Nakheel and RIU Hotels plan new beachfront resort at Deira Islands in Dubai

Nakheel and RIU Hotels and Resorts have formed a partnership to construct a beachfront resort at Deira Islands in Dubai.

The 750-room hotel resort will be built next to a range of attractions such as Deira Mall and Deira Islands Night Souk.

When complete, Deira Islands will be a 15.3km² mixed-use waterfront development that will add 40km, including 21km of beachfront, to Dubai’s coastline.

It will also feature hotels and serviced apartments, retail destinations, mixed-use buildings and residential waterside developments.

Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: "This is a major milestone for our growing hospitality business and a significant step towards creating a new range of affordable, family resort-style hotel accommodation in the emirate, in line with the government of Dubai’s tourism vision for 2021."

RIU Hotels and Resorts owner Luis Riu said: "This project is our golden opportunity to bring the RIU brand to the Middle East, and, through our partnership with Nakheel, to deliver a new and unique hospitality offering in Dubai."

The project will mark the entry of Spain-based RIU Hotels and Resorts in Dubai’s market. The company currently operates more than 100 hotels, with 45,000 rooms between them in 19 countries.

Nakheel’s hospitality and leisure division intends to construct ten hotels at several locations throughout Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Dragon City and Ibn Battuta Mall in the next five years.

Image: The project will mark Spain-based RIU Hotels and Resorts entry to Dubai’s market. Photo: courtesy of Nakheel PJSC.