SHARJAH AL BAIT

It’s been a while since Sharjah has welcomed a luxury resort, which makes the opening of the Al Bait Sharjah later this month doubly exciting. Keep your eyes peeled for this one, because it’s a variation on a historic hotel, which are few and far between in the UAE hotel industry, known for its glossy, towering hotels. The 53-key, five-star property (by General Hotel Management Ltd, the company behind the renowned Chedi Muscat, and Shurooq, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority) is packed to the rafters with heritage – from its location in Heart of Sharjah, the emirate’s historical inner-city district under restoration, to its unique construction that uses foundations of old houses that once belonged to important families in the area. Hence the name Al Bait, which means ‘home’ in Arabic.

Architecturally too, the hotel will showcase traditional styles and textures through handcrafted thatched roofs and motifs that will ensure it blends in seamlessly with other historic buildings in the area. The resort’s luxury rooms, we’re told, will overlook the conservation project of the last remaining round wind tower and the hotel will have a direct connection to Souq Al Arsah – the UAE’s oldest traditional marketplace. Inside, you’ll find modern amenities like meeting spaces and four lavish restaurants, a spa with hammam facilities and a health club. As of now, we only know that the hotel’s construction is scheduled for a 2018 completion.