Raffles The Red Sea opens on Shura Island, Saudi Arabia

Raffles has opened its first resort on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, on the northwestern shore of Shura Island, between a lagoon and the open sea. It sits within Foster + Partners' Coral Bloom masterplan, which was conceived to enhance the island's natural state. The whole island runs on renewable energy and is reached by electric vehicle across a 3.3-kilometre crossing from Red Sea International Airport.

There are 121 rooms, 14 suites and 33 private pool villas, all with terraces facing the lagoon or the sea, and the brand's butler service throughout. Interiors lean on light, layered textures and coastal tones. Food draws on Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Arabian Peninsula: sharing plates at Ni'ma, a nod to Raffles' Singapore roots at Siparaja, mezze, Saudi tea and shisha at El Nay, and an Arabian-tinged afternoon tea at Anbara. A dedicated Raffles Curator runs a programme of local art, storytelling and craft.

This is a press release, and plenty is still to come: the specialty restaurants and bar, the spa with its hammam and adults' pool, and the children's and teens' centres all open later. For now there's a gym, padel and water sports, with Shura Links golf and Marina Village nearby. Worth checking what's open before you book.

Our summary of a story from Hotel Online, published 19 October 2026. Read the original