Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator, and investor with over 540 hotels across 56 countries, has revealed a new addition to its pipeline in the UAE: a resort and residences in Sharjah. Positioned along the Arabian Gulf’s picturesque coastline, the Anantara Sharjah Resort and Anantara Sharjah Residences are set to open in late 2027, just a 30-minute drive from Dubai International Airport.
Arada owns and is developing the new resort and residence complex, situated on Sharjah’s Al Heerah Beach. With striking architecture, including a signature gateway illustrating the path of the sun, the property will feature 110 spacious guest rooms and suites, ranging from 45 to 120 square meters. Additionally, there will be luxurious penthouse suites on higher floors.
To meet the increasing demand for branded residences, the development will feature 128 residential units ranging from one to four bedrooms, including penthouses with rooftop pools for sale. Each residence will boast private balconies and upscale furnishings consistent with the Anantara brand’s signature design and finishes.
In addition to a sandy beach, guests can enjoy amenities like a spacious infinity pool, the Anantara Spa for rejuvenation, and a state-of-the-art gym for fitness enthusiasts. The property’s five distinct restaurants will cater to various tastes, including a café lounge in a grand atrium lobby, a casual poolside eatery, an outdoor beachfront dining spot, Anantara’s renowned Mekong restaurant serving pan-Asian cuisine, and a specialty restaurant highlighting local flavors. For business events, the property will offer a flexible 400-square-meter meeting space and outdoor venues suitable for social celebrations.
“In recent years, Sharjah has blossomed into a cultural hub, drawing both vacationers and business visitors with its coastal charm and making it an optimal destination for our latest venture in the Middle East. The expansion of the luxury Anantara brand into Sharjah is an opportunity to deliver our unmatched lifestyle offerings to a new audience. We look forward to working with Arada to bring this new resort and residence to market and ensuring its leadership position as one of Sharjah’s finest addresses,” said Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of parent company Minor International.
“Anantara is one of the most distinguished luxury hotel brands in the world, and it is a privilege to bring this brand to Sharjah for the first time. Our partnership with Minor Hotels will provide buyers with the quality and delivery associated with Arada, combined with the harmony, culture, heritage, and services they have come to expect from the Anantara brand,” said Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada.
The emirate of Sharjah, acknowledged as the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ by UNESCO, is swiftly becoming a favored vacation destination. Its appeal lies in the seamless integration of modern architecture and museums with the UAE’s rich traditional heritage. With a plethora of attractions such as prominent museums, art galleries, archaeological sites, and family-friendly venues like expansive desert parks, Sharjah offers something for visitors of all ages and cultural inclinations.
The upcoming Anantara Sharjah Resort will join a growing collection of Anantara properties in the Middle East. This year, two resorts were launched in the UAE—Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat—bringing the total number of resorts in the country to 10. Additionally, Anantara boasts two resorts in Oman and one in Qatar.
