500-room hotel coming to new tourism hotspot

Dubai, 7 September 2015

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.

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Media contact: Rebecca Rees on +971 4375 9702 (Rebecca.rees@nakheel.com)

About Nakheel
Nakheel is one of the world's leading developers and a major contributor to realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world class destination for living, business and tourism. Nakheel continues to deliver and enhance an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across the residential, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Nakheel's master developments in Dubai include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Dragon City, International City and Villas at Nad Al Sheba. Together, these span more than 15,000 hectares and currently provide homes for over 200,000 people.

Nakheel's growing retail project portfolio comprises large-scale destination developments at various locations in Dubai, including Nakheel Mall, Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk, Warsan Souk, Al Khail Avenue, The Circle Mall and The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah; major extensions to Dragon Mart (renamed Dragon City) and Ibn Battuta Mall; and several neighbourhood community centres. Our existing and pipeline retail projects cover more than 13 million square feet of leasable space.

Nakheel is also developing hotels at various locations in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon City. www.nakheel.com

About Deira Islands
Deira Islands is a new, 15.3 square kilometre waterfront destination from Nakheel that will transform Dubai's Deira district into a world-class hub for tourism, retail and entertainment. The project will add 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai's coastline and contribute significantly to the Government of Dubai's tourism vision.  The four-island project paves the way for the development of hundreds of new hotels, serviced apartments, mixed-use buildings and residential waterside developments.  

Nakheel itself is developing a significant amount of the 4.5 million square metre south island, creating a unique creek side destination, easily accessible from the mainland by road bridges and by water via abras. The island's host of attractions will include Deira Mall; Deira Towers and Boulevard; Deira Islands Night Souk; an amphitheatre for 30,000 people; and a marina that can accommodate large yachts.  The four islands that make up Deira Islands will feature hotels, resorts and residential, commercial and retail units. Nakheel will master plan and complete infrastructure work ready for third party development on each island, and is planning to build five hotels of its own at Deira Islands.

About Minor Hotel Group
Minor Hotel Group (MHG) is a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 134 hotels and serviced suites in operation under the Anantara, AVANI, PER AQUUM, Oaks, Tivoli, Elewana, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis and Minor International brands. Today MHG operates in 22 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe and South America. With ambitious plans to grow the hotel group to 190 properties, MHG continues to expand the home grown brands of Anantara and AVANI, plus continues to announce strategic acquisitions. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com.

© Press Release 2015