The Red Sea expanded its luxury offerings on October 14 with the debut of the latest landmark resort, Raffles The Red Sea. This new opening further adds to the prestigious list of global hotel brands choosing to invest in Saudi Arabia’s growing, high-end tourism landscape.
Designed as one of Shura Island's most recognisable destinations, Raffles The Red Sea is an indulgent sanctuary, aimed at the world’s most discerning travellers. The resort represents a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s evolving luxury travel landscape, harmonising legendary heritage service with the untouched natural beauty of the Red Sea project.
From the moment of arrival, guests are immersed in an atmosphere of quiet grandeur, underpinned by design.
The resort's unique, structural design is engineered by the renowned British studio Foster + Partners, forming an integral part of their overarching 'Coral Bloom' master plan for Shura Island. The master plan is purposefully structured to harmonise with and enhance the island's natural coastal environment, utilising lightweight, low-impact configurations that prevent disruption to local dunes and mangroves.
The architectural narrative draws deep inspiration from the surrounding undulating desert dunes and rich coastal ecology. Expansive glass walls, open-air pavilions, and purposeful shaded locations and pergolas ensure that panoramic views of the turquoise waters and dramatic arid terrain remain a constant backdrop to the guest experience. Outside, generous living terraces, private infinity plunge pools, and direct beach access allow for seamless indoor-outdoor living.
The interior architecture and spatial design were led by the Milan-based practice ACPV ARCHITECTS. Their approach centres on quiet luxury, translating the surrounding coastal topography into refined interior environments, embracing locally sourced materials and implementing traditional design motifs that have been expertly reinterpreted through a sleek, modern lens. Expansive glass walls, open-air pavilions, and shade-providing pergolas ensure that panoramic views of the turquoise waters and dramatic arid terrain remain a constant backdrop to the guest experience.
With 121 rooms, 14 luxury suites and 33 private pool villa residences, the newly opened resort offers an intimate collection of accommodations for couples, families, and multigenerational groups room to experience the island at their own pace. The resort’s rooms and suites have been expertly designed and crafted with an uncompromising dedication to space, privacy, and understated elegance. Featuring a collection of expansive private villas and suites, each residence acts as a standalone sanctuary: the interiors have been designed as a calming retreat from normal life, embracing the colours and textures of the landscape that surrounds. With blues, creams and beige shades seamlessly coming together, the interior design of each suite showcases a curate blend of bespoke furnishings and delicate textiles, and calm neutral palettes that echo the shoreline and the sand.
Like Shura Island's other luxury destinations, at Raffles The Red Sea, culinary excellence lies at the heart of the resort's offering. A curated ensemble of dining destinations spans sophisticated beachfront lounges, signature fine-dining venues, and intimate chef’s tables. The resort's dining menus showcase a sophisticated blend of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood, vibrant regional flavours, and elevated international gastronomy, creating a vibrant culinary journey across the property.
For wellness enthusiasts, the Raffles Spa offers a sanctuary dedicated to holistic rejuvenation. The facility combines advanced therapeutic practices with local Saudi ingredients and water-inspired wellness rituals, supported by state-of-the-art fitness suites, outdoor yoga decks, and hydrotherapy pools. Guests seeking adventure can access bespoke marine excursions, including guided diving and snorkelling across untouched coral reefs, eco-tours, and private yacht charters.
By seamlessly combining environmental stewardship with unparalleled comfort, Raffles The Red Sea sets a bold new benchmark for ultra-luxury hospitality in the region. The destination offers an extraordinary blend of privacy, cultural depth, and timeless luxury along one of the world's most pristine frontiers.
Raffles The Red Sea opened on October 14, 2026
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