The UAE has no shortage of mega-hotels – glossy gargantuans and palatial beach resorts with hundreds of bedrooms, including one of the best in the world. But what it’s distinctly missed is a boutique offering. Hoping to plug that gap, Minor Hotels has announced the opening of what could be the UAE’s first true boutique hotel – Anantara Santorini.

Offering just 22 keys and set away from the city in the peaceful enclave of Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, Anantara Santorini will open in winter 2023, offering a unique escape for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi tourists and residents. The hotel sits near the former site of Blue Marlin and is a 30-minute drive from Dubai Marina and a 35-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. 

Offering beachy, island vibes and with an oceanfront location, Anarara Santorini poses as the perfect new escape for UAE staycations and beach vacations. The property itself has been designed to reflect the iconic buildings of its namesake island, with low-rise, white-washed buildings blending with the natural landscape and looking out onto the Arabian Gulf.

Guests will stay in villa-inspired accommodations, with rooms offering spacious interiors filled with chic, neutral furnishings and private sea-view terraces. Elsewhere, guests will be able to make use of the boutique resort’s private beach, expansive outdoor swimming pool overlooking the ocean and indoor cinema with private screenings. An indoor cinema will host late-night movie screenings, complete with a custom menu, and be available for private screenings, while the beloved offerings of the Anantara Spa will be available in private beachside cabanas. Rooms will also benefit from 24-hour butler service, catering round-the-clock to its boutique number of guests.

In another nod to its namesake island, Anantara Santorini will have an elegant ocean-front restaurant serving elevated Greek and Cycladic cuisine, along with another eatery serving regional cuisine – championing local ingredients and spices. A bar will serve beverages and cocktails late into the night with live DJs creating a laid-back party vibe. Anantara Santorini will also be available for exclusive buy-outs – offering a luxurious, island-inspired escape for birthdays, special occasions and reunions, or even weddings.

“This will be an exciting new addition to our luxury portfolio of properties across the United Arab Emirates,’ said Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO Minor International and CEO Minor Hotels on the opening. ‘With a fantastic location equidistant between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this ultra-private property offers exceptional facilities for full buy-outs, especially those seeking an intimate boutique experience unlike anywhere else in the UAE.’

Anantara Santorini is the newest announcement in Minor Hotels’ continued expansion in the Middle East, adding to its portfolio of eight Anantara resorts in the UAE and 11 in the region. Future properties include sites in the UAE, Qatar and upcoming debuts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.