How often have you visited a spectacular hotel with all the bells and whistles and wanted to make it a more permanent address?
Many of the world’s biggest hotel chains have branded residences for those wanting to own a piece of the pie for themselves, while still having access to a number of high-end amenities, from Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class spas. Many offer residents-only facilities such as cinemas, game rooms, conference and working spaces, and state-of-the-art gyms.
Marriott
Marriott is one of the biggest hotel brands in the world, so it’s no surprise that the company’s stake in the residential department is a big one — as of earlier this year, Marriott has 142 residences with 138 in the pipeline in over 48 countries. Approximately 30% of the residences are standalone properties.
As Tina Edmunston (read the full interview here) explains, “As we continue to grow and see demand for our standalone residential model, we have had the opportunity to grow in markets that are best-suited for a branded residential building.
For example, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay offers curated living among unspoiled nature and community within the new coastal village of Saltleaf on Estero Bay in Florida, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities.” While the desire for standalone residences is rising, 70% of Marriott’s properties are found within a hotel. So, how to choose?
Edmunston states that each property has a distinctive vibe, unique to the brand’s promise and destination — but she does note one new opening that has caught her eye: “One property that recently opened its doors that I am particularly excited about is Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. With just 36 private residences, it offers an ultra-luxury retreat nestled in the unspoiled natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. It’s not just a residence — it’s a sanctuary for those who value privacy, nature and a profound connection to place.”
Raffles
Raffles is a hotel group long synonymous with the upper echelons of opulence. It is only natural that Raffles would enter the residential market, as so many of the hotel guests are repeat customers. In the last few years, the brand has expanded its portfolio, opening both hotels and residences in big-name cities to much fanfare.
Raffles London at the OWO was probably the most anticipated opening in the Big Smoke within the last decade — located in the historic Old War Office building on Whitehall, the residences are as magnificent as the hotel (and the brand’s first in the UK).
The 85 residences on offer have their own entrances for added security. Each one has soaring ceilings (up to 14 ft high) and reflect the Grade II-listed building’s Edwardian architecture; the interiors were created by British design studio 1508 London. A four-bedroom apartment goes for around £18.5m (approx. $24.6m). The latest opening, Raffles Residences Diriyah (unveiled last year), is perched above the Wadi Hanifah, a lush 75-mile-long valley.
The structure pays tribute to Saudi Arabia’s heritage, with a clear Najdi influence — residences are designed around central courtyards, as is typical with this style. There are 90 homes ranging from a one-bedroom suite to a four-bedroom villa. Owners have access to the neighboring hotel’s facilities, but can also enter their home into the Raffles rental program. The properties are currently available to buy off-plan and start at SAR 6.8m (approx. $1.8m).
Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental’s global presence can best be described in numbers: 43 hotels, 12 residences and 26 private villas in 26 countries and territories. Within the next five years, that number of residences is set to expand quite exponentially. The residences in Madrid are set to open later this summer (but time will tell — the original opening date was January 2025). There are 30 slick apartments, found at the intersection of Hermosilla and Nuñez de Balboa streets in the prestigious Salamanca neighborhood.
There are two- and three-bedroom units available; each one has a private balcony and six of the units will have private pools (but there is also an outdoor heated pool and an indoor lap pool for residents, as well as a beauty salon, spa, gym and landscaped garden). On Miami’s desirable Brickell Key, a new structure is set to be completed in 2030 and will comprise two towers connected by an amenity podium; one of the towers will be a Mandarin Oriental hotel with 228 residences.
Other notable openings with a yet-to-be-announced date include a beachfront resort surrounded by mangrove reserves, with 50 residences in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula; and a development with 22 residences on an idyllic stretch of beach linking Da Nang and Hoi An in Vietnam.
