Master developer checks in with Thailand’s Minor Hotels at world’s largest themed mall

Dubai-based master developer Nakheel is marking a key milestone in its hospitality business strategy, with the opening of the Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai.

The hotel was inaugurated today (Monday) by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and William E. Heinecke, Founder, Chairman and Group CEO of Thailand’s Minor International, owner and operator of the Avani brand.

The new-build, 18-storey Avani is the second Nakheel hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall and one of several in operation or under construction in the developer’s hospitality project portfolio.

Located less than a minute’s walk from the world-famous mall and its 400 outlets, Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai has 360 guest rooms, including 15 suites, a pool deck with dining and recreational facilities, an all-day dining restaurant, a coffee shop, gym, meeting facilities and parking for 128 vehicles. The hotel is also accessible via the Dubai Metro.

Nakheel Chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, said: “Nakheel continues to play a key role in enhancing Dubai’s hospitality offering in line with the emirate’s economic and tourism goals, and we are proud to partner with Minor Hotels to bring the Avani brand to Ibn Battuta Mall.

“With more than 21 million visitors a year, the mall is a world-leading destination where quality accommodation is in demand, as is clear from the constantly-high occupancy rates of our first hotel here. The arrival of this new hotel comes as Dubai’s busiest time of year gets into full swing, and we look forward to a successful winter season – and beyond – at Avani Ibn Battuta.”

William E. Heinecke, Minor International Chairman, Founder and Group CEO, commented: “Minor Hotels is thrilled to officially inaugurate Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai today, which represents both a fantastic addition to the brand’s fast-growing portfolio and our first new-build Avani in the Middle East region. We are confident the property will be very well received in the Dubai market and look forward to working with our partners, Nakheel, to ensure Avani Ibn Battuta is a great success.”

Minor Hotels’ portfolio currently comprises almost 78,000 rooms across 536 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in 55 countries under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli, M Collection, NH Collection, NH, nhow, Elewana, Four Seasons, Marriott, St Regis, Radisson Blu and Minor International brands.

Nakheel’s hospitality portfolio features a diverse range of accommodation, including iconic, luxury projects on Palm Jumeirah, all-inclusive beach resorts at Deira Islands and mid-range hotels attached to the developer’s major shopping malls. Its first hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall – a 372-room Premier Inn – opened in 2016.