IHG & Aldar Team Up for Luxury Yas Island Resort

IHG & Aldar Partner for Epic Yas Island Resort

IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its UAE presence through a strategic partnership with Aldar, the country’s real estate developer, investor, and manager.

IHG and Aldar are teaming up for a significant project on Yas Island. They will transform six hotels in the Yas Plaza complex into a single integrated Vignette Collection resort. The plan involves refurbishing and converting the current hotels into distinct properties within the newly named Straylight Yas Vignette collection. A significant part of the project is to provide private beach access to the complex for the first time.

The transformation will add 1,389 keys to IHG’s expanding UAE portfolio. The single-operator model is designed to streamline and consolidate the property’s reputation as a premier integrated resort destination that provides diverse experiences under one unified identity.

The partnership will also involve converting Aldar’s Al Dhafra region hotel, Tilal Liwa, into a world-class Vignette Collection resort. The hotel is set to have a soft opening later this year, followed by a whole opening in Q2 2025. This upcoming Vignette Collection hotel will offer a unique luxury retreat experience in the Abu Dhabi desert, adding 110 rooms to IHG’s portfolio.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: “This is a significant milestone in our journey, and we are delighted to join forces with Aldar for this game-changing project at one of the world’s most sought-after luxury, leisure, and sports destinations. Through this landmark franchise agreement, we demonstrate our commitment to support Abu Dhabi’s efforts to enhance further its leading position as a world-class family tourism destination. Being selected to upgrade the existing Yas Plaza hotels and Aldar’s desert resort in the Al Dhafra region under the Vignette Collection brand underscores IHG’s unique ability to provide exceptional hospitality that meets the diverse needs of today’s travellers while supporting our partners’ wider tourism sector ambitions to stimulate broader economic growth.”

Inaugurated in 2009, Yas Island is a premier leisure and entertainment hub key to Abu Dhabi’s global tourism appeal. Spanning 25 sq. km, the island is renowned for its world-class attractions and hosting major sporting and entertainment events, including the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Set to open during Q4 2025, the new resort will feature an underground tunnel to facilitate direct beach access, a retail and F&B strip, and connections to the prestigious Yas Links Abu Dhabi golf course. Additionally, the project will introduce a range of new facilities, including golf and beach villas, a beach club, an open-air theatre, standalone F&B venues, and various other new leisure amenities.

With its design inspired by local heritage, the Vignette Collection hotel in the Al Dhafra region will feature tented villas with private pools alongside rooms and suites, three restaurants, a world-class spa, a swimming pool, four meeting rooms, a children’s play area and a gift shop.

Vignette Collection, part of IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, offers the next generation of travellers one-of-a-kind stays in memorable destinations enriched with authentic experiences. The brand has grown significantly since its launch in 2021 and plans to expand globally to more than 100 properties within the next decade. IHG currently operates 33 hotels across four brands in the UAE, and nine additional hotels are scheduled to open in the coming years.