IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed two hotels in the United Arab Emirates with Nooa Holdings, marking the debut of Garner Hotels in the Middle East. Both properties are hotel conversions, and both are expected to open in 2026. Together they add 285 keys to IHG’s portfolio in the country. IHG describes Garner as its fastest-scaling brand worldwide, and the UAE is its first stop in the region.
The Two Properties
The larger hotel, Garner Hotel Ras Al Khaimah Downtown, will have 204 rooms and sit by the creek in Al Nakheel. It is close to Al Naeem Mall and about 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. The property is a conversion, and it is expected to open in 2026 under an agreement with Nooa Holdings. It will also bring the brand to the growing northern emirate, giving IHG a presence outside Dubai for the Garner name.
Garner Hotel Dubai Al Jaddaf is smaller, with 81 rooms. It will be located near Al Jaddaf Waterfront, between Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport. A rooftop pool overlooking Dubai Creek is planned for guests. The hotel is meant to be within easy reach of the city’s business, leisure, and cultural areas. Like its Ras Al Khaimah property, it is also a conversion expected to open in 2026, and the two hotels together add 285 keys to IHG’s UAE portfolio.
How the Brand Works
Garner targets the midscale hotel segment, offering affordable hotel stays for guests IHG describes as in love with life, not luxury. The company sums up the core offer as a convenient location, a sound night’s sleep, and a great breakfast. The model is built for conversions, which lets owners turn existing buildings into branded hotels using practical, efficient changes. Owners also gain access to several IHG resources:
- IHG’s quality standards
- Enterprise systems
- IHG One Rewards, the loyalty program with more than 160 million members
Haitham Mattar, IHG’s Managing Director for India, Middle East, and Africa, called the UAE a natural launch market. He pointed to demand from travelers seeking quality stays at accessible prices, and from owners who want a model backed by IHG’s systems and scale. Amit Basnet, Founder and CEO of Nooa Holdings, said the flexible model suits both destinations. He added that his company hopes to explore further growth opportunities with IHG.
IHG currently operates 39 hotels across eight brands in the UAE, including InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn Express, and Staybridge Suites. The company also has a hotel development pipeline of 110 properties due to open in the next three to five years. The signings respond to rising demand for branded midscale accommodation in the country. The two hotels will serve transient, business, and leisure guests, and they will add choice in both Al Jaddaf and Ras Al Khaimah.
