UAE Hot Hotels: A run down of new properties
While the smaller emirates are now attracting big brands, it is the major destinations luring boutique options, says Adam Coulter
As Dubai reaches saturation point in terms of international brands, lesser-known emirates such as Ajman, Sharjah and Ras-al-Khaimah are seeing some big names open doors recently – Fairmont, Hilton, Radisson, Novotel and Park Inn to name a few.
Ras-al-Khaimah has ambitious infrastructure and hotel development plans in the next two years, with the aim of almost doubling hotel rooms, to 11,500 from 6,500, and reaching 1.5 million visitors by 2021.
Haitham Mattar, Chief Executive of
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “There is huge potential in the Emirate for entities looking to develop resorts, niche accommodation options and new tourism products.”
Openings are not confined to big chains. In Sharjah the trend is eco-based, with South Africa-based Mantis Collection opening three new eco lodges (one last year, two this year).
“Sharjah has seen consistent tourism growth in recent years,” said Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. “We are set to see further growth in line with the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, which aims to attract 10 million visitors by 2021.”
Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi EDITION (editionhotels.com/ abu-dhabi) opened in the Abu Dhabi Marina in October. The hotel has 198 rooms and 57 residences. There are two signature restaurants, a gourmet market, lobby bar, pool bar and three-story night life venue, two outside pools, a fitness centre and spa with seven treatment rooms.
The newly-opened Beach Rotana
Residences (rotana.com) is a contemporary hotel apartment property in downtown Abu Dhabi. It has 314 serviced studios and apartments, with one, two and threebedroom options available.
Radisson Blu (radissonblu.com) has opened two new hotels in Abu Dhabi: the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu is located on the Corniche sea walk of Abu Dhabi; while the Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Al Ain. Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa
(jumeirah.com) opened last month (February). The property is set in the desert 50km to the south east of Abu Dhabi city and comprises of 90 hotel rooms and 13 villas, a spa and an offsite desert camp.
Fairmont Marina Resort & Residences
(fairmont.com) will open at the end of this year. It will offer 563 rooms and suites and 249 serviced apartments situated on the waterfront close to Marina Mall.
Top tip: Etihad Holidays offers trade-specific benefits including Abu Dhabi Airport meet & greet services and a two-for-one night stopover.
Dubai
Atlantis The Palm saw the opening of a new restaurant, Hakassan (hakkasan.com/
locations/hakkasan-dubai), in October. The restaurant recreates the interiors of the London flagship, with a similar menu specialising in Cantonese cuisine. Caesars Entertainment Corporation
(caesars.com) opened two luxury hotels, a conference centre and a beach club on Bluewaters, Dubai’s latest island development. Caesar’s Palace Bluewaters Dubai will feature a swimming pool, a spa and six restaurants. Caesars Resort, has 301 rooms, two pools and five restaurants. Both have access to a private beach. Zabeel House, The Greens
(zabeelhouse.com) opened at the end of last year. It is the third hotel to open as part of Jumeirah Group’s fledgling upscale casual brand. Opening in Tower 3 of the Onyx Towers, the hotel is inspired by New York loft living.
The Queen Elizabeth 2 (qe2.com) opened in 2018 after years of delays. It is now a floating museum, hotel, dining venue and events destination docked permanently at Dubai’s Mina Rashid. It has 10 restaurants and bars, 224 rooms and suites, a spa, theatre, heritage exhibition and a Dubai Duty Free shopping arcade.
Outside of the city, in Hatta, Meera is working on three projects: Hatta Damani Lodge, which houses three types of cabin set against the mountains; Hatta Sedr Trailers, which sees guests staying in converted trailers, each with its own terrace; and Riad Hatta, which will reflect the region’s heritage with local dishes and cultural experiences.
Top tip: The top areas to stay in Dubai are Downtown, near the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall; Jumeirah Beach, which stretches from Deira (Old Town) to Dubai Marina and incorporates the famous Burj Arab; the Dubai Marina itself, which has lots of shopping and dining options and is close to the beach; and exclusive Palm Jumeirah.
“The Queen Elizabeth 2 opened last year after years of delays. It is now a floating museum, hotel, dining venue and events destination”
Sharjah
Opened in spring 2018 as part of the
Kalba Eco-Tourism project, Kingfisher Lodge (sharjahcollection.ae/kingfisher-lodge) was one of the UAE’s first eco-tourism developments. The boutique property consists of 20 luxury tents in a desert wetland area, the Khor Kalba nature reserve, home to mangroves, tidal creeks and beaches full of birdlife and turtles. Al Badayer Oasis Lodge (shurooq.gov.ae/
project/al-badayer-oasis) opens this year. The desert resort amongst the dunes of the Al Badayer desert in central Sharjah will serve up off-road exploration and wilderness. The property has 21 rooms and 10 tents, Arabic and European restaurants and an open-air amphitheatre. Al Faya Lodge (sharjahcollection.ae/al-faya
lodge) is a boutique property, comprising of just five rooms, and will be situated in the heart of the Mleiha desert close to archaeological ruins. The lodge has three stone buildings – the lodge, spa and restaurant. A separate building will house a swimming pool and wellness area.
Anantara Sharjah Resort will have 233 rooms and suites and is planned for a prime beachfront location in Sharjah next year. The property will offer high-end accommodation, a restaurant located on a pier, spa and wellness centres, a children’s club, swimming pool and ballroom.
Sell it: Southall Travel (southalltravel.co.uk) is offering a six-night holiday at the four-star Radisson Blu Resort from £611pp. Price includes return flights from London Stansted on March 19 and accommodation on a B&B basis.
Ras Al Khaimah
This year the four-star Park Inn Radisson is scheduled to open in Al Marjan Island, a man-made island resort. The hotel will have 384 rooms and suites.
The Anantara Resort, in Mina Al Arab, opens in late 2020 and features overwater luxury on the Gulf in a pristine ecosanctuary. Part of the new Mina Al Arab luxury development, the resort will have 300 guest rooms, suites and overwater villas in Maldivian resort style.
Other hotel openings in 2020 include: Hampton by Hilton, on Al Marjan Island; Mangrove Rotana, in the city centre; Intercontinental, in Mina Al Arab; and Movenpick, on Al Marjan Island.
Eight openings are planned for 2021 including: Avani Resort, Address Hotel, Millennium Hotel and Conrad by Hilton on Al Marjan Island; as well as a Marriott resort on RAK beach.
Top tip: This emirate is positioning itself as an adventure destination with its Ru’us Al Jibal mountain range ripe for hiking and biking, a via ferrata route and the world’s longest zipline.
Ajman
Ajman Saray is the first beachside Luxury Collection Resort in the Middle East, and features a spa, pool, kids club and outdoor sports centre.
Ajman Hotel is the first property of Blazon Hotels group – a five-star resort set in its own grounds and one of the best white-sand private beaches in the UAE. The hotel has 182 rooms and suites overlooking the sea, 10 food and beverage outlets, a fitness centre and two spas offering numerous treatments.
Fairmont recently opened its newest property in Ajman, featuring 252 guestrooms and suites all with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.
A Radisson Blu hotel has opened in the new and upcoming area of Al Jurf, featuring a gym, spa, seven restaurants and a shuttle to an offsite private beach.
Top tip: Diminutive Ajman provides a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Dubai, and is only 20 minutes from Dubai Airport. It is like its neighbour was 20 years ago!