Accor Unveils Raffles Global Growth Strategy

Accor’s luxury brand Raffles Hotels and Resorts has announced plans to more than double its portfolio with new openings in 2021 and beyond. Among the upcoming debuts are hotels in Boston and London, as well as Doha and Jeddah next year, and in Russia in 2023 with a property in Moscow.

“Accor has assembled a strong and comprehensive brand portfolio over the years based upon market demand with something for all segments, from economy to luxury,” Meenaz Diamond, SVP of global sales, North and Central America, told Business Traveler. “We believe that the market is looking for something fresh and contemporary and we are hoping to double our portfolio in the lifestyle segment within the next three years.”

Openings this year include properties in Dubai, Bahrain, Udaipur and Macau, with debuts in the US and the UK to follow in 2022.

Raffles The Palm, Dubai (Q4 2021)

The brand’s second hotel in Dubai is located on the man-made island and archipelago Palm Jumeirah. The hotel will stretch across 25 acres 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, located near the island’s protected wildlife park and reserve, features 78 pool villas and a spa. A collection of one- and two-bedroom villas offer living and dining areas, an office, and expansive master bedrooms with en suite bathrooms.

Raffles Udaipur, India

This new-build property featuring 101 rooms with private pools has already opened on a 21-acre private island in Udai Sagar Lake.

Raffles at Galaxy Macau

The hotel, which is set to open before the end of 2021, will form part of the Galaxy Macau resort in Cotai. The 450-suite property will be located in two tower connected by a glass airbridge on every floor. The design of the suites draws inspiration from a modern palazzo, some featuring 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 Boston Back Bay Hotel and Residences

Opening in 2022, this is the brand’s first mixed-use North American venture, featuring both a hotel and private residences. The 35-story building in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood will house 146 residences, the 147-room hotel, 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 London at The OWO

The first Raffles in London is set in the Old War Office building, a Grade II listed property which once served as Winston Churchill’s base during WWII, 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 Doha, Qatar

This hotel is set to open in 2022 in the Iconic Towers in Lusail. The property will offer 132 suites and 49 apartments, along with entertainment and recreational facilities such as cinemas, restaurants, a cigar lounge and meeting spaces.

Raffles Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Another 2022 premiere, this 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 13,000-square-foot spa with eight treatment rooms and a fitness club. Meeting facilities will include a 16,000-square-foot ballroom overlooking the corniche, and another 10,000 square feet of conference rooms.

Raffles Moscow, Russia

Russia’s first Raffles property is set to open in 2023. Located next to the Kremlin, the hotel 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.

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