The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has revealed plans to develop two new megaprojects in the luxury hospitality sector, alongside three other projects that made their debut at the 29th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The developments aim to boost the UAE’s eco-tourism offerings while raising Sharjah’s profile as a leading destination in the region for heritage-inspired travel. The acting CEO of Shurooq, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, noted that the two new projects announced at ATM 2022 mark an exciting expansion of Shurooq’s portfolio of boutique hospitality offerings in Sharjah.
Al Qaseer said: “Our emirate benefits from a deep-rooted history and rich biodiversity, whose protection and preservation are at the heart of Sharjah’s sustainable development strategies led by Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
“Through our existing and upcoming portfolio of projects in eco-travel and luxury hospitality, Shurooq seeks to show the many faces of Sharjah to residents as well as travellers from around the world by creating authentic experiences that respect the environment and promote sustainability”.
The Serai Wing, Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim megaproject
The first of the two Shurooq megaprojects – named The Serai Wing, Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim – draws inspiration from a pearl merchant’s 19th-century family home in the Heart of Sharjah district, which Shurooq is converting into a modern 12-key boutique wing of The Chedi Al Bait.
Launched by Shurooq in 2017 and managed by GHM Hotels, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, is a 53-key hotel offering luxurious Emirati hospitality and bespoke experiences. The CEO of GHM, Tommy Lai, said: “The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, is consistently recognised for its excellence and innovation in creating memorable guest experiences, which we are excited to bring to The Serai Wing at Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim as well.
“Our offerings at the new property will be specially curated for family holidays and weekend escapades in GHM’s signature style. We look forward to welcoming visitors to The Serai Wing’s exclusive, transformative spaces which are designed to strengthen social and familial connections, as guests enjoy a luxurious stay and world-class service.”
Scheduled for completion in Q4 of 2022, the property will provide unique insights into traditional Emirati life, taking guests on a journey through the home of a family living in Sharjah, as it was over 100 years ago. Alongside world-class accommodation and hospitality, additional guest attractions include access to the facilities of the Chedi Al Bait Hotel and access to Heart of Sharjah’s souqs and heritage areas.
The Najd Al Meqsar Village megaproject
The second megaproject unveiled by Shurooq has been named the Najd Al Meqsar Village. Nestled in the mountainous terrains of the coastal city of Khorfakkan, the destination is being developed to bring travellers and residents a brand-new opportunity to experience the emirate’s diverse natural landscapes.
The project will see the development of 13 houses in the 100-year-old Najd Al Meqsar village, which were restored as part of a larger revitalisation project in the Wadi Shie archaeological site by the Sharjah Infrastructure Development Authority (Mubadara).
These houses are being transformed into luxurious heritage-style hotel units by Shurooq. Within this project, seven hotel units, the 300-year-old Meqsar Fortress – which offers a vantage view of the historic settlement from a height of 220m, a barbecue, outdoor areas, and a mosque, are complete.
As part of the project, Shurooq will also develop nine villas with private pools, private farm villas, hiking trails, horseback riding routes, tracks for electrical club cars, and other attractions. The chairman of the Initiatives Implementation Authority – Mubadara, Salah bin Butti Al Muhairi, said: “We are committed to working on everything that contributes to the sustainable development and infrastructural growth of the emirate.
Three eco-hospitality projects being developed by Shurooq
Shurooq’s leadership and innovation in eco-hospitality was also highlighted via three key projects at ATM 2022. Marking its fifteenth consecutive participation at the region’s leading travel and tourism event, Shurooq showcased three of its most recent eco-tourism projects, including the Lux Al Jabal Resort – a luxurious getaway in Khorfakkan overlooking the Arabian Sea; the Lux Al Bridi Resort in Al Dhaid adjacent to the Sharjah Safari park – the region’s largest wildlife reserve home to 120 species; and Nomad – a glamorous trailer resort experience that Shurooq has introduced to the UAE.
Offering the best in 5-star hospitality, Shurooq’s Lux Al Jabal Resort is being developed on the sloped of the Soueifa mountain and offers 45 eco-friendly 1- and 2-bedroom units including simple and luxury options, and a private royal suite complete with a swimming pool. The 187,000 square metre project on the slopes of the Al Soueifa mountain will also feature a clifftop restaurant, gym, kids play zone, reception, and lobby, and is set to be complete in 2023.
Shurooq is also developing the Lux Al Bridi Resort, a 5-star hospitality offering in Al Dhaid, Sharjah. The boutique 35-key property will feature 21 one-bedroom, 8 two-bedroom, and 6 three-bedrooms units, in addition to a gym, spa and pool, a restaurant, and a kids club. The resort is scheduled for a 2023 opening and is situated adjacent to the Sharjah Safari project – the largest conservation park in the region and home to the biggest wildlife safari in the world outside Africa.
Shurooq is partnering with Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) to ensure that the wild species inhabiting the park receive the best treatment. The two entities will collaborate to curate unique guest interactions with the wild. Once complete, these two destinations will be managed by leading global hotel operator, the LUX Collective, headquartered in Singapore.
The third project showcased by Shurooq at ATM 2022 is Nomad by Mysk. A collection of 20 fully-equipped trailers designed to complement their natural surroundings will dot the sandy beaches of Al Hamriyah. The authority stated that Nomad will start welcoming guests later this year, who will be treated to an offbeat escape, an exciting array of water sports and other beach activities.
Mysk by Shaza, which has been successfully managing and operating Shurooq’s ‘Sharjah Collection’ brand, has been appointed to manage and operate Nomad and the Najd Al Meqsar Village. The two properties join the Sharjah Collection’s portfolio of distinctive boutique hotels and ecoretreats that dot key locations throughout the emirate and have been designed by Shurooq to enable guests unique and diverse close-to-nature experiences.
The executive vice president at Shaza Hotels, Sanjiv Malhotra, said: “Shaza Hotels was elated to launch the Mysk Retreats for the Sharjah Collection in 2019, long before the urban escapes segment was a thing. “We are now honoured to work with Shurooq to enhance the offering by adding Nomad and Najd Al Meqsar to the growing collection of experiential living, far from the madding crowd set in beautiful locales.”
Najd Al Meqsar Village, Sharjah
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