Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator, and investor with more than 540 hotels in 56 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, and the Americas, has announced a strategic addition to its pipeline in the UAE: a new resort and residences in Sharjah. Positioned along the picturesque coastline of the Arabian Gulf and just a 30-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, the Anantara Sharjah Resort and Anantara Sharjah Residences are set to open in late 2027.
Owned and being developed by Arada, the new resort and residence complex is located on the northeastern edge of Sharjah’s Al Heerah Beach, a popular tourist destination with 3.5 kilometres of beachfront. With striking architecture, including a signature gateway designed to show the path of the sun, the property will feature 110 generously sized guest rooms and suites, ranging from 45 to 120 square metres, with expansive penthouse suites finished in luxury materials on higher floors.
In response to the burgeoning demand for branded residences, the development will also include 128 one-bedroom to four-bedroom residential units and four-bedroom penthouses complete with rooftop pools for sale. All residences will have private balconies and furnishings marked by high-end design, signature touches, and finishes in line with the Anantara brand.Â
In addition to enjoying a sandy beach, guests can find solace in the expansive infinity pool, rejuvenate at the Anantara Spa, and charge up their fitness routine at the state-of-the-art gym. The property’s collection of five distinctive restaurants will include a café lounge situated in a soaring atrium lobby, a laid-back poolside eatery, an al fresco beachfront dining venue, pan-Asian fine dining at Anantara’s signature Mekong restaurant, and a speciality restaurant focused on local flavours. For business gatherings, the property will offer a flexible 400-square-metre meeting space as well as outdoor venues for memorable social celebrations.
“In recent years, Sharjah has blossomed into a cultural hub, drawing both vacationers and business visitors with its coastal charm and making it an optimal destination for our latest venture in the Middle East. The expansion of the luxury Anantara brand into Sharjah is an opportunity to deliver our unmatched lifestyle offerings to a new audience. We look forward to working with Arada to bring this new resort and residence to market and ensuring its leadership position as one of Sharjah’s finest addresses,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of parent company Minor International.
“Anantara is one of the most distinguished luxury hotel brands in the world, and it is a privilege to bring this brand to Sharjah for the first time. Our partnership with Minor Hotels will provide buyers with the quality and delivery associated with Arada, combined with the harmony, culture, heritage, and services they have come to expect from the Anantara brand,” said Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada.
The emirate of Sharjah, recognised by UNESCO as the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’, is rapidly emerging as a sought-after vacation spot thanks to a harmonious blend of modern architecture and museums alongside the traditional heritage of the UAE. The emirate’s diverse offerings, including prominent museums, art galleries, archaeological sites, and attractions tailored for families, such as a vast desert park, render it an appealing destination for visitors with young children and those with an appreciation for culture.
The upcoming Anantara Sharjah Resort will join an expanding collection of Anantara properties in the Middle East, with two resorts launched in the UAE this year—Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat—bringing the total number of resorts in the country to 10, in addition to two resorts in Oman and one in Qatar.
