8 New Premier Inn hotels planned for GCC region

Premier Inn Middle East has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Equitativa Real Estate to develop up to eight new hotels across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, supporting the brand’s goal to more than double its regional presence in the GCC.

 

Valued at AED2 billion (US$540 million), the agreement could introduce a total of 3,500 additional keys in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Jeddah. 

 

The latest development drive will target key growth areas, focusing on city-centre and airport locations, and will include Premier Inn’s first hotels in Saudi, a milestone that reflects the kingdom’s rapid tourism growth and ambitious long-term vision for the sector.

 

Simon Leigh, Managing Director, Premier Inn Middle East, said the expansion is fuelled by a clear gap in supply, with demand for mid-market accommodation continuing to “outstrip supply in high-demand areas” such as Dubai.

 

RELATED:

Radisson expands MENA hotel portfolio by 4,500 keys in 2025

Saudi Arabia to develop 60 motels in midscale hospitality push

Hilton signs 2 midscale hotels in Riyadh

 

Premier Inn currently operates 11 hotels in the UAE and Qatar, comprising 3,184 keys in total. Its portfolio includes seven properties in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and two in Doha. The brand made its regional debut in March 2008 with the opening of Premier Inn Dubai Investments Park.

 

Dubai recently set a new tourism record, welcoming 19.59 million overnight visitors in 2025, up 5% on the 18.72 million recorded in 2024. By December 2025, Dubai’s hotel inventory reached 154,264 rooms across 827 properties.

 

According to real estate consultancy Cavendish Maxwell, hotel occupancy across Dubai climbed to 81% in the first half of 2025, supported by a 6.1% rise in visitor arrivals to nearly 10 million. The firm noted that upper midscale hotels led performance metrics with the highest occupancy (85%) and an 8.5% year-on-year increase in Average Daily Rate (ADR).

 

Premier Inn Middle East is a joint venture between The Emirates Group and Whitbread PLC. The brand is the UK’s largest hotel chain, operating more than 800 locations across the country.

 

For more information, visit premierinn.com