US Hotel Brands Set to Operate Nearly Half of Ras Al Khaimah’s Hotel Keys, Building Upon Decades-Long Partnerships with American Operators
Delegation visits five U.S. cities, as bilateral relationships and investment opportunities are presented
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U.S.-operated hotel brands will account for almost half of the total portfolio of the hospitality developments within Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
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The Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah
A total of 6,365 of the 12,811 hotel keys in the Emirate are set to be operated through U.S. companies and brands, making it the largest single-market share held by any group of operators. The increase in U.S.-operated keys in Ras Al Khaimah builds on the Emirate’s long-standing partnerships with high-end U.S. brands Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria. When Waldorf Astoria was looking to Middle East markets, it chose Ras Al Khaimah as its first UAE location, opening the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in 2013.
The figure of U.S. hotel keys in Ras Al Khaimah is published as a delegation from the Emirate travel to the United States from September 20 to October 10, visiting Miami, Detroit, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and New York.
Fourteen international hotel brands are now signed or operating across Al Marjan Island, Marjan Beach and RAK Central, the Emirate’s key lifestyle and business hubs.
Among the brands committed to Ras Al Khaimah include Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE’s first integrated resort, scheduled to open in 2027. Spanning more than 60 hectares, with 1,530 rooms, 22 restaurants, bars and lounges, 12 pools and 550 meters of private beach, the project is the largest single U.S. foreign direct investment project in the UAE.
Other major projects include Janu Al Marjan Island, an Aman brand, in addition to others already operating including the Ritz-Carlton and Waldorf Astoria.
Arch. Abdulla Rashid Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer of Marjan Group, said: “International capital commits when it can see a comprehensive plan and we are curating Ras Al Khaimah for the next 30 years, so that each project connects to the next rather than standing alone. The interconnectivity of Al Marjan Island, Marjan Beach and RAK Central bring all that together in a unique environment.”
Alison Grinnell, Group COO, Marjan and CEO, Marjan Hospitality, said: “The number and quality of brands coming to Ras Al Khaimah highlights a considered assessment of this market by some of the most experienced operators in the industry, and we treat it as a responsibility as much as an endorsement. Our role as master developer is to ensure those commitments are matched by the infrastructure, connectivity and planning discipline that allow each property to perform, and to make sure operators who open here have reason to open a second.”
Earlier this month, international credit ratings agency S&P Global upheld Ras Al Khaimah’s rating at “A/A-1” with a “stable” outlook, maintaining the same rating from the previous cycle.
Ras Al Khaimah recorded 1.35 million overnight arrivals in 2025 and is targeting 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030, with Dubai International Airport under an hour by road and one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time.
Dr. Carel Richter, Advisor, International Relations, Office of the Ruler, who is leading the Ras Al Khaimah delegation to the US, said: “The growth we’re seeing across Ras Al Khaimah’s hospitality sector reflects the confidence international operators and travellers have placed in this destination. As new properties come online through 2027, we look forward to continued growth across the Emirate’s hospitality sector.”
The delegation will meet local governments, investors and trade partners, among others, across the five cities to build on existing partnerships and identify new opportunities. The delegation includes representatives from the Office of the Ruler’s International Relations Department, Marjan Group, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), Innovation City, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge, RAK Properties and Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office.
About Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the fourth largest Emirate in the UAE, is known for its nature, rich history and progressive vision under HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Committed to sustainable development, economic prosperity, social development and innovation, RAK is an ideal place to live, work and invest.
Strategically located – with one third of the world’s population within a four-hour flight – RAK is a gateway to the Middle East and beyond. Its economy is diverse, with no sector accounting for more than 27% of GDP. The Emirate offers a business-friendly environment with competitive operating costs, 100% foreign ownership, zero income tax and low corporate tax. It is home to over 73,000 companies, with RAKEZ and Innovation City supporting growth across industrial, manufacturing and digital sectors, backed by a future-focused economy validated by ‘A’ range credit ratings since 2008.
Its 0.4 million population comprises 150+ nationalities, each appreciating RAK’s high quality of life and accessible luxury living. Its bold hospitality projects involve luxury global brands, such as Wynn, Four Seasons, Nobu, Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton. RAK Central will redefine the commercial and residential landscape, while RAK’s the Emirate’s natural beauty (UAE’s highest mountain, beaches and deserts) and rich heritage further enhance its appeal.
With year-round sunshine, simple business set-up, a competitive cost of living and great lifestyle, Ras Al Khaimah offers limitless opportunities.
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About Marjan
Marjan is the investment, hospitality and lifestyle company in Ras Al Khaimah, redefining destination development by combining visionary master planning with world-class hospitality and vibrant community living. As the force behind iconic projects such as Al Marjan Island, Marjan Beach, RAK Central, and the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island, Marjan is driving Ras Al Khaimah’s transformation into one of the world’s most dynamic, sustainable, and liveable destinations for investors, residents, and visitors.
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