A Minimum of 10 UAE Hotel Openings Face Postponement, Cancellation, or Delays

Numerous hotel projects slated for the UAE in the upcoming year are facing disruptions, postponements, or cancellations, according to findings by The National.

In Dubai, the highly anticipated openings of the Kempinski Floating Palace, Six Senses The Palm, and Mandarin Oriental Al Wasl now lack confirmed launch dates. The Kempinski Floating Palace, originally set for this year, faces uncertainties in its timeline. The luxurious resort, with 156 keys, was intended to be anchored near Jumeirah Beach Road, offering unique features like exclusive villas connected by pontoons and a floating helipad.

Mandarin Oriental Wasl Tower in Dubai, a distinctive twisted building on Sheikh Zayed Road, also falls into the uncertainty category due to undisclosed delays. The project was initially scheduled for completion by the second quarter of 2024, featuring 64 floors with 358 hotel rooms and 229 resident units.

Even Six Senses The Palm, Dubai, has been affected, with no definite launch date available. The establishment was planned to open for bookings late next year, with a focus on a 61-room hotel and 162 branded residences inspired by UAE coral reefs.

In Abu Dhabi, Mondrian Abu Dhabi and Al Nawras Island, LXR Hotels & Resorts, initially expected to open next year, have postponed their launches until 2025. Mondrian's property in the heart of Downtown Abu Dhabi offers captivating views of Reem Island and Al Maryah Island, while LXR Hotels & Resorts will feature an all-villa resort with a private golf course on Al Nawras Island.

Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have also faced delays and cancellations. Marriott International's Autograph Collection properties in Sharjah's Kalba and Khor Fakkan have uncertain opening dates. In Ras Al Khaimah, two glamping retreats and the eco-friendly hotel Earth Altitude have experienced delays or cancellations.

Despite these setbacks, the UAE's hospitality landscape continues to evolve, with several hotels still set to open in 2023 and 2024, such as One&Only One Za'abeel, Siro One Za'abeel, and Five Luxe in Dubai. The highly anticipated Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab will commence its phased opening, starting with branded residences by the end of this year.

Looking ahead to 2024, various properties are on track to open in the UAE, including the Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat, Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort, Lux* Al Bridi Resort in Sharjah, Lux* Al Jabal Resort in Khor Fakkan, and the Nomad adventure travel experience featuring Airstream trailers across Sharjah.

Source: thenationalnews.com