The Middle East, already famed for having some of the most luxurious
hotels on earth including the world’s only 7-star hotel Burj al Arab,
will be seeing the arrival of several additional luxury hotels as the
demand for rooms and luxury travel grow more rampant in the
post-pandemic era.
The first Shangri-La in Saudi Arabia
Shangri-La Jeddah celebrates the brand’s Asian heritage while reflecting the centuries-old Arabian culture. Photo Credit: Shangri-La Jeddah
Shangri-La Jeddah’s grand opening in February marked the brand’s
first foray into the Saudi Arabian hospitality sector. Situated in the
64-storey Burj Assila, Jeddah’s tallest building that stands over 260m
tall, Shangri-La Jeddah offers convenient access to the city’s premier
shopping destinations and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, home to the Saudi
Arabia Grand Prix and one of the fastest street circuits in Formula 1.
The 220 guest rooms and 17 serviced apartments feature
floor-to-ceiling windows that draw guests eyes’ out to the panoramic
views of the Red Sea and the Jeddah skyline. Facilities include
Shangri-La’s signature Chinese restaurant, an al-day dining restaurant, a
wellness club, a spa, a kids’ club and a 960 sqm versatile event space.
Anantara’s island sanctuary in Dubai
Anantara World Islands offers 40 private pool villas with an outdoor dining area and direct access to the beach. Photo Credit: Anantara World Islands
Anantara holds the accolade for opening the first luxury resort on
Dubai’s World Islands archipelago launched in February. The new island
resort’s unique location in the Arabian Gulf, situated four kilometres
off the coast of Dubai, offers a private and relaxing escape from
Dubai’s bustling city life. Yet, guests can still opt to view Dubai’s
iconic cityscape from a distance at their paradisical enclave, including
the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa and Burj al Arab. The resort is
accessible via a 15-minute luxury speedboat ride from the jetty at
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.
The 70 suites, beach and pool villas each come with a balcony, deck
or terrace, with the villas having the additional feature of an outdoor
dining area that extends directly to the beach. Entertainment and
F&B options at Anantara World Islands include an outdoor cinema, a
candle-lit dining experience by the shoreline in a glass dome, an
exclusive VIP food and drink service onboard a floating platform, an
Arabic-Indian restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant, a bar lounge and a
lobby café.
The resort also houses a spa with a range of holistic wellness
therapies, a gym and a water sports centre. Sustainability is integrated
into the resort’s offerings, from its freshly caught seafood served in
its restaurants to its own eater desalination plant.
Six Senses enters UAE at The Palm, Dubai
The central garden at Six Senses The Palm, Dubai is a naturally shaded landscape with mini hills, valley paths and courtyards. Photo Credit: Six Senses The Palm, Dubai
In late 2024, Six Senses will celebrate its entry into the UAE market
with its 61-room hotel and 162 branded residences along a private stretch of
beach on Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent. For the ultimate form of luxury,
there are nine five-bedroom beachfront residential accommodations that
each come with their own garden, infinity pool and direct access to the
beach.
Both hotel and residential guests will be allowed to access the full
suit of hotel facilities that include restaurants, bars, pool, kids’
club, games room, library, function rooms, and meeting rooms. Aside from
that, Six Senses The Palm, Dubai will also feature a 5,600sqm social
and wellness club with various physical activities and wellness
treatments, and a garden meant to serve as a hub for outdoor activities.
Other recreational facilities slated to come include a micro farm,
tennis courts, padel courts and dedicated running tracks.