14 Gulf hotel openings in January 2026 that you should know about

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Following a record-breaking December for Dubai’s hotel sector – its strongest in nearly two decades – the region’s hospitality momentum has carried into 2026 with a new wave of openings and rebrandings across Dubai and the wider Gulf.

This month’s highlights include several regional firsts, among them Qatar’s debut Rosewood property and Riyadh’s first Sofitel, alongside high-profile returns such as Kerzner’s revitalisation of The Meydan Hotel in Dubai and Hilton’s relaunch of Muscat’s landmark Barr Al Jissah resort complex.

From an off-grid eco-escape in Sharjah’s mountains to an adults-only island resort off Dubai’s coast, here are 14 notable hotel openings shaping the Gulf’s hospitality landscape in January 2026.

Rosewood Doha, Qatar

Marking Rosewood’s debut in Qatar, this striking new property within Lusail Marina District combines 155 rooms and suites with 162 serviced apartments designed for extended stays. Eight dining concepts, three pools, a padel court and a social wellness club round out its luxury lifestyle offering. rosewood-doha-qatar

Deluxe Room, Rosewood Doha, Qatar

Hilton Muscat, Barr Al Jissah Resorts, Oman

Hilton has reopened three hotels in Oman after taking over the management of the iconic Barr Al Jissah resort complex in Muscat, previously operated by Shangri-La. Set along Oman’s eastern coastline and framed by the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman, the revitalised destination features three distinct resort experiences, enhanced by shared leisure facilities and dining venue. hilton-3-muscat-hotels

Hilton Al Husn Hotel Muscat, Oman

Grand Mercure Business Bay, Dubai, UAE

Reopening under the Grand Mercure flag, the former Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay has been transformed through a major renovation. The 270-room property features contemporary rooms and suites, including a two-bedroom penthouse overlooking the Dubai Canal, plus an outdoor pool terrace and five dining and entertainment venues. Grand-mercure-business-bay

Room at Grand Mercure Business Bay, Dubai

Mövenpick Dubai Creek, Dubai, UAE

Marking a new chapter for the Golden Sands Hotel Creek, this newly rebranded and refurbished hotel brings a fresh Swiss-inspired hospitality touch to Dubai’s historic heart, offering 150 rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling views across the creek, complemented by signature experiences such as Mövenpick’s popular Chocolate Hour. Movenpick-grows-dubai-portfolio

Presidential Suite, Mövenpick Dubai Creek

Voco Dubai Nice The Heart of Europe, World Islands, UAE

This French Riviera-style, adults-only resort joins Voco Monaco Dubai on the World Islands as part of The Heart of Europe development. Accessible by speedboat, the 264-key property offers five dining venues, a Champagne bar and spa, multiple beaches and themed party suites for immersive leisure getaways. Voco-dubai-nice

Voco Monaco Dubai

The Meydan Hotel, Dubai, UAE

A Dubai icon returns under new management, as Kerzner debuts its stewardship of The Meydan Hotel. The reimagined, 284-room property retains its trackside allure, now enhanced with upgraded rooms, refreshed dining options and sweeping views across Meydan Racecourse and the city skyline. Meydan-hotel-dubai-reopens

Infinity pool, The Meydan Hotel, Dubai

Nomad, Sharjah, UAE

Sharjah’s newest sustainable haven, Nomad, offers an off-grid eco-luxury experience near Kalba Nature Reserve. The retreat features 20 solar-powered trailers, a food truck, and 7.44km of hiking and cycling trails, with activities ranging from birdwatching and outdoor yoga to stargazing sessions. Nomad-eco-retreat

Nomad, Sharjah

Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Centre

Sofitel makes its Saudi debut with a landmark property adjacent to King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Mosque. The 388-key hotel features Riyadh’s largest luxury convention centre, four indoor pools and the city’s first Clarins Spa, complete with 12 treatment rooms. Sofitel-debuts-in-riyadh

Rooftop lounge, Sofitel Riyadh Hotel and Convention Centre

DoubleTree by Hilton Madinah Gate

Anchoring the new Knowledge Economic City development, DoubleTree by Hilton Madinah Gate offers 325 rooms and family suites with skyline views. Highlights include the highest rooftop lounge in Madinah, offering premium shisha and far-reaching city vistas.
doubletree-hotel-in-madinah

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Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hilton expands its Tapestry Collection with the opening of the brand’s largest property worldwide. The Makkah hotel features 1,386 rooms and suites, two ballrooms, eight meeting rooms, a kids’ club, and city-facing dining spaces tailored for group and family stays.
Hilton-doubles-makkah-footprint

Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Crowne Plaza, Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Catering to business and long-stay travellers alike, Crowne Plaza Al Jubail offers 190 rooms and suites with workspaces, pool views, and access to three dining venues. Facilities include seven meeting rooms and an outdoor heated pool. crowne-plaza-hotel-al-jubail

Pool, Crowne Plaza, Al Jubail

DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah

Also in Makkah, the 381-key DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah sits within minutes of Masjid Al Haram, the Holy City’s largest mosque and close to key pilgrimage sites such as Mina and Jamarat. Amenities include multiple restaurants, a kids’ club and a fitness centre. 2-new-hotel-openings

To discover all the latest hotel openings, bookmark Connecting Travel’s First Look galleries at www.connectingtravel.com/photos, and follow us on Linkedin and Instagram