In our third installment of the most anticipated luxury property openings around the world, here is a curated list of new openings in Africa and the Middle East for 2024.
Dar Tantora – Scheduled to open January 2024
In historic AlUla Old Town, Dar Tantora is named after AlUla’s famous sundial. Created from sensitively restored mudbrick buildings, this 30-room eco-lodge is designed to share traditional bedouin living experiences, with an upscale twist highlighted by its use of traditional décor, furniture and artistic treatments. Using modern engineering in tandem with traditional materials and techniques, guests will be enraptured by the area’s intangible heritage. Amenities for guests will include a pool and spa, restaurant and café which will use exclusively local ingredients.
Wara Wara Lodge – Scheduled to open January 2024
Amidst the hills of the Wara Wara Mountains, new eco-lodges are coming to Kabala, a city in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. Located in the Koinadugu district, about a five-hour drive from Freetown (the capital of Sierra Leone), the resort is in the Wara Wara Mountains which are considered a magical place for the adventurous at heart. Expected to provide a unique community-tourism driven experience for tourists, with a fantastic mountainous backdrop and ample fertile land to explore, visitors will be able to explore the diverse wildlife, national parks, empty shores, world-class waves and a growing ecotourism scene.
The Lana – Scheduled to open February 2024
Overlooking the vibrant Business Bay area and the waters of the Dubai Canal, The Lana will be the Dorchester Collection’s first hotel in the Middle East. In the heart of Dubai the striking 30-story tower is designed by award-winning architects Foster + Partners and the thoughtful interiors by celebrated Parisian design-duo Gilles & Boissier. The Lana’s Royal Suite will be its crown jewel offering 180 degree views of the city and marina and measuring in at 3,822 sq. ft. Eight world-class dining experiences will be on show including several concepts helmed by globally renowned chefs along with an exquisite designer spa and a rooftop pool with panoramic views.
Atzaro Okavango – Scheduled to open March 2024
African Bush Camps is opening a new sustainable luxury retreat in Botswana's Okavango Delta, offering the discerning traveler a harmonious blend of luxury and environmental consciousness. Comprised of 10 exquisite luxury suites designed to immerse guests in the wonders of nature and inspired by contemporary African-inspired decor, the camp presents an intimate and tranquil setting. Along with cutting-edge eco-friendly practices, guests can embark on unforgettable wildlife encounters and enjoy luxurious amenities on property. Guests can unwind at the camp's infinity pool, indulge in spa treatments inspired by ancient African traditions and savor gourmet cuisine with locally sourced ingredients.
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Scheduled to open Q1 2024
Also part of the highly anticipated Red Sea Project, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will be the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in the Middle East. The resort will be situated on the private islands in the Red Sea's Blue Hole cluster and will offer 63 water and beach villas, along with spa, swimming pools, culinary venues, a retail area and a Conservation Center.
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island – Scheduled to open Q1 2024
Offering a collection of 59 seafront villas all equipped with private pools and a personal concierge, the exclusive luxury resort is located just over 130 kilometers south of Mahe. In a pristine atoll fringed by palm forests, migratory seabirds and turtles and protected by its own lagoon and coral reef, guests can access the island by seaplane. On the private island, guests will have access to six restaurants and bars, a spa, kids’ club, outdoor observatory, tennis courts and a marine conservation discovery center.
One&Only One Za’abeel – Scheduled to open Q1 2024
Combining the untold charms of Dubai as the most futuristic city on Earth, the hotel is the first-ever vertical urban resort from hospitality brand One&Only Resort. One&Only One Za’abeel overlooks Dubai’s glittering skyline and is connected via the world’s longest cantilever, The Link – a futuristic boulevard floating 100 meters above the street. The Link will feature culinary concepts from Michelin-lauded chefs, home to immersive experiences, beachclub concept and nightlife venue Sphere. The resort will also feature a rejuvenating Spa Clinic, state-of-the-art fitness hub, an inspiring KidsOnly Club, luxury retail boutiques and a private club on the 53rd floor.
Kibale Lodge – Scheduled to open May 2024
Perfectly positioned for chimpanzee trekking in Kibale National Park in Uganda, Kibale Lodge is the fifth lodge from Volcanoes Safaris, pioneers of gorilla and chimpanzee eco-tourism in Uganda and Rwanda since 1997. Comprised of eight deluxe rooms and a villa, plus a spa, sauna and pool, the lodge is about a thirty minute drive from the chimp tracking base in the Kibale Forest which is home to about 1,500 chimpanzees, one of the largest communities of chimpanzees in Africa. The lodge is designed to bring out the characteristics of its 150-acre site and the stunning views of the Queen Elizabeth plains and the Kazinga channel.
Hegra Hotel – Scheduled to open Q2 2024
Set among the spectacular ancient Nabataean site and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, the luxury 35-room Hegra Hotel will open its doors in Q2 2024. Occupying several existing structures, including an old railway station, Hegra Fort, and other surrounding buildings, the hotel will boast a contemporary design. Offering three restaurants (one inside a former railway station), a full-service spa and swimming pool on site, guests can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site in true luxury.
Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr – Scheduled to open in 2024
Spread across twelve acres of landscaped gardens in the heart of Morocco’s “City of Lights”, Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr is set in the heart of Rabat. Featuring 200 guest rooms and suites, the fully restored property includes six heritage and five new buildings on the oceanfront. Previously a Sultan’s summer residence and later a military hospital, the historical landmark from the 18th century has been restored and reimagined as a luxurious oceanfront retreat. Translated as ‘Palace by the Sea’, the resort features Moroccan-inspired design and state-of-the-art technology in a colorful, charming setting along with multiple restaurants on property and a spa with a traditional Moroccan hammam.
Jumeirah The Red Sea – Scheduled to open by EOY 2024
Jumeirah The Red Sea will mark the first phase of the project on Shura Island, set to be one of Saudi’s most exciting tourism developments. In western Saudi Arabia, over 300 miles north of Jeddah, the resort will offer a range of accommodation options, from spacious rooms and suites to stunning pool and beach villas. Some of the villas will be connected by a sand-covered ‘Ribbon Path’ to ensure that guests feel immersed in the natural beauty of the island. The hotel will also boast exceptional dining experiences, welcoming several of the brand’s home-grown concepts including the southern European-inspired SAL and Nikkei Peruvian Kayto, as well as Jumeirah’s celebrated Talise Spa.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab – Scheduled to open by EOY 2024
The new lifestyle destination set to open in 2024 is designed by acclaimed Shaun Killa. Nestled in a peninsula at the heart of Dubai’s most exclusive beach, the hotel features 387 rooms and suites along with 82 luxury residences - all featuring unobstructed views of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and the shimmering Arabian Gulf. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab will present curated dining experiences across 10 restaurants and nine bars and a three-story spa spanning over 37,000 sq. ft. with 13 treatment rooms, each with a private terrace and captivating views over the Arabian Peninsula.
