The Most Anticipated New Hotels Opening in Dubai This Winter and Spring 2026–2027
Dubai's hotel scene is entering another period of expansion, but the next generation of openings looks noticeably different from the mega-resorts that helped establish the city as a global tourism destination.
The emphasis is increasingly on wellness, privacy, design, branded residences and highly curated hospitality. At the same time, new hotels are appearing in locations ranging from Business Bay and DIFC to Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands.
For visitors planning a Dubai trip — and property investors watching where international hospitality brands are placing their bets — these are some of the most important new and upcoming hotels to know about.
Opening dates in Dubai can change as projects progress, so dates below reflect the latest publicly available estimates as of September 2026.
Kimpton Dubai
Area: Business Bay, Dubai Water Canal
Estimated opening: Late 2026 / Winter 2026–2027
One of the most anticipated openings for the coming winter is Kimpton Dubai, which will mark the lifestyle hotel brand's debut in the UAE.
The hotel is positioned along the Dubai Water Canal in Business Bay, within easy reach of Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. It will feature approximately 280 rooms and suites, three dining concepts, a rooftop swimming pool, spa, fitness facilities and several meeting and event spaces.
The project was initially announced for Q1 2026, although more recent reporting places its opening toward the end of 2026. IHG's current recruitment listings also identify the property as Kimpton Sevn Dubai and describe it as being in pre-opening.
Kimpton's arrival also reflects the evolution of Business Bay. Once predominantly considered a commercial district, the canal corridor is increasingly developing into a residential and lifestyle destination with restaurants, hotels and waterfront living.
Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection
Area: The Heart of Europe, The World Islands
Estimated opening: Winter 2026–2027
Dubai's World Islands could become considerably more interesting over the coming winter as additional hotels begin opening across The Heart of Europe.
Among the most anticipated is Marbella Resort Hotel, Vignette Collection, an IHG-managed resort inspired by Spain's Costa del Sol.
The 150-room property is expected to combine whitewashed Mediterranean architecture with pools, restaurants, sea views and access to The Heart of Europe's unusual collection of attractions and experiences. Recent hospitality reporting places its expected opening in winter 2026.
The resort is another important step in the gradual transformation of The World Islands from an ambitious offshore development into a functioning tourism destination.
Six Senses The Palm, Dubai
Area: West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah
Opening: September 2026
Technically arriving just before the traditional winter season, Six Senses The Palm is too significant to leave off the list.
The property marks Six Senses' first hotel in the UAE and occupies a private beachfront location on Palm Jumeirah's quieter West Crescent.
Reservations opened for stays beginning September 1, 2026. The resort includes 61 suites alongside a substantial branded residential component, private beach access and the wellness-led experiences for which Six Senses has become internationally recognised.
The project is particularly interesting because it represents a different interpretation of Dubai luxury.
Rather than competing on sheer scale, Six Senses is centred around wellness, privacy, nature and a comparatively intimate number of hotel keys.
That approach is becoming increasingly visible across Dubai's upper end.
InterContinental Resort Portofino
Area: The Heart of Europe, The World Islands
Estimated opening: Late 2026–2027
Another major resort taking shape on The World Islands is InterContinental Resort Portofino.
The large family-focused resort is planned around an Italian Riviera concept, with 466 rooms and suites, Italian-inspired restaurants, rooftop gardens and views back toward the Dubai skyline.
One of the property's more unusual features will be a six-storey atrium incorporating floor-to-ceiling aquariums.
The timing is less certain than some of the other hotels on this list. Current hotel pipeline data has placed delivery around late 2026, while other recent Dubai hospitality reporting points to late 2027.
It is therefore best considered an upcoming hotel to watch rather than a guaranteed winter opening.
Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai
Area: Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa Boulevard
Estimated opening: 2027
Few upcoming Dubai hotels have generated as much interest in the luxury property market as Baccarat Hotel & Residences Dubai.
Located on Burj Khalifa Boulevard, the project brings the heritage of the French crystal house into hospitality and residential real estate.
Plans call for approximately 144 hotel rooms and suites alongside 49 branded residences, with architecture by Studio Libeskind. Wellness facilities, restaurants and an infinity pool are also expected to form part of the development. Current Dubai hotel pipeline data places the project in 2027.
Its location is particularly important.
Downtown Dubai already contains some of the city's most recognisable hospitality brands and highest-value residential addresses. Baccarat adds another ultra-luxury name to that ecosystem while further strengthening Dubai's position as one of the world's major markets for branded residences.
Janu Dubai
Area: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Estimated opening: 2027
One of the most interesting hospitality projects arriving in central Dubai is Janu Dubai, the more energetic sister brand to Aman.
The project will be located within DIFC, overlooking Zabeel Palace Gardens with views toward Burj Khalifa.
Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Janu Dubai is planned to contain a 150-key hotel and only 57 private residences, alongside seven dining and entertainment destinations, a 1,700-square-metre wellness and fitness facility and the first Janu Club.
Current Dubai hotel pipeline reporting points toward a 2027 opening, although Janu itself currently describes the destination simply as "coming soon."
The location makes sense.
DIFC has evolved far beyond its original role as Dubai's financial district. Today, it is one of the city's strongest destinations for restaurants, art, nightlife and luxury living.
Janu appears designed specifically for that audience.
Aman Dubai
Area: Jumeirah 2
Estimated opening: 2027
Another major name expected to reshape Dubai's ultra-luxury hotel landscape is Aman Dubai.
Rather than building another high-rise hotel, Aman is developing a low-density resort in Jumeirah, with current industry pipeline information placing the project in Jumeirah 2 and targeting 2027.
The development is expected to combine an Aman hotel, private residences and extensive wellness and leisure facilities within a landscaped beachfront setting.
Aman's arrival is particularly significant because the brand is synonymous with discretion and privacy.
It also reflects a wider change taking place in Dubai luxury.
For years, Dubai hospitality was defined by spectacle. The next generation of hotels increasingly appears to be focused on space, privacy, service and exclusivity.
What Dubai's New Hotels Say About the City
The most interesting part of Dubai's current hotel pipeline isn't necessarily the number of rooms being added.
It's where they're being built and who they're designed for.
Business Bay is attracting international lifestyle hospitality.
DIFC is becoming a luxury residential, dining and social destination.
Palm Jumeirah continues moving further into the ultra-luxury segment.
Jumeirah's limited beachfront is attracting brands such as Aman.
And The World Islands is gradually developing into a genuine resort destination.
These aren't isolated hospitality projects. They are part of Dubai's broader evolution as a city.
The Connection Between New Hotels and Dubai Real Estate
The distinction between hotels and residential developments is also becoming increasingly blurred.
Six Senses, Baccarat, Janu and Aman all demonstrate the growing importance of branded residences in Dubai.
For developers, attaching a globally recognised hospitality brand can differentiate a project in an increasingly competitive luxury market.
For buyers, the attraction goes beyond the name.
Hotel-branded residences can provide access to concierge services, wellness facilities, restaurants, housekeeping, security and professionally managed amenities.
That makes them particularly appealing to international buyers purchasing a second or third home in Dubai.
Why Property Investors Should Watch Hotel Openings
New hotels can also provide clues about how different parts of Dubai are developing.
A global hospitality brand committing to a location doesn't automatically mean property prices there will increase. However, major hotel developments can bring restaurants, wellness facilities, beaches, retail, improved public spaces and greater international visibility to an area.
Over time, those additions can contribute to the lifestyle proposition of surrounding residential property.
This is particularly relevant in emerging districts where hospitality investment forms part of a much larger masterplan.
For property investors, understanding what is being built around a home can therefore be almost as important as understanding the property itself.
Dubai's Hotel Openings to Watch in Winter 2026 and 2027
For the immediate winter season, Kimpton Dubai and Marbella Resort Hotel are among the most notable anticipated openings, while the newly opened Six Senses The Palm adds another major luxury name to Palm Jumeirah.
Beyond winter, attention increasingly shifts toward 2027.
Baccarat will bring another ultra-luxury hospitality and residential concept to Downtown Dubai. Janu will add a new social and wellness-driven destination to DIFC. Aman will introduce its famously private approach to hospitality along the Jumeirah coastline.
Together, these developments show where Dubai hospitality is heading.
The city will continue building spectacular hotels, but the next phase of luxury appears less concerned with simply being the biggest.
The new competition is about becoming the most exclusive, the most distinctive — and the hardest to replicate.
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