Minor Hotels is set to expand its presence across the Gulf in 2026 with the opening of four new properties in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain, part of a wider international pipeline covering Africa, Europe and Asia.
The openings will introduce several of the group’s brands to new markets and mark its debut in Bahrain with both Avani and Tivoli.
The company said the GCC remains a core focus of its global growth plan, which aims to add about 50 additional properties in the Middle East by 2027. Around 30 of these are earmarked for Saudi Arabia, reflecting rising demand for high quality accommodation and increased competition among international operators.
In Dubai, the Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel is scheduled to reopen in the first quarter of 2026 following a full refurbishment. The property will offer 252 rooms and suites, ranging from 52 square metre guest rooms with floor to ceiling windows to 235 square metre suites featuring private balconies and plunge pools.
Located about ten minutes from Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, the hotel is expected to target business and leisure travellers seeking access to the city’s main commercial and tourism centres.
Minor Hotels expansion
Minor Hotels will also introduce the Tivoli brand to Oman with the opening of the Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel in the second quarter of 2026. The development includes 79 rooms and 100 fully serviced branded residences aimed at long stay travellers and residents.
The design combines elements inspired by Omani cultural heritage with contemporary interiors. Facilities will include three dining venues, among them a SEEN rooftop restaurant and bar positioned as a late-night destination in Muscat. An Anantara Spa, rooftop pool and flexible event spaces will also feature.
In Bahrain, the group plans to open two adjacent beachfront hotels at Bilaj Al Jazayer in the final quarter of 2026. The new development forms part of the kingdom’s recently launched coastal destination. The first property, a luxury Tivoli resort, will offer 100 rooms and suites blending the brand’s classic aesthetic with Arabian design details.
The neighbouring Avani resort will add a further 110 rooms and suites, delivering a more contemporary and digitally focused guest experience. Both hotels will provide direct beach access, multiple dining options and shared leisure and wellness facilities, alongside amenities aimed at families.
Minor Hotels said the four GCC properties illustrate the group’s commitment to long term regional investment and its strategy to diversify its brand portfolio.
The company continues to develop its pipeline to meet the needs of increasingly segmented Gulf tourism markets and to strengthen its position as competition intensifies across the region.
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