IHG Hotels & Resorts to Open First Kimpton Hotel in the UAE in 2026

(IN SHORT) IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced a management agreement with API Hotels & Resorts to open the first Kimpton hotel in the UAE in Q1 2026. Located along the Business Bay Canal in Dubai, Kimpton Dubai will feature 280 luxurious rooms, innovative dining options, and top-tier amenities, including a rooftop pool, spa, fitness center, and a focus on wellness. This addition marks another step in IHG’s regional expansion and its commitment to delivering distinctive luxury experiences in the Middle East.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, 2025-Apr-30 — /Travel PR News/ — IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s largest hotel groups, has announced a management agreement with API Hotels & Resorts to launch the first Kimpton hotel in the UAE. Set to open in Q1 2026, Kimpton Dubai will debut in the iconic Business Bay area, further expanding IHG’s luxury portfolio in the Middle East. This will be the 123rd hotel for IHG in the region, where the group now operates over 122 hotels and nearly 44,000 rooms across nine countries.

Known globally for its distinctive design, heartfelt hospitality, and immersive lifestyle experiences, Kimpton has become a leading name in boutique-style luxury hotels across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The brand’s introduction to Dubai reflects the growing demand for experience-led stays in the region’s dynamic luxury hospitality market.

Kimpton Dubai will be strategically located along the Business Bay Canal, just minutes from the world-renowned Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall. The area has rapidly developed into a hub for business and leisure, attracting a diverse mix of residents, visitors, and professionals. The new hotel will serve as a vibrant social center for the city, offering both locals and international travelers a fresh hospitality experience.

Kimpton Dubai will feature 280 guest rooms, including a mix of standard rooms and suites, offering guests a luxurious and comfortable stay. The hotel will also boast three unique dining concepts, seven flexible meeting spaces, including a grand ballroom, and a range of leisure amenities, including a rooftop swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center. True to Kimpton’s commitment to innovation, the hotel will offer exceptional food and beverage experiences, bringing fresh culinary offerings to the heart of Dubai.

The hotel will also include curated retail outlets and ample parking, adding convenience and luxury for guests. With an emphasis on wellness, the hotel will cater to both relaxation and fitness needs, further enhancing its appeal as a destination for business and leisure.

This marks the second collaboration between IHG and API Hotels & Resorts, following the opening of InterContinental Residences Dubai Business Bay in September 2024. IHG has also signed a management agreement for its first Kimpton hotel in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, with The King Abdullah Financial District Management and Development Company, an affiliate of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of IHG Hotels & Resorts – India, Middle East & Africa, said: “Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants are redefining luxury lifestyle hospitality, blending world-class design, self-expression, and genuine service. We are proud to bring Kimpton to Dubai in partnership with API Hotels & Resorts, creating a fresh and innovative hospitality experience in the vibrant Business Bay area. We’re excited to deliver a boutique hotel that captures the spirit of the city and connects guests with the local culture.”

A spokesperson from API Hotels & Resorts added: “Our continued partnership with IHG reflects our shared commitment to bringing exceptional global luxury experiences to the region. Kimpton Dubai will offer a unique and elevated experience that combines boutique soul with modern luxury. We’re confident that it will quickly become a landmark destination for both residents and visitors.”

Kimpton’s hotels are known for their ability to foster human connections, with personal touches and thoughtful design that create meaningful, unscripted experiences. From collaborating with local talent, including artists, chefs, and designers, to creating spaces where communities and guests interact seamlessly, Kimpton hotels are designed to inspire connection and creativity.

With Kimpton Dubai, IHG will further strengthen its presence in the Middle East, where the group operates nine core brands, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Staybridge Suites.

For further information please contact:

Ankita Chopra
Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, IMEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
ankita.chopra@ihg.com
+971 4 213 6502

Reem Youssef
Executive, Corporate Affairs, IMEA
IHG Hotels & Resorts
reem.youssef2@ihg.com
+971 4 213 6079

SOURCE: InterContinental Hotels Group