AccorHotels to Open First Raffles Hotel in North America

AccorHotels, one of the world's biggest hotel operators, has launched a new project to open the first Raffles property in North America.

The hospitality giant announced the project Wednesday, in partnership with hoteliers Gary and Jeffrey Saunders, of Saunders Hotel Group; and developer Jordan Warshaw, of The Noannet Group of Boston.

Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences is slated to open its doors in 2021. Located in the heart of the Back Bay neighborhood, the mixed-use development will include 147 guestrooms and 146 branded residences in a new 33-story building. It will house a collection of pied-a-terre suites, one- to three-bedroom homes and penthouses.

The luxury property will include a mix of signature hotel services such as the Raffles Butler; and public spaces including five food and beverage venues; a Raffles Spa with a 20-meter indoor pool; and expansive meeting and event space. A two-story sky lobby and a rooftop garden terrace and lounge will sit high above Copley Square overlooking the architectural works and landmarks.

Raffles Boston Back Bay will join the brand's portfolio of 12 properties, including its flagship in Singapore. Each is designed to reflect the city in which it is located, whether in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, or Europe, and now the U.S.

The luxury brand, which was acquired by Paris-based AccorHotels in 2015, is also expanding with five hotels in Istanbul, the Maldives, Indonesia, the Philippines and China, all scheduled to open over the next two years.