Anantara Resort Breaks Ground on Al Siniya Island in Historic Expansion for Umm Al Qaiwain
The Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain presided over the foundation stone laying for a landmark luxury resort and residences, marking the introduction of the prestigious Anantara brand to the emirate and reinforcing its position as a premier coastal destination.
Umm Al Qaiwain has welcomed a significant milestone in its tourism and real estate development with the groundbreaking ceremony for Anantara Resort and Residences on Al Siniya Island. The ceremonial foundation stone laying, witnessed by H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, marks the inaugural entry of the globally recognised Anantara Hotels & Residences brand into the emirate.
The development represents a strategic collaboration between Sobha Al Siniya Island and Minor Hotels, facilitated through Sobha Al Siniya LLC—a joint venture between Sobha Realty and Umm Al Qaiwain Properties. The partnership unites the island’s comprehensive master plan with Minor Hotels’ internationally acclaimed hospitality expertise, creating a distinctive destination that exemplifies contemporary luxury and sustainability.
Distinguished attendees at the ceremony included H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Mualla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, alongside prominent figures including Ravi Menon, Chairman of the Sobha Group; Francis Alfred, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Sobha Realty; and William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International. The partnership agreement was formally executed by Sheikh Mansour Al Mualla, board member, alongside Francis Alfred for Sobha Al Siniya Island, whilst Amir Golberg, Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East and Africa at Minor Hotels, signed on behalf of the hotel group.
A Vision for Luxury Coastal Living
The resort and residences project is scheduled for completion in 2030, introducing a refined hospitality offering comprising 125 hotel rooms and 125 branded Anantara residential units. This carefully calibrated development will establish itself as a principal hospitality destination within the island’s integrated master plan.
Sobha Al Siniya Island, spanning approximately 23 million square feet, exemplifies principles of low-density development and environmental stewardship. More than 60 per cent of the master plan is dedicated to waterways, open areas, and green spaces, creating a harmonious balance between luxury accommodation and natural preservation. The destination benefits from exceptional accessibility, situated approximately 50 minutes from Dubai and connected to the mainland by a 1.7-kilometre bridge.
This development underscores Umm Al Qaiwain’s comprehensive strategy to cultivate distinctive, sustainable tourism and residential destinations whilst strengthening its economic performance and positioning as a premier emirate within the United Arab Emirates’ tourism landscape.
Source: WAM