Tourexpi
The forthcoming luxury hospitality community will include a 230-key Raffles hotel, a 250-key Sofitel Serviced Residence, and a 60-villa MGallery resort, all set to open by 2027. The multi-faceted community will also include office towers, residential towers, and retail space, all built around a centrally located garden area.
Erth Real Estate Company, the premium real estate developer across Saudi Arabia, is the owner and developer of the 4.2 billion Saudi Riyal mixed-use project at Al Yasmin District and has signed with Accor for hotel management within the two towers of this development. Accor will provide hotel management services and support from several brands within its world-leading brand portfolio.
Raffles Riyadh and Sofitel Extended Stay at Al Yasmin District, both located at King Fahad Road intersecting with King Salman Road and Al Olaya Street, will reside within sparkling glass, 34-storey and 42-storey towers – creating an iconic presence in the city's skyline. The towers, which will enjoy convenient 18-minute access to King Khalid International Airport by car, will have a clear view of KAFD, New Murabba, Avenues Mall, SAB Tower and Tamkeen Tower. Ample green space, including lush gardens, will also surround both buildings. MGallery Resort Riyadh, only 20 minutes away from Riyadh city center, will be developed in the Al Waseel district, where some luxury private resorts are located, and will be situated in a wadi surrounded by date farms. With 60 low-rise villas, it will be an ideal attraction for families and guests looking for a break from the busy city center and immersion into a vibrant neighborhood of Riyadh.
Speaking at the signing event, Saud Abdullah Al Rajhi, the Group Managing Director of Erth Real Estate stated: "The company's vision of becoming a preferred real estate brand in Saudi Arabia is fully aligned with leading first-class projects that meet market expectations and unleash the economic potential of the Kingdom. Therefore, Erth is pleased to expand its relationship with Accor by adding new assets to our hospitality portfolio."
"As part of Accor's ultra-luxury division, Raffles is honored to soon open a second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh," said Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express. "As a brand that is highly selective of the destinations where we choose to develop, we are confident that vibrance and growth surrounding the city of Riyadh is the perfect location to offer our guests the true Raffles experience – one that is celebrated, authentic, and renowned for its legendary service. We look forward to welcoming new guests and those returning as family to Raffles Riyadh."
"On behalf of both the Sofitel and MGallery brands, we are delighted to contribute to a diverse community of luxury hospitality choices for business and leisure visitors, particularly those who wish to settle in and stay a little longer to enjoy the dynamic energy of the cosmopolitan city of Riyadh," said Maud Bailly, CEO Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems. "As an ambassador of French culture around the world, Sofitel will bring the art-de-vivre that has been so successful at our two other Sofitel destinations in the Kingdom. Guests will also have the chance to discover the culture and a vibrant neighbourhood at the new MGallery, with the property providing sumptuous resort style villas and the luxury of feeling of a home away from home."
Erth's new luxury hotels in Riyadh are being imagined by some of the world's top designers. The lead architect is Foster + Partners, a global studio for sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering, and design, founded by Norman Foster in 1967. With offices across the world, the practice works as a single entity that is both ethnically and culturally diverse. Additional consultants will provide expertise on spa, art, technology, and food & beverage.
Erth's relationship with Accor started a few years ago with a prestigious development in the region - Raffles Hotel and Residences Jeddah - which consists of two towers. In one tower, a world-class luxury hotel; in the other, a stunning set of exclusive private residences, unlike anything Jeddah has known before, set against a rich backdrop of Hejazi culture and tradition.
Since the announcement of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Erth and Accor have both played a key role in the development of tourism through several existing and upcoming projects in key locations across the Kingdom. Accor has been present in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years and has contributed to the development of the Holy destination of Makkah, counting over 9,000 rooms with direct access to the Haram.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Accor currently operates 42 properties (16,000+ rooms) and has a robust development pipeline of 34 properties which will add approximately 7,000 rooms to the Group's portfolio by 2027. Properties expected to arrive in the Kingdom in 2023 include the much-anticipated Raffles Jeddah, Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences Riyadh, Sofitel Riyadh, Movenpick Waad Al Shamal-Turaif and Novotel Makkah Thakher City Residences. Among its Saudi Arabia portfolio, Accor is leading the way with positive hospitality experiences and environmentally sound development and operational practices. The new master-planned community in Riyadh will be developed with ethical, social, and environmental engagement that will contribute to a healthier environment while delivering value to its stakeholders, including the guests of the three new luxury hotels.
Image Credit: © Accor
The most interesting news
Princess Cruises launches Blue Friday sale with discounts of up to 50 percent
The cruise line is offering reduced fares, additional savings and selected free third- and fourth-guest fares for bookings made by December 7
Southeast Asian travelers discover new destinations in Japan, China and South Korea
Traveloka booking data reveals growing interest in Fukuoka, Jeju and lesser-known Chinese cities as travelers explore alternatives to established East Asian tourism hubs
Thailand expands Balkan tourism links with new Sofia–Phuket flights
A new direct service from Bulgaria and a Romanian travel trade initiative aim to increase visitor arrivals and promote multi-destination holidays along Thailand’s Andaman coast
Marella Cruises strengthens UK travel trade support with two appointments
TUI’s cruise brand introduces its first dedicated Key Account Manager and appoints a new Trade Training Manager to expand sales support and product training for travel agents
Spain seeks leading role in EU Sustainable Tourism Strategy
Madrid backs European plans for better destination management and digitalisation while calling for stronger measures on housing, employment and tourism funding
Lufthansa receives 700th Airbus as new A350-1000 flagship prepares for Tokyo debut
The aircraft marks 50 years of cooperation with Airbus and introduces Lufthansa’s latest Allegris cabins and Starlink-powered Wi-Fi on long-haul flights
Hyatt opens The Mindaro hotel near Portland International Airport
The 90-room lifestyle property forms part of a hospitality complex combining airport accommodation, restaurants and conference facilities
Marella Discovery 2 introduces four new venues as ship goes adults-only
TUI’s UK cruise line is adding private karaoke, an immersive speakeasy, a 1920s escape room and a creative retreat ahead of the 2027 season
Emirates opens Dubai hospitality training centre to UAE businesses
The airline is making its $8 million training facility available to external organisations, offering courses in customer service, fine dining, gastronomy and leadership
Delta expands summer 2027 flights to US and Caribbean leisure destinations
New seasonal weekend routes and additional frequencies will improve access to national parks, coastal resorts and holiday destinations across North America
Waldorf Astoria plans to nearly triple branded residences portfolio by 2030
Hilton targets 34 residential properties worldwide, with new developments in Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia reflecting growing demand for luxury homes with hotel services
WTTC welcomes EU tourism strategy but calls for faster action on travel barriers
The global tourism body supports the European Commission’s new framework for sustainable growth while urging progress on border procedures, investment, digitalisation and workforce development
Marriott enters Laos with Luxury Collection resort in Luang Prabang
The opening of La Résidence Phou Vao marks Marriott International’s 800th property in Asia Pacific excluding China, bringing a 36-suite hillside retreat into its luxury portfolio
Dusit opens two hotels in Yangon, combining colonial heritage with modern hospitality
Thailand’s Dusit International takes over the historic Strand Hotel and introduces its ASAI lifestyle brand in Myanmar’s largest city
Norwegian Cruise Line launches Black Friday sale with 50% discount
The promotion covers the entire fleet, including upcoming ships Norwegian Aura and Norwegian Bella, with additional benefits available on selected sailings
Turkish Airlines launches Chengdu flights, expanding its China network
Three weekly Boeing 787-9 services connect Istanbul with western China's major business and tourism hub, opening new travel opportunities between Türkiye and Sichuan province
Trinity Airways offers discounted flights between Taiwan and South Korea
The airline formerly known as T'way Air launches promotional fares across seven routes as it develops its new Selective Service Carrier strategy
Spain’s tourism workforce exceeds 3.25 million as employment rises 5.4%
Tourism added more than 166,000 jobs in the third quarter of 2026, while permanent contracts and international employment continued to grow
IHG resorts in Indonesia launch hospitality leadership programme for local graduates
Hotel Indigo and Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach introduce a fully funded two-year training initiative combining practical experience with international certification
Agoda survey finds growing demand for all-in-one travel booking across Asia
The 2027 Asia Travel Pulse shows that 61% of surveyed travellers are open to booking entire trips on one platform, while payment preferences and language support differ significantly between markets
Agoda highlights five lesser-known winter destinations across Asia
From Japan’s snow-covered forests to frozen lakes in China and mountain landscapes in Kashmir, alternative winter escapes offer experiences beyond established ski resorts



