The Latest & Coolest Launches In The Middle East
THE HOTEL:
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai
Dubai’s newest hotel combines cutting-edge design with the warmth of Arabian hospitality. Created by Shaun Killa – the architect behind many of the city’s most recognisable landmarks – the resort includes 386 rooms and suites, 82 luxury residences and an 82-berth superyacht marina. There are 11 restaurants and nine bars, five pools surrounded by landscaped gardens, and every room looks directly onto the Burj Al Arab and Arabian Gulf. The three-floor spa covers 3,500 sq m and includes 13 treatment suites with private terraces overlooking the water.
Visit JUMEIRAH.COM
THE MUSEUM:
Dhofar Private Museum, Oman
Oman has a new cultural landmark with the opening of the Dhofar Private Museum. Housing more than 800 artefacts, the museum takes visitors on a journey through the region’s history and traditions. From intricately crafted jewellery and textiles to objects reflecting daily life, the collection has been curated to showcase the country’s depth of craftsmanship and heritage. The building itself is designed to create a dialogue between past and present, with contemporary displays that allow each piece to shine. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to Oman, it’s an experience that captures the richness of Dhofari identity and offers insight into Oman beyond its landscapes.
Visit DHOFARMUSEUM.COM
THE WELLNESS CONCEPT:
Kintsugi Space, Abu Dhabi
‘Kintsugi’ is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a shiny lacquer that highlights the cracks rather than hiding them. A similar philosophy of ‘golden repair’ guides the world-class practitioners at this women-only members’ club on Al Reem island. Spread across seven floors, it blends the latest technology with time-honoured rituals in an array of treatments – its signature ART method combines personalised consultations with naturopathic experts and quantum assessments to produce a bespoke treatment programme. Around and about, you’ll also find infrared and obsidian crystal saunas, and an indoor-outdoor pool with onsen.
Visit KINTSUGISPACE.COM
THE KIDS-FRIENDLY ACTIVITY:
teamLab Phenomena, Abu Dhabi
When it opened earlier this year, teamLab Phenomena on Saadiyat Island immediately became the world’s biggest digital art museum. In a cloud-like building, the teamLab collective has created 25 remarkable works that are created by and respond to the movement of visitors. Look for floating spheres, swirling silver balloons and installations that require you to walk across nets suspended above projections.
Visit TEAMLABABUDHABI.COM
THE DESERT ESCAPE:
Amar Luxury Desert Ecolodge, UAE
Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Amar Luxury Desert Ecolodge brings eco-conscious hospitality to the dunes. With just ten deluxe tents, the lodge blends Bedouin tradition with contemporary comfort: think candlelit dining at Dar al Amar, guided desert treks, stargazing sessions and more than ten curated activities to choose from. Each tent is designed with natural materials and sustainability in mind, offering privacy and views of endless sandscapes. Whether for couples, families or groups, the lodge creates itineraries tailored to each guest. Intimate and authentic, Amar offers a desert experience that goes beyond luxury to foster a connection with the land.
Visit AMAR-LODGES.COM
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THE BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION:
Mama Shelter, Dubai
The first Mama Shelter in the Middle East has landed in Dubai, bringing its playful design to the city. The hotel has 197 colourful rooms, with five-star-standard bedding, 100% satin cotton sheets and organic bath products from Mama Skin. Four outdoor pools provide plenty of space to relax, while CineMama – a 50-seat outdoor cinema – sets the scene for evenings under the stars. As with all Mama properties, the energy is as much about the lifestyle as it is about the stay: it’s a place to eat, party and meet people, with bold interiors and a fun edge.
Visit MAMASHELTER.COM
THE ADVENTURE:
The Malkai, Oman
Set to launch in autumn 2026, The Malkai is one of Oman’s most ambitious new hospitality projects. Created by the family behind The Chedi Muscat, this experience-led concept will take guests across three distinct landscapes: the farmlands of Barkaa, the Al Hajar mountains and the dunes of A’Sharqiya Sands. Journeys, lasting between four and ten nights, will be tailored to each guest and accompanied by a personal guide. Travel between sites is in a classic Land Rover Defender, with highlights including access to a private island in the biodiverse Al Dimaniyat archipelago, home to coral reefs, turtles and migrating whale sharks. Led by Pankaj Khimji and his family, The Malkai is underpinned by the Omani value of karam – generosity – and offers travellers an intimate way to connect with the country’s landscapes and traditions. You can enquire about bookings now.
Visit THEMALKAI.COM
THE DOWNTOWN OPENING:
Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai
Set to transform the skyline, Mandarin Oriental Downtown stands at 303m, with the tallest ceramic façade in the region. Set to open any day now, the hotel has 259 rooms and suites, alongside 224 residences, and a spa spread over two floors. Dining is central to the concept, with three distinctive restaurants: Chitarra for refined Italian classics, Noia for modern Greek plates with rooftop views, and Yù & Mì – a glamorous take on 1920s Shanghai. A helipad ensures discreet arrivals, while Mandarin Oriental’s signature service makes this one of the most anticipated launches of the year.
Visit MANDARINORIENTAL.COM
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THE NYC ARRIVAL:
Carbone, Dubai
Carbone, New York’s legendary Italian-American restaurant, has just opened in London. Now, the team is set to open at Atlantis The Royal. Known for its theatrical service and star-studded clientele, the Dubai outpost promises all the glamour of the original – tuxedoed captains, a sprawling dining room inspired by 1950s New York, and dishes like spicy rigatoni vodka, veal parm and tableside Caesar salad. It’s a restaurant that defines an era, now reimagined for one of Dubai’s most spectacular resorts. If it’s anything like the original, expect it to be one of the toughest reservations in town.
Visit CARBONEDUBAI.COM
THE ISLAND:
Naia Island, Dubai
Naia Island is a bold new development that will soon welcome the region’s first Cheval Blanc hotel. The island will also host a limited number of branded beachfront residences, a marina and a collection of restaurants and wellness spaces. Cheval Blanc’s villas and suites will be intimate and contemporary, blending seamlessly with the island’s low-lying architecture and open green spaces. With direct views of Dubai’s landmarks, all framed by the sea, Naia is designed for those seeking privacy and exclusivity, with every detail rooted in nature and design.
Visit SHAMAL.COM
THE EXPERIENCE:
St Regis Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
On Saudi Arabia’s untouched west coast, the St Regis Red Sea resort brings barefoot luxury to one of the world’s most extraordinary marine environments. Ninety villas – both beachfront and overwater – each come with a private pool, deck and panoramic views. New this year, guests can explore coral reefs that are home to rare species of fish, snorkel alongside dolphins and turtles, or join guided dives with marine experts. Sustainability is at the centre of the project, with initiatives like mangrove planting and reef-safe practices woven into the experience.
Visit STREGISREDSEARESORT.COM
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THE CROSSOVER:
Supernova, Abu Dhabi
Following Berenjak and NAC, Supernova is the latest London import to find a new audience in the Emirates. One of London’s favourite burger spots, Supernova is crossing continents to open in Abu Dhabi later this year. Belhasa Hospitality is bringing the cult Soho fast-food joint – loved for its juicy patties, crisp fries and nostalgic sundaes – to the UAE and while the exact location is still under wraps, diners can expect the same playful branding, house sauce and unfussy, satisfying menu that made it one of London’s fastest-growing restaurant success stories.
Visit SUPERNOVABURGER.COM
THE NEW THREE-STARS:
Trèsind Studio & FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Dubai has joined the ranks of the world’s leading dining capitals with not one but two new three-Michelin-starred restaurants. Trèsind Studio has made history as the first Indian restaurant globally to achieve the accolade, while FZN by Björn Frantzén gives the Swedish chef a record-breaking trio of three-star venues. Together, they anchor a dining scene that now features 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines in the Michelin Guide Dubai 2025. They’re just the places to book if you’re headed to Dubai for an extra-special holiday.
Visit TRESINDSTUDIO.COM & RESTAURANTFZN.COM
THE RECORD-BREAKER:
Ciel Dubai Marina, Dubai
Opening this November, Ciel Dubai Marina will be the tallest hotel in the world at 377 metres – and home to the highest infinity pool. With 1,004 rooms and suites, each framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, the hotel promises sweeping views of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf. Dining will be a major draw, with eight venues including three by UK-born Tattu, the contemporary Chinese restaurant known for its dramatic interiors. With its sculptural silhouette and elevated guest experience, Ciel will no doubt be one of the city’s most talked-about arrivals.
Visit IHG.COM
THE RED SEA LAUNCH:
Shura Island, Saudi Arabia
The first phase of Shura Island will welcome guests in the coming weeks, marking a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development. Properties from SLS, Edition and InterContinental hotels will be the first to open, alongside Shura Links – the country’s first island golf course. In time, the island will host 11 world-class resorts, complemented by fine dining, retail, wellness and cultural programming. Guests can arrive by boat into the marina or via electric vehicle across the 3.3km Shura crossing – Saudi Arabia’s longest internal bridge – before discovering lagoons, white-sand beaches and eye-catching architecture designed for privacy and exclusivity.
Visit VISITREDSEA.COM
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