UAE-based master developer Nakheel and leading Thai hotel group Centara Hotels & Resorts have cemented their Dh500-million ($136 million) joint venture with a construction deal to build a 601-room beachfront resort at Dubai’s Deira Islands.

The two entities have awarded a Dh290.5-million  ($79.2 million) contract to Parkway International Contracting for the construction of Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai – Centara’s first in the UAE – which is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2020. 

A new hospitality concept for Dubai, the resort will significantly boost the emirate’s four-star accommodation – the fastest-growing segment in 2017 – in line with government tourism goals.  

With this contract, Nakheel’s infrastructure and construction investment at Deira Islands has surged to nearly Dh8.8 billion ($2.39 billion) so far. Mobilisation will begin immediately, with construction completion in the fourth quarter of 2020.  

An agreement was signed in this regard by Ali Rashid Lootah, the chairman of Nakheel and Suparat Chirathivat, the executive vice president (corporate development) at Central Group, the parent company of Centara Hotels and Resorts and one of Thailand’s most prominent family-owned conglomerate holding companies.

Lootah pointed out that Nakheel continued to play a pivotal role in shaping and diversifying Dubai’s tourism offering with a Dh27 billion ($7.34 billion) hospitality and retail expansion that supports the government’s vision.

"Our joint venture with Centara underlines our commitment to working with trusted international brands to bring new hospitality concepts to Dubai, and today’s crucial milestone brings this exciting new resort ever closer," remarked Lootah.

"I look forward to delivering one of Dubai’s most sought-after destinations for travellers from all over the world," he added.

Chirathivat said Centara was thrilled with the speed at which its joint venture with Nakheel was progressing and looked forward to opening Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai in 2020.

"Today is a key milestone of expansion for Centara as we continue to extend our upscale resort portfolio internationally," he noted.

Chirathivat sad this was Centara’s first hotel in Dubai, and the UAE, and represented its arrival in a key gateway city in the Middle East.

"We believe that the unique design and service of Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai will offer unforgettable holiday experiences to guests. With Nakheel’s development expertise and Centara’s record of delivering and inspiring extraordinary guest experiences, we will create a unique resort that surprises and delights guests for years to come," he added.

Centara Hotels & Resorts is part of Central Group, which has interests in the merchandising, real estate, retailing, hospitality and restaurant sectors. The Thai  group entered the Middle East market with the opening of Centara Muscat Hotel last year, with imminent openings in other Gulf States.

Located on a prime beachfront spot at Nakheel’s Deira Islands waterfront city, the resort will also be managed by Centara, whose growing portfolio already includes over 12,000 keys across 60 hotels and resorts in Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.

The family-centric resort will feature a waterpark, multiple restaurants, kids’ club, spa, fitness centre and business facilities, said the statement from Nakheel.

The 601 sea-view and city-facing rooms cover a range of categories, with an emphasis on family-sized accommodation: 114 rooms are specifically for families, covering 450 sq ft. There are also rooms for people with special needs, standard rooms, deluxe rooms, suites and 1,200 sq ft duplexes, it stated.

Nearby attractions on Deira Islands include Deira Mall and Deira Islands Night Souk, both of which are currently under construction by Nakheel. Mainland Dubai and its Gold Souk and newly modernised Fish Market are just minutes away by boat or car, it added.-TradeArabia News Service