Nakheel and Minor Hotel Group to bring new AVANI beachfront resort to Dubai’s Deira Islands

UAE master developer Nakheel is to partner with Thailand’s Minor Hotel Group (MHG) to bring a new, 500-room AVANI beachfront resort to Deira Islands, Nakheel’s 15.3 square kilometre tourism, retail and residential hub in Dubai. 

Nakheel and MHG plan to create a quality waterside resort within easy reach of a diverse range of forthcoming attractions at Deira Islands, including Deira Mall and Deira Islands Night Souk. It is the first AVANI property to be announced for the UAE.

The partnership with MHG is Nakheel’s second joint venture for hotels on Deira Islands announced this year. In May, Nakheel confirmed a partnership with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts to build a 750-room resort there. More JVs are currently under negotiation. 

Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “Our partnership with Minor Hotel Group is yet another milestone for our growing hospitality business, and highlights our commitment to creating new tourism concepts in line with the Government of Dubai’s tourism vision for 2021.

“Our strategy is to join forces with serious, reputable international partners to bring a range of new hotel and resort brands to Deira Islands. We are delighted to work with Minor Hotel Group as part of this plan.  Nakheel now has 1,250 new hotel rooms in the pipeline through joint ventures at Deira Islands, with more exciting partnerships under negotiation.” 

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, added: “We are very excited to announce the launch of our AVANI brand in the UAE and to be entering into a new strategic partnership Nakheel, a respected partner with whom we plan to enjoy a fruitful ongoing relationship going forward. Deira Islands is an impressive project and we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring AVANI to this new development.”

Nakheel’s tie-up with MHG is the latest development in the company’s aggressive expansion into Dubai’s hospitality sector, under which 10 hotels – including five star, all inclusive and value-for-money concepts – are planned at locations across Dubai. 

MHG’s portfolio includes 134 hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, with nine hotels under its Anantara, PER AQUUM and Oaks brands, in the UAE.

AVANI Deira Islands will fully reflect the AVANI brand, which blends genuine hospitality and relaxed comfort with a passion for design, contemporary style and modern lifestyle essentials.  

Nakheel’s Deira Islands coastal city will add 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai’s coastline. The project paves the way for the development of hotels and serviced apartments, retail destinations, mixed-use buildings and residential waterside developments at what will become a new cultural, residential and commercial hub for the emirate. 

Nakheel plans to build five hotels at Deira Islands, including the AVANI hotel announced today and Dubai’s first four star all inclusive beachfront resort under a joint venture with Spain’s RIU Hotels and Resorts.  The company is also developing the five star Palm Tower on Palm Jumeirah and hotels at Dragon City and Ibn Battuta Mall.