Al Mahra Resort by The Crest Collection is scheduled to open in 2028 as Ascott expands its luxury hospitality footprint in the UAE.
September 21, 2026 | Riya Malhotra | UAE | Developer | 2 Min Read
Image Courtesy: Platinumlist
The Ascott Limited is set to expand its UAE portfolio with a 539-unit resort in Ras Al Khaimah, adding another sizeable hospitality development to the emirate’s growing tourism and real estate pipeline.
Scheduled to open in 2028, Al Mahra Resort by The Crest Collection will operate under Ascott’s luxury collection of distinctive properties and will be one of the group’s major upcoming developments in the Middle East.
The project forms part of Ascott’s wider plan to open 16 properties across the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye by the end of 2028, as the hospitality group targets a regional portfolio of 15,000 units by 2030.
The 539-unit project adds to a rapidly expanding pipeline of hotels, resorts and branded residential developments in Ras Al Khaimah.
International developers and hospitality operators have increased their presence in the emirate as investment accelerates around Al Marjan Island and other tourism-led destinations.
Ascott’s decision to introduce The Crest Collection to Ras Al Khaimah also expands the range of luxury hospitality brands entering the market as the emirate works towards significantly increasing its tourism capacity.
The Crest Collection sits within Ascott’s luxury portfolio and comprises properties designed around distinctive architecture, heritage and individual destination characteristics.
Beyond Ras Al Khaimah, Ascott is preparing several new properties across the region.
Before the end of 2026, the company expects to open the 86-unit Ascott Villas Riyadh and 90-unit Citadines Sharq Kuwait.
Its 2027 pipeline includes Citadines Bab Tangier in Morocco and Citadines City Centre Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia, while nine regional properties are scheduled to open during 2028.
The group reported occupancy of more than 70% across its regional portfolio in early 2026, supporting its plans for further expansion across markets including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
For Ras Al Khaimah, Al Mahra Resort represents another substantial addition to future hospitality supply as the emirate continues attracting international operators and investment into resort-led real estate.
Source: The Ascott Limited; Hotel & Catering, 16 September 2026.
