Seven years after the deflagging of its Ras Al Khaimah desert property – now Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert – Banyan Tree Hotels is returning to the UAE. In a statement shared on 13 September 2023, the group’s parent company, Ennismore, shared news of an exciting and historic deal with Dubai Holding – announcing the imminent opening of a Banyan Tree Dubai.

The property will take over the existing site of the popular beach resort and dining destination Caesars Palace Dubai, with the property set to open as a Banyan Tree as early as November 2023. In a statement on its Instagram page, Ennismore said: Ennismore signs historic deal with @dubaiholding to create a unique luxury lifestyle experience in the Emirates. The multi-staged project on Bluewaters will welcome new brands to Dubai, starting with the opening of Banyan Tree Dubai in partnership with @banyantreehotels, set to open in November 2023. Stay tuned – this is just the first of many announcements marking the beginning of an exciting hotel and brand partnership.’

Taking place in stages, the repositioned resort will feature 179 rooms (compared to Caesars’ 479), including 30 suites and a brand-new four-bedroom villa with its own private entrance, pool and beach. The property will also feature the famous Banyan Tree Spa – a hallmark of the Thai wellness-focused brand featuring a relaxation area, gym, indoor and outdoor yoga spaces, dedicated f&b space, private mini rainforests, hydrotherapy pools and treatment rooms.

While Caesars is known for dining outlets like Hell’s Kitchen Dubai, the new Banyan Tree resort will overhaul the F&B offering, with five restaurants and bars created by Ennismore’s in-house f&b concept development team, Carte Blanched, and Banyan Tree Group.

On top of the rooms and suites, the property will also feature 96 private residences comprising one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units with a dedicated lobby, outdoor swimming pool and access to the hotel’s facilities.

‘We are thrilled to be at the beginning of a promising development partnership between Accor and Dubai Holding, and the announcement of the opening of a stunning Banyan Tree Dubai on Bluewaters is the first of many projects involving our brands in the pipeline to further develop and grow our presence in Dubai and globally,’ said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Accor.

‘Bluewaters has always been a destination for major projects that redefine luxury and cement Dubai as a global beacon of the tourism industry. Our collaboration with market leaders like Accor, Ennismore and Banyan Tree Group marks an important milestone in our ongoing journey of elevating the rich hospitality landscape in Dubai,’ added Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding.

Banyan Tree Dubai is set to open in November 2023.