Santorini-inspired Anantara property to open in United Arab Emirates

Minor Hotels has confirmed plans to open a new Anantara property in the United Arab Emirates.

The 22-key Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat is scheduled to launch in Q4 this year and is billed as an “ultra-private luxury resort”, with the option for exclusive-use buyouts.

The property is located in Ghantoot, an unspoilt section of coast approximately halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf.

The hotel is a 25-minute drive from Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport and a 35-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Minor Hotels said the property had been created to reflect the low-lying white buildings of Santorini.

Accommodation features spacious interiors, large terraces with sea views and refined décor with soft, neutral furnishings.

The culinary experiences on offer include a restaurant dedicated to the heritage of the region, celebrating local ingredients and spices, and an ocean-side eatery serving delicacies from Greece.

Beverages and cocktails will be served until late at the bar alongside a resident DJ.

Elsewhere, guests will find a private beach, expansive outdoor pool overlooking the Gulf and an indoor cinema offering private screenings on demand. Bespoke spa treatments and 24-hour butler service are also on offer.

“This will be an exciting new addition to our luxury portfolio of properties across the United Arab Emirates,” said Dillip Rajakarier, group chief executive of Minor International and chief executive of Minor Hotels.

“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.”

Minor Hotels currently operates and manages eight Anantara hotels and resorts in the United Arab Emirates, and a total of 11 in the Middle East region.

The group has a “strong” pipeline across multiple brands in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as upcoming debuts in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The Minor Hotels portfolio features a total of 530 hotels and resorts in 56 countries.