Accor is preparing for one of its most ambitious years yet.
With a strategic growth plan and bold vision to bring its hospitality brands to both new and established markets, the group has unveiled a sweeping line-up of hotels, resorts, and hospitality offerings set to open throughout 2026. For business travellers, this expansion signals not only more choice but also new opportunities to combine work, leisure, and cultural immersion across the globe.
Meetings, Conventions, and Corporate Travel
For executives and corporate groups, Accor’s developments in the Middle East stand out.
- Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre (Early 2026) will open in the heart of the Saudi capital, blending French luxury with Saudi heritage. With 388 rooms and Riyadh’s largest luxury convention centre capable of hosting up to 3,000 guests, it is set to become a premier venue for conferences and international summits.
- Raffles Jeddah (Early 2026) will offer 142 guestrooms and 40 suites, alongside a grand ballroom and three distinctive restaurants. Overlooking the Red Sea corniche, it promises to be a hub for high-level meetings and networking.
These properties highlight Accor’s commitment to supporting the growing demand for business tourism in Saudi Arabia, a key pillar of Vision 2030.
Redefining Luxury by the Sea
Accor is also investing heavily in coastal destinations, ideal for incentive trips and executive retreats.
- Fairmont The Red Sea (May 2026) will feature 193 rooms, six dining concepts, and an overwater restaurant. Positioned next to an 18-hole championship golf course, it combines luxury with sustainability across 125 miles of untouched coastline.
- Raffles The Red Sea (Mid 2026) will complement this with 121 guestrooms, 14 suites, and 33 villas, offering curated cultural and wellness programming alongside the legendary Raffles Butler Service.
Together, these resorts are designed to attract both leisure travellers and corporate groups seeking memorable offsites.
Urban Business Hubs
Accor is reinforcing its presence in key global cities, ensuring business travellers have access to premium accommodation in strategic locations.
- Fairmont Hanoi (Early 2026) will blend Indochinese motifs with French colonial influences, offering 241 rooms and six dining venues, including a rooftop restaurant.
- Fairmont New Orleans (June 2026) will open in the Central Business District, with 250 guestrooms, a rooftop bar, and a 10,000ft² spa—perfect for combining work with wellness.
- Fairmont Dalian (Mid 2026) in China will bring heritage charm with modern luxury, offering 70 guestrooms, Fairmont Gold service, and extensive meeting facilities.
- In the UK, Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere (Late 2026) will provide a countryside retreat just outside Knutsford, with 116 bedrooms and an 18-hole golf course—an ideal venue for corporate retreats.
Heritage and Culture as Business Assets
Accor is also leveraging its heritage brands to create destinations that appeal to both leisure and professional travellers.
- Orient Express Corinthian (June 2026) will mark a new chapter in luxury travel, with its maiden voyage across the Mediterranean followed by a Caribbean season. With 54 suites and dining led by multi-Michelin-starred Chef Yannick Alléno, it offers a unique setting for executive networking at sea.
- Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli (April 2026) will debut after an eight-year renovation of a 15th-century Venetian palace, offering 47 guestrooms and salons steeped in history.
These properties highlight how cultural immersion is becoming a differentiator in business travel, offering executives experiences that go beyond the boardroom.
Wellness and Retreats for Professionals
Accor’s Emblems Collection and MGallery brands are expanding with properties that emphasize wellness, reflection, and slow travel—trends increasingly valued by business travellers.
- Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection (Mid 2026) will debut in the Canadian Rockies with infinity pools, vitality baths, and panoramic saunas.
- Masseria Furnirussi, Emblems Collection (Mid 2026) in Puglia will celebrate Mediterranean craftsmanship with 60 suites featuring private pools.
- V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection (January 2026) will reopen with 42 villas, offering a serene retreat shaped by ocean rhythms.
- Navera Phuket (Early 2026) and MontAzure Phuket (Early 2026) will provide intimate villa stays and tranquil lagoon settings, ideal for executive escapes.
- MGallery Jilin Beida Lake (Early 2026) will combine luxury and nature at one of Asia’s premier ski destinations, while Le Bel Hôtel Oléron (April 2026) in France will feature Michelin-starred dining and a revitalised marine spa.
- Lime Resort Myoko (Late 2026) in Japan will transform into a wellness-focused resort at the base of Mount Myoko, offering onsen facilities and fitness amenities.
A Strategic Outlook for Business Travel
Accor’s 2026 pipeline reflects a dual focus: supporting the needs of corporate travellers with convention centres, meeting spaces, and city hotels, while also offering wellness retreats and cultural experiences that align with the growing demand for work-life balance in business travel.
For professionals, this expansion means more opportunities to combine productivity with enrichment—whether it’s closing a deal in Riyadh, hosting a retreat in Cheshire, or networking aboard the Orient Express Corinthian.