Anantara to open first resort on Dubai’s vast World Islands archipelago in Q4
– Dillip Rajakarier
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is growing its Middle Eastern portfolio after announcing
plans to open the first resort on the World Islands giga-project in Dubai.
The World Islands is a man-made archipelago located four kilometres off the coast of Dubai featuring 300 islands constructed into the shape of six continents on a world map which can be seen from space – a project overseen by Dubai development company Nakheel.
Named Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, the resort will be the first hotel in the South American continent of the development.
Anantara World Islands is owned by luxury real estate and hospitality developer Seven Tides Limited and holding company with a portfolio of high-end properties, including Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort.
The new island resort will be dedicated to the resort and feature 70 keys comprising suites, beach and pool villas.
Villas will have a private pool, an outdoor dining area and direct access to the beach. Flora and fauna will be abundant throughout the resort to help create a retreat from the city immersed in nature.
In-room signature Anantara spa treatments, a gym and a kid’s club will also be part of the new resort's amenities.
Anantara is set to reveal more details about the resort’s wellness concept and facilities in the coming weeks.
Guests will be offered access to two dining options and a bar with impressive panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, including the iconic Burj Khalifa and Burj al Arab.
Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, parent company of Anantara, commented: “Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort will be the first hotel to open on this archipelago, offering guests a truly memorable escape just off the coast of Dubai.
“Showcasing Anantara’s authentic luxury while maintaining a tropical island vibe, the resort is a unique proposition for this location. Guests will be able to experience the wonder of Dubai and the ambience of an island sanctuary, all in this stunning new Anantara resort.”
Anantara already operates nine hotels and resorts in the region – including six in the UAE – with the newest island retreat currently in the final stages of development and due to launch in Q4 of 2021.
The new resort will be joined by the upcoming US$5bn (€4.3bn, £3.6bn) mega-resort project, The Heart of Europe, claimed to feature the world’s first floating underwater spa as well as 15 unique hotels and resorts spread across six islands designed to showcase European culture, heritage and lifestyle.
Anantara The World Islands Dubai Dillip RajakarierAnantara plans retreat on Zambezi River banks incorporating traditional African massage techniques
Nutrition takes centre stage as Anantara refreshes wellness offering at Maldivian retreats
Anantara to debut in Seychelles following rebrand of luxury Bill Bensley-designed resort
Construction marches ahead for US$5bn mega-resort with floating underwater spa
FEATURE: Focus on – IV nutrition therapy
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming. The latest addition, Oberon, extends the visitor experience beyond the gallery, reflecting a growing trend for museums to become all-day destinations.
The New Museum in New York has entered a new chapter with the completion of a major
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
Montana Heritage Center by Cushing Terrell opens after US$107 million investment
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
'Minor wellness hotels' recorded the strongest growth across top KPIs in 2025, finds RLA Global
Great Barrier Reef attraction set for AU$180 million reinvention
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has architecture by Leach Rhodes Walker and interiors by Bergman Design House.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort to unveil new spa in February 2027
Places Leisure is working with Roberts Limbrick to build £60m wellness flagship in Basingstoke
Hoshino Resorts opens Kai Kusatsu as it expands the Kai onsen ryokan brand
Qiddiya and Populous share details of Saudi Arabia’s National Tennis Centre
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Until combines multiple disciplines at new Canary Wharf club
Sea Lanes opens following a partnership between The Eden Project and Canary Wharf Group
Bas Smets brings water and wilderness to Vitra
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Luxury resort coming to Hunter Valley will have longevity spa
'Data chocolate', dreams made real and artworks shaped by visitors’ emotions: Refik Anadol’s AI art museum launches in Los Angeles
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Anasa Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Design-led Koru Health Club combines high-performance training with recovery
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the



























