Two years ago, Minor Hotel Group signed an agreement with master developer Nakheel to develop a 500+-room Avani-branded property on Dubai's Deira Island.
But perhaps due to declining room revenue or increased competition, the Avani Deira Islands resort looks to be on hold, if not completely halted. Hotelier Middle East is reporting that the Avani Deira Island Resort "will not be going ahead as planned."
MHG, however, is not going anywhere, and has partnered with Nakheel on another project: the Avani Ibn Batuta Mall. The 371-guestroom hotel will be connected to a shopping center and is slated to open in 2019.
That year, another Avani-branded hotel is also expected to open in Abu Dhabi’s Jebel Dhanna area. The 230-guestroom property was announced for a 2018 opening, but sources have indicated at a more realistic opening date in 2019.
The Middle East's first Avani Hotel opened in Dubai’s Deira district last July when the 216-room Movenpick Deira was rebranded the Avani Deira Dubai Hotel.