The Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort permanently closed on April 10.
Minor Hotels, parent company of Anantara Hotels & Resorts, confirmed the closure, saying it was a joint decision with property owner Seven Tides Ltd. Minor attributed the shutdown to “a combination of external factors.”
The 70-room resort, which opened in early 2022 on the Dubai World Islands archipelago, was the first luxury hotel to debut on the man-made island, which is located roughly 2.5 miles off Dubai’s coast.
Minor said it “remains committed” to the rest of its portfolio in the United Arab Emirates, which includes Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Anantara Retreat Santorini Abu Dhabi, Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, Dukes The Palm Dubai Hotel, NH Collection Dubai The Palm and Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai.
The closure comes while Dubai tourism is reeling from the Iran war, with airlines operating at reduced capacity and hotel occupancy rates in a deep decline.
Dubai’s government aims to ease the burden on hotels, which are permitted to defer certain fees, including sales taxes on rooms and food and beverage, for three months, effective April 1.
Meanwhile, several of Dubai’s luxury properties are using the slow period as an opportunity to complete renovations.
The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab announced plans for a phased 18-month renovation earlier this month.
Also, the Park Hyatt Dubai said on its website that it plans to temporarily close May 1 for renovations, with a reopening slated for November, while the Armani Hotel Dubai announced via Instagram on April 2 that it had “entered a period of refinement,” and its booking platform shows no availability until early January 2027.