Dubai
Meraas becomes Dubai’s latest master-developer to go full throttle with hospitality, confirming four distinct brands to take up positions at its many projects. These are Evado, Re Vera, Vivus and MQ, and will cater to different user groups.
According to Abdullah Al Habbai, Group Chairman, “Meraas has firmly established itself as a key innovator in the UAE through its portfolio of landmark destinations. We have identified a unique opportunity to introduce new, home-grown hotel brands, across different segments.”
It was last December that Meraas — with existing projects such as Citywalk, Jumeirah Bay Island and Bluewaters — decided to set up a hospitality division.
“Dubai has been successful in attracting global hotel operators,” said Al Habbai. “The city has also succeeded in creating local hospitality experiences on par with international hospitality brands. We are confident that the new brands that we’re introducing will enrich the sector, offer modern choices, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading tourism destination.”
The first of the new hotels to be operated by it are the Re Vera and Vivus branded resorts located at Bluewaters. These are on schedule to open their doors in 2018, and will be a short walk from Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest and largest observation wheel, being built on the island.
Re Vera Bluewaters Resort will have 178 rooms and 96 serviced apartments, ranging from one to four bedrooms. Vivus Bluewaters Resort is to have 301 rooms and 119 serviced apartments. Guests will have direct access to a 450-metre private beach.
While Evado has been conceptualised as a boutique hotel, Re Vera will be slightly below in the pecking order. Vivus has been dubbed “upper upscale” and MQ as “upper midscale”. Each Evado property will be confined to 80 rooms each.
Among Dubai’s other master-developers, Emaar is already some way into creating a hotel network, while Nakheel is currently on a major expansion through alliances with global operators. It has already announced projects at its Ibn Battuta and Dragon City developments and on the massive Deira Islands.
