia’s first Raffles property will be located next to the Kremlin and will offer 153 rooms across nine floors with views overlooking the Kremlin and Red Square. A select few will also offer access to the hotel’s courtyard terrace.
