Accor plans to open the iconic Raffles brand in Bahrain after signing an agreement with GFH Financial Group, the company has announced.
As part of the agreement, Raffles Bahrain will take-over the Al Areen Palace and Spa, which features 78 pool villas and one of the region’s largest spa and hydrotherapy facility.
“We are delighted to partner with GFH Financial Group, one of the leading investment houses in the Gulf region, to debut the Raffles brand in Bahrain, a destination which has emerged as a sophisticated option for discerning travellers from the Gulf and all over the world,” said Accor CEO Mark Wilis.
Willis added that “this continued growth signals a remarkable new chapter in the success story of Raffles, a revered global luxury brand with an illustrious history and a reputation for extraordinary properties in the world’s best cities and most sought after resort locales. The Kingdom is a natural fit for the exclusive Arabia-meets-Asia palatial retreat experience that we have planned.”
According to Accor, the property will be enhanced to reflect a focus on health and well-being.
As part of the enhancement’s to the property, 56 one-bedroom pool villas and 22 two-bedroom ‘royal pool villas’ will be refurbished, the latter of which feature open-air swimming and jet pools. The property’s four F&B outlets will be converted to six.
Additionally, the resorts 10,000 sq m spa and hydrotherapy facility will be upgraded, along with a hammam and hydrothermal garden, male and female gyms, a kid’s club and a number of swimming pools.
Raffles Bahrain will also introduce a number of signature wellness experiences to Bahrain, including Raffles Sleep Rituals.
In a statement, Raffles said that it is also “discussing further opportunities” to manage GFH’s multiple upcoming hospitality projects in the region and internationally.
Raffles Bahrain will join a collection of 14 properties across 12 countries.
Accor, for its part, currently operates six properties in Bahrain.
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