Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced the debut of Raffles The Red Sea, a resort on Shura Island on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. It sits between a lagoon and the open sea on the northwestern shore of the island, and forms part of the Foster + Partners Coral Bloom masterplan.
The Rooms
The resort has 121 rooms, 14 suites and 33 private pool villa residences, aimed at couples, families and multigenerational groups. Guestrooms open onto private terraces with lagoon or sea views, and suites add indoor-outdoor living. Raffles’ Butler Service is offered across every room, suite and villa.
The Dining
Five restaurants and lounges draw on Asian cuisine, Eastern Mediterranean sharing traditions and the heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. Ni’ma serves Eastern Mediterranean dishes for sharing throughout the day, while Siparaja offers a contemporary take on Raffles’ Singaporean roots.
El Nay is a seaside lounge for Pan-Arabic mezze, Saudi tea, artisanal coffee and shisha. Anbara gives the Raffles afternoon tea ritual an Arabian inflection with pastries and regional flavours, and the Pool Bar is aimed at families. The dining venues open in phases, with the specialty restaurants and bar following at a later stage.
For Dubai readers who know the brand from home, see our guide to afternoon tea in Dubai.
Wellbeing and Culture
Raffles Spa and Wellness and the adults’ pool arrive in a future phase. Plans include seven treatment rooms, a hammam, sauna and steam facilities, a vitality pool and an outdoor lap pool. For now guests can use the gym, padel and water sports.
A dedicated Raffles Curator leads a cultural programme covering local art, literature, storytelling and craftsmanship. The children’s and teens’ centres will open later.
The Island
Shura Island offers Shura Links, billed as Saudi Arabia’s first 18-hole island golf course, plus a marina, Marina Village, WAMA water sports and Galaxea diving. The island runs on renewable energy and is reached from Red Sea International Airport by electric vehicle across the 3.3-kilometre Shura crossing.
Charles Saliba, Managing Director of Raffles The Red Sea and Fairmont The Red Sea, said the aim is to let guests find their own rhythm on the island. Raffles is part of Accor.
Raffles The Red Sea: Details
- Where: Shura Island, The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
- Rooms: 121 rooms, 14 suites and 33 private pool villa residences
- Dining: Ni’ma, Siparaja, El Nay, Anbara and the Pool Bar, opening in phases
- Spa and adults’ pool: to follow in a later phase
- Bookings and information: raffles.com/the-red-sea
Image: courtesy of Raffles Hotels & Resorts.