UAE master developer Nakheel plans to partner with Thailand’s Minor Hotel Group (MHG) to bring the first Avani property to the UAE.

The 500-room Avani beachfront resort will be located on Deira Islands - Nakheel’s 15.3 sq km 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.

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.

Ali Rashid Lootah, Nakheel chairman, 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,” he said.

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.

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. 

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 plans to build five hotels at Deira Islands, including the Avani hotel announced 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. – TradeArabia News Service