Anantara Siniya Island Resort and Anantara Residences Sobha Siniya Island have broken ground in Umm Al Quwain, marking a step in the emirate’s tourism and real estate development and strengthening its position as an emerging coastal destination in the UAE.
The ceremony on Sobha Siniya Island
followed a strategic partnership between Sobha Siniya Island and Minor Hotels
to introduce the Anantara Hotels & Resorts brand to Umm Al Quwain for the
first time.
The partnership is being delivered through
Sobha Al Siniya FZC, the joint venture between Sobha Realty and Umm Al Quwain
Properties.
Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al
Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
The event was also attended by His Highness
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Mualla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, alongside
senior representatives including Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group; Francis
Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Siniya Island; and William Heinecke, Founder
and Chairman of Minor International.
The partnership agreement was signed by
Sheikh Mansour Al Mualla and Francis Alfred on behalf of Sobha Siniya Island,
while Amir Golbarg, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East and Africa, signed on
behalf of Minor Hotels.
Scheduled to open in 2030, Anantara Siniya
Island Resort and Anantara Residences Sobha Siniya Island will comprise 125
hotel keys and 125 Anantara-branded residences, making it a major hospitality
component of the island’s masterplan.
The resort will feature Anantara’s
experiential luxury concept, with its design drawing inspiration from Siniya
Island’s natural environment, including mangroves, beaches, wildlife and marine
life.
The project is aligned with Umm Al Quwain’s efforts to support tourism, residential and economic growth while developing high-quality and sustainable destinations.
Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Siniya Island, said the
island was designed to celebrate its natural beauty. He noted that Anantara's
approach to hospitality complements the island's natural character, and that
the partnership with Minor Hotels brings together a commitment to thoughtful
design, distinctive experiences and the highest quality standards.
He added that the groundbreaking marks a new step towards turning the
island's ambitious vision into reality, and reflects the shared confidence of
the project partners and the Government of Umm Al Quwain in the future of
Siniya Island as an integrated destination for residents and visitors.
For his part, William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman
of Minor International, said the UAE is an important part of the group's growth
journey. He noted that Siniya Island's distinctive location and unique natural
assets make it a valuable addition to the destinations where the group
operates.
He expressed his pleasure at partnering with Sobha Al Siniya FZC to bring the Anantara brand to Umm Al Quwain, and at contributing to a new chapter in the emirate's tourism development.
Siniya Island, located off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, is one of the UAE’s largest natural islands and combines environmental, cultural and historical assets.
It is home to mangroves, beaches and diverse wildlife, alongside archaeological sites including a sixth-century monastery and stone circles reflecting its historical role in trade across the Arabian Gulf.
Sobha Siniya Island spans approximately 23 million square feet and is planned as a low-density waterfront community featuring apartments, villas, resorts, leisure facilities and open green spaces.
More than 60% of the masterplan is dedicated to water features, open spaces and greenery.
Located around 50 minutes from Dubai, the destination is connected to the mainland by a bridge approximately 1.7 kilometres long.
The Anantara partnership forms part of the wider vision to establish Sobha Siniya Island as an integrated coastal destination combining residential living, hospitality, leisure and nature.
It also expands Anantara’s UAE presence to Umm Al Quwain, alongside its existing properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah and its planned opening in Sharjah.-TradeArabia News Service