The Fairmont Residences & Hotel Al Marjan Island is the latest contender to plant a flag along the outermost shoreline of Ras Al Khaimah’s archipelago. Groundbreaking for the USD 545 million resort took place on 8 January, jointly led by Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Al Marjan, and Romeo Abdo, founder of Dubai-based real estate developer Ardee.
 Abdo explains, «With 519 branded residences and townhouses, four exclusive sea villas, and an integrated hotel with 250 rooms, the project is among the most significant branded coastal developments in the emirate and is scheduled for completion in 2028.»

South Seas Flair With an Oriental Touch

Romeo Abdo continues:
«The groundbreaking signals the start of a flagship beachfront project that reflects our commitment to outstanding design, long-term quality, and modern coastal living. This project is the first within our master plan on Al Marjan Island and sets the benchmark for future communities we will develop in the UAE. We are proud to invest in the future of Ras Al Khaimah—the Arabic name means ‘top of the tent’—and to support its ambitions to establish itself as a premier destination for coastal living, branded hospitality, and sustainable investor confidence. »

Abdulla Al Abdouli says:
«By creating vibrant spaces for thriving, master-planned developments, Marjan aligns with the emirate’s vision to evolve into a sought-after global destination for luxury lifestyle and investment.»

Betting to Begin in 2027

Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont Raffles, adds:
«Embedded in nature and designed to showcase the very best of the destination, this development is ideally positioned to become a vibrant social hub.»

The gaming resort at the Wynn Al Marjan Island, currently under construction, is set to open next year. All hotels on the peninsula will offer buggy and shuttle services to the gaming areas. From spring 2027, betting, wagering, and gaming at tables will be permitted in the emirate—a first in the Islamic Gulf state of the UAE. That said, lottery ticket sales and draws, prize competitions, and horse racing with betting have been common practice in the UAE for decades. Dubai Duty Free also regularly raffles off cash prizes and luxury cars. Al Marjan Island, however, is being established as a kind of state-within-a-state for gaming.

Last year, the UAE welcomed 27.6 million international travelers, contributing around USD 70 billion to the national economy. Located roughly a one-hour drive northeast of Dubai International Airport (DXB), the resort complex has already attracted a host of well-known brands to the warm waters of the Gulf, including Hilton, Mövenpick, and Radisson.

The Mövenpick Group is already welcoming holidaymakers with a hotel on Al Marjan Island. (Photo: Gérard Al-Fil)

Al Marjan is an artificial archipelago off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah (UAE). The project consists of four reclaimed islands—Breeze, Treasure, Dream, and View—created through land reclamation. Conceptually, it is comparable to, though significantly smaller than, Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali.