France’s Accor to open Raffles hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah

French hospitality group AccorHotels has signed an agreement with Dubai developer Nakheel to open a Raffles hotel on the Palm Jumeirah.

The hotel will be located at the 260m PALM 360 development, set to be the tallest structure on Dubai’s palm-shaped island, and is scheduled to open in 2021.

The hospitality segment of the twin-tower project will comprise 125 hotel rooms and suites and 359 branded residences, including 16 penthouses with infinity pools, gyms and cinemas.

Buyers of the residences will be able to utilise concierge, private transport and in-residence dining services.

Other features of the property will include two rooftop restaurants, a pool and beachside restaurant, a speciality restaurant and a lobby lounge. There will also be fitness and spa facilities, private beach access and a beach club.

“We are committed to playing a key role in realising the Government of Dubai’s vision by continuing to deliver unique, landmark projects that reinforce Dubai’s position as a world-class destination for living, business, leisure and tourism,” said Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah.

The announcement comes 10 years after the opening of the first Raffles hotel in Dubai and comes a year after Accor closed its $2.9bn acquisition of Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brand owner FRHI Hotels & resorts.

Read: Accor targets luxury growth in ME following FRHI takeover

The company plans to nearly double its Middle East footprint with an additional 25,000 rooms in the pipeline on top of its current portfolio of 30,000 across 100 hotels.

Read: Accor opens first Ibis Styles hotel in Bahrain

The original Raffles hotel in Singapore will reopen this summer after an extensive refurbishment to celebrate its 130th anniversary.