Raffles The Red Sea opened on 14 October 2026 on Shura Island, Saudi Arabia. Its 168 rooms, suites and villas sit between a lagoon and the open sea, with Raffles butler service in every category. You do not need to book a suite to have that support, while the villas add a private pool. For couples or families considering a Red Sea holiday, it is a new coastal address worth comparing.
Shura Island, between the lagoon and the sea
The resort occupies the northwestern shore of Shura Island, part of the Red Sea destination being developed along Saudi Arabia's west coast. Foster + Partners' Coral Bloom masterplan shapes the low-rise setting, with rounded buildings, planted spaces and paths leading towards the water.
The appeal is a stay centred on the coast: breakfast, time outside and room to slow down without a packed sightseeing schedule. We would consider it for a beach holiday on its own, or as the quieter part of a wider Saudi Arabia trip.
Butler service in every room
The accommodation comprises 121 guestrooms, 14 suites and 33 private pool villas. Raffles confirms that its Butler Service is available to guests in every room, suite and villa, including the entry room categories.
That makes the room decision more straightforward. Choose a room for its outlook and terrace, a suite for more living space, or a villa when a pool and greater privacy matter. Butler service is not the reason you have to move up a category.
Private pool villas for time together
The villas have their own pools, giving you somewhere to swim and spend time outside without heading to a shared pool. They are worth looking at for couples who want privacy, as well as families and groups who would prefer more space around their stay.
For a family, we compare bedrooms, permitted occupancy and the layout before recommending a particular villa. A pool is a lovely extra, but the right sleeping arrangement matters just as much, especially with younger children or several generations travelling together.
Dining with regional and Singaporean influences
The resort's five-venue dining plans draw on the Eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula and Raffles' Singaporean roots. Ni'ma focuses on Eastern Mediterranean sharing dishes, while Siparaja takes its direction from Singapore's food culture.
El Nay is planned around Pan-Arabic mezze, Saudi tea and coffee by the sea. Anbara gives afternoon tea a regional character, and the Pool Bar is intended as a relaxed setting for families. The venues are opening in phases, so we check which restaurants will be operating for your dates rather than treating the full list as already available.
What to know about the first season
The opening announcement says Raffles Spa & Wellness, the adults' pool and the children's and teens' centres will follow in later phases. It does not give firm opening dates for them. If a spa stay or supervised children's activities are important to your holiday, those details need checking before you book.
The announcement lists the gym, padel and water sports among the available activities. Shura Island also offers the Shura Links golf course and marine activities through WAMA and Galaxea. These are options to discuss separately, not assumed inclusions in a room rate.
Arriving on Shura Island
The resort is reached from Red Sea International Airport by electric vehicle across the Shura crossing. We organise flights and airport transfers alongside the hotel, so the arrival arrangements fit the stay rather than becoming another task to sort out afterwards.
Tell us where you are travelling from, who is joining you and whether you want time elsewhere in Saudi Arabia. We can build the accommodation, transfers and excursions into one complete trip.
How ZOMA arranges your stay
Send us your dates and we will check availability at Raffles The Red Sea, compare the room, suite and pool villa options and confirm what is open during your visit. We also review the rate, meal arrangements and cancellation terms with you before securing the booking.
Our recommendation is simple: consider a room or suite if the sea views and butler service are what draw you here; look at a pool villa if privacy and time together are the priority. We organise the rest around that choice, from flights and transfers to the experiences you want to include.
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