2021 hotlist: The Middle East’s top five hotel openings

Almost 230 hotel projects will complete across the Middle East in 2021 including eye-catching schemes from Hilton and Swissôtel.

2021 hotlist: The Middle East’s top five hotel openings

by | 04 Jan 2021 | Design, Hotel Openings, Projects

Almost 230 hotel projects will complete across the Middle East in 2021, according to the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database, including eye-catching schemes from Hilton and Swissôtel.

Our researchers have discovered that as many as 228 hotel openings, amounting to a staggering 69,807 hotel rooms, are expected to open in the Middle East throughout the course of this year. We take a look at five of the most exciting ones.

The Jabal Omar Address Makkah

A newbuild by Jabal Omar Development, with architecture by Arcrea Studio and interior design from Wilson Associates, this new Address hotel will comprise two identical towers linked by a bridge in a central location just steps away from Makkah’s Grand Mosque. These will be the tallest towers in the sprawling Jabal Omar development, which features hotels, residences, retail and other facilities.

The hotel is being brought here by Emaar Hospitality Group under the luxurious Address brand. Altogether, the new hotel will comprise 1,490 guest rooms and suites, along with units available for freehold sale. The Jabal Omar Address Makkah is slated to open in late 2021.

The Royal Atlantis Resort and Residences

Named Dubai’s first super-prime development, The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences promises to be a dramatic addition to Dubai’s skyline with ultra-luxury accommodation, residences and leisure facilities integrating the craftsmanship of leading architects, designers and artists. A unique 47-storey scheme, showcasing outstanding work from the likes of KPF Architects, DEC Dynamic Engineering Consultants, Sybille de Margerie and GA Design International, it’ll house 795 guest rooms and 231 residences upon completion.

Visitors will be able to dine at 17 different restaurants and bars, including high-profile venues Hakkasan, Jaleo by José Andrés, Le Mar by Gastón Acurio and the much-anticipated Middle East debut of Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Leisure facilities will also be abundant, not least the 90-metre 22nd-floor Cloud 22 Skypool, a 3,000 sq m wellness centre and a series of pools. The development is expected to open in the second half of 2021.

Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Hilton’s new hotel in Abu Dhabi is located in the three-kilometre stretch of coast known as Yas Bay. Created in partnership with Miral Development, the scheme forms part of Miral’s AED12 billion development plan for the southern side of Yas Island. This five-star family resort will be located at the heart of Yas Bay, close to the 18,000 capacity Yas Arena, which is designed to host a diverse array of events such as sporting competitions, cultural performances and concerts.

Catering to both business and leisure travellers, the 545-key scheme will include a conference centre, several dining concepts and an urban beach setting with an infinity pool that’s suspended above the waters of the Arabian Gulf. The resort, which is located just 10km from Abu Dhabi International Airport, is expected to debut at the start of 2021.

Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel & Residences

Hilton has partnered with King Faisal Corniche Development to create this hotel and residences in Bahrain. Located at The Avenue in Manama, this new property will provide convenient access to an abundance of retail and dining venues on the waterfront at Bahrain Bay, alongside a 1.5km stretch of the Corniche.

Once complete, the property will comprise 150 apartments and 60 studio suites, as well as four distinct and standalone dining outlets, a spa, fitness facilities and a swimming pool. With direct links to King Faisal Highway and Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Causeway, the resort is easily reached from Bahrain International Airport. The hotel-and-residences development is expected to be ready in the third quarter of 2021.

Swissôtel Resort Bodrum Hill

Signifying Swissôtel’s expansion into Turkey, the design-led brand is set to open this new urban resort in the hills of Yokusbasi. The location of the long-awaited project, owned and developed by Çagdaş Holding, is just ten minutes from the centre of Bodrum and 20 minutes from the airport.

Surrounded by greenery, this property – designed by architect Mixity Design with interiors by Brayton Hughes Design Studios – encompasses 62 elegant rooms, suites and private residences with contemporary decor and cutting-edge technology. The impressive accommodation offering will be joined by three restaurants dishing up the freshest produce around, a bar and the Pürovel Spa & Sport centre. Swissôtel Resort Bodrum Hill will open in Q4 2021.

Many TOPHOTELNEWS articles draw on exclusive information from the TOPHOTELPROJECTS construction database. This subscription-based product includes details of thousands of hotel projects around the world, along with the key decision-makers behind them. Please note, our data may differ from records held by other organisations. Generally, the database focuses on four- and five-star schemes of significant scale; tracks projects in either the vision, pre-planning, planning, under-construction, pre-opening or newly opened phase; and covers newbuilds, extensions, refurbishments and conversions.

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