The only hotel to have opened on Dubai’s World Islands has permanently closed, ending what was a novel experiment in ultra-luxury offshore hospitality.
Minor Hotels, the Bangkok-based operator behind the property, confirmed the shutdown of Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort to The National, citing a convergence of pressures rather than a single cause. “The closure is the result of a combination of external factors and is not attributable to any single issue,” the company said, adding that decisions were made in consultation with owner Seven Tides Ltd “following careful consideration.”
Staff welfare was flagged as an immediate priority in the aftermath. “While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, our immediate focus is on supporting our team members through this transition,” Minor Hotels said.
The resort had been operating since 2021 on the South American continent of the World Islands, a sprawling offshore archipelago shaped to resemble a map of the globe. Its check-in process was unconventional — guests registered at Anantara Dubai, The Palm before boarding a boat for a roughly 20-minute crossing to the island. A wooden jetty and a pergola-style welcome pavilion on the water’s edge greeted arrivals.
Spread across 70 keys, the property ranged from balconied Ocean View rooms to a four-bedroom Beach Pool Villa covering 224 square metres, with nightly rates beginning at Dh1,596. Its dining lineup included Helios for Mediterranean fare, Luna — a South American lounge drawing on Frida Kahlo’s aesthetic — and Qamar, a Middle Eastern and Indian restaurant arranged in traditional majlis-style seating with open views across the island chain.
Minor Hotels continues to operate several UAE properties under different brand flags, among them Dukes The Palm, NH Collection Dubai The Palm, and Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai.
