Dubai: In 2008, Atlantis, The Palm, became the first hotel to open on the Palm Jumeirah. The opening came in the middle of the global recession, but Atlantis enjoyed the first mover advantage. This year, though, it is getting company with six more hotels opening on the Crescent.
It promises to be the busiest time for hotel openings on the Palm yet. One of the new properties is Atlantis owner Sol Kerzner's One&Only Palm Jumeirah.
Pointing to the success of the One&Only Royal Mirage and Atlantis, The Palm, Kerzner said he believed in the government's continuous commitment to developing tourism in the region. "Combined with all the destination has to offer, its constant innovation and its easy international access make this the perfect place for us to expand the One&Only portfolio."
"We're confident that we'll meet the date. The completion from the outset was planned to be around this time. We have 1,700 workers on-site and experienced no delays," said Michael Payne, general manager at the One & Only The Palm.
The other four confirmed hotels coming up on the Crescent this year are the Kempinski Emerald Palace Hotel and Residences, The Royal Amwaj Resort and Spa by Moevenpick, Zabeel Saray, Jumeirah Al Fattan Palm Resort Hotel and Residences and Grandeur Residences — Taj Exotica Resort and Spa by ETA Star.
A Nakheel spokesperson said: "Palm Jumeirah is set to become one of the world's premier resorts, with a number of top brand-name beachfront hotels represented on the island. This year we look forward to the opening of further hotels which are set to further enhance Palm Jumeirah's offerings."
The Palm Jumeirah's website says around 30 hotels are expected to open on the island.
Whilst economic circumstances have kept one or two hotels on the drawing board, most of those under construction have plodded on. At least three hotels will open next year, including the Moevenpick Oceana Resort and Spa and Tiara by Zabeel and the Al Habtoor Island Resort and Spa on the Crescent.
In 2012, the Sofitel Hotel and Resort is expected to open on one the Palm's fronds. The Fairmont Palm Hotel on the trunk is also not far from completion.
In the pipeline
luxury offerings
Hotels under planning, development and construction
- The Fairmont Palm Hotel & Resort
- Essque Hotel & Spa
- Trump International Hotel & Tower
- Jumeirah Al Fattan Palm Resort
- Grandeur Residences
- Kempinski Hotel
- Emerald Palace
- Kingdom of Sheba
- The Royal Amwaj
- Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
- Oceana Hotel & Spa
