Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Asian Americans to develop $1.3 billion resort in Dubai, UAE

The JW Marriott resort, featuring residences and 300 hotel rooms, is scheduled to open in 2026

Asian Americans to develop $1.3 billion resort in Dubai, UAE

TWO U.S.-BASED Asian American hoteliers are planning to develop a $1.3 billion luxury J. W. Marriott International resort in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The JW Marriott Al Marjan Island Resort & JW Marriott Residences Al Marjan Island, which is being developed by WOW Resorts founded by Bhupender 'Bruce' Patel and Anwar Ali Aman, is scheduled to open in 2026.

Patel and Aman held an unveiling ceremony for the project on Nov. 15 along with Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO for Marjan, master-developer of freehold property in Ras Al Khaimah including Al Marjan Island, and representatives of JW Marriot. Designed by Beverly Hills Architect Tony Ashai with Dubai-based Lead Consultants Architecture Design Unit, the project will include 524 residences with one to four bedrooms as well as penthouses, along with 300 guest rooms. It will have seven dining venues, pools and a fitness center.


The new WOW Resorts property is near Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and Dubai International Airport. Marjan Island Resort includes four man-made islands with more than 7 kilometers of beaches and several large hotels, spas and golf courses. The resort expects to see 5 million visitors annually.

“Our collaboration with JW Marriott and our venture on Al Marjan Island represents a new chapter in our journey,” Patel said. “With the demand for waterfront living on the rise, we are committed to optimizing and elevating the experiences of all our cherished guests and residents as we embark on this remarkable project in the UAE, set on the enchanting Al Marjan Island, a prime investment destination in the region.”

Patel and Aman are partners in Memphis-based White Oak Group, with a portfolio of about 300 businesses including hotels, restaurants and gas stations across the U.S. Patel’s parents, including his father Ramesh Motiram Patel, come from the Indian village of Baben in Gujarat state.

In addition, Patel is co-founder of Wealth Hospitality, formed in December 2019 along with his partner Chico Patel. Bruce was Tupelo, Mississippi-based Fusion Hospitality’s CEO and Chico was CEO at Ridgeland-based Heritage Hospitality when the two companies merged in December.

Along with hotels, Wealth Hospitality develops multi-family and assisted living facilities. Its brands include Hyatt Hotel Corp., Hilton, Marriott International, Best Western Hotels and Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group.

“It is a privilege to work with the prestigious JW Marriott and Al Marjan Island to unveil our flagship project in one of UAE's most eagerly anticipated developments,” Aman said regarding the Al Marjan Island resort. “We are humbled by the opportunity to further enrich our portfolio in the luxury sector, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the government and leadership of Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE for their efforts in enhancing investments in the tourism, hospitality, and residential segments within the region.”

More for you

Colliers: US hotel assets improve in 2025, led by Northeast and Central regions

Report: Hospitality health up on travel, events

What are the key findings from Colliers’ 2025 Hospitality Outlook?

THE FINANCIAL HEALTH of hospitality assets, especially in the northeast and central regions, is improving, driven by leisure travel and the return of conferences and events, according to Colliers. U.S. hotels saw RevPAR rise 2.4 percent, ADR 1.9 percent and a slight uptick in occupancy from April 2024 to March 2025.

Colliers' 2025 Hospitality Outlook report found that some regions are still returning to pre-pandemic demand levels, while others are reaching prior cyclical peaks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Extended Stay America survey 2025

Study: Extended-stay hotels feel more like home

What makes extended-stay hotels better than vacation rentals?

EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS OUTPERFORM vacation rentals and apartments in comfort, value and sense of home, according to a survey by Extended Stay America. About 79 percent of respondents said extended-stay hotels are like a home away from home, while 82 percent said they offer a stronger sense of home than vacation rentals or apartments.

In the national survey by ESA and Wakefield Research, respondents preferred extended-stay hotels over other options, citing amenities at 34 percent, comfort and familiarity at 33 percent and personalization at 30 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Analyze competitive set data to boost revenue in the USA hospitality market

HotStats: Updated comp sets boost revenue

Why U.S. Hotels Must Regularly Update Their Competitive Sets

HOTELS SHOULD USE an updated competitive set to maximize revenue, control costs and maintain market position, according to HotStats. Those that fine-tune their comp sets consistently outperform others by using real-time insights to guide pricing, labor and revenue strategies.

The comp set should be reviewed at least once a year, HotStats wrote in a recent blog post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Two best friends reunite on a Days Inn trip for social media ambassador campaign

Days Inn launches $10K bestie contest

How Can You Win $10K with Days Inn’s Best Friends Contest?

WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS’ Days Inn brand is launching a nationwide search to reunite five pairs of long-distance friends as brand ambassadors. The pairs, named “Days Inn-siders,” will spend a weekend highlighting a destination on the brand’s social media and receive $10,000, accommodations, flights and a daily stipend.

The initiative aligns with National Best Friends Day on June 8, and applications are open online through July 1, Wyndham said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ameyalli Park City by Appellation resort

Appellation, Chopra launch Utah retreat

Introducing Ameyalli Park City by Appellation

APPELLATION HOTEL BRAND co-founders Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger are working with wellness expert Deepak Chopra to launch a new branded hospitality concept, “Ameyalli Park City by Appellation”, near Park City, Utah. The 78-acre retreat, set to open in 2026 in Midway, will include an 80-key hotel, a wellbeing center and multiple dining venues.

The resort will feature the Ameyalli Center of Excellence, offering health and longevity programming based on Chopra’s seven pillars of wellbeing: emotional regulation, sleep, mindfulness, movement, relationships, nutrition and laughter. Appellation will operate the property.

Keep ReadingShow less