Accor set to unveil stunning new properties in Mideast

The Group will also broaden its Rixos portfolio in Qatar and in the region overall with the upcoming Rixos Doha Qetaifan, Rixos Obhur Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Rixos Jewel of the Creek in Dubai, UAE.

The Middle East is another exciting stronghold for Accor, particularly with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Accor has been selected as the official provider of accommodation for visitors of the event, providing team members to manage and operate more than 60,000 rooms in apartments and villas across the Gulf Arab state.

The exciting destinations – such as London, Doha, and Moscow –will welcome multiple new Accor hotels this year, while several Accor brands have sought out exotic, unexpected or new horizons to explore, such as Pangkalan Bun in Indonesia; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Casco Viejo in Panama City.

"Accor is a strong believer in the power of diversity - in our workforce, our client base and our brands," said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor. "We continuously introduce fresh concepts and exciting new places to discover. With more than 300 new hotels and resorts opening their doors in 2022, we are certain that each member of our vast community of loyal guests around the world will find somewhere unique to inspire their next journey."

One of the most anticipated openings of the year is Raffles London at The OWO. This architectural masterpiece, located at the historic Old War Office – the iconic Whitehall building inhabited by Britain's most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming – is in the final touches of a monumental transformation to create 120 rooms and suites, 85 unique branded residences and 11 destination restaurants and bars.

Meanwhile, in northwest England, Novotel Liverpool Paddington Village will open as a beacon of hospitality in Liverpool. With more than 220 rooms among 16 stories, the new flagship hotel will stand out as the tallest and one of the most attractive gathering spots for tourists and locals in this vibrant city of music, culture and outstanding pubs.

The strength of Accor's network across Europe continues to be bolstered with recent and upcoming openings, such as Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, Mercure Amsterdam North, ibis Styles St. Margrethen Switzerland, Mercure Hotel President in Lecce, Italy and MGallery Cagliari Palazzo Tirso, Italy, just to name a few.

Paris continues to be a market near and dear to Accor's heart, not only as the company's headquarters and for its sponsorship of the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, but also through its support of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2022, Accor will welcome new additions to the city including MGallery Issy-les-Moulineaux Domaine de la Reine Margot and greet Paris Vincennes.

Across the pond, North America eagerly awaits the continent's first Raffles later this year. Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences, located in the city's prestigious Back Bay neighbourhood, is a 35-story building featuring 146 residences, 147 guestrooms, and six food and beverage venues, including a sky bar and speakeasy. The striking three-story sky lobby is set to be the first of its kind in Boston.

Another noteworthy market for Accor in 2022 is Russia. Domestic tourism continues to grow, particularly among Russian travellers who are accustomed to international services and high standards of vacation experiences. Accor is adding to its portfolio across the country with a diverse range of destinations, including Novotel Moscow ComCity, ibis Styles Kogalym Russia and M?venpick Resort and Spa Anapa Miracleon.

Further, Accor is excited to open its first property in Denmark – ibis Styles Orestad Denmark, on the edge of Copenhagen; the hotel marks the first step for Accor in this beautiful Scandinavian country.

Finally, with lifestyle representing one of the fastest growing segments of the global hospitality industry, Accor, through its joint venture with Ennismore, will continue to grow leading lifestyle brands including Mondrian, SLS, The Hoxton, Morgans Originals and Mama Shelter.

Standout openings across this category include the first Mondrian in China, Hong Kong Kowloon, a 324-room property with uninterrupted harbour views; the inaugural Maison Delano Paris in the ultra-chic 8th Arrondissement just steps away from the fabled Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré; TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square which will bring bold design to Cambodia's hotel scene, and Mama Shelter Dubai a larger-than-life Mama that embodies the idea of a resort in the heart of the city with apartments, pools and an outdoor cinema.

"Accor's development pipeline is very robust and we are delighted to bring so many projects to life in 2022," said Agnès Roquefort, Global Chief Development Officer, Accor. "Our hoteliers all over the world are eager to welcome guests to their favourite destinations, as well as introduce them to new places, in a much bigger way than we've done over the past couple of years."

New properties in India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey

• Banyan Tree AlUla, Saudi Arabia (mid 2022) Located in a desert oasis within the Ashar Valley, this beautiful, tented camp provides an eco-luxurious experience and restorative sanctuary, while coexisting among the peaceful Bedouin community.

• Raffles Doha (late 2022) Residing among the iconic towers of Lusail, the lavish six-star Raffles Doha will provide the legendary Raffles Butler Service to guests of its 132 suites, including the opulent Royal Suite inhabiting the 33rd & 34th floors, with its own gym, spa, Majlis, games room and hair salon.

• Fairmont Doha (late 2022) Connected to Raffles Doha by a magnificent ballroom and event space, the luxurious five-star hotel will include Fairmont Gold, a privileged hotel-within-a-hotel experience, while reflecting the rich Qatari culture and the city's contemporary transformation.

• Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé (mid 2022) A luxury hotel and riverside residences overlook the Rabat and Salé historical areas, offering sweeping vistas of river, ocean and harbour front and an abundance of excellent shopping and outdoor spaces. Guests and residential homeowners return to the Fairmont Spa for restoring balance and tranquillity.

• Fairmont Tangier Tazi Palace (late 2022) The mystery and intrigue of the Tazi Palace on the outskirts of Tangier adds to the glamour of this new five-star luxury resort. Originally built by a King's advisor in the 1940s, the sprawling resort will feature 134 guestrooms, two VIP villas and a Royal villa.

• Sofitel Agadir Royal Bay Resort (mid 2022) An enchanting blend of French luxury, Kasbah architecture, and beachfront style awaits, just 10-minutes from Agadir. Featuring fine French, Asian and Moroccan cuisine, guests will enjoy live music in the resort's cocktail bar and international DJs in the So Fun nightclub.

• Rixos Jewel of The Creek Dubai (mid 2022) Designed to be the "Jewel" of the Jewel of the Creek development, the new Rixos luxury resort features an abundance of outdoor fun, with lavish pools, landscaping and fountains, and a waterfront promenade lined with boutiques, restaurants, bars, and an 80-berth marina.

• Rixos Doha Qetaifan Island (late 2022) The first Rixos to open in Qatar, just in time for World Cup 2022, this luxury hotel is set to become a landmark of local culture and entertainment. Guests will adore the expansive Souq, Beach Club, Theme Park and Waterpark, with panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. – TradeArabia News Service