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29 March 2024

Sharjah unveils $100m resort on Corniche

Published
By Bindu Rai

The luxury hospitality segment in Sharjah just got a boost with a new $100 million five-star resort set to open its door in 2018.

In a joint collaboration between Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Basma Group Sharjah, and HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Majlis Grand Mercure Sharjah Resort and Spa will take the lion’s share, spread across 12,000 square metres of the Corniche in the emirate.



Speaking with Emirates 24|7, Sheikh Qasimi confirmed the sprawling property would open its doors to guests by Q4 2018, adding the emirate will also be witnessing a boost in the three- and four-star properties in the coming years to meet its target of 10 million tourists by 2021.

Prince Saud also confirmed his KBW Investments would actively look at other investment opportunities in the emirate.

Cultural theme

The 234-room Majlis Grand Mercure will add to the Sharjah pipeline, which will gain a boost from the current 10,000 rooms to 15,000, according to Mohamed Ali Al Noman, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce Tourism and Development Authority.
 


He said: “Sharjah is targeting 10m tourists by 2021; to sustain this growth in numbers, we will be increasing the room inventory from 10,000 to 15,000 rooms, which will be spread across three-, four and five-star categories to cater to all clientele.”

Managed by the Accor hospitality group, Al Qasimi further said: “The announcement of this property fulfils a need for five-star luxury segment within the emirate. This resort will sustain the theme of art and culture, yet raise the bar as a destination resort, with all sea-facing rooms.



“This is a great opportunity for Sharjah to increase the tourism ratio for the upcoming years by embracing the luxury segment.

“Sharjah will start to cater for tourists who seek to explore its history and that special artistic and cultural flair of Sharjah at a vibrant location that will combine art and culture with contemporary traditional elements.”

When quizzed, Prince Al Saud said investing in Sharjah was the right ‘fit’ for his company’s growth strategy, adding: “This is our first investment in the emirate, but definitely not our last. We have ventured into five-star luxury, but aren’t averse to investing in the three and four-star segments either.”

The resort will cater to two restaurants, along with hosting a Hamam Spa, with six treatment rooms, a health bar, a swimming pool and a fitness centre.