Openings
Opening 2026

Raffles

Raffles The Red Sea

Raffles plants a flag inside Saudi Arabia's Red Sea destination, on the dolphin-shaped Shura Island.

Shura Island, Saudi Arabia

First look

Raffles is opening on Shura Island, the dolphin-shaped centerpiece of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea destination. The plan on paper is 121 rooms, 14 suites and 33 pool villas. Accor has it down for Q1 2026, while the destination's grand opening has been reported for October 2026, so the exact timing is still moving.

It already has a dedicated official-site page and sits on the brand's Opening Soon list, which is more substance than most announced projects carry this early. What we will be watching for is how a brand built around colonial-era grand hotels translates to a brand-new island resort, and whether the villa-heavy layout reads as a proper Raffles or just another Red Sea opening.

Not yet scored. We publish a Fat Score only once a hotel is open and real guests have stayed and written about it — this is a first look, not a verdict.

Open now

What you can book today

Raffles The Red Seais still under wraps. Here's what's already open and scored in our collection — more from Raffles, and nearby in Saudi Arabia.

Raffles Singapore — Singapore, Singapore
Fat Favorite

Raffles

Raffles Singapore

Singapore, Singapore

Raffles Singapore remains the gold standard for luxury hospitality in Southeast Asia, and the 2019 renovation has only elevated its legendary status. The colonial architecture creates an oasis of calm in the city center, while butler service reaches levels of intuitive excellence that few hotels worldwide can match. Recent guests consistently praise the spacious Palm Court suites and the genuine warmth of staff who remember your name after a single interaction. While the hotel commands premium rates and occasional service hiccups still occur, this is hospitality as high art — a place where Somerset Maugham's ghost would feel perfectly at home with a Singapore Sling in hand.

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From the desk

Get the first-look verdict

We publish our verdict the week Raffles The Red Sea opens. Get it in the monthly note, before the rest of the internet catches up.

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First look →