IHG Hotels & Resorts is bringing its Garner Hotels brand to the Middle East for the first time, signing two UAE properties with local operator Nooa Holdings. Both hotels are expected to open in 2026, adding a combined 285 keys to IHG’s UAE portfolio.
The larger of the two, a 204-key property in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Nakheel district, will sit by the creek close to Al Naeem Mall and around 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. The 81-key Dubai property will occupy a site near Al Jaddaf Waterfront, between Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport, and will include a rooftop pool overlooking Dubai Creek.
Garner Hotels positions itself as a midscale conversion brand, targeting travellers who want reliable quality at an accessible price rather than full-service luxury. The model is built around adaptable existing buildings, allowing owners to reposition assets without a ground-up build. Both properties will sit on IHG’s enterprise systems and its IHG One Rewards loyalty platform.
“The UAE is a natural launch market for the brand, with strong demand from travellers seeking high-quality stays at an accessible price point and from owners looking for a compelling model backed by IHG’s systems, scale and global platforms,” said Haitham Mattar, IHG’s Managing Director for India, Middle East & Africa.
Amit Basnet, Founder and CEO of Nooa Holdings, said the brand’s flexible model and focus on affordable quality made it a good fit for both locations, adding that the company intends to explore further portfolio growth with IHG.
IHG currently operates 39 hotels across eight brands in the UAE, with a pipeline of 110 hotels due to open over the next three to five years.
