Sobha Siniya Island and Minor Hotels have broken ground on the Anantara Siniya Island Resort and Anantara Residences Sobha Siniya Island, bringing the Anantara Hotels and Resorts brand to Umm Al Quwain for the first time.
The ceremony took place on Siniya Island in the presence of Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Mualla, Deputy Ruler of Umm Al Quwain. Also attending were Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group; Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Siniya Island; and William Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International.
The project is being delivered through Sobha Al Siniya FZC, the joint venture between Sobha Realty and Umm Al Quwain Properties. The resort and residences are scheduled to open in 2030 and will comprise 125 hotel keys and 125 Anantara-branded residences.
Alfred said the partnership brings together a commitment to thoughtful design, distinctive experiences and high quality standards, and described the groundbreaking as a step towards turning the island’s vision into reality.
Heinecke said the UAE is a central part of Minor’s growth plans and that Siniya Island’s location and natural assets make it a valuable addition to the group’s portfolio. The deal extends Anantara’s UAE footprint beyond its existing properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, and a planned opening in Sharjah.
Siniya Island sits off the Umm Al Quwain coast and is one of the UAE’s largest natural islands. Sobha’s masterplan for the site spans approximately 23 million square feet and is being developed as a low-density waterfront community, with more than 60% of the land dedicated to water features, open spaces and greenery. The island also has archaeological significance, with a sixth-century monastery and stone circles that point to its historic role in Gulf trade.
The development is around 50 minutes from Dubai and connected to the mainland by a 1.7-kilometre bridge.
