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Site works begin on W Hotel in Ras Al-Khaimah

18 April 2025

 

Site works have begun on the W Hotel and residences project on Ras Al-Khaimah’s Al-Marjan Island. 

The excavation works have started and are being undertaken by the local firm Shine Square Building Contracting.

The hotel will have 300 rooms and is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027.

Local firm Al-Gafry Engineering Consultant is the project’s lead consultant.

Thailand-based Blink Design Group is the project’s architect and interior design consultant.

In 2023, MEED reported that US-based hotel operator Marriott International had signed an agreement with Indian real estate developer Dalands Holding and master developer Marjan to develop a W Hotel on Ras Al-Khaimah’s Al-Marjan Island.

The companies declined to comment on the construction timelines and the budget.

W Hotel Al-Marjan Island will be Marriott International’s fourth property in the UAE, following W Dubai The Palm, W Dubai Mina Seyahi and W Abu Dhabi Yas Island.

Over the years, Al-Marjan Island has attracted some high-profile hospitality projects. The most notable include the Bab Al-Bahr Resort, Hampton by Hilton Resort, Double Tree, Radisson Hotel and Movenpick Resort. 

Ras Al-Khaimah real estate market 

The real estate market in the UAE’s northern emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah has undergone a transformation in recent years, with transactions reaching AED6.4bn ($1.74bn) in 2024 – an 805% increase on the AED711m recorded in 2020. 

Several key drivers have fuelled this growth, most notable of which is the establishment of an estimated $2.5bn Wynn Resorts integrated development on Al-Marjan Island. 

Since the Wynn Resorts announcement, real estate demand in the emirate – especially on Al-Marjan Island and in the areas around it – has skyrocketed. Major local and international residential and hotel developers, including local firm Rak Properties, Abu Dhabi’s Aldar, Dubai’s Emaar Properties and US-based Wow Resorts, have since launched high-end projects that have increased the appeal of real estate in the emirate.

Looking ahead, the Ras Al-Khaimah real estate market should remain robust, with schemes worth over $9bn in the pipeline.

Further growth is expected as a result of infrastructure enhancements, including improved road networks and international flight connectivity, which have supported the growing real estate market by making the emirate a more convenient place to live and work.

MEED’s May 2025 report on the UAE includes:

> GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY: UAE looks to economic longevity
> BANKING: UAE banks dig in for new era
> UPSTREAM: Adnoc in cruise control with oil and gas targets
> DOWNSTREAM: Abu Dhabi chemicals sector sees relentless growth
> POWER: AI accelerates UAE power generation projects sector
> CONSTRUCTION: Dubai construction continues to lead region
> TRANSPORT: UAE accelerates its $60bn transport push

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Yasir Iqbal

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