Staycation review: Raffles Jeddah
The long-awaited luxury hotel brings sea-view suites, elegant dining concepts, and the legendary Raffles butler service to Jeddah’s waterfront
As a Singaporean, the Raffles name has always felt incredibly iconic. It’s one of those hotel brands woven into the fabric of the city, synonymous with timeless glamour, impeccable service, and a certain old-world elegance that generations have grown up with.
Now that I’ve been living in Saudi Arabia for the past eight years, seeing Raffles open in Jeddah feels genuinely exciting.
For me, this wasn’t just another luxury hotel opening. It felt surprisingly personal. Staying here was a reminder of home, while also showing how beautifully the brand has adapted to its new address on the shores of the Red Sea.
The stay
The first thing you’ll notice at Raffles Jeddah isn’t the soaring lobby or the marble floors. It’s how calm everything feels.
There’s no sense of rushing from check-in to your room. Staff greet you by name, conversations flow naturally, and within minutes you feel less like you’ve arrived at a hotel and more like you’re being welcomed into someone’s exceptionally elegant home.
Luxury often gets confused with extravagance, but Raffles has always been about service. That philosophy is evident from the moment you walk through the doors.
One of the hotel’s signatures is its 24-hour butler service, available to every guest. Whether it’s unpacking your suitcase after a flight, arranging your wardrobe, pressing clothes or even buffing your leather shoes before an evening out, it’s this thoughtful attention that makes you realise how much of the little things can be taken off your plate.
The setting
Set along Jeddah’s historic Corniche, Raffles enjoys one of the city’s best addresses, but it’s the smaller touches that caught my eye first. Behind the reception desk is a map of Jeddah, a subtle reminder that while this is an international luxury brand, it hasn’t forgotten where it is.
And what I enjoy the most is that the Red Sea is never far from view, whether you’re relaxing on your balcony, by the pool, or taking an evening stroll along the waterfront.
It’s peaceful without feeling isolated, close enough to many of Jeddah’s attractions while still offering a genuine escape from the city’s pace.
The room
If I had to describe my Signature Seaview King Room in one word, it would be lush.
Between the sea-view balcony, the daybed, the deep soaking bathtub, and the calming interiors, it was one of those rooms that made you want to order room service. The sliding mashrabiya screen on the balcony was a particularly nice touch, providing shade during the hottest part of the day while still letting me enjoy the view.
The food & drink
Naturally, I couldn’t leave without sampling the food, and I ended up spending almost as much time dining as I did enjoying the room.
Breakfast at Surl’O, the hotel’s all-day brasserie (we recommend sitting by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Corniche), is entirely à la carte rather than a buffet, and I much preferred it that way. Alongside a basket of fresh pastries and seasonal fruit, every dish is cooked to order, making for a far more leisurely start to the day.
Lunch was equally impressive and became one of my favourite meals during my stay. Surl’O’s menu draws on both Eastern and Western influences, with dishes designed for sharing.
Afternoon tea at Atorie Lounge & Patisserie was another highlight. As a matcha fan, I was immediately won over by the matcha scone, while the finger sandwiches were refreshingly fresh and generously filled – none of the dry, forgotten-about rectangles that sometimes let afternoon tea down elsewhere. The delicate pastries, which combine French pâtisserie with Japanese precision, were every bit as beautiful as they were delicious.
I also had a sneak peek at the upcoming third dining concept, which will celebrate the flavours of the French and Italian Riviera. Think fresh seafood, seasonal produce and elegant Mediterranean cooking, with dishes such as seabass ceviche, grilled seabass with saffron guazzetto and chicken tortelli alla Genovese. If the preview was anything to go by, it’ll be worth returning for.
The activities
You could quite happily spend an entire day without leaving the hotel. The outdoor mixed pool is a standout, framed by uninterrupted sea views, making it one of the most relaxing places to spend an afternoon.
Inside, the spa quickly became my favourite part of the stay. Before my treatment, I spent time in the women-only wellness area, complete with an indoor pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and an immersive shower experience.
Quiet, beautifully designed and blissfully calm, it was the perfect way to ease into relaxation.
I have massages quite often, so I’m not easily impressed, but this one was on another level. There was something about the massage bed that cocooned me the moment I lay down. I genuinely felt like I was sinking into it, drifting into another world before the treatment had even begun.
My massage was completely personalised, and I opted for the Botanical Moringa blend, a soothing combination of herbal botanical oil, sweet orange and lavender, before the treatment flowed into hot stone therapy. The calming scent lingered throughout the massage, making it feel even more restorative.
Just when I thought the experience couldn’t get any better, I was led to the relaxation lounge overlooking the Corniche and the Red Sea. Wrapped in a robe, with a warm cup of tea in hand, I sat for a while, simply taking in the view. It was the perfect ending to what was genuinely one of the best spa experiences I’ve had in Saudi Arabia.
The experience
What stayed with me long after checkout wasn’t a particular suite feature or a meal. It was the consistency.
Every interaction felt warm without being intrusive. Every member of staff seemed genuinely invested in making the stay memorable. Luxury hotels often promise personalised service. Raffles quietly delivers on it.
And perhaps that’s what makes the brand so enduring. It never feels like it’s trying to impress you. It simply knows exactly what good hospitality is.
What to pack
- Lightweight resort wear for poolside afternoons.
- Smart evening outfits for dinner and afternoon tea.
- Comfortable trainers for sunset walks along the Corniche.
- Swimwear (you’ll definitely use the pool).
- A good camera or your phone with plenty of storage because the sea views deserve it.
What’s On the bill
From SAR2,900 per night for two with breakfast.
What’s On verdict
Walking into Raffles Jeddah felt like meeting an old friend in a new city. Having grown up with Raffles as part of Singapore’s identity, I wondered whether the magic would translate halfway across the world.
In many ways, it does. The setting may be different, but the warmth, elegance and unmistakable Raffles hospitality remain exactly as I remembered.
After spending a couple of days checking in and making full use of everything the hotel has to offer, I’d say Raffles Jeddah is off to a promising start. It’s not quite the polished icon the brand is known for just yet, but the foundations are certainly there.
With its spectacular Corniche setting, thoughtful service and one of the best spa experiences I’ve had in Saudi Arabia, I’d happily check back in to see how it continues to evolve.
Location: Al Kurnaish Road, Ash Shati District 2535, Jeddah 23415, Saudi Arabia
Check-in/Check-out: 3pm / 12pm
Contact: @rafflesjeddah
Images: Supplied
